The 7 Best Hiking Sandals for All Terrains

Best Sandal for Hiking

Where to buy: $57.99-$178.34

Chaco sandals are loved by hikers at every point along the experience spectrum, so it's no surprise that the Chaco Z/1 is considered one of the best overall hiking sandals. Adjustable straps allow you to tighten the shoe until it feels secure, and are a longer-lasting option than velcro, which gets less sticky over time. If you're looking for a hiking sandal with arch support, you'll love the LUVSEAT footbed that curves to fit your foot's natural arches. Each Chaco style is certified by the American Podiatric Medical Association, so you can expect extreme comfort all day long. The rubber footbed is waterproof and the polyester straps are quick drying so you don't have to slog through a hike with wet, mushy shoes, plus the sole was designed to increase traction when wet to prevent slipping. 

"Bought my first pair of Chacos at REI a few weeks ago. They fit perfectly and are very comfortable. I loved them so much I decided to order myself another pair. I have plantar fasciitis, bad knees, and a bad ankle. I never wear sandals or flip flops because of my injuries. I always wear quality running shoes with arch supports everywhere I go. These sandals are amazing. I wear them everywhere and my lower body is pain free. I wear them to the beach, hiking, camping, around town, you name it! They are my favorite shoe!" one review raved.

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Best Hiking Sandals for Wide Feet

Where to buy: $55.49-$164.74, Amazon

Teva's hiking sandals are also well-regarded for they're easy-to-use hook and loop closure and waterproof rubber soles. The Teva Tirra sandal comes with a Shoc Pad built into the heel to absorb impact and prevent joint pain from flaring up during your trek. You can feel safe and secure even while crossing wet rocks thanks to Teva's durable Spider Original sole, which provides plenty of traction on slippery surfaces. 

"Wore them for the first time for a month in Asia," one reviewer wrote. "I needed a waterproof sandal to hang with the elephants, and didn't have room to pack both casual and fancy sandals. These were good enough to wear with a skirt or sundress. I walked up to 10 miles a day in all terrains and never got blisters or aching feet. I have a very high arch, plus plantar fasciitis in one foot, and I was fine. Also have a bunion and was worried the straps would rub, but they fit right around the trouble spot, no problems at all. I've since purchased in another color. To clean, I just rinsed in the shower and they dried quickly. For size, I did go down from an 8 to 7.5, these aren't particularly large, but since they're wide, I didn't need extra toe space."

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Best Hiking Sandal for Flat Feet

Where to buy: $39.99-$69.99, Amazon

Viakix was created to supply shoppers with high-quality athletic footwear at a reasonable price, so consider its Napali sandal an excellent, budget-friendly pick. This shoe comes with four adjustable velcro straps that are decorated with a eye-catching diamond pattern, to add a little bit of flair to your hiking outfit. These quick-drying sandals were designed to take a beating at the beach, on hikes, in a kayak, and any other outdoor adventure.

"...The shoes were comfortable and supportive, no foot pain at all with all the walking. We did a few hikes that resulted in some very muddy feet, but the shoes washed off surprisingly well, still looking just fine, and the straps didn't rub or hurt when they were wet. No complaints at all there. They were great in and out of the water, dried quickly (or at least didn't bother that they were wet), fine on sand, mud, and pavement. Lightweight and good traction. I don't know what more I could ask. Supportive of my arches, very adjustable, and I got several compliments on them. Very happy. I'm looking forward to wearing them next summer," one Amazon shopper wrote. 

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Best Hiking Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis

Where to buy: $52.25-$254.42

Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that occurs when the tissues connecting the bone and the foot becoming inflamed. Fortunately, the pain normally goes away over time and you can take aspirin to alleviate any discomfort. Of course, camping trips and family excursions won't wait for your foot to get better — and that's where ECCO's Yucatan sandal shines. Its lightweight footbed supports your foot, while cushioning your arches, so you can walk all day without heel pain. The sandals' RECEPTOR technology makes the soles extra grippy so you can push off against wet rocks with ease. 

"My first pair lasted five years and I wear them daily from May to October. I have plantar fasciitis and tendon damage in one ankle along with flat feet. I need good stable shoes and these Eccos provide it. I get about 10 - 12,000 steps a day at work and I can wear these comfortably all day long. I only had to loosen up the heel strap a bit to get the arch support to fit perfectly. I love how adjustable these sandals are. I sometimes have to add socks while camping at night in the mountains and it's possible with these sandals," one shopper wrote. 

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Best Hiking Sandals for Bunions

Where to buy: $58.50-$134.95, Amazon

Keen is another big name when it comes to the best hiking sandals for women, and its Whisper sandal is a fan favorite. You secure the shoes using the elastic cording, which is a nice alternative to velcro straps and adjustable straps. Inside the shoe is a mesh lining that's soft against the foot and, most importantly, waterproof. The arched footbed is designed to follow the foot's natural contours, which is great for people with flat feet and fallen arches. Even better, these hiking sandals come with Cleansport NXT technology to control foot odors. 

"Most comfortable sandal ever - almost like flip flops, but more support, protection for your toes, plus a heel strap that never fails to keep them from moving around on your feet - but they feel light as a feather," one woman raved. "I have bunions, one foot slightly bigger than the other, etc. These sandals are flexible enough to accommodate all my little foot quirks, but even better, can be tightened up in several places... Special bonus if you live near the water – they grip on a boat, allow you to wade into the water with your dog, etc. and last for years even in salt water. For me, the icing on the cake is that they don't make me feel like Bigfoot - ladies, you know what I mean..."

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Best Lightweight Hiking Sandals

Where to buy: $19.99-$32.99, Amazon

These lightweight hiking sandals are tough enough to handle the elements, but chic enough to wear to dinner. Shoppers rave that they're the perfect vacation shoe to have in your travel bag. The super soft rubber footbed will support your foot so you can walk all day, and the waterproof design means you don't have to worry about getting them wet. Each shoe is handcrafted and comes with stretchy nylon cords that sit snugly against your foot without rubbing. 

"The color is cute. Lightweight and really soft. Good for traveling. The good thing is I don’t have to clean it too many times since the material is easy to clean, just need a wet wiper to clean it. The bands are soft and don’t hurt my feet at all," one woman wrote. 

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Best Cheap Hiking Sandals

Where to buy: $14.99-$19.99, Amazon

We typically wouldn't suggest going the budget-friendly route when looking for the best hiking sandals; low prices usually mean inferior quality, which is not what you want if you're hiking a tricky route. But these affordable hiking sandals from CIOR are a nice option if you're embarking on a relatively easy, flat hike. The rubber soles will absorb some of the impact of walking, which is ideal for those who suffer from joint pain. There's also light arch support and a padded heel strap to prevent the shoe from rubbing the back of your foot raw. 

"I bought these sandals for a five day Walt Disney trip. AKA - feet in terrible pain. The first day I wore socks and Nikes and my feet were covered in blisters and hurt terribly. Usually by day two of Disney I can barely walk. Well, not with these sandals! I have a very high arch and these sandals fit like a glove. They are comfortable, adjustable and cute. When does that happen?" one shopper wrote. 

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