WHEN the sun starts shining, it's time to start thinking about your footwear.
While those chunky boots and heavy lace ups are all well and good for winter, the warmer months require something a little lighter on the feet.
That’s especially true if you’re planning a few long walks and even hikes as the weeks roll on.
While the correct pair of trainers or hiking shoes offer plenty of comfort for day-long wear, nothing beats the satisfaction and breeziness of a pair of walking sandals.
Whether you’re in the market for a technical pair that’ll serve you well on a mountainside jaunt, or you’re after something lightweight and stylish for long walks on the beach, we’ve done the hard graft for you.
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We’ve put a number of pairs to the test, with the simple goal of finding out which is the best pair of walking sandals available today.
From scrappy nylon pairs with plenty of ankle support through to woven leather designs, these are the finest walking sandals available right now.
Best walking sandals at a glance
- Best overall sandals: Gumbies
- Best technical sandals: Helly Hansen
- Most stylish sandals: Locklear Thomas
- Best quality sandals: Birkenstock
- Most comfortable sandals: Oofos
Gumbies Scrambler
Scrambler Men's Sandals, £40
Pros: Incredibly lightweight. Sole is highly flexible and conforms to your feet
Cons: Straps can dig in on first few wears
Rating: 5/5
Gumbies Scrambler sandals have a very simple design; they come with a flexible studded sole and three straps up top, which are looped together to lock your feet in.
They don’t look like much, but they work really well. The overall design is one of the lightest of the group test, while the sole is so flexible, it might be the closest feeling to walking barefoot.
The simple branding works, while the straps themselves are very durable and get softer with wear. They are slightly stiff on the first few wears, but will slowly conform to your foot shape, making them more and more comfortable.
They look good too, perfectly tying into the gorpcore trend that has dominated style the past few seasons.
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Birkenstock Arizona
Arizona Soft Footbed, £105
Pros: Comfortable, quality construction and great design
Cons: Not the best support
Rating: 5/5
Birkenstock’s Arizona model is one of the sandal OGs. It has long represented the benchmark both in terms of quality and design, with its simple two strap upper and signature cork footbed offering as much style as they do substance.
I have worn this pair extensively (as the photos suggest!) both on holiday, around the house, to the beach and on long walks.
They work for practically everything, aside from more strenuous hikes (due to the lack of an ankle strap).
They are very comfortable, but on longer walks the leather can rub around the toe area. For a versatile, stylish pair though, they are tough to beat.
Oofos Oocandoo
Oofos Oocandoo, £84.95
Pros: Incredibly comfortable, with a form-fitting sole
Cons: The holes on the upper can let in dust
Rating: 5/5
A robust, clamshell design made entirely a lightweight, water-resistant material. These are the most comfortable sandals on this list, with their cushioned footbed offering incredible support for your arches.
They are also incredibly lightweight, and feel airy on the feet thanks to the holes in the upper. Great for hiking, holidays or just wearing to the shops, they are incredibly versatile.
One downside is that the holes in the upper do let in dust and grit, so you might find yourself taking them off and shaking that out every now and again.
Locklear Thomas Hand Crafted Explorer
Locklear Thomas Hand Crafted Explorer, £110
Pros: One of the more stylish pairs with exceptional construction
Cons: Colour isn’t as versatile as others
Rating: 5/5
A more traditional looking shoe, designed in the vein of classic huarache sandals, this Locklear Thomas pair is both comfortable and stylish.
They’re made from super soft leather, which conforms happily to your feet from first wear, and they work just as well with jeans as they do swim shorts on the beach.
They are perhaps best for shorter walks as opposed to hikes, but the lightweight sole offers plenty of grip, while the leather interior is both soft and pliable.
The orange colour of this particular pair isn’t as versatile as some, but they’re great if you want to make a statement.
Made by hand in Mexico, their quality of construction is second to none amongst this group.
Mountain Warehouse Trek
Mountain Warehouse Trek, £29.99
Pros: Great support thanks to clamshell design, and breathable due to cut-outs
Cons: Not the most stylish
Rating: 4/5
Mountain Warehouse might be most well known for its robust outerwear, which will keep you warm in the harshest of conditions, but its range of hiking appropriate sandals also do the brand justice.
This pair featured some of the best support on the entire list, with an adjustable ankle strap and a wrap-around clamshell design that’s also adjustable with a drawstring tie.
For long walks and hikes, they’re among the best we tested, offering lots of support as well as grip with their durable rubber soles. EVA cushioning offered a slight bounciness while neoprene uppers dried quickly during a downpour.
Being a technical design, they are however not the most stylish and are difficult to wear day to day with casual wear. It should also be noted that the interior of the upper isn’t the softest against bare feet, so it’s advised that you wear socks for longer walks.
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Mountain Warehouse Z4 sandals
Z4 Mens Sandals, £24.99
Pros: Great support with three adjustable straps
Cons: Not the most stylish
Rating: 4/5
This Z4 pair comes with a traditional walking sandal look, with three adjustable straps on the toes, and the front and rear of the ankle.
These simply velcro together, offering a customisable fit whether you’re hiking all day and need a secure fit, or you’re popping to the shops and want something looser.
Mountain Warehouse knows what it’s doing when it comes to support, and this pair offers some of the best at one of the best prices.
Their rudimentary design is reminiscent of the kinds of sandals worn in primary school, so be prepared to live with that image if you buy them for yourself. For easy comfort and day-long support though, they are hard to beat.
Sketchers Tresmen Garo
Sketchers Tresmen Garo, £54
Pros: The best cushioning of the group test
Cons: Not a looker
Rating: 4/5
True to its reputation, these Sketchers offer the best cushioning of the entire list. The sole is chunky and robust, and comes with the brand’s shock absorption tech for an incredibly bouncy feel.
These are perfect for working in the garden, but are equally effective on a hike, with the bouncy soles absorbing rogue rocks while still able to conform over rounder boulders or steps.
Three adjustable straps offer a customisable fit, as well as decent levels of comfort against the skin, with their soft underside fabric. They are however not the best looking pair, and are best worn with similarly technical hiking gear.
Helly Hanson Capilano F2F
Men's Capilano F2F Sandals, £75
Pros: The comfiest strap design of the list
Cons: Non adjustable rear
Rating: 4/5
An easy comfortable design with two adjustable straps at the toes and upper ankle. A sleek monochrome look makes them easy to wear casually, while the robust sole has plenty of cushioning for longer walks.
These are great for medium to long walks, with plenty of support thanks to the thick polyester straps, and lots of grip thanks to the rubber sole.
The rear strap around the Achilles isn’t adjustable, however, so you won’t be able to get it to be as tight as other similar designs on this list.
Hey Dude Wally
Hey Dude Wally, £59.99
Pros: Remarkably lightweight
Cons: Not as robust as some
Rating: 4/5
Pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a sandal, this pair is part shoe, part slip on.
Made by Hey Dude, they come with a soft upper and a lightweight sole that’s so light if you pick them up you barely notice their weight.
Said sole is very flexible, and can be bent until the toes are touching the heel. This makes them great for long walks, although the fairly rudimentary cushioning might limit them to flatter landscapes.
Walk London Jackson
Walk London Jackson, £50
Pros: Stylish design with leather straps
Cons: Quite heavy and not as comfy as some
Rating: 4/5
As far as good looking, quality leather sandals go, this Walk London represents excellent value for money.
The leather straps come in a rich brown, while the soft footbed is cushioned and comes with a chunky sole.
They are among the better looking sandals on this list, and wear well with everything from swim shorts and chinos to rolled up jeans.
They aren’t quite as practical as others though, and should be worn for short walks where they won’t be tested too hard.
The leather straps can pinch the toes on the first few wears, while the rear strap is adjustable, so you can easily find a supportive fit.
What are the most comfortable walkingsandals?
The most comfortable sandals have to be Oofos Oocandoo model.
They are remarkably lightweight and flexible, while the sole is so supportive it feels as though someone is pushing you gently along as you walk.
They are an incredibly versatile pair, and can be worn for anything from short walks along the beach to long hikes on a mountainside.
Where to buy walking sandals in the UK
A great place to start for buying walking sandals is Mountain Warehouse. If you’re after a true hiking pair that will offer all the comfort and support you need, the brand’s website has a huge amount of stock.
It also has other brands in its roster, meaning you can pick up a pair of Gumbies or Roamers.
Elsewhere, high street chains like M&S also have a great range, while independent brands like Locklear Thomas offer more style than most.
How much do men's walking sandals cost?
Walking sandals can vary greatly in price. Some of the cheapest we discovered came in under £30, while others at the more luxurious end exceeded £100.
How much you pay really depends on what you’re after. You can get a pair of lightweight hiking sandals easily for under £50.
But if you want a pair hand made from leather or suede, you will be looking at something nearer, or over £100.
