The Best Men’s Sandals to Wear This Summer

Summertime is fast approaching, and with it, so too are days of extensive outdoor activity, fun, and function. Wearing your traditional closed-toe sneakers or boots is all fine and well — but as temperatures rise, there’s something about letting those feet “feel the wind” that’s inherently appealing. Obviously, you’re not going to be able to partake in the sensation with a pair of foot-hugging, fully-enclosed pieces of footwear, which means that you, as well as many others, will call on the iconic sandal for support.

But you’re not the type to adorn just any strap-clad model, no. You’re the renaissance man of summer style, and you’re looking for a sandal that’ll take on any environment, situation, and ecosystem with ease, while still looking refined and stylish. Naturally, this leaves us with a more stringent filter regarding variants that can be bought. It’s also a detriment to our overall search, meaning that we’ll have to spend a large amount of our time looking for reputable models from equally-reputable companies. To streamline your experience, we’ve decided to do the heavy lifting for you. Over the past week, we’ve scoured the web in search of the genre’s most interesting open-toe footwear samples, and we’ve stumbled upon quite a few that we think will tickle your fancy. So, throw on some shades and slather on the sunscreen, we’re about to waltz right into our guide on the best men’s sandals.

What to look out for

Style: Sandals are simple footwear staples that have likely been around longer than we think. These days, they can come in many different styles and be utilized for different situations. Popular examples include sports sandals (characterized by being more rugged), flip-flops (for the beach or just hanging around), and slip-on sandals that vere into the more formal territory. Make sure you know what kind of style is right for you and how you want your sandals to work.

Material: Just like the varying styles, the material used in sandals can (and will) vary as well. Flip-flops and sports sandals will usually have better protection against the elements, including synthetic material, while leather and suede are popular choices among the dressier options. Again, these rules aren’t ironclad so pay attention to the label’s material breakdown to make an informed decision.

Adidas Adielette Slides

The Best Shower Sandals: If you’re a fan of the sandal genre, there’s no denying the importance and prolific nature of Adidas’ various offerings. The Adilette just so happens to be one of its most lauded. It was originally released all the way back in 1972, and since then, it’s remained relatively the same, with minimal design upgrades, improvements, or evolutionary traits. If that doesn’t give you an idea of the sandal’s timelessness, then maybe its long list of modern attributes will. The Adilette features a soft, textile lining, a contoured footbed, a synthetic upper, and a tractable PU outsole, providing the utmost support and durability as you traipse around the outdoors.

J. Crew Striped Flip-Flops

The Best Flip-Flops: J.Crew’s ‘Flip Flop’ might boast one of the more unoriginal names in the genre, but that doesn’t mean that it’s anything short of glorious. Sure, it holds true to the brand’s original mission statement of minimalism and affordability, but it’s also a staple piece that pulls the most prominent traits from other sandals and gets rid of all the unnecessary fat. Like most of its summer-savvy counterparts, the Flip Flop takes on a nylon upper, rubber sole, and a cushioned foam footbed that’ll contour to your foot over time, making it a surefire pick for those who head to the beach on a regular basis.

Teva Original Universe

The Best Outdoor Sandals: Teva makes some pretty amazing sandals, and while many of their variants can be construed as overengineered, utilitarian, and overly complex, the brand’s Original Universal strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and function. Marketed as an outdoor sport sandal, the Original Universal rids itself of the robust features and outsoles of the company’s alternative models, opting instead for a slim, all-terrain Vibram MegaGrip variant. This, coupled with an Ariaprene-lined midsole, quick-drying webbing, and an ultra-secure hook-and-loop closure, helps to set it apart from the genre’s less-dependable offerings. The cherry on top? Each example is crafted with vegan-friendly/plant-based materials, as well as recycled plastics to keep bottles out of our adored oceans and waterways.

Keen Uneek

The Best Sport Sandals: KEEN took a break from crafting some of the world’s most dominant outdoor shoes to create the quintessential sandal for summer. The result? The Uneek — an odd, cord-clad variant that’s here to question all your preconceived notions about what a sandal really is. It takes on an innovative upper, which is essentially a nylon core surrounded by a polyester-braided cord, to create one of the most adaptive models around. It also boasts a secure microfiber heel back, bungee-lacing system, and a “metatomical” footbed, gifting wearers with a personalized, molded feel. To round things out, a lightweight PU midsole and non-marking outsole join forces, providing ample comfort and traction throughout the Uneek’s life of wear.

Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Oiled Leather

The Comfiest Sandals: If you’re a fan of sandals, you’re likely well-acquainted with Birkenstock’s expansive catalog of offerings. The German label’s sandals are a classic choice with a legendary history to back them up. And the Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Oiled Leather sandals are one of the brand’s most comfortable choices, thanks to its lightweight EVA sole, oiled leather upper, and suede footbed lining. The best part? Each example is modeled on Birkenstock’s revered footbed, offering a contoured, anatomical design that’s made its sandals the talk of the town in more than a few of the world’s most fashionable locales.

Nisolo Huarache Sanda

The Best Semi-Formal Sandals: If you want some sandals that can go undercover as some more formal shoes, then the Nisolo Huarache Sanda is a solid choice. A classic Mexican staple, these shoes are breathable and perfect for warm weather, with the added ease of slipping them on and off. The interwoven leather upper and leather insole provides an elegant yet stable sandal, ready for the beach or a wine tasting.

 Suicoke Black MOTO-Mab Sandals

The Best City Sandals: For those of you in the market for some more stylish sandals that will fit right at home in the city, SUICOKE’s Black MOTO-Mab sandals are perfect for just that. They’re open-toe shoes with adjustable velcro straps and soft shearling lining. But they don’t just look good, they feel good too, thanks to the EVA foam footbed and the foam rubber sole.

Todd Snyder Nomad Suede Crossover Sandal

The Best Suede Sandals: Looking back on warm summer in Italy, Todd Snyder was inspired to give us the Nomad Sude Crossover Sandal. And this inspiration is clearly seen in these Italian-made shoes (handcrafted in Tuscany), featuring a soft suede upper, a foam footbed, and an EVA outsole. These are great for lazy days at home, but have no problem gussying up with you for a warm night on the town.

Ancient Greek Sandals Dinatos Comfort

The Best Leather Sandals: Classic leather sandals and Greek history are nearly synonymous, with many famous Greeks sporting the famous ankle strap sandals. The Dinatos Comfort sandals from Ancient Greek Sandals are a great homage to these iconic Greek-style silhouettes, with some added modern luxuries. They’ve got a simple design with classic leather, but the sole has been improved with the label’s new comfort sole. So you can hang like Dionysus, or move (fast as you’d like) with style like Hermes.

The Best shorts to complete the summer look

With summer fast approaching, your new sandals could use some company. Check out our best shorts guide to get ready for some warm weather.