We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Activity + Adventure Camping + Hiking The Best Hiking Sandals for Women, Tested and Reviewed These comfortable and durable hiking sandals are fit for any outdoor adventure. By Anna Popp Anna Popp Anna Popp is a New York-based commerce writer at Travel + Leisure covering all of the best travel products, from luggage to outdoor gear. She has been a travel writer and product tester for over five years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 5, 2024 In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOther Sandals We Liked Our Testing Process Tips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Others Sandals We've Written About Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Katie Rousso A supportive and comfortable pair of hiking sandals is a must-have for any outdoor adventurer’s closet. Ideal for campers, backpackers, and leisurely hikers alike, many hiking sandals are made with thoughtful features for comfort. After doing some serious research, we narrowed our list down to the nine most promising options and went into the wilderness to test them ourselves. We tried out several styles of hiking sandals, including close-toed and T-strap designs, to test a range of options. The best hiking sandals we tried scored highest across all of our testing categories, which included comfort, durability, fit, and performance. Our favorite sandals didn’t cause any irritation or discomfort (even right out of the box) and the footwear checked all of our boxes for must-have features like arch support, soft straps, and true-to-size fit. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals at Bedrocksandals.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Stability: Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal Sandal at Amazon ($109) Jump to Review Most Comfortable: Ecco Yucatan Sandal at Amazon ($140) Jump to Review Best Durability: Chaco Women's Z/Cloud X2 at Amazon ($75) Jump to Review Best Close-toed: Keen Newport H2 Closed-toe Water Sandals at Amazon ($85) Jump to Review Best Overall Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals PHOTO: Bedrock View on Bedrocksandals.com Our Ratings Comfort 5/5 Fit 4.5/5 Performance 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It The Vibram soles help with stability in slick conditions and the three-way adjustable strap keeps the foot securely fastened in the sandals. What to Consider There is a very small break-in period as the straps are a bit stiff. Many outdoor enthusiasts consider Bedrock one of the best brands in the footwear business, and we couldn’t agree more. The Cairn Adventure sandals are exceptionally sturdy and comfortable in and out of the water and on all terrain. The nearly weightless sandals are made with Vibram outsoles that are designed to be extra grippy in dry conditions, but we discovered the traction is just as good in the water, too. After five months of testing, we prefer these to flip-flops or less durable sandals when it comes to hiking in warm or wet conditions. The T-shape strap is a little stiff at first, but after several hours of wearing the shoes, the polyester and nylon material loosens up for a comfortable fit. Plus, the straps can be adjusted in three different ways and the plugless toe post is extra thin and stretchy so you won’t have to worry about any chafing or blisters between the toes. After many trips to the great outdoors, the sandals look good as new, so we feel confident that the durable materials and high-quality construction ensure they have a long life ahead of them. The Details: Sizes 6 to 14 | Strap and ladder lock buckle closure | Polyester, rubber | 1 pound Travel + Leisure / Michael Weisbaum Travel + Leisure / Michael Weisbaum Best Stability Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal Sandal PHOTO: Teva $109 at Amazon $110 at REI $77 at backcountry.com Our Ratings Cushioning 4.8/5 Responsiveness 4.5/5 Stability 5/5 Fit 4.8/5 Value 4.8/5 Why We Love It The sole is incredibly thick and cushioned while the footbed cradles the sides of the foot to keep it in place. What to Consider After five months of testing, the velcro closures are starting to fray. When it comes to traction and stability, the Teva Terra Fi 5 Sandals have some of the thickest soles we’ve ever seen on a pair of hiking sandals. Despite the dense outsoles, the Tevas are shockingly lightweight and boast a molded midsole that cradles the foot for extra sturdiness. The arch support is noticeable as soon as you put on the shoe, and while it might be too raised for some, it helped us feel secure and comfortable while hiking. The two velcro straps are adjustable at the ankle and top of the foot so you can tighten or loosen the fit for maximum comfort. There’s padded cushioning between the polyester strap and the foot to prevent any chafing. One thing to note about the fit is that there aren’t half-size options, so we recommend sizing up instead of down if you’re generally in between sizes. The Details: Sizes 6 to 11 | Hook and loop velcro closure | EVA, recycled polyester, polyurethane | 1.4 pounds Travel + Leisure / Katie Rousso Travel + Leisure / Katie Rousso Most Comfortable Ecco Yucatan Sandal PHOTO: Amazon $117 at Amazon $140 at Nordstrom $140 at Walmart Our Ratings Cushioning 4.5/5 Responsiveness 4.3/5 Stability 5/5 Fit 4.4/5 Value 4.3/5 Why We Love It The shoes are extremely supportive and have just the right amount of arch support and stability for all types of outdoor activities. What to Consider The microfiber footbed is difficult to clean and dirt can stick in the soles of the shoes, so the shoes get dirty easily. Boasting the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Ecco Yucatan Sport Sandals are superior for foot health and go above and beyond when it comes to comfort and support. The sandals can be worn right out of the box thanks to the soft microfiber-lined footbed and padded straps that prevent any chafing or blistering around the heel, ankle, and top of the foot. Even after five months, these sandals are comfortable and supportive and the traction and arch support are still really strong. The straps can be adjusted in all three places for a customized fit, and we love that the footbed has the perfect balance of cushioning and support for being on your feet all day. With a rubber outsole that offers excellent traction for stability, the shoes are ideal for dry or wet climates and the linings are moisture-wicking to prevent any bad odors coming from the shoes. The only issue we ran into is that the microfiber fabric footbed catches dirt, making it look noticeably dirty, so you may want to rinse or spot-clean the shoes as needed. The Details: 4 to 12 | Velcro closure | Textile, EVA, rubber | 1.38 pounds Travel + Leisure / Tatiana Kennedy Travel + Leisure / Tatiana Kennedy Travel + Leisure / Tatiana Kennedy The 9 Best Waterproof Sandals of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Durability Chaco Women's Z/Cloud X2 PHOTO: REI $75 at Amazon $79 at REI View on Chacos.com Why We Love It These Chacos are built to last thanks to the thick rubber sole and densely woven fabric straps. What to Consider The straps can be a little difficult to adjust. It’s safe to say these sandals could last a lifetime. From the tightly woven polyester straps to the dense rubber sole, the high-quality construction of the Z Cloud Sandal makes them well worth the money. The traction on the outsole and webbing on the footbed help keep the foot secure without slipping or sliding around while hiking in wet conditions. And if the straps get wet, they dry quickly before any chafing can happen between the toes or around the top of the foot. The straps can be adjusted around the foot, but we did have some issues getting the right fit at first since the fabric can be a bit stiff and hard to move around. However, once the fabric stretches a bit, it’s easier to adjust the straps to perfectly accommodate your feet. Best of all, Chaco has a repair program, so if something does happen to your beloved sandals, you can ship them to the brand and they’ll give them a second life for a small charge. After five months of tests, we did feel as though these sandals are bulkier than others, but for the right user, these Chacos are a great longterm option. The Details: 5 to 11 | Strap and ladder lock buckle closure | Polyester, polyurethane, rubber materials | 1.5 pounds Travel + Leisure / Hannah Berg Travel + Leisure / Hannah Berg The Ultimate Backpacking Packing List Best Close-toed Keen Newport H2 Closed-toe Water Sandals PHOTO: Amazon $85 at Amazon $130 at backcountry.com $125 at Zappos Our Ratings Comfort 5/5 Performance 3.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It The shoes are easy to slip on, and they have a thick rubber toe piece for protection while hiking. What to Consider Some rocks and dirt got into the shoe. If you’re in search of an adventure shoe, the Keen Newport sandals are super versatile for tons of outdoor activities. Because a thick rubber coating surrounds the toe-piece, the shoes offer better protection than a standard pair of hiking sandals. The rubber outsoles have excellent traction thanks to the intricate lug pattern, and the shoes can easily go in and out of the water. With the bungee in the front of the shoes, the tightness can be adjusted by pulling on the cord to get the right amount of pressure to keep the foot stable while hiking. The shoes have cutout panels around the sides and top of the foot that help with breathability, but we had some rocks and dirt get into the shoes, making them uncomfortable. However, these sandals are excellent for water activities, especially in lakes or rivers where you may run into rocks or debris in the water and will need extra toe protection. The Details: 5 to 11 | Bungee lace closure | Polyester, rubber | 12 ounces Travel + Leisure / Alexandria Stratton Other Hiking Sandals We Liked The sandals below performed well, but we ran into slight issues with comfort and fit that had them scoring slightly lower than our winners. Chaco Z Cloud 2 Sandal: These sandals feel very high-quality and durable, and they are ideal for being in and out of the water, but we prefer the version without the toe strap. Our Testing Process We tried nine pairs of hiking sandals from trusted footwear brands that are designed for rigorous outdoor activities. From Chaco to Teva, we carefully picked sandal styles that offer helpful features for hikers like padded or line straps, thick outsoles for traction, and arch support and cushioning for comfort. Testing each pair of sandals for at least two hikes that lasted over an hour, we examined and took notes on the comfort, durability, fit, and overall performance of the hiking sandals. From New York to Washington state, we tested the sandals in a variety of climates and terrains to get a wide range of testing insights from our outdoor enthusiasts. In the end, our favorite hiking sandals had a small break-in period (or none at all), offered the perfect balance of support and cushioning, and ran true to size with adjustable straps for added comfort. Tips for Buying Women's Hiking Sandals Consider the climate and terrain The climate and terrain will help determine the best hiking footwear for your trip. If you’re hiking in and out of the water, you’ll want a hiking sandal that has excellent traction and stability for slick conditions. For hikes with uneven terrain, opt for a pair of hiking sandals with a closed toe for extra protection. Additionally, adjustable straps can help tighten or loosen the fit for a variety of variables, like if your feet swell from heat or if the straps stretch a bit when they’re wet. Opt for sufficient traction Traction in any pair of hiking shoes is extremely important for securing your foot to the ground while hiking. The outsole of the shoe should have an intricate pattern and deep lugs to secure the foot to the ground so it doesn’t slip and slide around. The midsole and footbed shouldn’t be completely smooth either and should have some sort of grip or cradle to them to help the foot stay secure in the shoe. Look for comfortable features Since you’ll likely be on your feet for multiple hours while hiking, consider a pair of hiking sandals with arch support, midsole cushioning, and padding around the straps for extra comfort. A comfortable footbed should have the right balance of arch support to soft cushioning and the straps shouldn’t dig into the skin or cause irritation. The straps should also be adjustable in multiple places to customize the fit of the sandal around the foot for stability and comfort. Frequently Asked Questions How should hiking sandals fit? There should be enough room in the front of the toes so the shoes can be a barrier against rocks, sticks, or other obstacles that could hurt the foot. Similar to hiking boots, the fit of the sandals should be snug without feeling too tight or too loose. If the straps are too loose, you may slip around and injure yourself, but if the straps are too tight, they could dig into the skin and irritate it. Be sure to keep adjusting the straps throughout a hike as needed, especially during the first time you wear them when there could be some breaking in happening. When should I wear hiking sandals versus hiking boots? Hiking boots and shoes generally offer more protection than hiking sandals, so if you’re going on a long hike, sandals might not be the best option. If you’re partaking in outdoor activities where you may be in and out of the water, hiking sandals are a great option instead since they can get wet while still offering a solid amount of protection and support. While it’s ultimately a personal preference, hiking sandals are best for more leisurely hiking in warmer weather. Others Sandals We've Written About Travel shoes are our bread and butter at T+L so we've tried a lot of sandals ranging from outdoor to dressier styles. Whether you're hitting the trails, beach, or the city, here are some of our favorite sandals, according to testing. Teva Women's Original Universal Sandals: These sandals offer superior cushioning and comfort, and we love that the cross-foot straps are fully adjustable to go as tight or loose as needed. Birkenstock Gizeh Sandal: Stylish, lightweight, and supportive, the Gizeh sandal is Birkenstock's waterproof version of its iconic flip-flop. We never experience any chafing or rubbing so these are the perfect slide-on sandals. Merrell Bravada Backstrap Sport Sandals: It can be hard to find sandals with arch support so we love that these from Merrell have plenty of support in the footbed. The EVA material added a bounce to our step that we loved for being on our feet for long periods. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Commerce Writer Anna Popp reviews travel products and writes almost all of the team’s tested content. She participates in nearly every travel test, including this one, where she tested hiking footwear. Anna grew up in Central Oregon where she spent her summers hiking and backpacking through the Cascade mountains. The 10 Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Lydia Price Lydia Price Lydia Price is a senior commerce editor at Travel + Leisure, where she writes and edits reviews about outdoor products. She also shares her top product recommendations in short-form videos across T+L's social platforms. learn more Updated by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more