The Best Hiking Sandals of 2026

It isn’t often that sandals can tread into the performance realm, but with a burly harness system, thick-lugged outsole, and a 3D molded footbed, the Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D Pros ($140) saunter on in with ease, and were the best overall sandals in our review to-date.

When the soles of your mountaineering boots and sandals share a logo, traction isn’t going to be an issue. The Megagrip sole used on the Cairn 3D is Vibram’s recipe for wet and slippery conditions, and besides siped compounds like those used on the Astral PFD sandals, these gripped the best of any in our testing. This mates to a footbed that adds a few ridges beneath your toes, as well as an arch hump for all-day support.

From this base sprouts a T-style strap system of ¾-inch webbing that coalesces at a single post between your first and second toes. While this won’t be for everyone, those who jive with it will find a multi-adjustable harness that can be adapted for the heel, and in two directions across the instep. In practice, we found this to be set-and-forget easy, with metal G-hooks holding fast where we placed them.

In action, these have been our go-anywhere, do-anything sandals for multiple years running, having taken us from climbing approaches to wet-wading tenkara fishing to portaging our packrafts. With time the nylon webbing becomes more supple, and the footbed molds to your foot a bit more. We’ve yet to run the tank dry on a pair, but when we do, Bedrock offers a ‘Resoul’ program that will slap a new sole on your trusty pair for a cool $55.

The sizing on Bedrocks used to be one of the only Achilles heels we could find on the sandals, as many in the GearJunkie circle agreed that sizing up one full size is the go-to for proper foot coverage. Thankfully the new Evo sizing amends that issue, and adventurers should assume that the same size as your streetwear will fly.

Made for full-tilt adventures, the Cairn Evo 3D Pro Sandals are the ones we reach for the most when we’re after open-toe ability and comfort.

If your wallet is looking a little slim, pull yourself up by your sandal straps and slide into a pair of Teva Original Universals ($65). These budget-minded sandals have much of the Teva DNA of their more-expensive brethren, and only make a few concessions to hit the sub $60 mark.

The Original Universals look a bit like a flip-flop body glommed on with the trusted Teva architecture of straps and Velcro. These adjustment points take in over the instep and front of the foot, and between the four anchor points, we found they held strong on our feet. Unlike some Teva sandals like the Hurricane XLT2 or Terra Fi 5s, however, the rear heel strap isn’t adjustable, so we suggest sizing them in person to ensure they’ll work with your feet. 

Thankfully, Teva didn’t skimp out on the strap pattern choices on these budget kicks, with a number of different color combinations and cool detailed patterns to choose from. We especially dig the muted tones that give these sandals a real down-to-earth feel.

The rubber outsoles do feature a repeating lug pattern to provide some grip, though we found in comparison testing that these sandals provided less grip than many other styles we tried out. The flat footbeds also don’t help the issue, and as such, we recommend keeping these sandals in 2WD mode when using them.

For those after a budget model but loyal to the Chaco name, the Lowdown Sandal ($70) is the brand’s stripped-back version, but it has much more grip than these Tevas. Even still, the cheaper Original Universals have become our de facto “just in case” pair, riding along in the bed of our pickups, tucked away in our beach bags, or sitting next to the door. At $65, they’re cheap insurance against not being able to get some sun on your feet.

It’d be hard to get much farther into this review without running smack dab into the sandal leviathan Chaco, and for good reason. The brand has been churning out river-ready footwear since 1989, and the Women’s Chaco Z/Cloud ($105) is about the top of the heap — easily landing as the best overall sandal for women. 

PNW-centric hiker and mountaineer Rebecca Ross raved, “[I] adored the Chaco Z/Clouds for strenuous day hikes, camping, and flaunting them to friends because of their cute, funky, retro patterns. For just about everything you’re looking to get up to in a pair of sandals, these are the pair to take you there.”

The midsoles of the Z/Clouds are a full inch thick beneath the heels and are made from a soft polyurethane that has good give. We agreed that these sandals balanced the support v. comfort issue well, and we leaned on the Z/Clouds to approach climbs in Washington’s rugged North Cascades this summer, to great success.

The Z/Clouds also wouldn’t be a Chaco without the floating strap style closure, which allows the webbing to be micro-adjusted around the sandal to get the perfect fit every time. Those with low-volume feet should also take note, as while the straps can be snugged down to fit your minimal metatarsals, you’ll be left with an extended tag-end flying in the breeze. We found the T-strap style of the Bedrock Cairn Evos to be better for thin feet.

Finally, a featured rubber sole with enough lugs to rival Vibram keeps you planted, no matter the off-camber terrain you might press the Z/Clouds into service on. We found that the combination of this sole and fine-tuned strap system made these sandals some of the best off-roaders in our testing — easily navigating the granite boulders of British Columbia’s Squamish.

If you land on the toe loop side of the Chaco-spectrum, the Z/Cloud 2 ($100) is your ticket to ride. But for gals who want a little more foot freedom, the original Z/Cloud is easily our most recommended sandal for women today.

The Luna Mono Winged Sandals ($115) are the OG, as they say, when it comes to uber-minimal sandals that remind of the tire-tread and leather footwear of the Tarahumara, and are perfect for long trail miles for folks with tough feet, or going uber-minimal with your basecamp footwear.

There may be more minimal lashing solutions for sandals, but they likely involve bits of shoelace and bubblegum. The lacing system on the Mono balances the question perfectly, with a single webbing strap system that anchors between the toes and on the sides of the in-step, and adjusts with a single ladder lock. Initial fit-up required some adjustment, but after it was smooth sailing.

The total midsole and outsole (which is pretty much one piece) stack height is comparable to the Bedrock Cairn Evo or Shamma Sandals Elite Ibex at 16 mm, and forms a totally flat foot surface. After enjoying the 3D contours of the Bedrocks for trail use, we were unsure about this monolithic platform, but quickly found our feet amenable to the change. As every foot is different, however, your mileage may vary.

Speaking of that outsole, it’s a Vibram Morflex sole, which prioritizes being lightweight and feels more like a very hard and dense foam versus Vibram’s other rubber blends. This certainly lightens up the sandal (our size 9.5s were 6.5 ounces lighter than our Bedrocks), but overall longevity remains a question. We’ve got a full season notched with these sandals, but will continue to run them until the tread wears out.  

We didn’t find the wet-traction of the Morflex sole to be as good as the performance-oriented XS Trek on the Bedrock Cairn Evo, but the aggressive lugging helps shore up the performance. Those looking for the same fit and style but a more durable grip should look to the Mono’s older sibling, the Middle Bear (at just $10 more and featuring a Megagrip sole).

On our thru-hiking endeavors, we’ve noticed that while sandal-wearers are a minority share, the split is just about even between those opting for Bedrocks and those in Luna sandals. The classic Mono Winged Sandal keeps it simple, and are perfect for those looking to simplify their backcountry footwear as well.

The Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandals ($95) only have eight components, and the design has barely changed since 1989 — both hallmarks of a supremely dependable sandal design. Chaco has built many spurs on the classic since then, but this is the OG, and if you need a hiking sandal that just works, the Z/1 Classic doesn’t disappoint.

We’ve been kicking around in our Classics for actual decades, and Editor Andrew McLemore has been wearing an iteration since the age of 12 and used them to travel around the globe. The toe-strap Z/2 sandal is the original design, but the open-toe Z/1 came a few years on its heels, and we think it’s the more versatile design as you can wear socks with it.

Like the Z/Clouds, the Z/1s also sport the classic Chaco floating strap design, which threads a single piece of webbing through the footbed. This can be adjusted to fit the specific volume of your foot (after a little trial and error), and we think the single buckle design is one of the simplest out there. This rides on top of a LUVSEAT PU footbed that is a bit firmer than the Z/Clouds, but more predictable on rougher trails.

The ChacoGrip outsoles are impressively grippy for a non-Vibram sole and wear quite well over the years. In testing, we placed them just behind sandals that use a Vibram rubber in their layup when it comes to traction. The higher stack height doesn’t feel quite as ‘planted’ as other more grounded sandals, but the trade-off is in long-term comfort.

The Z/1 Classics are a bit chunky, to be sure, and you’ll certainly notice the heft if you wear them side-by-side with something like the Luna Monos or Xero H-Trail sandals. These are the heaviest sandals in our review at close to 2 pounds, but we like to think the trade-off in long-term durability is a worthy swap. We’ve got pairs of Z/1 Classics that have been worn to the nub, but they aren’t done yet.

After hiking a couple of thousand miles with our standby Xero Z-Trail EV sandals, they were starting to look a little worse for wear, and we still had a few issues with the half-foam outsoles getting chewed to pieces. Sporting a new huarache style and improved outsole design, the new Xero H-Trail Sandals ($80) are the perfect replacement — and an even better minimalist hiking sandal.

It’s tough to improve upon a classic, but Xero about nailed it — retaining the stripped-down feel we love after a long day in trail runners, but shoring up a few deficiencies as well. For one, the new outsole is an all-rubber design, a big improvement over the hybrid foam/rubber of the Z-Trails that got a bit long in the tooth after many years of use. The outsole is still nice and thin for a grounded feel, too.

We’re also fans of the Huarache strap system, which feels more secure compared to the more common Z-strap style by pinning the big toe down. We felt this gave us a more connected feeling when twisting around on awkward moves off trail, and the foam footbed kept their feet in place. There’s even more adjustment potential in the H-Trails, with 4x points to dial in the fit of the straps.

It’s good to know that these sandals can easily be bent in half, and if barefoot footwear is new to you, expect some growing pains as your feet mellow out. Like the similarly minimal Bedrocks Cairn Evos or the Luna Mono Winged sandals, though, the tradeoffs can be excellent, with a real tactile feel in walking around and much stronger feet.

Whether you’re born to run in them or just need an ultralight set of sandals to kick around in after a hard hike, the H-Trail Sandals easily make the grade in our books. You may also consider the similar Bedrock Classic LT if you’re after a true Vibram sole in your minimal hiking sandal (but at the cost of less adjustability).

So good they were targeted in a brazen heist, the Bedrock Mountain Clogs ($160) are the souped-up version of the brand’s adventure sandals with a protective leather toe covering. These clogs have a love-it or leave-it style, but after romping around in them for an entire winter, we’re firmly on team #clogs.

Like the Cairn Evo sandals, the Mountain Clogs stay minimal underfoot. The only real difference between the two is the foot covering, which is available in a slightly cheaper suede leather version or a more deluxe Nubuck cut. Both are super-protective, and in testing, we found they shrugged off the worst of stubbed toes and kept goat’s head thorns from finding their way under our feet.

We see these sandals as perfect for extending your sandal season, but we appreciate that they don’t go too far and turn into trail runners. The zero-drop soles are still minimal and transmit a great ground feel, and the two-strap system is just right for dialing in the fit. Real-deal Vibram Megagrip outsoles are just about our favorite in any sandal out right now, and we stuck to most anything we attempted to scramble up in these clogs.

Take note: If you’re looking at picking up a pair of Mountain Clogs, ideally, try them on before you scoop them, and consider grabbing one size larger than your typical sandal size. These sandals have space for socks, which is one of our favorite parts, but you’ll need to account for that when sizing.

If you need foot protection and want to jump in some puddles from time to time, we think the Keen Newport H2 is a great alternative. You can also look at Bedrock’s synthetic version of the Mountain Clogs. The Bedrocks are a little hefty at 1 pound, 10 ounces per pair, but they are a bit lighter than the Keen Newports and more adjustable. For most folks, we think these are the way to go.

Born out of the waters of the Grand Canyon, the Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals ($75) are the genuine article from the brand (and if you were looking to bulk up on your sandal trivia, it’s pronounced TEH-vah). Both this and the Chaco Z/1 Classics are standard-bearers for their home team and are pretty similar, but some important details will direct which sandal to go with.

Chaco goes with its one-strap solution, while the Teva Hurricanes opt for a three-way lattice of adjustable webbing to saddle your foot (which were actually Velcro watch bands in the original prototype). In practice, we found the Chacos easier to get on once adjusted, but the Tevas are more adjustable overall, easily accommodating for funky foot shapes.

On the bottoms of the Tevas, a Durabrasion rubber sole absorbs the bumps and bruises of the road and is laid out in a smart lug pattern that keeps the sandals from skittering around too much on wet surfaces. We did find the rubber to be slightly harder than that of the ChacoGrip outsole, however, so the point here goes to the Chacos.

When it comes to stability and control, the Tevas win out, all thanks to the nylon shank embedded in the midsole that meant small edge control was no problem. The four strap anchors around the sandal also play into this control, and we appreciated being able to dial in the fit on the fly to snug up the sandals when extra traction was needed.

And finally, when it comes to style, it’s a total draw — with both the Chacos and Tevas sporting some seriously enjoyable colors and patterns. We will note the webbing on the Hurricanes is also made from recycled plastic, and the entire sandal itself can be recycled at end of life through the TevaForever recycling program. A smart option.

In the end, it’s that annoying tendency of Velcro on sandals to wear out prematurely that keeps the Z/1s above this option in our recommendations. This takes quite a long time to do, but unlike Chaco, Bedrock, or Luna, TEVA does not offer a repair service, meaning once your straps go the sandals are done. Even still, this will take years of use, and it’s hard to go wrong with the proven ability and style of the Hurricane XLT2.

Made with all the same Chaco DNA but on a lighter diet, the Chaco Lowdown Sandal ($70) takes all of the cushioned footbed, grippy outsole, and snazzy straps of their classic sport sandal cousins and trims the fat to produce a travel-friendly Chaco that can still hang on long hikes.

Chaco claims a 40% weight reduction between the Lowdown and their classic sandal models (we found it to be 34%, ahem), but the largest benefit we found was in overall bulk. Classic Chacos like the Z/1 or Z/2 often feel too chunky to pack away in a travel bag, but the Lowdowns sport a more minimal profile that we could stuff into our carry-ons or daypacks.

The simpler Z-strap design on the Lowdown sandal isn’t as adjustable as the Z/Clouds (the floating strap design also has a bit of a memory, whereas the Lowdown needs some fine-tuning each time you wear them), but they actually played nicer with our low-volume feet. He often struggles with super-long tag ends on the straps of other Chaco sandals, while the Lowdown straps fit just right.

The outsole hasn’t strayed far, either, and is laid up with the same ChacoGrip rubber that we loved in the Z/Clouds, just in a more simple lug pattern. This pattern isn’t as featured as on other Chacos, but in testing on wet and dry surfaces, we didn’t notice much difference in anything but chunky gravel, where the tighter lug pattern of these sandals skidded around a bit.

Issues otherwise were minimal on the Lowdowns, with the most amounting to a little rubbing on the strap anchors before they wore into our feet. We find that there’s a break-in period for most sandals, as you don’t have the cushion of a sock to soak up any odd angles before they wear in a bit. After a few days of use, our feet got the memo.

Perfect for Chaco-fiends who want to travel and hike with their trusty sandals, we found the Lowdowns to be a great compromise (if the longer adjustment time doesn’t bother you). It’s not as quick as the single buckle in-and-out process on the Bedrock or Luna sandals, but quick enough to toss on for a day of travel.

Breaking in a pair of shoes has never been this easy. Designed with recycled materials and decades of experience under their belts, or toes rather, Tread Labs introduces one of the most comfortable and versatile hiking sandals on the market, the Redway Hiking Sandal ($130).

Born from experience, Tread Labs was created by the founder of the ever-popular sandal company Chaco. Since 2022, they have been redesigning the hiking sandal game and introducing designs with a few important differences from other companies. Mainly, they’re incredibly comfortable right out of the box.

They are designed for slightly less intense environments than some beefier sandals on the market, but they still hold up on moderately challenging trails and terrain. The Redway offers a fantastic in-between option for those wanting a durable and comfortable adventure sandal. It is primarily made for hiking on anything from groomed trails to moderate scrambling and comfortable walking just about anywhere.

The straps are woven, minimizing waste. Plus, they have some dynamic stretch to them, making your feet comfortable without slipping off on the trail. With two buckles, the sandals are easily adjustable. 

Tread Labs’ real claim to fame is its insoles, some of the most anatomical and comfy shoe bottoms we’ve ever stepped foot in. Made with microfiber suede footbeds, they are soft on the toes, and with a midsole made from lightweight polyurethane, it feels like you’re walking on clouds.

Underneath, the sandal is supported by a durable rubber outsole with arrow-shaped tread for traction on the trail. This might be one of the only things we didn’t love 100% about the Redway, and we wished that the tread was a bit more aggressive for looser soil and sandy terrain. The price is also on the higher end, but if you’re after a comfort-first sandal, these aren’t a bad direction to go.

It’s hard to imagine that the humble flip-flop could ever be juiced up into an uber-capable piece of footwear, but those who think that have never met the Astral Filipe and Rosa Sandals ($85). Sporting a bunch of the same tech that made Astral’s PFDs our favorite water footwear, these flip-flops can be converted into sandals with the addition of a few webbing straps. And it’s no gimmick: the Filipe flips the script.

Let’s start with the basics, because the Filipe makes one heck of a good flip-flop, too. Laid up with Astral’s razor-sipped G.15 rubber for a sole, these sandals have impressive grip in or out of the water. An EVA foam footbed on top of that provides the cruising surface, and we found it to be further on the supportive side than squishy — keeping with the all-terrain vibe.

Rubber pads under the contact points of the feet are also incorporated to help prevent foot slippage, and the foot chassis is a cushioned synthetic leather and nylon combo that didn’t chafe or rub us the wrong way. The real magic, though, is a simple webbing loop that can be threaded through the sandal straps to retain the ankle and instep.

It’s hard to imagine that these simple straps add much support, but we were relatively blown away by how much more control they added — rivaling some full-strapped sandals in our testing. While the minimal Xero H-Trails are a good bit lighter and more compact, the Filipes absolutely best them in foot control and security.

While they are impressively adaptable, the Filipe/Rosas do have some shortcomings. For one, the midsole is not the most supple, and is a zero-drop design with minimal arch support. Those with particular feet (or those who don’t like zero-drop) may not get what they’re after. The sandals are also only offered in whole sizes, meaning you may end up with a slightly bigger pair than you need.

Ideal for beach-to-whitewater (or vice-versa) weekends, the Filipe and Rosa Sandals are some of the most adaptable sandals we’ve strapped on our feet to date.

Most hiking sandals will wear in a bit with use, but the leather-topped Shamma Elite Alphas ($115) wear in like a baseball glove — perfectly conforming to your foot. These minimalist trail hounds are on the same wavelength as the Bedrock Cairn Evos, and maybe closer to the Luna Mono Winged Sandals, but all are great options for long miles.

The Elite Alphas, though, certainly set themselves apart with the Cognac leather footbed, which was a perfect option for testing in the late-summer alpine of Colorado recently. We used these sandals as approach footwear for scramble routes, where they kept our feet cool on the miles in, and then stashed away into nothing on our pack.

We also tested these sandals during a 75-mile stint on the Colorado Trail, where they made killer camp wear. The cheaper Xero H-Trail is likely a better through-and-through camp sandal (as you’re paying for added ability here), but the Elite Alphas aren’t bad at all to slip into after a day on trail. That added performance also came in clutch when we used the sandals to air out our feet on the last few miles into camp.

If the paracord toe post of Bedrocks irritates you, the suede used in the Shamma sandals might be a better solution, without straying from the strap style. The straps here are narrower, however, which made for a slightly less comfortable fit. The Bedrocks also have a good bit more grip with their Vibram Megagrip outsoles, but for mostly on-trail use, these sandals still provide great traction.

The Elite Alphas are also available in an ‘Ultragrip’ textured footbed, but we think the leather version is where it’s at. The trade-off is that leather won’t play nice in consistently wet conditions, so it’s better to keep these sandals in dry climates. That said, these are a great alternative to any of the other minimalist sandals we’ve recommended.

Read Review: Astral ‘PFD’ Sandal Review: Our New Favorite Footwear for River Treks

After an entire summer of being our default packrafting footwear, know this: The Astral PFD Sandals ($95) are bar-none the best water shoe we’ve slapped on our pruney tootsies — and we’ve got the tan lines to prove it.

Just like a good sports car, it really all boils down to the tires. The soles on the PFD sandals are a proprietary G.Ss Rubber that we found holds strong against wet surfaces better than most. Then comes the genius part: These sandals are siped, like a great winter tire. Invisible to a casual glance, bending the sandal reveals zig-zagged ‘Flex-Grip’ sipes that grapple for traction on riverbeds.

Coupled with their insane traction is a chassis of wide polyester canvas straps that latch onto your feet, as well as a spacer mesh-cushioned ‘Thwart Pad’ that’s made to provide comfort when bracing against whitewater raft seating. The foot protection here is only bested by the Keen Newport H2s, which cover the entire foot, but are a good bit clunkier.

Comparing notes with our paddling friends this summer, we found that we could scuttle up steeper washes and slicker boulders versus their footwear. We even found that the PFDs make bang-up fly-fishing wading boot substitutes after a near-miss on a Montana road trip where we packed everything but our trusty Simms.

The PFDs are only available in full sizes, but feature a rear strap and G-hook combo that can be shored up to accommodate those in between sizes. We found that the fit was also a little on the narrower side, and those with wider feet may opt to go up a size and snug up the rear strap to keep their feet happy.

Perfect for anyone needing a full-time water sandal, the Astral PFDs are a no-nonsense pair of sandals that’ll help you keep the rubber side down on your next trip to the river. Those after a more minimal option might also consider the brand’s Filipe & Rosa sandals — a convertible flip flop that sports the same sticky outsole.

The toe bumper on the Keen Newport H2 ($130) tells you everything you need to know about these water-ready sandals: They’re protective, tough, and ready for a full day of kicking around in the river. Put to the test in our quasi-scientific “kick rocks” regimen, these were in only sandals we could bear to wail on with impunity. 

“The World’s Ugliest Sandal” — by Keen’s own admission — knows that looks have little to do with it when protecting your tender toes is on the line. The wide toe box is tucked behind a 1.5” protective cap of rubber, and is even emblazoned with a little caution symbol to let wayward rocks know to steer clear.

Backing up that toe cap is a sturdy chassis of webbing and a quick-dry lining that swaddles your feet, and in testing we found these to be some of the most secure sandals in our lineup. The whole affair is held together with a quick-adjust bungee system, which means that on and off is quick, and the sandals move with your feet, rather than constraining them. 

When stacked up against our choice for the best water sandal, the Astral PFD, the Newport H2s become the obvious choice for anyone who is looking for a bit more protection, such as in boulder hopping or exiting your watercraft frequently.

Unsurprisingly, they both sport a razor-siped outsole for the ultimate traction on wet terrain, and we’re convinced that this is the way to go for those who don’t want to compromise. In our traction testing, the Newport H2s held on tighter than most.

The web of polyester and elastic does become a bit of a crab trap once debris finds its way in, which was probably the most frequently registered complaint from us, but luckily the fast on-and-off of the bungee closure system means a quick shake is all it takes to clear. Potential buyers should also know that these sandals tend to run a bit small and that ordering a half-size larger typically gets the job done.

Born for the water, forced to live on dry land — the Newport H2 Sandals are a performance-oriented water shoe without a lick of shame about how they look to get there. We tend to think that the Astral PFD Sandals does everything these sandals do, just without the debris collection issue. The tradeoff, however, is protection, and if that’s what you need, these sandals are great.

Looking very much like their siblings the Hurricane XLT2s, the Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal Hiking Sandal ($120) dials up the all-day comfort with the addition of polyester mesh padding on the interior of the straps — making these kicks better suited for day-after-day use on longer backpacking trips.

All that added padding really makes the difference, too. Multi-day hikes were no problem, and the Terra Fi became one of the favorites for all-day comfort. You’ll pay for the privilege ($110 versus $75) but it can be well worth it if you need the extra padding. All of the adjustability we loved about Tevas is baked into the Terra Fi sandals as well, with easy Velcro straps and rubberized pull tabs.

The Spider Rubber outsole on the Terra Fi sandals is also an upgrade over the Durabrasion found on the Hurricane XLT2s, which in our testing was one of the less forgiving for grip. Spider Rubber is a different story, and grips with the best of the rubber compounds including the Vibram Megagrip on the Bedrock Cairn Evos. We also appreciated the embedded TPU shank in these sandals, which gives them a bit of backbone across long days.

All that extra comfort and grip have to tip some other scale and in the Terra Fi sandals, its weight. At close to 2 pounds, these are the chunkiest sandals in our line-up, which takes them out of the running for those interested in packing them along on backpacking trips. We find that sandals like the Bedrock Cairn Evos are a good bit more nimble than these, due to their weight under a pound and more flexible soles.

But if the Terra Fi 5 Universals are going to be your main squeeze for a weekend abroad (and there’s no scrambling involved), they might be the ticket.