Trip Planning Tech & Gear The 10 Best Men's Sandals of 2023 By Justin Park Justin Park Syracuse University Justin Park has been working as a sports, fitness, and hunting/outdoors journalist for 20 years. He reviews outdoor gear for TripSavvy, like ski equipment and inflatable paddle boards. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 08/09/22 Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Human footwear has evolved and expanded over the millennia to include everything from high heels to water-propulsion boots, but sandals still deliver simple utility for much of the world’s population. In North America, sandals are popular as all-purpose summer footwear and purpose-built tools for watersports and time spent onshore. When you're in the market for a new pair, consider the variety of options available. Slides are comfortable, easy to put on and come in stylish leather or durable plastic or rubber options. However, they prioritize fashion rather than function. Flip-flops (or thongs in some places) are light, packable, and inexpensive, and offer a charmingly simple design. For the intrepid summer sportsman, water sandals are ideal. Using multiple adjustable straps to form a solid connection with your foot, this style is durable, functional, and easy to clean. Whether you value function or fashion (or both), there is a sandal out there for everyone. Based on our reviews, here are the best sandals for men to buy now. The Rundown Best Overall: Chaco Z/2 Classic at Amazon Jump to Review Runner-Up, Best Overall: Teva Omnium 2 Sandal at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Teva Original Universal at Amazon Jump to Review Best Flip-Flops: Quiksilver Men's Erreka Sandal at Amazon Jump to Review Best Slides: Chaco Chillos Slide at Zappos Jump to Review Best Slip-Ons: Birkenstock Arizona Leather Sandal at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Style: NAOT Santa Barbara Sandals at Zappos Jump to Review Best for Light Hiking: ECCO Men's Yucatan Sandal at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Steep Terrain: KEEN Newport H2 Sandal at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Rafting: KEEN Zerraport II Sandal at Keenfootwear.com Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks What to Look For Slides Why Trust TripSavvy? Best Overall Chaco Z/2 Classic 4.9 Chaco View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Chacos.com Versatility is a top factor in the Chaco Z/2 Classic sandals. The quick-drying, adjustable straps create a custom fit for stability on steep terrain, while the rugged outsole gives you maximum traction even on wet surfaces. These lightweight sandals have a toe-loop for added durability, as well as adjustable heel risers. Chacos do come with a bit of a break-in period, but their podiatrist-approved footbed is extremely comfortable and combats odor. The patterned polyester webbing comes in several colors including port, moss, black, and navy. Price at time of publish: $100 Runner-Up, Best Overall Teva Men's Omnium 2 Sport Sandal Teva View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Teva.com The close-toed design of the Teva Omnium 2 offers comfort and protection with a sturdy build and a large toe bumper, but they're still breathable and work to allow water to pass through. The sandal has three ways to adjust the fit: a cinching bungee system, and hook-and-loop straps both on the heel and above the mid-foot. This superior customization makes this sandal stand out. In the heel, you’ll find a shock pad for extra cushion. Price at time of publish: $90 Best Budget Teva Original Universal Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Zappos The Teva Original Universal provides optimal support and traction with retro style—and without an insanely high price point. It’s a simple, lightweight sandal with no frills, but all of the custom adjustments you want and need with two straps around the toes and ankle. The contoured footbed makes for comfort on any type of terrain, and the rubber outsole means you won't slip. This sandal has no break-in period, plus it gets more and more comfortable over time. Colors include some stylish patterns and a variety of neutrals. For an added bonus, this affordable sandal is made from sustainable and recycled materials, so you can feel good about buying multiple pairs. Price at time of publish: $55 Best Flip-Flops Quiksilver Men's Erreka Sandal Quicksilver View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Quiksilver.com As much as I appreciate the simplicity and low cost of rubber and plastic flip-flops, their comfort leaves something to be desired, and they can be a bit “disposable” (and as such not so environmentally friendly). l prefer a flop that can last you more than a summer or single beach vacation. The more substantial design of the Erreka sandals offers a better break-in with a multi-layered footbed that forms to your foot over time and provides better support. The nylon webbing that connects the nubuck leather straps to the nubuck-topped footbed is a much more durable material for this critical joint and helps avoid the dreaded flip-flop blowout. Price at time of publish: $60 The 11 Best Flip-Flops for Men of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Slides Chaco Chillos Slide Chaco View On Zappos View On Dsw.com View On REI Chacos may be best-known for their popular water sandals (including our Best Overall pick), but their Chillos slides combine the durability of plastic/rubber slides and a more stylish design that wouldn’t be out of place at a beachside restaurant. They also feature adjustable straps that allow these slides to be cinched down when needed for better “off-road” performance. Still, these are mostly slides and the adjustment window is fairly small, merely allowing you to adjust the fit a bit for the width of your feet. What the straps provide more than anything is a touch of the signature Chacos style carried over from their water sandals, for a unique look that’s neither sport slide nor leather style slides. Price at time of publish: $50 Best Slip-Ons Birkenstock Arizona Leather Sandal Birkenstock View On Nordstrom View On Zappos View On Birkenstock.com Although Birkenstocks do have a break-in period, once these two-strap slip-ons are worn for a week or two, they mold to your feet with extreme comfort. The Birkenstock Arizona sandal has tear-resistant synthetic suede straps, plenty of room for your toes, a deep heel cup for cushion and security, as well as a contoured footbed for maximal support. Styles include iron oiled leather with a rustic, broken-in look, along with neutrals in soft suedes and even bright metallics. Price at time of publish: $135 Best Style NAOT Santa Barbara Sandals Zappos View On Zappos These classic leather slides offer timeless style that can be worn around the home or about town. The cork-and-latex footbed forms to your feet with use, and these slides are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting good foot health. The two-strap, buckle-closed design comes in either smooth leather or suede and in four natural colorways. The footbed itself is covered in suede for a very comfortable feel that only gets better with wear. Despite a very natural look overall, the base footbed is made of a shock-absorbing polyurethane that’ll extend the life of these sandals. Price at time of publish: $140 Best for Light Hiking ECCO Men's Yucatan Sandal Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Nordstrom For an all-day casual sandal, the ECOO Yucatan will provide comfort, support, and decent style. Though the sandals are sturdy and come with three adjustable straps (toes, mid-foot, and heel), they're best used for travel days and easy hikes. The upper is made from leather with soft padding underneath the straps, while the footbed is cushiony and molds quickly to your feet. Colors available include a variety of neutrals, plus light gray and blue. Price at time of publish: $135 Best for Steep Terrain KEEN Men's Newport H2 Sandal REI View On Walmart View On Dick's View On Zappos The Keen Newport H2 sandals perform best in the water, as well as on moderate to hard hikes. The heavier sandal has extreme toe protection, plus top traction and grip for both wet and dry rocks. With the bungee lacing system, you can cinch the sandals tight to your foot to keep them in place on all sorts of adventures. The sandals are washable and dry quickly and offer top comfort with a soft yet sturdy footbed. Colors available include neutrals, as well as blues, reds, and greens. Price at time of publish: $78 The 8 Best Men’s Water Shoes for Hiking Best for Rafting KEEN Zerraport II Sandal Courtesy of Keen View On Keenfootwear.com Perfect for keeping you on your feet even when in the water, the Keen Zerraport II sandals have a tacky outsole that sticks to just about anything, while deep lugs (traction patterns on the soles) let water slip through. The upper is made from a webbing-and-textile washable mix, and the midsole offers supreme arch support for any hikes you can fit in during a water break. Colors include black, olive, and tie-dye. Price at time of publish: $125 The 8 Best Men’s Water Shoes for Hiking What to Consider When Buying Sandals The major thing to look for is sandal type, and your choice will depend on how you plan to use them. Here are the different types of sandals. Slides Slides usually feature one or two wider straps that go across the foot. They're great for easy on-and-off wear both around the home as an alternative to classic slippers and out in the world in warmer temperatures. If your primary concerns with sandals are comfort and style as opposed to function, you'll likely want flip-flops or slides. Plastic or rubber slides are popular with athletes and offered by sports footwear brands such as Adidas and Under Armour. These slides are fairly durable and long-lasting because of their simple design and rugged materials. Leather slides offer a bit more style and include popular brands such as Birkenstock and favor natural materials such as cork footbeds prized for their ability to break in over time and provide customized support. Flip-Flops Sometimes called “thongs” in places including Australia or even “slippers” in Hawaii, flip-flops are one of the simplest footwear designs and deliver some of the cheapest sandals available. The minimal design allows the construction to be simple and the amount of materials required kept to a minimum. Not only does this make flip-flops lightweight and packable, it keeps the cost down. I lived in Hawaii for several years and used to be able to pick up a simple pair of rubber flip-flops for less than $10 and thus not lose sleep if they were lost, stolen, or broken. Water or Active Sandals Teva popularized this practical style of sandal for a broader audience more than 20 years ago and their design addresses one of the major shortcomings of other sandal designs: the connection to your feet. By using multiple adjustable straps, this style of sandals secures the footbed to your foot and makes these the choice for more active pursuits such as paddle sports and hiking. Unlike hiking boots, you can get this style of footwear wet and not affect their fit, weight, or performance, as they easily shed water and lack enough structure to hold any appreciable amounts of water or mud. They’re also easier to clean as you can simply rinse or hose them off and leave them to dry. Why Trust TripSavvy? Justin Park is a Breckenridge, Colorado-based writer who has tested and reviewed gear from skis to snow blowers to salts for publications including Tripsavvy, Popular Mechanics, SFGate.com, Men’s Health and others. His years living in Hawaii impressed upon him the importance of a good pair of “slippers” and convinced him that, weather permitting, sandals can be effective footwear for almost any activity or occasion. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 10 below. Continue to 9 of 10 below.