A good pair of hiking sandals is just what you need when it comes time to liberate your feet in the baking summer heat. With tough and grippy outsoles as well as durable uppers, chunky walking boots are no longer the only option for tackling tricky terrain.
In theory, summertime and hiking are a match made in heaven, like jam and cream, or fish and chips, or those two dogs from that Disney film who slurp up the same bit of spaghetti. However, reality is never so simple. It just isn't possible to enjoy a rewarding hill climb and a beautiful view when your big hiking shoes are roasting your feet well past medium rare!
Hence, this simple yet underrated fix. It's a typical move to buy bunch of camping gadgets to mitigate the ongoing assaults of midges and pollen in the summer (for which, if you're interested, we've recommended some helpful products at the end of this article). But, for whatever reason, the problem of overheating feet seems to have slipped under most of our radars. Not anymore though – sandals are the one buy that can instantly transform your summer adventures.
Modern tech has lead to some fantastic innovations across the whole outdoor industry. This year, as summer rolls in, we've been testing the latest and best hiking sandals from leading outdoor brands. We're looking for ultra-protective, technical sandals that can handle all kinds of terrain while still facilitating good airflow and a lightweight feel. That's a lot to ask, and we've only included the very strongest contenders in this roundup.
Our Shortlist
Keen Newport H2 Sandal – Best in test
Lizard Super Hike – Best value
Merrell Speed Fusion Strap – Best sandal for long hikes
Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal – Best hiking sandal for tough terrain
Craghoppers Locke Sandals – Best minimalist hiking sandal
Ecco Offroad – Best leather hiking sandal
Finding the hiking sandals that work for you can totally revolutionise your wild walks in the sun. Whether you're looking for plush cushioning for song easy treks, or a stiff and protective outsole to take on the tougher terrain, we've got your back. Take a look at our picks and see which style suits your approach.
The Best Hiking Sandals in Detail
Best in Test
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
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 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.
Verdict: A real all-terrain sandal that’s as at home hiking the high trails as it is strolling along the beach.
Pros
- Tough construction
- Protective toebox
- Easy lace-lock bungee system
Cons
- Debris can fill toebox
Best Value
www.sportsshoes.com
What impresses us about the 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.
Verdict: Secure, comfortable, and long-lasting. Your best bet if you like a light hike with mixed weather.
Pros
- Excellent technical performance
- Straps lock firmly
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
- Not the most durable
Best for long hikes
www.merrell.com
These rugged and comfortable sandals from Merrell may cost a pretty penny, but we reckon they're worth it. The Speed Fusion Strap is unmatched in comfort, with soft fabric cushioning in all possible pressure points, as well as a strap system that works satisfyingly well.
Two velcro straps secure the tops of your feet, and a plush fabric panel wraps around your achilles tendon, which can be tightened with a cord to fully lock your foot into the sandal. This feels great, and it's important since the tough Vibram outsole invites you to tackle some technical terrain.
The Speed Fusion takes a fairly unique approach compared to most other offerings in this list. It isn't minimalist and dead flat, but it also doesn't try to be the skeleton of a hiking shoe. You still have to watch your toes, but the outsole's grip is solid, and the footbed is comfortable enough for all-day walks.
Verdict: A stylish and tough sandal with a good balance of open space for ventilation, and tight fitting straps that don't get clogged with twigs and leaves.
Pros
- Very comfortable footbed
- Rugged outsole
- Great cushioning on heel strap
Cons
- Tough, but no toebox
Best for tough terrain
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
At first glance this looks just like a regular sandal, best suited to holidays and park walks, but look a little closer and the details of the Terra Fi (which, if nothing else, is a great name) give its hiking capabilities away. Firstly, there’s the chunky outsole – Teva’s durable Rugged Spider Rubber supplies great traction on dusty terrain and protects your underfoot from any loose rocks or jagged edges.
Then there’s the moulded PU midsole, which has been designed to provide cushioning mile after mile. Finally, the tough upper webbing (made from recycled plastic) provides the support and reassurance you need on uneven terrain.
Verdict: Lightweight summer footwear that’s more capable of tackling tougher terrain that it might appear.
Pros
- Feel light on your feet
- Good sustainability credentials
- Surprisingly durable outsole
Cons
- Flexible footbed doesn't provide much support
Best minimalist sandal
www.craghoppers.com
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.
Verdict: A great value sandal with built-in insect repellence that’s ideal for use on lower, less rugged terrain.
Pros
- Sustainable construction
- Uniquely incorporated insect repellent
Cons
- Not as tough as other choices
6.
Ecco Offroad
Best leather sandal
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
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.
Verdict: A popular sandal that marries comfort with traditional leather looks.
Pros
- Long-lasting materials
- Flexible and lightweight
- Very comfortable fit
Cons
- Prioritises comfort over technical performance
What To Look For In Hiking Sandals
Material
Any decent hiking sandal needs to be crafted from quick-drying materials that won’t wear out after a handful of adventures. You also want the outsole to grip well even when wet; sandals and water go hand-in-hand. The excellent traction offered by Vibram rubber soles is used in some of the best models, while padded neoprene and leather are also popular thanks to their comfort and durability.
Good walking sandals can be costly, but you're mainly paying for the quality of the materials. If you plan on picking up a pair for anything remotely challenging, we think it's well worth the cost. Cheaper models sold for casual beach trips simply don’t stack up.
Style
It's worth considering the type of hiking sandal that best suits your needs. Even at the top level, there's a lot of variation in how much support and protection different sandals offer. Minimalist models may just feature a grippy sole and a y-strap to hold your foot in place, which may be all you need. If you're going to be hitting some harder terrain, you'll need something much tougher.
The most rugged sandals all look like a hiking shoe's skeleton. The rib-cage design excellently serves a dual purpose, providing the breathability and freedom of a sandal with the protective shield and toe box of a trail shoe. You won't find better – but you will have to come to terms with not caring how you look.
More kit for surviving summer
These recommendations come from our tough-as-nails gear editor, Ben Weeks. There is nobody else on the LFTO team who would even dream of facing down the amount of midges that Ben deals with on a regular basis. The guy is like Superman, but rather than being born with ultra-strong skin, he makes use of specialised outdoor kit to become impervious to damage. Here are the essential bits of gear that Ben won't go through summer without:
Best insect repellent
www.gooutdoors.co.uk
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.
Best head net
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!
Best allergy tablets
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.