Sandals are comfortable, flexible, and make you feel at ease when you’re on casual. They will always be excellent wear for men that want to relax and feel at ease as long as you choose the right size.
Depending on your style, you can choose from the closed-toe design or the open toe design. The free toe design provides air around your feet and the right choice for walking around water while the closed toe design is ideal for hiking or walking on rough terrains.
However, with the different type of brands, designs, and quality to select from, it makes the selection a big headache.
It’s essential to pick sandals made of high-quality materials such as leather, feel comfortable when worn, and have excellent traction.
We recommend the KEEN Men’s H2 sandal for its raw quality. Other experts also recognize it as one of the best sandals on the market. If you don’t mind sacrificing style for comfort and durability, they will make an excellent choice for you.
We have taken the burden off your shoulder; you’re welcome.
Best Walking Sandals for Men
Below, you will find our list of the best walking shoes for men to help you narrow on your choices.
1. KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal
The KEEN Men’s H2 sandal is a great contender and by far the best selling sandal on Amazon – for excellent reasons.
The sandal has extreme toe protection, with a non-marking rubber outsole that provides excellent traction and grip for rock, both dry and wet. The sandals made of polyester webbing that is washable, easy to be cleaned and dries pretty quickly.
The metatomical EVA antibacterial footbed has a multi-direction lug pattern that provides top comfort, superior quality, and traction, making them the right choice for everyday wear.
This sandal performs best in the water, and yet the durability is next to none. One reviewer said you could go from water to rocky terrain and not have a problem with gripping.
With about 21 different colors to select from and thousands of reviews on Amazon, you can tell that they are a high selling product.
Overall, if you want a top quality closed toe sandal, the KEEN Men’s H2 sandal is an ideal choice. They are rugged, lightweight, comfortable, robust, last for ages and as tough as old boots.
Pros
- Rugged and lasts for a long time
- EVA footbed ensures superior quality and comfort
- Lightweight with comfort and support
- Perfect for multi-terrain walks
- Available in 22 color varieties
- Waterproof for decreased foot bacteria
Cons
- Can be heavy for walking
If you don’t mind sacrificing style for comfort and durability, they will make an excellent choice for you. The KEEN Men’s H2 sandal is one of the best sandals on the market in terms of raw quality. We highly recommend this sandal.
2. Teva Men’s Katavi Thong Outdoor Sandal
The Teva Katavi men’s sandal is perfect for spending some quality time outdoors.
It is a simple slip on and off a sandal and the right choice for an open toe sandal. It uses a combination of suede and meshes with a rubber sole and a classic thong that fits in between the toes.
The Katavi sandal features a well-contoured footbed which makes them comfortable to walk in.
With an overall rating of 4.5 stars and over 600 buyer reviews, there is no doubt about the sandal’s quality. In many ways, they considered as classic flip-flops.
The sandal features a tri-tone amp strap that holds your feet firmly; it also features a rubber outsole with a textured surface that makes traction on several terrains possible.
Pros
- Good Breathability – ensures comfort on warm days
- Comfortable to walk in without pain
- Good traction control on slippery or rugged surfaces
Cons
- Not the best for running or hiking
- Sizes run narrow, tight and are hard to get on
While the sandal is not the best for running or hiking, it is an excellent choice for relaxing outside or just camping. They also make the right choice for around the beach or at the pool.
3. ECCO Men’s Yucatan sandal
In third place is this one, the ECCO Men’s Yucatan, another popular choice among hikers and walkers alike. The ECCO brand is an outdoor-orientated brand, and they produce some of the best sandals for walking.
With unrivaled support and durability, the straps make them the right choice for almost any activity. It features three-point adjustability that will keep your feet secure over long distances. The footbed also features a soft microfiber cover that will give you additional stability.
They are made from leather and textile, with a textured good gripping rubber sole for maximum traction and excellent comfort.
They are well made and durable, and you would use them for a couple of years, even with the hardest of wear.
Comfortable when hiking on rocky surfaces and rough terrain, but they aren’t labeled as being water resistant. The material, however, can withstand a bit of water damage, – but we wouldn’t advise it.
Pros
- Excellent comfort for many severe foot conditions
- Available in 16 color varieties
- Leather construction ensures durability
- Adjustable hook and loop straps
Cons
- Sandals retain perspiration – not the best for warm days
- Straps may be irritating for some
- Not the best for wide feet
- Footbed support may be too hard for some
If you’re looking for the perfect lightweight sandal ideal for keeping luggage weight down when going on holidays, then this pay may be the best for you.
4. Under Armour Men’s Ignite V Slide Sandal
The Under Armour synthetic slide sandal is quite popular because of the looks, style, and comfort.
With an EVA outsole made with durable traction pods, they provide a good level of comfort and suitability on any terrain regardless of whether it’s a short or long distance.
It features a comfortable and adjustable foot strap that will not cause discomfort when walking long distances.
Fortunately, the Footbed built with two layers of performance 4d foam. Hence its described to provide ‘unprecedented comfort.’
This pair comes with anatomical contours that provide additional cushioning. For this reason, it is also one of the best orthopedic sandals to buy. If you love walking around but dislike the pain that comes later, these will make a great choice.
It is also incredibly durable and only suffers minimal wear and tear after a couple of years.
If you are a half size, make sure to size up and If you are not, then order as normal.
Pros
- Incredibly durable – doesn’t wear and tear after a couple of months
- EVA outsole provides impressive traction on wet or rough surfaces
- Orthopedic recommended sandals for some foot conditions
- 4d foam footbed ensures unprecedented comfort
Cons
- Sizing can run small
If you’re looking to combine style with comfort, the Under Armour slide sandal is a perfect fit for you, but if you are looking for a more formal sandal, then this isn’t for you.
5. Reef Fanning Mens Sandals
The Reef Fanning Mens sandal is a highly useful, functional flip flop that fits into nearly everything a casual piece of sandals made for. Made for – and named after, Mick Fanning, a surfing icon and worn around the world by parents, college students, and surfers alike.
It can be used casually, at the beach or for beer drinking and barbecues with the boys. It also features a built-in bottle/beer opener – a surprise and an often-gimmicky impressive feature- a little over-the-top though but works well.
The Reef Fanning provides a ton of cushion while also being lightweight. The sandal grips well on sandy rocks and quickly dry out even when soaked. The sandal also protects the bottom of your feet and holds up for months.
These sandals aren’t too wide or narrow, and they are built to fit well. The strap dries quickly and feels good against the skin. It’s comfy and doesn’t feel like leather.
Pros
- Durable, comfortable, and versatile
- Provides excellent traction
- 360 airbag” in the sole of the heel to ensure maximum comfort
- Bottle opener on the bottom for opening beer
Cons
- Maybe a bit expensive for some
- Not the most stylish and may not blend with all clothing
If you are looking for a comfortable, simple, and moderately priced flip flop featuring a solid EVA foam, the reef brand, and of course, a bottle opener, then the Reef fanning men’s sandal is the right pair for you.
6. Keen Men’s Newport Hydro-M Sandal
This is the ideal sandal for walking long distances. They look good, and you will experience little to no wear and tear. They are a solid all-rounder.
The Keen Newport H2 uses the silhouette of the Newport sandal – the first model launched at fall 2003. While the upper material of the initial Newport version made of leather, the Newport H2 version features polyester material and hence it’s also lightweight and flexible.
The Newport H2 has excellent arch support and comes in varieties of colors including navy, black and earthy tones, among others.
The sandal’s non-marking rubber outsole is chiefly responsible for the Newport H2’s traction. This high level of traction provided on both dry and wet terrains
The patented toe guard prevents toe injuries and gives forefoot protection.
It features a compression-molded EVA midsole that provides wearers shock absorption upon ground contact, underfoot cushioning, and stability for negotiating challenging terrains.
This material has a decent amount of flex that allows users to navigate demanding trails with confidence. It also features an embedded TPU stability shank—that adds to the sandal’s flexibility and provides extra support.
The sandal’s footbed provides ample arch support and cradles the foot with its contoured design. Its textured surface prevents underfoot slippage. It is also engineered to be odor-resistant.
Its quick-dry lining helps maintain the wearer’s mobility even after wading through shallow waters.
Pros
- Provide high stability on uneven terrain
- Provides Amazing comfort with no pinching or irritation
- Quick-drying characteristic for warm days
- Requires minimal-to-no break-in time
- Performs well in wet conditions
Cons
- Maybe a bit expensive for some buyers
- Not the best ankle strap
- Sizes run smaller
The Keen’s Newport H2 is among the must-buys considering the excessive amounts of support, comfort, and stability it provides.
If you’re looking for exceedingly lightweight footwear that requires virtually zero break-in time and provides exceptional traction, the Keen’s Newport H2 is perfect pair for you.
If you have narrow feet, you may want to consider buying a half size larger.
For narrow feet, you might be like narrow feet shoes to increase your feet comfort level.
7. ADIDAS Men’s Adilette Comfort Slide Sandal
This pair of slide sandals made by one of the most famous brands and features the iconic three stripes on the face of its design – a timeless look that most classy men love to wear, and others love to stare at.
They are made from synthetic material and feature a footbed that has been contoured to fit perfectly and also a strap coated with a bandage for lightweight durability.
The ADIDAS Men’s Adilette Slide Sandal also features soccer cleat-inspired outsoles that have been purely innovated for grip and walking long distances.
They’re also completely water-resistant; you can wear them in the shower and outside in any weather. Talk about multi-purpose.
Pros
- Innovative design that never goes out of style
- Top ADIDAS brand quality
- Water resistant keeps your feet dry in wet conditions
Cons
- Flimsy compared to some sandals
This iconic sports brand did not disappoint with its superior quality and innovative design. The Adilette slide sandal can fit into any day of the week.
What to Look When Buying a Walking Sandals for Men?
You already know that not all sandals are good sandals. Consequently, we don’t want you to go out and buy the first pair you see, so we’ve broken down the things you need to consider when buying a sandal.
- Comfort
- Material
- Durability
- Price
- Comfort
You want your sandal to be comfortable. The primary purpose is to ensure that you don’t suffer the blisters and burns that come to a result of wearing the wrong pair of sandals – you also want to be stylish and breathable in the warm weather.
Most men prefer to wear sandals without socks, and as such, the feet are constantly touching the upper material. Hence, the design and choice material of the strap can affect how it feels on your feet – whether comfortable or not.
Remember to keep the sole and footbed in mind. A sandal without footbed will have no cushioning or support. It will make you uncomfortable.
Out of all the features to look out for, comfort is the most important to consider. If the sandals aren’t comfortable, then they aren’t worth having.
Related: You may try shoes to wear without socks to feel your feet more comfortable and light.
Material
Some sandals made with disappointing and below-par clothing and choosing the right material can filter them out. Think about purchasing your favorite t-shirts, and you always want to make sure that the material has a good quality so that it doesn’t discolor with wear, shrink in the wash, or need replacing after 2 months. Sound familiar?
It’s the same with your sandals.
If your sandals are made with poor materials, they are going, and you will feel like you wasted your time and resources buying them.
So, with sandals, it’s either synthetic or leather.
Both have their different benefits and negatives. For instance, the synthetic material may be slightly less durable or look less stylish than its leather counterpart, but then it’s mostly waterproof whilst the leather isn’t.
Your choice of material depends on your preference, but either way, ensure you get the highest quality of either of them.
Durability
Majority of sandals begin to break apart after a certain period and use. So, if you’re thinking about a pair of sandals to use daily, then you need to ensure that they’re robust.
Suppose you’re on a long walk, wearing your sandals, and then one of the straps break, it becomes a pretty sticky problem, right? You can either hope you’d have a spare pair in your bag or you will have to do the rest of the walk without just one foot of your sandals– the later is more likely.
So what do you do? Just make sure that the sandals are durable. A combination of a comfortable and good material is less likely to run into problems down the line. Of course, they may slightly be more expensive, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Price
The quality has to be relative to the price.
Buying an expensive pair won’t guarantee better quality, and buying a cheaper doesn’t mean that they would run into problems down the line.
Just ensure that you can get a sandal that is the best value for money. That is, you don’t want to spend a high budget on sandals that are not worth it and on the flip side, if you have a low budget, you need to ensure that you’re getting the best value relative to your budget.
The Difference Between Flip Flops and Sandals
We’ve decided to fully break it down and give you a more apparent distinction between the two and make it easier to understand.
Sandals
One of the distinct differences between the two is that sandals mostly made with sturdier and more durable materials. Many of the best walking sandals for men you’ll likely find are made from durable materials such as leather. Sandals are made with longer distance wearing and walking in mind.
They’re also a fashion piece that can be worn to meals and on evenings, so the best sandals have the material quality to back that up. You may see our guide about Birkenstocks sandals for its best design and high-quality material.
The second distinct difference is style. You’ll probably recognize this feature yourselves. Sandals can come in many forms, but they generally have more of a strap and foot-securing mechanism than the flip-flop. They are designed to holds in your heels and toes so that you’re comfortable when walking longer distances.
Sandals have a wider purpose, and they are often made to fit in casual and evening, social wear seamlessly. They’re also acceptable for many professional and social scenarios. They’re also sandals for plantar fasciitis have provided significant relief to the intense pain of feet.
Tips: Looking for more casual shoes here you can find the everyday shoes makes your daily life on ease.
Flip Flops
Flip flops are mostly useful as a hot-weather shoe. They can be thoroughly stylish, comfortable, and just the best to slide on when you’re quickly getting out of the house.
As opposed to the high-quality material found on sandals, flip flops are often made with flimsier materials. Of course, they are worth buying; they just made for a different purpose.
Usually, you’ll wear the flip flops for a trip down the beach, or a BBQ, and you need to slip on something quickly and get on with the day.
In terms of style, flip flops have the Y-shaped thong that goes between your big toes and over your feet. That’s all about their style.
The differences are quite severe, even though it may look minimal. Flip flops are made for casual wears; they are flimsy and never look any different. Sandals, on the other hand, come in different styles of straps that will suit every occasion, and they made for comfortable walking over long distances.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Sandals?
It is unacceptable to keep wearing your sandals without regular care.
Each time you wear them, they will begin to capture odor and other unpleasantries. When it comes to maintaining your sandals, one thing to bear in mind is to keep the smells at bay and dissuade yourself from stinking out every room you enter.
The second thing is that when you’re walking over long distances or different terrains, you can be sure to get your sandals dirty and worn-out. If you’re treating yourself to one of the most comfortable men’s sandals, you’ll want to make sure that they don’t start to wear out or break after a couple of months.
Either way, you will lose if you don’t take care of your sandals.
Cleaning them regularly takes a preventative and protective measure that ensures that your sandals will prove to be a worthwhile investment and last a long time.
Conclusion
This is a friendly reminder to always keep your feet dry before heading outdoors, put some lotion on. Clip those nails, too. You don’t want to scare little kids with the length of your toenails. Consider a pedicure.
You should take care of your feet, especially when you’re exposing them to everyone.
These sandals reviewed here are only the best and comfortable walking sandals for men currently available on the market.
Whichever one you end up choosing, you will find it to be excellent wear for both indoors and outdoors. They always come in handy when needed and can be packed with ease.
We hope that our findings help you locate your perfect pair.
Related Reviews:
Additional Resources:
- The Case for Wearing Sandals, by Bespoke Post
- Men, Are You Wearing Sandals This Summer? Read This First, by NYTimes