Read more Tried and Tested health and fitness reviews: Best walking boots | Best hiking poles | Best hiking rucksacks
How to choose walking sandals
Here are some key factors to consider when it comes to choosing your perfect pair of walkers.
Purpose: Think about when and where you’ll be wearing your sandals before you shop. If you’re heading on a walking holiday, a lightweight, packable shoe is a good idea. Hardcore hikers, on the other hand, should consider closed-toe, durable designs for protection on tricky terrain. Fast-drying, waterproof fabrics are a good idea for beach walks.
Size and fit: As with any shoe, sizing varies from brand to brand. Use your regular shoe size as a starting point but keep in mind that you may need to size up or down. Your toes shouldn’t feel cramped and there shouldn’t be any tightness or pinching when the straps are done up. Your feet also shouldn’t slide around, and your heels shouldn’t lift as you walk. We recommend wearing them around the house a few times – for an hour at a time – before going out in them.
Adjustability: Given that your feet swell throughout the day (especially in hot weather), we recommend opting for sandals with adjustable straps so your feet remain comfortable and secure for the long haul.
Materials: Though pricey, leather is extremely durable and will stay in excellent shape, wear after wear. Lightweight, fast-drying synthetics like nylon and polyester are also a good choice for active styles, and mesh constructions are worth considering if breathability is top priority.
Support: Look for footbeds with arch support and cushioning materials like foam to prevent pain and injuries. Prioritise soles with good grip and traction (rubber is a reliable pick) – particularly if you’ll be walking on slippery, uneven surfaces.
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How we test walking sandals
To find the best walking sandals for women, the Good Housekeeping Institute experts enlisted a panel of hiking enthusiasts to put a range of shoes from popular brands through their paces. Each pair was tested across a variety of terrains and distances by at least three people to see how they coped on a mix of casual strolls and tough treks.
Panellists were then asked to provide feedback on factors including overall design, comfort, stability and performance. They considered how well they fitted around the toes and heels, how much support they offered on challenging trails and whether they felt lightweight and provided enough flex.
Back at the GHI, our experts collated the feedback and awarded overall scores. Here are the sandals we would genuinely recommend.
1
Best walking sandals for women
Trespass Womens Leather Sandals Kimbra
Score: 93/100
If you’re on the hunt for some sandals that won’t look out of place when your hike conveniently leads you to the pub, then you can’t go wrong with these. Testers loved the open-toe leather design, with one saying: “These look like normal sandals but are so much better to wear.”
Good looks aside, they were ultra lightweight and felt comfortable from the very first step, with no breaking in required. Thanks to the moulded, cushioned footbeds, they remained comfy for hours on end, while the thermoplastic rubber outsoles provided good grip on a range of surfaces. Adjustable ankle straps helped with control and balance, too.
Due to the strappy design, they’re not for challenging treks on loose ground when your feet need extra protection. For city breaks, light hikes and ambling around town, though, they’re an absolute dream.
2
Best closed-toe walking sandals
Mountain Warehouse Wunderlust Womens Walking Sandals
Score: 91/100
Okay, they might not look the chicest, but there’s plenty to shout about with these closed-toe hiking companions. Not only will they keep your toes protected on outdoorsy adventures, but they also boast a quick-drying neoprene lining – handy if you’re walking near water.
Our panel of varying foot shapes scored them highly for comfort, praising the lightweight construction and padded footbed. “It’s almost like wearing slippers!” said one satisfied tester. Like our Trespass winner, no painful breaking in was required and our testers came back from even the lengthiest of walks free from blisters. Hurrah!
Our hikers also noted that their feet didn’t overheat in the “airy” sandals and said stability was excellent on smooth paths and easy trails. They didn’t cope quite so well on rough, uneven terrain, though.
3
Best for adjustability
Columbia Women’s Peakfreak Rush™ Sandal LEA
Pros
- Good adjustable features
- Lightweight
- Durable leather design
Cons
- Narrow fit not suitable for everyone
Score: 91/100
Columbia knows a thing or two about great walking gear. Case in point: these sporty sandals, which are made from durable nubuck leather and feature the brand’s signature Techlite midsole for soft, springy cushioning.
Extremely light (a standard size 5 shoe weighs just over 250g), they’re perfect for day-long hikes or taking on holiday. Our testers appreciated the adjustable straps, which go over the front of the foot and around the ankles, for a snug, secure fit, and most said they were supremely comfortable, too.
In terms of grip, these sandals did a top-notch job on dry terrain, but some said they weren’t quite as stable on slippery surfaces. Also note, they may be a little narrow for those with wide feet or bunions.
4
Best for cushioning
adidas Terrex Hydroterra Sandals
Pros
- Closed-toe style offers protection
- Adjustable features for a secure fit
- Made from breathable, quick-drying materials
Cons
- Sizing runs small
Score: 89/100
Another pair of closed-toe sandals from the experts at adidas, these were a big hit with our panel, with one tester saying: “I can’t recommend them highly enough,” and another commenting: “I would give them more stars if I could.”
With a lightweight EVA midsole for cushioning, everyone agreed they were very comfortable – including one panellist who suffers with arthritis in their feet. The adjustable Velcro straps helped our hikers achieve a secure fit and kept them supported mile after mile, and the textile upper was breathable, too.
Thanks to the TRAXION™ rubber outsole, they offered excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions. They’re quick to dry and can handle loose, rough terrain. Some testers would have preferred a more stylish design, but others said they liked wearing them with jeans and dresses.
5
Best for daily wear
FitFlop GEN-FF Adjustable Sandals
Pros
- Supportive and comfortable to wear for extended periods
- Excellent traction
- Lightweight and great for travel
Cons
- Not suitable for hardcore hikes
Score: 88/100
FitFlop is known for its comfy, supportive footwear and these open-toe sandals – which are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association – live up to the hype. “I would recommend them and buy them again,” one tester told us, while another said: “I’m definitely packing them for my upcoming holiday.”
The padded Velcro straps are easy to adjust to fit a variety of foot shapes (our panellists with bunions and swollen feet gave them a thumbs up) and there was no rubbing or chafing after prolonged wear.
Testers raved about how flexible and lightweight they felt, even on rough, uneven terrain, and liked how breathable they were. As a bonus, the sandals feature techy carbon-plate midsoles to propel you forwards and make long-distance walks feel easier.
These also come in classic black if you prefer a less colourful design.
6
Best for grip on wet surfaces
Keen Hypersport H2 Sandals
Pros
- High-quality, durable construction
- Good for beach walks and water sports
- Easy to put on and adjust
Cons
- Not suitable for those with narrow feet
Score: 88/100
Keen’s iconic ugly-cool hiking sandals won’t disappoint the next time you take to the trails – especially if you’re adventuring by the water.
Testers confirmed that the AquaGrip soles offer next-level grip on wet and muddy surfaces, with one saying: “They were very stable, no matter where I tried them.” The fabric lining is quick to dry and the mesh upper is treated with an anti-odour solution to prevent damp, smelly feet.
Most walkers found them comfortable from the very first wear, although some noted the insides were a little stiff. On the plus side, there’s no need to faff around with straps and buckles – simply slip your feet in and use the elasticated cinch drawstring to adjust.
7
Best for durability
North Ridge Women’s Grace Sandals
Pros
- Sturdy leather construction
- Extremely lightweight
- Good comfort and grip
Cons
- Testers would have liked more adjustable features
Score: 82/100
These strappy sandals may look delicate, but rest assured they’re made from water- and stain-proof pig skin leather and feature a grippy Vibram outsole to keep you grounded on all types of terrain.
Testers scored them highly for stability in wet and dry conditions, with one saying, “I didn’t feel like I was going to fall when I was on slippery surfaces.” Another panellist who wore them in dewy grass and muddy fields said they looked just as good as new after miles of stomping. Thanks to the contoured EVA midsole means, they were comfortable and lightweight, too.
The simple, classic design went down well with most, but testers would have preferred more adjustable features around the feet.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London’s best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
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