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Once summer hits, walking sandals can be more comfortable than sneakers (although we do appreciate a good walking shoe, too). The breathability and cushioning can keep your feet comfortable as you go, and some of the styles even look cute with your summer dresses and shorts.
When reviewing the best walking sandals for women, we learned that regardless of whether you'll wear them for exercising, hiking or just replacing your old flip-flops, you want to prioritize comfort and fit.
“For sandals that you'll wear walking all day, choose footbeds with arch support and cushioning materials like foam,” advises Emma Seymour, associate director of the GH Institute’s Textiles Lab. She also suggests trying on various widths to find the most comfortable fit, and making sure that the straps, buckles or other features don't unexpectedly rub against your foot (which could cause problems later).
“Your feet swell throughout the day, so you will find a more true size if you measure your feet at the end of the day,” adds Ira Deming, D.P.M., a podiatrist at John Hopkins Medicine's Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a fortune for a quality pair of walking sandals, thanks to these Amazon discounts on some of our expert-backed favorites. Top brands like Teva and Dr. Scholl’s are marked down in various sizes and colors, and the best overall walking sandals we reviewed are even on sale right now.
Walking sandals on sale
Our Textile pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute regularly evaluate women's shoes in and out of the Lab. They also collaborate with consumer testers and consider all feedback before making any recommendations:
- We named the Chaco Z/1 sandals the best overall, with Seymour reporting, “When wearing these sandals, my high arches felt completely supported.”
- Perfect for upcoming vacations, the Teva Tirra, which our experts deem the best walking sandal for long distances. For a little added style, we named the Vionic Rest Bella II the best flip-flop walking sandals and like that they come in more than 30 colors.
- Sandals can be difficult for people with plantar fasciitis, but we find that the Dr. Scholl’s Islander sandals help keep the pressure off your arches.
- Two of these are suitable for going off the beaten path for mixed-terrain recreational use. We named the ECCO Yucatan the best walking sandals for arch support, and testers like how they don’t feel too bulky. The Keen Whisper sandals have a closed toe, excellent stability and have a waterproof polyester upper — all reasons we call them the best walking sandals for hiking.
Jessica is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for Oprah Daily, Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Women's Health, Men's Health, Bicycling, and Runner's World. With more than 15 years of experience, she tests and reports on useful, unique, and trending products—everything from baby gear to home decor to power tools—and tracks the best sales in the lifestyle and tech spaces.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
