Sandal season is almost upon us, folks! Time to break out our summer dresses, spruce up our pedicures and refresh our collection of toe-baring footwear. And with such a gorgeous range of colorful slides, embellished straps, waterproof styles and even walkable heels, you’ll likely be tempted to add more than a few to your shopping cart. Here, we pulled together a list of the 25 cutest, comfiest and all-around best sandals available, so you can get a jump start on summer outfit planning.
The 25 Best Sandals for Women to Pair with Your Summer Wardrobe, Starting at Just $26
Published May 26, 2022
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Best Sandals for Women at a Glance
- Best Leather Under $100: Everlane The Day Crossover Sandals
- Best Leather: Gemi The Lorenza
- Best Beach: Freedom Moses Slides
- Best Slide: Sam Edelman Bay Slide Sandals
- Best Flip Flop: Havaianas Slim Flip Flops
- Best Minimalist: Tkees Sarit Sandals
- Best Arch Support: Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
- Best Designer Look for Less: ASOS Design Forty Woven Sandals
- PureWow Reader Favorite: Tory Burch Miller Sandals
- Best for Wide Feet: Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle
- Best for the Whole Family: Salt Water Sandal by Hoy Shoes The Original Sandal
- Best for Outdoor Exploration: Teva Original Universal
- Best Hiking: Chaco Z/Cloud 2 Sandals
- Best Water: The North Face Skeena Sport Sandals
- Best for Travel: Bernardo Lillian Flip-Flops
- Best Heeled Wedding Guest: Tony Bianco Caprice Heels
- Best Flat Wedding Guest: Loeffler Randall Daphne Leather Sandals
- Best Formal: Nina Sarita Sandals
- Best Heel: 42 Gold Liya Slide Sandals
- Best Embellished: De Siena Embellished Raffia Slide Sandals
- Best Throwback: Scholl’s Originals Sustainable Sandals
- Best ‘90s-Inspired: Franco Sarto Caven 3 Slide Sandals
- Trendiest: Farm Rio Flatform Raffia Velcro Sandals
- Best Indoor-Outdoor: Olivia Morris At Home Violet Slides
- Best Splurge: Fabrizio Viti Daisy Berkley Slides
Everlane
1. Everlane The Day Crossover Sandals
Best Leather Under $100
These shoes come recommended by PureWow’s beauty director Jenny Jin and are her go-to everyday pair. “The leather is super soft and didn’t require much, if any, breaking in. And they’re just one of those designs that go with most outfits and work for most occasions. They’re a no-brainer really.” Indeed, these comfy sandals can be easily dressed up or down and come in three colors (taupe, black and white) to mix and match with everything in your wardrobe. Some reviews suggest these run small, so you might want to consider going up half a size, especially if you have wider feet.
M.Gemi
2. M.gemi The Lorenza
Best Leather
These timeless slides from M.Gemi are handmade with Italian leather that ages beautifully, so they’ll only get better over time, and were inspired by Jackie O.’s classic style. They come in six gorgeous hues and run true to size according to reviews, although those with wide feet might find them tight. One thing to note however is that they don’t have much in the way of arch support, so we don’t necessarily recommend wearing these for a full day of walking.
Freedom Moses
3. Freedom Moses Slides
Best Beach
Freedom Moses’s sandals have developed something of a cult following in the past few years, and honestly, we’re not at all surprised. They’re super lightweight, comfortable, affordable and they come in almost every color and pattern imaginable. They’re also waterproof and incredibly easy to clean and, best of all for sunny beach days, they won’t become unbearably hot sitting out in the sun while you’re playing in the waves. Sizing is a little different from other brands and is listed as 6/7, 7/8, 8/9 and so on, but the brand’s site suggests going for the smaller size if you have narrow feet and the larger if you have wider feet.
Sam Edelman
4. Sam Edelman Bay Slide Sandals
Best Slide
Sam Edelman’s simple Bay slides have been a staple in PureWow fashion editor Abby Hepworth’s wardrobe for going on six years now. “They are simple, comfy, last a long time and come in 1 million colors,” she explains. “And they look so luxe for the price tag.” The actual number of hues to choose from is just over 20, including a few croc-embossed options. The footbed is also cushioned just enough to feel much comfier than most other minimalist designs, plus they go up to a size 14 in every color.
Zappos
5. Havaianas Slim Flip Flops
Best Flip Flop
Flip-flops may not be the trendiest sandal style right now, but they’re classics nonetheless. And Havaianas is our go-to when we need to re-up our supply. The Brazilian brand offers their thong sandals in countless colors, patterns and styles to choose from. (Although our favorite will always be the simple monochrome OG slim.)
Revolve
6. Tkees Sarit Sandals
Best Minimalist
These barely-there sandals will practically disappear on your feet for an almost barefoot look. And while they’re certainly not the most supportive shoe on this list, the combination of one angled strap across the toes and another over the middle of your foot hits just the right spots so your shoe won’t flop around with every step. And the insole has a bit of padding to keep your feet happy as you walk around town.
Zappos
7. Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
Best Arch Support
We truly couldn’t be happier about the recent surge in popularity of comfortable footwear, specifically the rise of the Birkenstock sandal. There are so many iterations to choose from—lightweight EVA, colorblock, oversize buckles, flip-flops—and all offer excellent foot support and only get more comfortable with wear. They also come in multiple widths, although you can get an even more custom fit with the functional buckles
ASOS
8. Asos Design Forty Woven Sandals
Best Designer Look for Less
It all started with Bottega Veneta’s woven styles back in 2019, but intricate leather designs have since popped up at affordable prices from brands we love, including this pair from ASOS. It might be a super trendy look for summer 2022, but also won’t feel dated in years to come.
Tory Burch
9. Tory Burch Miller Sandals
PureWow Reader Favorite
For those looking for a flip flop with a bit more oomph, consider the logo-emblazoned Miller sandals from Tory Burch. The circular logo at the top isn’t just cute; it holds your foot in place a bit better than traditional flip flops, and they come in a wide range of classic hues and fresh off the runway patterns.
Birkenstock
10. Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle
Best for Wide Feet
Birkenstock is a good brand for those with wide feet to know, but these shoes, unlike the Arizona, won’t make your feet look any wider. They do come in wide widths, and the buckle is fully functional so you can adjust it for a more custom fit. But we also love that the singular, wide strap is contoured in such a way as to help slim the appearance of your feet. And, of course, they come with Birkenstock’s signature cushy, supportive insoles.
Zappos
11. Salt Water Sandal By Hoy Shoes The Original Sandal
Best for the Whole Family
“Salt Water Sandals are the best summer shoes on the planet,” says Jillian Quint, PureWow EIC. “They are so comfortable, waterproof and can be dressed up or down. And really inexpensive!” Indeed, these adorable, classic sandals come in a wide range of solid hues (including metallics) and those wide leather straps are comfortable enough for a full day of city exploration. They also come in kids sizes for an adorable mommy and me moment.
Teva
12. Teva Original Universal
Best for Outdoor Exploration
Whether you’re exploring the beach, the wilderness or your own backyard, having a pair of waterproof sandals with extra traction (to prevent slipping and scraped knees) is necessary. And you’d be hard pressed to find a better pair than Tevas. They’re also definitely trendy enough to wear around town before or after your adventures, and come in a wide range of colors and styles, like platform soles and strappy slides.
REI
13. Chaco Z/cloud 2 Sandals
Best Hiking
If you’re in need of a sporty, waterproof sandals with more arch support and ample traction, this sustainably-made Chaco pair is definitely worth the splurge. And we’re not the only one who think so—they have a 4.4-star rating with more than 100 reviews at REI. They also come in wide widths in more colors than just black, although there are only whole sizes available, so we suggest sizing up for those in between.
The North Face
14. The North Face Skeena Sport Sandals
Best Water
These outdoor adventure-ready sandals are waterproof and offer excellent traction, but also fit in nicely with the chunky sandal trend currently storming our Instagram feeds. In fact, despite being designs specifically for water sports, these sandals would look incredibly cool with a black dress and leather handbag in the city too.
Nordstrom
15. Bernardo Lillian Flip-flops
Best for Travel
Shoes take up so much room in a suitcase, so we really try to limit our footwear whenever we’re headed out of town. These Bernardo flip-flops are fancy enough to dress up for dinner, but are also water resistant so you don’t have to stress about splashing them when you hit the pool. And the minimalist footbed is surprisingly comfy thanks to a cushioned insole and flexible rubber outsole. Now all that’s left to do a choose a color.
Revolve
16. Tony Bianco Caprice Heels
Best Heeled Wedding Guest
If you prefer a little lift over a totally flat shoe, these Tony Bianco beauties have a 2 ¼ inch heel that adds height without putting undue stress on your arches. They come in three colors—white, black and beige—to go with everything in your wardrobe, no matter your style, and could even be dressed down with some jeans and a flowy blouse for casual drinks with friends.
Saks Fifth Avenue
17. Loeffler Randall Daphne Leather Sandals
Best Flat Wedding Guest
Not every formal occasion requires a pair of heels—especially outdoor summer weddings. Because slowly sinking into the grass with every step is not our idea of a fun evening. But these gold, tie-front slides are definitely fancy enough to work with any dress code or occasion.
Nina Shoes
18. Nina Sarita Sandals
Best Formal
No, you don’t need to wear heels just because the dress code is formal. These Nina sandals are every bit as fancy as those toe-pinching stilettos, but infinitely more comfortable. The back is also secured with Velcro so you can easily tighten or loosen it to prevent blisters without fussing with tiny buckles and straps. And the footbed is padded for extra comfort, giving you no excuse to not go bust a move on the dance floor.
Nordstrom
19. 42 Gold Liya Slide Sandals
Best Heel
These easy slip-ons come in so many different hues—gold and zebra and orange, oh my!—and are super comfortable thanks to the combo of extra-wide straps and a block heel. Seriously, one PureWow editor already owns them in two colors and is strongly considering snapping up a third. “They’re so easy to dress up or down, and such a classic design, they’ll never be out of style. I’m hooked!”
Anthropologie
20. De Siena Embellished Raffia Slide Sandals
Best Embellished
Whether you have a fancy occasion on the books or just want to add a little sparkle to your everyday apparel, these raffia sandals will definitely fit the bill. The combination of the ruffled raffia and gemstones is incredibly fun and stands apart from more minimalist designs. P.S. Brides will be excited to hear they also come in ivory.
Dr. Scholl’s
21. Dr. Scholl’s Original Sustainable Sandals
Best Throwback
Yes, the old-school wooden sandal is back, so if you didn’t hold onto your OG pair from back in the day (or even if you did), now’s the time to pick up a new color of Dr. Scholl’s, or maybe even a printed pair. Even better, the brand recently released a more eco-friendly version made with sustainably-sourced beechwood for the sole and responsibly-sourced leather for the upper. Dr. Scholl’s is also donating one tree to Trees for the Future for every purchase to help offset carbon emissions.
Nordstrom
22. Franco Sarto Caven 3 Slide Sandals
Best ‘90s-Inspired
If your Pinterest board is covered with photos of Rachel Green and Carolyn Bassett Kennedy, you’ll adore these retro-inspired slides from Franco Sarto. The square toe (and heel) combined with a minimalist wide strap gives us incredibly chic ‘90s vibes. Even better, the insole is ergonomically cushioned to keep your feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long, plus they come in a slew of hot summery hues to add a pop to any outfit.
Farm Rio
23. Farm Rio Flatform Raffia Velcro Sandals
Trendiest
Even if you haven’t heard of Farm Rio, you’ve likely seen the brand’s colorful designs all over Instagram and on celebs like Kerry Washington, Kelly Ripa and Lupita Nyong'o. Well, the Brazilian brand finally launched footwear, and we expect to see the above flatforms everywhere very shortly. There are multiple adorable sandals to choose from, but we think the sporty Velcro straps and colorful platform sole will make this style an absolute must-have post Memorial Day.
Shopbop
24. Olivia Morris At Home Violet Slides
Best Indoor-Outdoor
We came for the ‘60s floral print, but stayed for the cozy terry cloth material. Yes, these cozy slides are every bit as comfortable as your favorite slippers, just with more arch support and better breathability. Best of all, they have a leather sole and were designed for wearing out and about, so you can get double the use sporting them both for working at home and at the office.
Shopbop
25. Fabrizio Viti Daisy Berkley Slides
Best Splurge
Fabrizio Viti’s daisy-adorned sandals have been growing in popularity for a little while now, so if you’re looking for a splurge, we highly suggest picking up this fun metallic pair before they sell out. The exaggerated footbed is incredibly comfy and the silver leather is super soft, meaning you’ll barely have to break them in all.
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