Best hiking sandals for 2025: Shoe-like support, trail-ready breathability

These are an absolute delight to wear. Despite weeks of punishment, they’ve always remained comfortable and rub-free. The comfort is largely thanks to the springy, well-cushioned PU midsole that feels like it has been moulded to my foot.

The Terra Fis are surprisingly heavy for such open sandals, but they don’t feel it, and the weight presumably comes from the thick grippy sole that I’ve tested with success on a number of terrains. Crucially, sharp rock isn’t a problem for these sandals, and they’ve weathered a lot of these without noticeable wear on the outsole.

Having a broad toe end means these aren’t made for precision footing, but I would gladly take these on any trek, long or short, where there is an established path. They dry quickly, they have an anti-odour treatment (so far, so good), and they come with a two-year warranty. They’re also vegan, and much of the material is made using recycled plastic, so Teva have given them good eco credentials.

The only problem I’ve found is that the Velcro-like ankle straps get caught easily as I loosen them to get my feet in. This is avoidable with care, but it might lead to the fuzzy bit coming loose over time. That aside, the Terra Fis are just fantastic.

Find the women's version here.

Described by some as ‘the World’s Ugliest Sandal’, Keen's aim with the Newport was simple: create a shoe with the airiness of a sandal, but the tough toebox of a mountain boot. This shoe essentially invented the closed-toe genre of hiking sandal and its legacy is as impressive as it's bold mission statement.

Be honest, an unwanted toe stub from a rock on some tricky terrain is possibly one of the worst things in the world. It can ruin days. Avoiding those painful encounters is the founding philosophy of the sturdy and honestly quite mad-looking Newport.

The H2s are designed with water in mind, so the straps are made from quick-drying nylon and microfibre. The footbeds dry especially quickly so wading through a stream doesn’t interrupt walks at all.

The sandals sports a high-traction rubber outsole, natural odour control (and machine washability), generous forefoot space, lace-lock bungee system, arch support, and Keen’s iconic rugged rubber toe bumper, it’s a job well done.

And, despite its unconventional looks, it is much beloved; the Keen Newport turns 20 this year, with over 50 million pairs sold.

Find the men's version here.

While we crave the warmer weather, some of the side effects of wearing sandals aren’t always quite so welcome; gaps for insect bites, tiny shards of stone and weird sun-tan marks to name a few.

But your toes are safely cocooned in these ‘shandals’ from Columbia, thanks to a fine mesh that sits over most of the front of your foot, keeping out the nasties while still allowing air flow on a warm day.

Columbia says the Peakfreak Rush Shandals are meant to be a sneaker/sandal hybrid, and they’ve certainly got the comfort level right – feet sink into the soft footbed with its seemingly perfect foot shape, flexible body and easily adjustable quick lace system (with a nifty loop to keep excess lace in place).

But they’re ready for adventure too, with extra toe protection and Columbia’s own Adapt Trax sole – basically great grip for dry and wet conditions.

While the Peakfreaks are at home in water, I wouldn’t overuse them as a river shoe as that front mesh keeps in some of the humidity post-paddle. But they’re fab on trails that are wet or dry, smooth or rocky, long or short, and flat or contoured. A great all-round choice.

Find the men's version here.

Don’t let their fashionable appearance fool you: these are some serious hiking sandals. The Teva Grandview Max have that on-trend chunkiness, but are well-suited to long day hikes. 

At 330g per sandal (UK 6), they’re surprisingly light. These sandals should last many a hike: they’re protected by a tough Vibram outsole, while the straps are securely stitched to the mesh inner, which is supported by a “mudguard”. 

Your feet are very well protected in the Grandview Max. They’re already raised higher above the ground than most other sandals, thanks to the chunky midsole. There’s also an upturned outsole and integrated mesh upper, which prevents unwanted debris.   

The downside of having so much protection is that they’re not super breathable. There’s a few ventilation gaps and an open toe, but apart from that your feet are essentially encased in a sweaty neoprene-like material.

Besides this, I found these sandals extremely comfortable. The cushioning is plush, while the straps don’t touch your feet at all, as they’re supported by an inner shell of comfy mesh.

For long day walks, through woods, on the beach and on gravel tracks, this is an excellent choice – and they’ll even carry you to the restaurant at the end of the day without cramping your style.

Read our full Teva Grandview Max Sandal review here or s****ee the men's version here.

Now in its third version, the Kahuna is one of Britain’s bestselling ‘proper outdoor’ sandals. And as you can tell from the photo, we’ve had ours for some time.

They are just a joy to wear, thanks to a perfectly-placed Lycra neoprene lining which sits next to the skin, topped by a pig suede upper which is tough but breathable, and looks classy too.

The Lycra has been treated with an antimicrobial solution to help keep odours away. The footbed feels luxurious compared with the more plasticky/rubbery options found elsewhere, and the heel strap forms a perfect cradle.

The outsole is just as impressive, with its complex, knobbly tread pattern and an air cushion in the heel which helps to soak up impacts. I’ve worn them on countless beach and cliff walks, and on a campsite in summer (and the walks from its gate) this is pretty much all the footwear I ever need.

They even have just about enough toughness for a stony hill path, although they’re nowhere near as rugged as the Keen Newport, nor quite as liberating as the Teva Terra Fi. But for something that’s bang in the middle between chilling out and seeking adventure, the Kahuna is always a winner. Sometimes things sell well for a good reason.

See the women's version here.

Keen’s Newport sandals were once famously described as the world’s ugliest sandal. But in the Hydroterras, the unisex Adidas Terrex might have stolen the crown – the two arching straps making them resemble those moon boots you wear when you fracture an ankle.

But – also like the Newport – these sandals have much in the way of substance. They provide many of the benefits of hillwalking shoes – EVA midsoles with good stability; impressively deep lugs on firm soles, which handle themselves well on unpredictable rocky terrain and wet downhills.

They have enough precision for easy scrambles, and good toe protection too. They feel a little on the warm side on a toasty afternoon, but the beige offering (which Terrex amusingly call Wonder Beige) might keep things cooler.

The Hydroterras could do with a layer of padding at the toe end – the harder material here has made my feet a little sore after long walks. The straps work extremely well – they keep my feet secure when wet and they’re easy to tighten and loosen even once I’m buckled in.

So if you’re fine with the look, you might find the Hydroterras provide the hillwalking prowess you’ve been looking for.

Being ultra-light and with thin straps leaving feet exposed to the (hopefully pleasant) elements, these are the most summery sandals in the women's test.

At way under 200g per sandal, they barely feel there at all, and are beautifully airy. The cushioned footbeds and rubber outsoles give a bit of bounce as well as comfort, though you can feel more of an uneven track than with other firmer sandals.

And while Helly Hansen say the Capilanos benefit from their Max-Grip technology – including rubber ‘pods’ at the heel and toes – most of the sole is quite flat, with shallow lugs, so take care on uneven or loose ground.

Feet are, however, well padded and secure thanks to two adjustable straps, so they don’t slide around in the sandal even on a mild descent. For those of us with flat or wide feet, the Capilano footbeds are a touch thin and you can feel the ridged arch, but even on long treks they didn’t rub or cause blisters.

These are ideal on beaches, good tracks or even a work commute in the summer months, and if you’d like a different colour, previous iterations of the Capilano F2Fs can be found for as little at £40.

Find the men's Helly Hanson Capilano here.

The first thing you notice about these sandals is how light they are. And you also wonder how well they’ll protect the soles of your feet. The answer is reasonably well – there’s enough cushioning to keep your feet comfy and shielded from small stones and changes in terrain.

My feet certainly feel it on sharp rock, but as Mountain Warehouse say, and the name Crete suggests, these sandals are designed for ‘casual walks and lounging by the pool’.

For this (and most pertinently the former), they have served me well. The soft cushioning and lightly-padded straps keep my feet comfortable, and they're very airy for the warm weather.

The straps are easy to adjust, but they could do with being a few inches shorter, as they stick out when they’re tightened snugly to my feet for walks. The Velcro-like material is starting to fray, and the soles are beginning to wear away too.

These might not be sandals that last for years and years, but for a summer holiday where you need something light and comfy for easy walks and beach strolls, they are ideal – and terrific value too.

What impresses us about the unisex Lizard Super Hike is how it manages to be light and minimalist while maintaining a respectable level of durability.

That said, they certainly won't protect your feet from any twigs or rocks that see fit to jut out higher than the sole. Where they excel is underfoot protection and technical performance on tough terrain.

This is thanks to the brand's Lizard Grip outsole which uniquely shapes the Vibram rubber to provide unmatched traction. The Super Hike can easily tackle uneven rocky terrain, and we found these sandals especially good at dealing with water. From a bit of rainfall to a trip straight through a stream, these sandals persevered in providing perpetual purchase.

The triple Velcro straps do a great job of locking your feet in place, and this is helped immensely by the suede footbed which remains grippy even when soaked.

The Lizard Super Hike sandals are secure, comfortable and long-lasting. A great option if you like a light hike with mixed weather.

While not the chunkiest of sandals, these Craghoppers have a lot going for them if crag-hopping is not your intention.

The minimalist design makes them incredibly lightweight, while the interlocking Treadlock outsole is convenient when packing in a rucksack or suitcase. This outsole is constructed from 15% recycled rubber, while 15% of the EVA midsole is made with coffee beans!

Two different strap colours are provided with the sandals and, like much of Craghoppers’s clothing, the fabric features Nosilife anti-insect treatment. We love the out-of-the-box comfort that comes with all these other pre-prepared features.

Essentially, these are great value sandals with built-in insect repellence that’s ideal for use on lower, less rugged terrain.

Find the men's version here.

In the same way that there’s still plenty of demand for the traditional leather walking boot, there’s still a lot of love for a classic leather hiking sandal.

The Ecco Offroad uses soft nubuck leather in its upper, lined with neoprene for a soft and comfortable fit. Its moulded EVA footbed offers cushioning and stability, and has a soft microfibre cover for added comfort.

The sole is pleasingly flexible, and despite its light weight provides good cushioning, while on the underside the durable rubber outsole offers grip and traction on a variety of substrates.

This is a popular sandal that marries comfort with traditional leather looks.

Find the women's version here.

On truly hot summer walks, there are few things more joyful than wading through a gentle stream, and that’s exactly where these very specifically-designed sandals from Danner come in.

Named after the Wallowa mountain range in Oregon, which is carved up by impressive waterways, Danner suggests these sandals are essential to have strapped to your pack and then used to cross streams. The grip is vital here, and the Vibram outsole has a mix of chunky and tiny lugs for all-round traction, which do a great job at keeping feet in place on wet stones (although still struggle on slimy ones).

The soles are thick and firm too, so you barely notice jagged rocks. But for drier treks, Danner suggests you wear socks with the Wallowas, which may be partly because the one plastic fastening clip has no cushioning and can rub against skin quite quickly without anything beneath it.

The one-clip system also means you can only tighten the sandal around the ankle, and I find this loosens the strap over the front of my foot. This tends to make the Wallowas uncomfortable over longer distances. And though it can be handy to have a light pair of sandals strapped to your pack for river crossings on lengthy treks, I would prefer the option to trek in them too.

This spray was developed and tested in Scotland – home of the heinous midge horde. Smidge is our top pick because it's both effective and inoffensive. Insect repellents can have a seriously harsh burn on the nose, eyes, and even on certain gear! Smidge's formula is moisturising, water-resistant, and doesn't produce any nasty stenches – at least not to humans. You'd best believe no bug wants to catch a whiff of this.

Whack this over your face and feel smug as you storm through cloud after cloud of midges and gnats. Lifesystems have developed a rugged and reliably bug-proof head net that can be worn solo or stretched over a hat if you want to look stylish. Tried and true, we can't recommend it more heartily. Just make sure you don't accidentally trap a few little critters in there with you!

It's a tough gig being an outdoor gear tester with severe hayfever. One member of the LFTO team – who wishes to remain anonymous – fights an intense battle against pollen every summer. To protect his identity, let's call him 'Molo'. Molo has truly explored every corner of hayfever treatment, and he's settled on Allevia as the most effective product on the market. They're decent value too, and well worth keeping in your pack in case of emergency.