5 Comfortable, Podiatrist-Recommended Sandal Styles to Try

Summer consistently inspires outdoor adventures galore, plus a creative yet easygoing style sensibility that blends buzz-worthy trends with warm-weather staples like sundresses and denim shorts. When it comes to sandals, you have a range of heel heights, styles, and materials to consider, and you’ll want to choose carefully to ensure you stay comfortable through outdoor concerts, wedding dance floors, and getting those steps in abroad. We spoke to two podiatrists who have all the insights on how to stay in style without killing your feet—read on to see the five most comfortable sandal styles to try this summer, complete with product picks to shop.

How to Choose a Comfortable Summer Sandal

Not all sandals are created equal when it comes to comfort: Too many of us have gotten blisters from a new pair of jellies or discovered that the straps of a style we bought on impulse are painful in practice. The good news is that our podiatrists have a few tips to consider that will help you determine whether a given sandal style is ideal for wearing out and about.

Consider Your Material Choice

For a shoe that’s going to feel better over time and last beyond a single season, leather is the top choice of material. Here’s why. “Leather is always a plus due to its durability and ability to mold to the shape of your feet over time,” board-certified podiatrist Jacqueline M. Sutera, DPM, tells Byrdie.

Look for Adjustable Straps

Straps and adornments play a major role in comfortable sandals: We’ve all had a pair of shoes rub against our skin and ended up with blisters or other minor injuries on our feet or ankles. Because of this, Sutera recommends looking for options with adjustable straps for a customizable fit. She also recommends thong sandals with padded or lined straps: “[This provides] cushion and minimizes friction, especially around the area where they meet the skin in between the big toe and second toe,” she tells us.

Take Time to Break In Shoes

If you thought the need to break in your shoes was a myth, it’s not. “Regardless of the material, new sandals may initially cause some discomfort until they’re broken in,” Sutera tells us. “Break them in slowly and wear them for short periods of time at first to allow your feet to adjust gradually.”

Opt for a Slight Heel

Heels get a bad rap, but ultra-flat shoes are often problematic, so purchasing a pair of summer sandals with a slight heel is beneficial. “In terms of vacation packing and planning for extended periods of walking and weight-bearing, many of us think that a flat will be the most comfortable,” says podiatric surgeon and footwear designer Marion Parke, DPM. However, she says many flats are too flat and don’t pass the shoe bending test (more on that below), which is why she recommends choosing a slight heel. “Even a half-inch or one-centimeter heel will make a flat sandal more comfortable, as it reduces tension on the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia,” she tells us.

Do a Shoe Test

There’s one more do on the sandal shopping list: Test your shoe. “When shopping for shoes, I suggest doing something I call ‘the shoe test,’ where you hold the shoe from heel to toe, bend it, and then look closely at where the shoe bends,” Parke tells Byrdie. “The only place a shoe should bend is across the widest part of the toe box. Avoid wearing shoes that bend across the arch or mid-foot for an extended period of time. When a shoe bends or folds across the mid-foot, it isn’t providing support to your arch, and that can lead to soreness and fatigue with weight-bearing over time.”

The Most Comfortable Sandals to Try

Wedges

Wedges are made for summer, and not just because the style gives height with comfort, but because they keep you balanced on the uneven surfaces you’ll likely encounter at outdoor events. “For grass and uneven surfaces, I suggest avoiding stilettos and kitten heels,” Sutera tells Byrdie. Instead, she recommends a flat or a wedge: “When attending outdoor events on less leveled areas, it’s best to choose shoes that offer stability and comfort,” she says. “Shoes with wedge or platform soles distribute your weight more evenly across a greater surface area compared to heels or stilettos, providing better stability on uneven surfaces.”

Additionally, Sutera says to invest in summer sandals with ankle straps to provide additional support around the ankle. “This can help prevent sprains or injuries when walking on uneven ground,” she tells us.

Ring Sandals

Ring sandals are at the top of the list this summer when it comes to design. Aside from gorgeous gold and silver accents that give the shoe extra oomph, Parke says the rings can be helpful for our feet. “One of the benefits of a shoe with a toe ‘loop’ design is that it stabilizes the hallux, the medical word for the big toe,” Parke tells Byrdie. “If someone has painful arthritis in the joint at the base of the hallux (it’s called the 1st MPJ), the “loop” design can often make the shoe and walking more comfortable because of that stability.” She adds that the size of the hallux generally varies from person to person and can play a part in comfort, so be sure to test the shoe before making it a part of your rotation.

Fisherman Sandals

The fisherman sandal is everywhere, and it’s certainly a love it or hate it style. It even took Parke a while to come around, but “this year, I’ve been living in our Page Fisherman Sandal Wedge,” she says. “The wider straps provide stability and reduce slippage of the foot in the shoe.” Additionally, Sutera says the fisherman sandal is closed enough for the straps to provide some stability and notes her patients enjoy this option.

“Some of my patients appreciate this style because it is also perfect for people who are embarrassed about the appearance of their toes, toenails, and feet,” she tells Byrdie. “Not everyone feels very comfortable exposing their feet. The leather is breathable and durable, which are always good qualities.” For the best, most supportive fit, she suggests seeking out styles that have an arch support and a block heel when possible, as she says, “completely flat sandals can cause pain and problems with prolonged usage.”

Slingback Platforms

This style is among my personal favorites. Since purchasing the Nike Air Max Koko Sandals (see below) for a month-long trip to Japan and wearing them while walking an average of 15,000 steps a day, I understand why slingback platforms are such a hit. I’m still wearing these shoes every day because the comfort is unmatched.

Sutera says to be mindful of platform height: “Excessively high platforms may cause instability because of the restriction of natural foot motion when walking,” she tells us. She also notes that thicker soles provide more shock absorption and cushioning, which can enhance comfort during long walks—this is likely why I’ve found so much comfort in the Koko sandals.

If you plan to add platform sandals to your closet,  Sutera says to seek out styles with adjustable straps or laces to customize the fit and prevent slipping and sliding. Additionally, she says, “mesh or perforated uppers allow for better breathability, keeping your feet cooler.”

Thong Sandals

Flip-flops and thong sandals are the shoes of summer, no matter the year. However, for a long-lasting investment that also ensures comfort, material matters. “Look for soft, supple leather or suede to reduce irritation of the skin,” Sutera shares. She says cotton and canvas are also good choices because they’re breathable and feel softer in between the toes, which reduces rubbing.

The Final Takeaway

Sandals are a great summer style staple, but not all designs are created equal, so it’s important to consider comfort when you’re looking for a pair that can carry you through a busy day of plans. As the above options show, choosing sandals that are kind to your feet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice aesthetic: Some on-trend styles, like kitten heel thong sandals and ring details at the toe, are actually ideal for comfortable wear. Once you’ve found your ideal look, make sure it’s in a quality material and break it in properly to ensure your new shoes enter your summer wardrobe as seamlessly as possible.