Best Men’s Sandals
There’s nothing worse than a pair of sandals or flip flops that fall apart or disintegrate as you’re walking around in them.
Don’t make the mistake of buying the all-too convenient pair of sandals at the beach-side store, since it will more than likely end in sore feet and disappointment.
Instead, figure out what the best type of shoe for your feet is, bearing in mind comfort, material, and the style of shoe which best suits your needs.
Let’s dive into our top men’s sandals picks. Here they are…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
⭐ Our Other Best Men’s Sandals
- Best of the Best: Merrell Men’s Gridway Slide
- Runner Up: Olukai Men’s Hokule’a Kia Sandals
- Best on a Budget: Under Armour Men’s Slide Sneaker
- Best Flip Flops: REEF Men’s Fanning Flip Flop
- Best Leather Sandals: Dr. Scholl’s Men’s Gordon Sandal
Best Men’s Sandals Reviews
Merrell Men’s Gridway Slide (👑 Best of the Best)
The best men’s sandals in our view are the Merrell Gridway Slides, given how sleek, stylish, and comfortable they are.
Merrell is a top footwear brand known for their comfortable yet elegant shoes, ranging from sneakers to slides. These Gridway slides are the perfect type of sandals to wear if you value comfort as much as you do style. Available in both black, and boulder, you’ll have no problem integrating these slides into your wardrobe due to the neutral colors.
Made from 100% recycled yarn knit, the first thing you’ll notice as you slip your feet into these slides is how soft they are. It’s so easy to slide your feet into the shoes and when you do your feet should feel instantly comfortable and well-supported. The cushioned EVA footbed gives you the best chance of surviving a long day of walking without a moment of discomfort. This is reinforced by the soft fabric lining, which ensures things are as cosy on the inside as they look from the outside.
As an eco-friendly option, you will feel great about your decision as you stroll around the beach safe in the knowledge that you’ve reduced your carbon footprint.
Features:
- 100% recycled yarn knit upper
- Easy slip-on style
- Cushioned EVA footbed
- Cushioned EVA midsole made from 30% recycled materials
Olukai Men’s Hokule’a Kia Sandals (🥈 Runner Up)
As a premium pair of full-grain leather sandals, you’re going to look and feel your best every time if you have the Hokule’a from brand OLUKAI.
Leather sandals can be a very elegant addition to your wardrobe, and dispel the notion that sandals have to be colorful or made from cheap materials. Made from full-grain leather, you know that these sandals are built to last, and they should only get more comfortable the more you wear them. They are available in 4 subtle shades, ranging from the lighter tan color, to a dark wood brown, to match any outfit.
The outboard strap construction of these sandals has been designed to offer the wearer the optimal amount of arch support, preventing pain as much as possible. They are also designed with soles that are thicker at the back than the front, which is commonly recommended by podiatrists for the most comfort while walking.
Speaking of comfort, the compression molded EVA midsole is wrapped in full-grain leather, which provides comfort in the long-term and can adapt to your foot shape over time.
Features:
- Available in 4 color options
- Full-grain leather upper
- Compression molded EVA midsole
- Full-grain leather outsole with non-marking rubber traction pods
Under Armour Men’s Slide Sneaker (💰 Best on a Budget)
For trekking around in the heat on a budget, you really can’t get much better than the Under Armour slide sneakers.
Think of this shoe as a hybrid of a slide and a flip flop, which provides the comfort of the former with the convenience of the latter. As you can imagine, these slides are designed with the active lifestyle in mind, so they are built to last even if you enjoy long walks.
As well as being some of the most affordable slides around, these shoes from Under Armour come in a range of different colors. It’s always nice to have a burst of color in your footwear, especially if you’re looking for something to be active day in day out. The attractive color combinations include black and high-vis yellow, red and white, and the classic black and white.
The HeatGear lining on the sole of the slides will help ensure that the bottom of your feet stay dry throughout the day. There’s also a fixed strap with additional foam underneath which makes for an extremely comfortable fit.
Features:
- Available in 7 color combinations
- Synthetic sole
- Fixed strap with added foam
- HeatGear lining
REEF Men’s Fanning Flip Flop (👣 Best Flip Flops)
If you’re looking for a pair of top flip flops that combine comfort with practicality, these REEF Fanning shoes should be a top contender.
While flip flops get a bad rap sometimes, these ones from REEF prove that they don’t have to be cheap, tacky, or easily destroyed. Available at just a fraction more than the poorly made beach side flip flops, these shoes come in a huge variety of colors. There are more than 20 different color combinations to choose from with these REEF flip flops, most of them being subtle, yet striking.
One of the most important things to mention about these shoes, before the construction, is the reception they’d had from past customers. The REEF flip flops have been met with praise by a huge number of satisfied customers, which has made them a number one bestseller on Amazon. What people seem to love most is how comfortable these flip flops are compared to the average pair.
This comfort is due wholly to the construction of the flip flops, as the manufacturer used man made Nubuck, EVA, and rubber. The shoes were also handcrafted to have a comfortable footbed and perfect arch support. There is also a shock-absorbing EVA foam footbed and a 360 degree heel airbag. The outsole is made from quality rubber which gives you plenty of traction and the nubuck upper strap is comfortable and water-friendly.
The most underrated part of these flip flops from REEF though has to be the church key bottle opener which is integrated into the rubber outsole. As if making a comfortable flip flop wasn’t enough, REEF went the extra mile and made the first design to include a bottle opener. Perfect for tucking into a cold beer on the beach.
Features:
- Available in over 20 colors
- Includes bottle opener on outsole
- Shock absorbing
- EVA foam footbed
- 360 degree heel airbag
- Rubber outsole
- Nubuck upper strap
Dr. Scholl’s Men’s Gordon Sandal (🤵 Best Leather Sandals)
Dr.Scholl’s Gordon sandals are the best leather sandals in our view, providing a perfect blend of elegance and comfort.
Available in the classic colors of black and brown, you can wear these leather sandals with most outfits and look as sharp as ever. This is helped by the full grain leather upper, which gives off a great impression and can add a lot to your beachside style.
These slide sandals have a trio of connected leather straps which help keep your foot nice and secure throughout the day. The padded memory foam insole is the star of the show though. Dr. Scholl has a reputation for producing extremely comfortable footwear, and these leather sandals fit into this mould perfectly. There’s also a flexible rubber sole with traction to keep you grounded, and a neat microsuede lining.
Features:
- Available in black or brown
- Full grain leather upper
- Microsuede lining
- Cushioned memory foam insole
- Rubber sole with traction
Ultimate Guide to Men’s Sandal Fashion
Picking out a new pair of sandals isn’t an easy task, since contrary to popular belief there’s more to it than settling for a color and the right size.
Sandals and even flip flops can be an incredibly comfortable and stylish form of footwear that you can rock all day long when the sun shines.
To make sure you don’t end up disappointed, it’s worth your time to consider the following key factors before you buy.
Sandals vs Slides vs Flip Flops
The first thing you need to establish before you go ahead and start looking is what style of footwear you need.
While all three are perfectly suitable for strolling around in the summer, sandals, slides, and flip flops have some key areas in which they differ.
Sandals
Sandals are the traditional form of footwear for men at summer time. If you aren’t wearing canvas shoes or espadrilles, then you’re probably going to be rocking a pair of sandals.
Sandals are the perfect pair of shoes for the hot day, since they allow your feet to breathe and your toes to flex. This is a lot more comfortable than having your shoes trapped inside a closed shoe, sweating profusely.
The other great thing about sandals is their versatility. You wouldn’t look out of place wearing sandals walking along the beach or walking through the city centre.
You can also make sandals look great with both casual and formal outfits, so they really should be something you have in your wardrobe.
Slides
Slides are a relatively new invention, and they sit somewhere between the flip flop and the sandal.
Offering the convenience of a flip flop combined with the stability of a sandal, slides can be a great alternative to both. Pairs of slides like those made by Under Armour can be great for moving around when it’s hot while keeping the bottom of your feet cool and dry.
By covering a bigger part of your feet, they are slightly more suitable for streetwear than flip flops too, so they are more versatile as a result. You can even wear them with socks, if you want to.
While still very much a casual option and largely unsuitable for formal wear, slides provide an interesting alternative to both sandals and flip flops.
Flip Flops
Flip flops aren’t for everyone, but don’t rule them out due to your expectations, they can be surprisingly stylish and comfortable if you find the right pair.
They are best used as beach wear, as you might draw more than a few looks wearing them around town.
What you need to look for in flip flops is a pair that has sufficient arch support, with thick soles and comfortable insoles being a top priority. Otherwise, you could end up causing yourself unnecessary foot pain at the end of a long beach day.
However, if you’re going to be walking on concrete or around town, you might feel like your feet are insufficiently protected from the ground and sandals would be a better choice.
Design
The design or craftsmanship of the sandals you look at should also play a significant role in your decision-making process.
Comfort
Comfort should be your number one priority for investing in sandals.
Ideally, you want a sandal with an insole made from EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate), which is a rubber-like material used due to how soft and flexible it is.
Memory foam is also a great option, as it can mould to the shape and contour of your feet.
Full-grain leather can also be comfortable, as again it will adapt to your feet over a long period of time.
Style
Style is subjective, but there’s no doubt that some designs are more appealing than others, which largely comes down to appearance, color, and material.
- Appearance
While flip flops typically won’t win you any points for fashion, slides provide a happy medium which bridges the gap in style between them and sandals.
As far as appearance goes, the most important part is the design of the straps as this is the main part others will notice.
Do you prefer a series of straps like the Dr.Scholl leather sandals, or a single strap like that seen in the Olukai sandals?
- Color
For sandals, you probably want neutral colors that will pair well with casual or formal outfits alike, such as a shade of black or brown.
For slides and flip flops, they are more fun footwear styles so a pop of color can be a great idea.
- Material
Full grain leather is arguably the most stylish material used in sandals, while slides can look striking in a soft sustainable yarn like the Merrell’s show.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Sandals
What are the best men’s sandals?
The Merrell Gridway slides are our top pick for men’s sandals, as they’re supremely soft and stylish.
When looking for a new pair of sandals to wear when the sun is shining, your number one priority should be comfort, and these slides definitely deliver in that regard.
The bonus is that you’ll struggle to find a better looking pair of sandals, which is par for the course for the quality-focussed brand Merrell.
What brand of sandals is best?
While the brand of sandals is important, it shouldn’t necessarily be your guiding principle when you make your decision.
It’s certainly true that the top footwear brands like Merrell and Dr. Scholl produces some of the best sandals, but you’ll also find lesser well-known brands like REEF and Olukai offering great options too.
Figure out what your criteria are for a pair of sandals, and that way you’ll give yourself the best chance of finding the best ones for you.
What sandals do podiatrists recommend?
While sandals aren’t known for being the most supportive footwear, there are certain criteria that can make some better than others in terms of comfort.
Podiatrists usually recommend thick soles, which are higher at the back than they are at the front, especially for the slide style of sandal shoe.
Having this thicker sole will give the arches of your feet much-needed support as you strut your stuff on the beach and around town.
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A Final Word From The Trending Man
If you need a neat new pair of sandals to rock when the sun comes out, there are plenty of great options to choose from.
Just make sure you take comfort, sandal material, and other key factors into account before you part with your hard-earned cash.
