Best sandals for women

When it comes to the best sandals for women, comfort and quality matter. We’ve found women’s sandals to suit many styles and budgets.

Best sandals for women
(Image credit: @Yogesh Pedamkar on Unsplash)

The right pair of sandals can make or break your day. I personally like neutral styles and colors that I can take from the garden to the shopping mall without skipping a beat. Comfort is also key, especially when it's hot out. That's why we've put together this collection of comfortable, cute styles for your wardrobe. Without further ado, here are the best sandals for women. 

The go-to

Clarks CloudSteppers Breeze Sea Women's Lightweight Adjustable Thong Sandal

(Image credit: Clarks)

Clarks CloudSteppers Breeze Sea thong sandals

Most versatile thongs

Clarks Cloudsteppers are my go-to. They're stylish, you can wear them with anything, and they are ever so comfy. 

Pros:

  • Comfortable fit
  • Stylish design
  • Durable materials

Cons:

  • Doesn't come in half sizes

If you appreciate sensible versatility, you'll love a good pair of Clarks thongs. You can dress them up or dress them down, and a good neutral color will go with anything. They come in many different colors, so you can get a pair of brightly colored sandals, too, if that's your thing. Since Clarks also have a durable rubber sole, you can wear them around the yard or garden without worrying about ruining them. 

Sporty pick

adidas Unisex-Adult Adilette Comfort Running Shoes

(Image credit: Adidas)

adidas Adilette comfort running sandals

Best for athletes

When it comes to sporty sandals, Adidas has the market cornered with its famous sport sandals. 

Pros:

  • Comfortable and easy to slip on or off
  • Appropriate for the gym or light sport activities
  • Many color options

Cons:

  • Not really for running

Although Adidas calls these sandals a type of running shoe, I don't know that I'd go that far. While they're not the most comfortable for sprinting or long-distance running, they actually do work great for light exercise and low-impact sports. These sandals also look great with active apparel. With so many color options, you can even find some that look good with casual clothes too. 

Hobbit approved

Skechers Women's On-The-go 600-Brilliancy Sport Sandal

(Image credit: Skechers)

Skechers On-The-Go Brilliancy sport sandal

Best for wide feet

If you have wide feet like me, it may be hard to find a sandal that doesn't run too narrow. Skechers offers specialty wide sizes for larger widths. 

Pros:

  • Wide sizes available
  • Comfortable materials
  • Adjustable straps for a secure fit

Cons:

  • Slippery soles

Most women's sandals do not come in wide sizes, so it's not unusual that they run too narrow for my feet. I can always count on Skechers to offer sandals in wide sizes. These strappy sandals are comfortable and secure for walking long distances. The fabric straps are soft and don't rub blisters on your feet. 

Sand and sun

Havaianas Women's Slim Flip Flop Sandal

(Image credit: Havaianas)

Havaianas slim flip-flop sandals

Best for the beach

For trips to the beach or pool, you'll want waterproof sandals that are cool and easy to slip off. Havaianas fit the bill. 

Pros:

  • Waterproof and durable
  • Inexpensive price
  • Come in many colors

Cons:

  • Not much support

Havaianas are the classic beach-side flip flop. They are waterproof and durable, ready to weather lots of sun, sand, and waves. Although they don't offer much support, they are easy to slip on and off as you go from beach to pool and back again. Even better, at this price, you can buy a pair to match every bathing suit. 

Solid support

Vionic Women's Rest Kirra Backstrap Sandal

(Image credit: Vionic)

Vionic Kirra backstrap sandal

Best for high arches

If you have high arches, you probably know the Vionic brand. It is famous for making high-support shoes that are comfortable for feet of all shapes. 

Pros:

  • High arch support
  • High-quality materials
  • APMA-approved

Cons:

  • Expensive

Feet come in all shapes and sizes; sometimes the average sandal simply doesn't provide enough support. Vionic puts in the work to find orthopedic designs that fit all feet, especially those with high arches. This brand is even approved by the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association). The Kirra sandal is made from leather, microfiber, and rubber for comfort and durability. 

Fancy feet

Steve Madden Women's Irenee Heeled Sandal

(Image credit: Steve Madden)

Steve Madden Irenee heeled sandal

Best for a night out

If you're wearing your best duds, any old sandal won't do. These Irenee heeled sandals from Steve Madden are fancy enough for your finest dress. 

Pros:

  • High-fashion design
  • Goes with fine dresses and elegant clothing
  • Comes in many colors

Cons:

  • Not as comfortable

Although a strappy heeled sandal is never as comfortable as a pair of orthopedic flats, this pair from Steve Madden provides enough support for a night out on the town and maybe even a little dancing. The heel is wide enough that it won't snap easily, and the style is available in many colors and finishes. For a pair of nice strappy shoes, the price isn't bad either. 

Easy to clean

CROC Women's Flip Flop Sandals

(Image credit: Crocs)

Croc flip-flop sandals

Best for the garden

Croc flip flops are made with a durable synthetic material that is waterproof and easy to clean. 

Pros:

  • Durable construction
  • Easy to clean
  • Comfortable and cute

Cons:

  • Few color choices

If your feet get hot and sweaty when you work in the garden, a good pair of sturdy flip-flops are best. Crocs make flip flops that provide surprisingly good support and a comfortable fit. They don't slip off easily when you crouch down to plant and pull weeds. The shoes are also waterproof and easy to clean, so you don't have to worry about ruining them in the garden. 

New heights

Birkenstock Womens Sibyl Sandal

(Image credit: Birkenstock)

Birkenstock women's Sibyl sandals

Best wedge sandal

For a comfortable sandal that also has some good height to it, the Birkenstock Sibyl style has a nice wedge heel that is surprisingly comfortable to walk in. 

Pros:

  • High wedge heel
  • Comfortable footbed
  • High-quality materials

Cons:

  • Expensive

If you've ever owned a good pair of Birks, you know how comfy they are. Soft leather, a foot-hugging footbed, and a durable sole. Now you can enjoy all the comfortable qualities of Birkenstocks in a beautiful wedge that'll give you some height as well. Although these sandals aren't cheap, Birkenstock is known for making top-quality footwear that lasts for years. This brand also offers a range of sizes. 

Show those toes!

Ready to show some toe? We've got the best sandals for women that will make your feet happy and make them look good too. I love the Clarks CloudSteppers because they feel so good to wear and they can go with basically any outfit. This style comes in plenty of different colors so you can find the pair that best suits your individual style. 

For those who like to get dirty in the garden, on the other hand, I suggest a durable pair of thongs like the Croc flip-flops. These are tough sandals that are waterproof and easy to wash off if you get a little muddy. There are a lot of good options on this list so you can find the pair of women's sandals that fit your needs. 

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Jaclyn is a content writer at Future. She has a flair for creating (written works, design, photos; you name it!) on her devices. When she’s not churning out new things, Jaclyn loves exploring the world, playing with her kids, and good old-fashioned baking.