What makes a sandal stylish is often a matter of taste and opinion. Comfort, however, comes down to specific criteria. Materials, construction, flexibility and breathability are some of the factors that experts take into consideration when evaluating the most comfortable sandals for women—and you should too, if you want a pair you can wear all day that won’t cause blisters or inflame conditions like plantar fasciitis.
You don’t need to shop in a podiatrist’s office, though. Plenty of everyday sandals combine orthopedic details with actually-cool designs. Here’s what to look for: a thick, cushioned sole that’s firm but not too stiff in the midsole and a slightly elevated silhouette or wedge that tapers down to your forefoot, which shifts your weight away tender areas like the heels. Deep heel cups and straps also help cradle your foot and keep it securely in place to prevent pronation or rolling your ankles.
The caveat: To find a quality sandal, you have spend a bit more than you normally would for say, a pair of throw-away flip flops or wedges that look cute but make you wince by the end of the day. In this case, you get what you pay for. Still, there are deals to be had if you shop early before the vacation rush. Ahead, 7 of the best comfortable sandals for women that are stylish and kind to your feet.
Best Sandals For Overall Comfort: Sorel Joanie III Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal
Best Sandals For Walking: Mephisto Helen Sandal
Best Sandals With Arch Support: Sketchers Arch Fit
Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis: Fitflop Lulu Toe-Post Sandal
Best Sandals For Hiking: Teva Women's Ascona Sport Web Strappy Sandal
Best Platform Sandals: Porte & Paire Quilted Leather Slides
Best Strappy Sandals: Sorel Ella II Sandal
Best Sandal For Overall Comfort
Sorel Joanie III Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal
Sorel is well-known for their incredibly comfortable boots and the Portland, Oregon brand’s sandals are expertly designed and stylish as well. The Joanie III wedge cradles your foot securely with leather or suede straps, depending on which model you choose. The faux-wood or EVA platform take the pressure off your arches and is grounded in lightweight rubber for extra cushioning and traction. They also strike the right balance on the height, with a three inch wedge, but are not too high to walk in all day.
Best Sandals For Walking
Mephisto Helen Sandal
Mephisto was founded in France in 1965 and sets the standard for impeccably designed sandals, which have earned the respect of podiatrists and style-conscious fans. The Helen is a bestseller with hand-finished straps, a contoured footbed that molds to your foot and a flexible latex sole. The Soft Air technology also reduces shock and relieves pressure on joints. On the fashion side, this pick comes in more than 20 different colors and styles, which gives you a lot of options for day and evening wear.
Best Sandals With Arch Support
Sketchers Arch Fit
Skechers applies the technology that make their sneakers so comfortable to their sandals as well. This pair has a podiatrist-designed shape, which was developed using data from 120,000 unweighted foot scans, over 20 years. The contoured footbed supports your arches and increases weight dispersion to reduce any pounding and, as added bonus, this sandal is machine-washable.
Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
Fitflop Lulu Toe-Post Sandal
Fitflop is an orthopedic-like brand with fashion-conscious appeal. These highly-rated ergonomic sandals feature a triple-density “Microwobbleboard” midsole, engineered by British biomechanists to absorb shock and diffuse underfoot pressure. The results provide support to the areas where plantar fasciitis can cause inflammation—i.e. the thick band of tissue connecting your toes and your heel—and prevent flare-ups.
Best Sandals For Hiking
Teva Women's Ascona Sport Web Strappy Sandal
Teva’s ultra-supportive sandals are great for light treks or travel. The Ascona is the newer version of the bestselling Tirra—it’s designed with contoured EVA midsole for cushy arch support, nylon shanks to stabilize your foot on uneven terrain and a rugged rubber outsole that gives you traction, especially on slippery, wet surfaces.
Best Platform Sandals
Porte & Paire Quilted Leather Slides
Porte & Paire specializes in footwear that’s on trend but also incredible comfortable and easy to wear. This versatile pair is made with sporty, on the go types in mind and combines a chunky silhouette with wide, crossover bands that keep your feet in place and a cushioned platform sole. The straps are made from quilted, supple leather—which don’t require any breaking in and look chic, too.
Best Strappy Sandals
Sorel Ella II Sandal
You can find a lot of cheaper strappy sandals on the market but those often wear out after a few uses. For a pair that actually lasts, consider Sorel’s Ella. The bestselling sandals have full-grain leather with stretch gore straps, a cushioned foam footbed that softens your step and a razor-cut, scalloped outsole for extra traction. You’ll get a little bounce when you walk, which is essential in a flat, and they come in 15 different colors from beautiful tan to gorgeous light blue.
