The Best Hiking Sandals for Men, Tested by Editors

Hiking sandals often have mythical development stories—river guides and thru hikers cobbling together prototypes in their garages, frustrated with the lack of performance in the current market. Bedrock is no different. Launched in 2011 by two guys who worked in river restoration designed sandals they wanted to wear. The result was Bedrock: simple, repairable sandals that have become mountain town staples.

Bedrock’s latest iteration, the Cairn 3D lives up to the hype. The sandals are minimalist, but still supportive, allowing you to log miles. The outsole is incredibly grippy, and we found that it’s capable of rocky terrain, sandy treks, or in-water adventures. And it’s repairable, so don’t worry about putting it through the wringer. Our testers found that it was by far the most capable (and lightest) hiking sandals of the group. Desert hikes, river trips, and even bikepacking, this sandal does it all. Take note that those who prefer more robust foot support should choose a different sandal on this list since Bedrock leans heavily into the minimalistic aspect of hiking sandals. If you want to hike light and fast, the Cairns are the best all-terrain vehicle for your feet.

Read more: Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes

Chaco’s classic Z/Sandal was invented by a whitewater guide, and you can tell. The infinitely adjustable sandals are river trip staples and excel at hikes where you may be crossing streams or ending with an alpine lake swim. The brand Luvseat footbed is certified by podiatrists and great for arch support, and the ChacoGrip outsole, a proprietary rubber blend made by the brand, is multi-terrain capable. Our testers wore this on a cliff jumping approach on Hawaii’s big island and loved having the security of the fit for the 40 feet jump into nowhere.

Downsides? The pass-through strap system has an adjustment learning curve, and the sandals themselves are one of the heaviest on the list. But that still makes them far lighter than a traditional hiking boot or even some trail runners. And any hurdles in learning the adjustment system are more than made up for in the ability to customize the fit. Because Chacos straps are made with one continuous piece of webbing, you can truly dial in a fit that’s just right for your foot.

Is it a sandal or is it a shoe? Who really cares when it works as well as the Hopara? Hoka’s hybrid creation keeps rocks out while still allowing breathability. It has the best support of sandals on this list, but doesn’t feel like walking on a marshmallow. And the chunky, hybrid look works in the world of Gorpcore style.

The Hopara 2 is breathable for a shoe, but less breathable than an open toe sandal. But it makes up for it in security of fit and performance, keeping out gravel and pebbles that are the bane of sandal-clad hikers. Our tester wore this for a three-day canoe trip through Northern Michigan’s pristine rivers and lakes and loved the security of the Hopara’s for heavily laden portages and exploring wooded trails and islands with boat-only access. The toe protection meant he could step with confidence, even if tripping over an errant root or two.

Read more: Best Hoka Shoes for Walking

Chances are, your dad owns this sandal. That’s because your dad knows what he’s doing. The Newport is the sandal that invented the category, and it’s easy to see why. It boasts advanced toe protection, easy adjustability via bungee, and razor-siped traction for performance on wet surfaces. And it’s durable. Your old man’s still rocking his original pair.

That’s not to say it hasn’t been updated. The Newport 2 is the second iteration of the famous sandal and has modern bonafides. Plenty of colors on option, anti-odor treatment, and a washable polyester upper. This translates to the best of both worlds: a decades-old, tried and tested fit, updated with performance-focused materials that excel on the trail.

The North Face Explore sandals has a classic, almost camp counselor design, and out-of-the-box comfort. It’s capable of putting in the miles but lightweight and packable enough to stash in a pack for a backpacking trip, making it easy to slip on for camp chores or last-minute explorations. And don’t fear dipping a toe in the water, our testers found the straps dry quickly and still feel secure when wet.

On the functionality side, the sandal uses hook-and-loop points of adjustment to accommodate varying foot shapes and helps for an easy on/off experience (essential for a sandal). A topographical pattern looks like the decorative embellishment on the footbed, but actually helps prevent your foot from slipping during your hike. And the recycled straps are sustainable and environmentally friendly, important when you’re venturing into those wild, pristine places.

Budget is a tricky category in the hiking world—you have to balance price with performance. Three miles in with a nasty blister, and you’d willingly exchange an extra 25 dollars for footwear that actually works. Tevas Ketavi treads the middle ground between budget and specs with features that much more expensive models have on this list: (outsole, custom adjustability, supportive midsole), but still well under $100. Just be careful of water crossings; the suede upper is comfortable, but far from quick drying.

Teva has other sandals in their range that solve the suede problem, but our testers found the Katavi 2 had the best balance of performance-to-cost as any out there. And while the suede may be a hassle on water crossings, it also is extremely comfortable. Some nylon sandals on this list, like Chaco and Bedrock, take some getting used to on your foot. The Ketavi’s are smooth and comfortable from the get-go.

How Should Hiking Sandals Fit?

Hiking sandals need to be more secure than your normal beachcomber. That said, you don’t want them so tight your foot loses circulation. When hiking, you need to trust that your foot won’t slip. Take your normal size and play with the straps a bit—most hiking sandals are highly customizable. The goal is to find a middle ground between security and comfort, giving your foot some room to flex but not slip. And if you’re a half size, size up.

When Should I Hike in Sandals?

Short answer? Whenever you want! There are thru hikers who swear that sandals are the best for your feet over long distances. We’d steer you towards hiking shoes or boots in that scenario, but hiking with sandals generally makes sense when it’s warm and you need extra breathability and/or when you plan on water crossings. If you deal with gravel or pebbles, we recommend choosing a sandal with toe protection