This article has been updated with current models for March 2020. We’ve added the Ecco Flowt LX Sandal and removed the UnderArmour Fat Tire Sandal.
March is here, and Spring is just around the corner. Summer follows next, and with that comes the Sandal season.
However, warm weather isn’t the only reason to wear sandals.
Besides being a style choice, sandals work better if you have wide feet or simply prefer the breezy openness. Some people use sandals as recuperative footwear. Open footwear is a lot easier on the feet than closed shoes if you’re recovering from an injury.
So what qualities should you look for in a sandal? We’d like to point out that this guide doesn’t cover flip-flops and slides; that’s a category large enough to deserve a separate guide.
Even after excluding flip-flops, sandals cover a diverse range of silhouettes and consumer needs. If you’re looking for comfortable casual-wear sandals, you’ll find brands like Birkenstock, Clarks and Ecco to be a good fit.
The outdoor sandal market is cornered by brands like Chaco, Keen, Merrell, and Teva. This sub-category offers the choice of protective open footwear for hiking or water-sports.
Then there are hybrid shoe-sandals that combine a sandal strapping system with a semi-closed upper. Models like the Timberland Altramount Fisherman sandal and the Keen Newport H2 target this market niche.
Regardless of the sub-category, the basic functional requirements stay the same. A cushioned and supportive midsole is a must-have. Since sandals lack the secure upper fit of closed footwear, the midsole must provide most of the stability.
The overall stability level of a sandal depends on various factors. The footbed should be contoured to keep the foot from sliding off the edges. In the absence of an upper, the molding should include under-arch support. A wide and flat outsole geometry with excellent traction should also be a part of the design.
The ride needs to have the right balance between cushioning comfort and support – which means that the midsole foam needs to be firm. The geometry should have enough margin ahead of the toes to prevent sidewalk bumps.
Whether you need a roomy or narrow fit will depend on your foot shape. Nonetheless, the upper should not bite or use materials that stain fabrics.
The following buyer’s guide is split into three sandal groups – the black and brown, the all-round sports sandals, and the protective outdoor kind.
Black and brown casuals:
These 2-strap and Fisherman sandals are comfortable enough for all-day urban exploring. Pair them with your shorts or Khakis for the weekend look.
1) Ecco Flowt LX slide
This is a modern and dressy take on the two-strap sandal design.
Clean, elegant lines of the unlined and waxed leather upper combine with the polished buckles for an elegant look and feel. The leather-covered footbed blends with the upper and the white cupsole to give the Ecco Flowt LX an understated and refined appearance.
There’s plenty of walking-friendly cushioning packed into the Flowt LX. The leather insole hides a molded EVA midsole, and the directly injected sole adds stability and comfort.
2) Teva Langdon Sandal
Sometimes a 2-strap sandal doesn’t cut it for you, and you need something with a secure upper fit. At the same time, you don’t want to cross over to the sports-sandal side.
The Teva Langdon is a satisfying compromise between active-wear and casual leather sandal aesthetics. A mesh and leather frame in a Fisherman style provides a secure lock-down without coming across as overly sporty.
There’s a foam footbed lined with a soft synthetic and an EVA midsole underneath. That makes the Langdon cushioned yet supportive; the full-contact rubber outsole cups the midsole for stability while being grippy at the same time.
3) Ecco Sport Yucatan Sandal
The Ecco Yucatan is another Fisherman style sandal that melds tonal, black and brown styling with athletic footwear performance.
A two-point hook and loop closure makes the upper fit secure and adjustable at the same time. A neoprene mesh lining makes all-day wear a comfortable experience. We’d like to point out that the forefoot strap isn’t a working hook-and-loop closure – you can only make tiny fit adjustments there.
Ecco uses direct injection to make its outsoles, and the Yucatan Sandal is no different. A resilient Polyurethane midsole is directly injected over a durable rubber outsole. The PU foam delivers stable cushioning and the dual-density footbed enhances the step-in comfort.
4) Ecco X-Trinsic leather Sandal
Here’s another Ecco sandal, and a slightly more dressy one at that. The embossed, waxed leather straps get you the muted black-and-brown styling while the mesh-lined 3-point closure makes the upper fit active-wear worthy.
The underfoot comfort comes from the cushy anatomical footbed and the directly injected Ecco midsole. The flat profile of the rubber outsole is excellent for traction and stability.
Versatile sports sandals:
These sandals are suitable for light hikes, travel, and everyday use.
1) Teva Original Universal
You must be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of – or at least seen – the Teva Original sandal.
This sandal is a backpacker favorite due to its lightweight build, cushioned midsole, and a nylon strap system that folds flat, fits well, and is easy to clean.
2) Chaco Z Cloud
If you prefer a lightweight textile strap upper along with an anatomical and cushioned footbed, you should get yourself the Chacos Z Cloud. The molded midsole cups the arch for everyday support.
Underneath, a grippy and supportive rubber outsole produces a reassuringly planted feel.
3) Teva Strata Universal
The Teva Strata comes shod with a small-lugged Vibram Megagrip outsole. As a result, this sports sandal has excellent traction.
There’s plenty of comfort in the form of the padded straps and an anatomical footbed that supports the arch.
Protective Outdoor sandals:
These half-shoe, half-sandal models offer a higher level of protection over standard Fisherman and strap-based sandals.
Wear them for outdoor use or to find that happy place between open and closed footwear.
1) Keen Newport H2 Sandal
The comfort and protection of a closed athletic shoe. The open-air construction of a sandal. The Keen Newport H2 has both in equal measures and that’s what makes this semi-sandal so popular.
The signature Keen toe cap forms a protective barrier over the toes; the hydrophobic foam lining backed straps wrap the foot securely without blocking ventilation. Lacing is quick and fuss-free thanks to the bungee cord lock.
There’s no separate insole. The anatomically molded midsole doubles as the footbed for step-in comfort. The flat geometry of the rubber outsole is supportive and provides adequate traction over urban and outdoor surfaces.
2) Keen Uneek Sandal
Though you see familiar bits and pieces like a bungee lacing and anatomical footbed from Keen’s playbook, that’s where the similarities end.
Soft, Polyester-Nylon composite cords allow the midsole to flex freely – thus creating an ‘Uneek’ ride, fit, and visual character. The inter-locking cords go directly under the anatomical midsole without creating bumps under the foot.
The end product produces an upper fit that is secure yet relaxed at the same time. That was on the top; cushioning the foot is a durable PU foam midsole with arch-support and an outsole with reliable traction.
3) Timberland Altamount closed-toe Fisherman Sandal
With the Timberland Altamount, we’re stretching the definition of a ‘sandal’ here.
But if you disregard the semantics, features like a quick-release hook and loop closure and the leather-strapped upper offer sandal-like benefits.
You get a generous amount of ventilation with the stitch-down upper alongside a cushioned ride and rubber outsole with good traction.
Unlike most sandals, this shoe comes with a removable insole so you have the option of replacing it with an aftermarket sockliner.