Not all sandals have to be strappy, dainty, and only look their best with a perfect pedicure. Sometimes, in the summer, your feet just want to hang out and do the things the rest of you wants to do. Like trek around the city, explore the great outdoors, and go from the beach to the cabana and back again. Here are some of our favorite outdoorsy (but still attractive!) sandals in made-for-action materials and designed with comfort and classic style in mind.
Everlane ReNew Sport Sandal
Everlane’s new multi-strap sandals check a lot of boxes: They have adjustable straps and super soft, cushy insoles; and they’re made from 100% recycled materials. Bonus: They come in five fun, summery colors, so you choose the combo that suits your summer look.
Teva Hurricane XLT2 and Hurricane Drift
Teva’s iconic Hurricane sandal has received its share of updates over the years. The rugged, adventure-ready XLT2 model piles on the comfort with a padded heel strap and an extra grippy sole under a cushiony EVA footbed. The color combos, for both men and women, deliver the kind of dreamy, sun-bleached summer feel that we’re all seeking this year. The brand’s more lightweight Hurricane Drift, meanwhile, is a 100% injection-molded sandal with grippy grooved soles, bouncy insoles, and the brand’s signature Velcro straps. The nearly weightless sandals are perfect for any day spent in the water.
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Oofos Oolala Sandal
There’s a reason this flip-flop is gaining traction as the post-workout “recovery sandal” of choice. Take it from a Fast Company colleague who ruptured a disc last year: Throughout the painful lead-up to back surgery and recovery from it, these were the only shoes her nerve-damaged feet could abide. The brand uses what it calls “OOfoam” across its footwear, a squishy closed-cell foam material that absorbs impact better than your typical shoe. The company’s version for men, the OOriginal sandal, offers similar support.
They look futuristic—and really, really comfy. Sorel doesn’t only want to be your go-to for the winter’s worst weather, its performance-ready sandals are designed for action in the surf and sand. (And, in this color combo, maybe outer space.)
Merrell’s traditionally trail-blazing sandals have been given some modern updates: thicker straps, chunkier buckles, and a muted rose shade that goes with practically everything. (You can also go with mint, black, or gold, if those shades are more to your liking.) They’re your all-weekend sandal: perfect for hikes and little floral dresses.
Made to be put through the wringer, Chaco’s sandals feature podiatrist-certified footbeds and are designed to be forever-repairable—straps, soles, and other bits can be DIY-ed back to life viathe company’s ReChaco program. The Z/1 Classic is sturdy and made to support your natural alignment, so you’re never curving, slouching, or putting unnecessary strain where you shouldn’t.
Birkenstock EVA Arizona
We couldn’t talk practical sandals and leave out Birkenstock. The EVA Arizona preserves the classic shape but solves a few of the problems with the world’s best-known, purposefully ugly sandal. Made from super (super) lightweight ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), these monochromatic sandals can be hosed down or washed off, and they take zero time to break in. They’re comfy right out of the box.
Oka-B Grace Slide Sandal
Georgia-based Oka-B isn’t shy about its commitment to comfort. These slides might look simple, but they’re surprise workhorses, made from a super lightweight, bio-based, fade-proof material called Microplast. Each pair features built-in arch support and is recyclable, waterproof, and skid-proof.
Fast Company’s Recommender section is dedicated to surfacing innovative products, services, and brands that are changing how we live and work. Every item that we write about is independently selected by our editors and, whenever possible, tested and reviewed. Fast Company may receive revenue from some links in our stories; however, all selections are based on our editorial judgment.
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