6 Best Hiking Sandals in 2024

Closure type: closed or open-toe
Upper type: P550 low-top sneakers
Purpose: do you need sandals for regular hiking, casual use and light hiking, water hiking, or backpacking? Many things depend on this.
Depth of lugs (grip): from no lugs to very deep lugs. The shallower the lugs, the less we recommend hiking in the sandals (especially when sandals don’t even have the lugs).
Midsole softness: comfort is directly related to this. Hikers usually relate softness with comfort, but firmer midsoles offer more stability and are better for heavier options (both hikers and backpacks)
Outsole hardness: softer outsoles are usually stickier, but harder outsoles are more protective and durable
Flexibility: stiff sandals are great for terrain covered with debris, but more flexible sandals allow for more natural foot movement
Weight: usually, lighter sandals are meant for lighter hikes and maybe even casual use, while havier sandals which have hard outsoles, firmer midsoles, and a lot of protection, can be used on moderate hikes.

Finding the best hiking sandal can be a drag considering the many options available. But having the basic know-how of what hiking sandals are all about would make a whole lot of difference.

To help you narrow down the choice, we have tested hiking sandals out on the trails and in our lab and selected the best ones. Open or closed-toe, water-ready, minimalist - whatever your preferences are, we’ve got a top pick in different categories.

Also, see the guide section to learn a few expert tips on choosing the best hiking sandal for your purpose.

Best overall