The Most Comfortable Sandals For Women

What makes a sandal stylish is often a matter of taste and opinion. Comfort, however, comes down to specific criteria. Materials, construction, flexibility and breathability are some of the factors that experts take into consideration when evaluating the most comfortable sandals for women—and you should too, if you want a pair you can wear all day that won’t cause blisters or inflame conditions like plantar fasciitis.

To find a high quality sandal, you have spend a bit more than you normally would for say, a pair of throw-away flip flops or wedges that look cute but make you wince by the end of the day. In this case, you get what you pay for. Still, there are deals to be had. Ahead, 13 of the most comfortable sandals for women that are stylish and kind to your feet.

Sorel Kinetic Sandal: Sorel is well-known for their incredibly comfortable boots and the Portland, Oregon brand’s sandals are expertly designed and stylish as well. The wildly popular Kenetic cradles your foot securely with a leather-textile strap and the molded sole take the pressure off your arches and is grounded in lightweight rubber for extra cushioning and traction. The sandals also strike the right balance on the height, with a one inch platform, and cool, Marni-like color-blocking.

Mephisto Helen Sandal: Mephisto was founded in France in 1965 and sets the standard for impeccably designed sandals, which have earned the respect of podiatrists and style-conscious fans. The Helen is a bestseller with hand-finished straps, a contoured footbed that molds to your foot and a flexible latex sole. The Soft Air technology also reduces shock and relieves pressure on joints. On the fashion side, this pick comes in more than 20 different colors and styles, which gives you a lot of options for day and evening wear.

Skechers Arch Fit: Skechers applies the technology that make their sneakers so comfortable to their sandals as well. This pair has a podiatrist-designed shape, which was developed using data from 120,000 foot scans, over 20 years. The contoured footbed supports your arches and increases weight dispersion to reduce any pounding and, as added bonus, this sandal is machine-washable.

Fitflop Lulu Toe-Post Sandal: Fitflop is an orthopedic-like brand with fashion-conscious appeal. These highly-rated ergonomic sandals feature a triple-density “Microwobbleboard” midsole, engineered by British biomechanists to absorb shock and diffuse underfoot pressure. The results provide support to the areas where plantar fasciitis can cause inflammation—i.e. the thick band of tissue connecting your toes and your heel—and prevent flare-ups.

Vionic Brandie Flatform Slide Sandal: New York-based podiatrist and foot surgeon Jacqueline Sutera looks for good arch support, cushioning and shock absorption technology in sandals. Her top pick is Vionic sandals, which were designed by a podiatrist. “This style will hug your arches and support the natural alignment of your foot from the ground up,” she says, calling out the comfortable microfiber-covered footbed, dual hook-and-loop adjustable closure straps and sturdy one-inch platform heel.

Teva Women's Ascona Sport Web Strappy Sandal: Teva’s ultra-supportive sandals are great for light treks or travel. The Ascona is the newer version of the bestselling Tirra—it’s designed with contoured EVA midsole for cushy arch support, nylon shanks to stabilize your foot on uneven terrain and a rugged rubber outsole that gives you traction, especially on slippery, wet surfaces.

Geox Gardenia Sandals: For stylish option that offers stability, New York City-based podiatrist and foot surgeon Danielle Edwards recommends this sporty Geox sandal, which has adjustable straps. “It’s comfort meets fashion. Platform sandals and wedged sandals are in style right now and this pair is comfortable and good for your feet due to the breathable and lightweight design,” she says.

Hoka Ora Recovery Slide: Edwards likes Hoka’s recovery slides for an extremely well made and priced option. Designed to gently cradle feet, the $50 sandal is made from a dual-layer construction with a soft top layer and a tougher outsole for durability and stability. “I find them to be especially supportive and helpful for my runner patients to wear after workouts, and in general, for any type of foot and leg pain,” Edwards says.

See By Chloe Glyn Slide: If you’re looking for something more fashion-forward without sacrificing on comfort and sturdiness, New York-based fashion stylist Sarah Meikle highly recommends See By Chloe’s slides. “The gold metallic foil upper looks dressy, but they still have a low key vibe,” she says. With a 1.5-inch platform, she adds, the sandals “give you a little height without being over the top.” The lining is leather and jute for durability and the adjustable straps give you extra support. While this shiny style is pricey, two other colors are currently on sale at Dillard’s.

Hush Puppies Sunshine Slides: These newly released sandals are supportive without looking orthopedic. The insole is made of high-rebound memory foam to provide bounce along with extra padding, which helps distributes your weight evenly and prevents foot pain. The molded outsoles give you a good amount of traction, too, so you can walk on slippery or rocky surfaces without any discomfort. The bright colors are just fun.

Sorel Ella II Sandal: You can find a lot of cheaper strappy sandals on the market but those often wear out after a few uses. For a pair that actually lasts, consider Sorel’s Ella. The bestselling sandals have full-grain leather with stretch gore straps, a cushioned foam footbed that softens your step and a razor-cut, scalloped outsole for extra traction. You’ll get a little bounce when you walk, which is essential in a flat, and they come in 15 different colors from beautiful tan to gorgeous light blue.

Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandal: New York based fashion and beauty consultant Nicole Colovos swears by her Birkenstock sandals for their wearability, timeless style and durability. “These are a classic that only get better with wear,” she says. “Their simple, two-strap design combines comfort with a hint of structure and you can literally wear them with anything, day to night.” An extra layer of foam cushioning molds to the shape of your foot and adjustable buckles help secure your foot in place.

Adidas Adilette Slide Sandal: If you want a slide for the beach, pool or home, Adidas’s classic Adilette slides are iconic for their sporty, waterproof appeal. They’re a go-to among fashion stylists, including Meikle and Colovos, for their throw-in-your-bag and go versatility. A much better option for your feet than your average flip flip, they have a comfy contoured footbed and a super durable rubber sole.