We Narrowed Down the 20 Best Walking Sandals in 2023 With the Help of Experts

I would walk 500 miles and 500 more only if I could wear one of these 20 pairs of walking sandals for women.

Song references aside, wearing the right shoes is extremely important, yet often disregarded. The time has finally come to take a long, hard look at your shoe closet and say "goodbye" to cardboard-soled flats and sky-high heels. Daily walks require a more comfortable sandal for summer.

Getting outside is a great way to take care of your mental health, but caring for your feet is equally as important. If you’re looking to upgrade your walking shoes, we’ve got you covered with a little help from Dr. Najwa Javed, a board-certified podiatrist and founder of E’MAR Italy, and Brooke Murray, a Merrell Footwear Ambassador, and outdoor adventurer. Together we’re bringing supportive shoes back one “hot girl walk” at a time with options that are good for everything from hiking to running errands.

What to Look for in a Walking Sandal

When looking for a good walking shoe there are several key terms and features to keep in mind. Overall, “a good walking shoe has a stable fit at the mid-foot and heel but is roomy in the forefoot,” Dr. Javed tells us. “There should be a stiff sole and noticeable arch support.” The midsole is something Murray recognizes as a high priority as well. In her experience, “it's become more important to me to make sure there's a decent midsole – especially as my knees have needed a little extra protection from the impact that comes from pounding the pavement.”

In addition to a supportive midsole, Dr. Javed shared that the right walking sandal will have good lateral support, a wide toe box, and breathable material to prevent sweating, friction, and blisters. Finally, the heel counter (aka the back of the shoe) should be “at least one inch to reduce the pressure on the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.” Dr. Javed shares that “a good heel counter will help prevent the feet from overpronation or supination.”

With all of this information in mind, we’ve gathered the 20 best walking sandals for women. You don’t have to wait another minute to strut your stuff (with support).

Here at Parade.com, we're all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.

The 20 Best Walking Sandals for Women

Birkenstock Arizona, $140 at Zappos

The first option on our list is not only trendy (and from a celeb-loved brand) but also incredibly supportive. The Birkenstock Arizona sandal is perfect for daily activities. “Birkenstocks are another great sandal,” says Dr. Javed. “With the best arch support on the market, these shoes can keep you walking all day.”

Teva Hurricane XLT 2, $47–$69 at Amazon

Teva sandals have been trailblazing paths with sport sandals since 1984. These sandals were crafted with outdoor support and durability in mind, and it shows. The XLT 2 features quick-drying straps, a round open toe, an anatomic footbed, an EVA molded midsole, a Durabrasion Rubber traction sole, a Shoc Pad padded heel and more.

Merrell's Women’s Bravada Backstrap, $55–$63 at Amazon

These Merrell sandals are one of Murray’s favorites. The sandals feature a QuantumGrip outsole that helps on wet or slick surfaces. As someone who spends a lot of time hiking, camping, skiing and mountain biking, she needs “shoes to take me to the top of Colorado's 14ers and to wade in the desert rivers in Utah.” AKA a shoe that does it all, and the Bravada Backstrap was her go-to shoe for the summer. “The midsole really helped protect my knees and joints,” Murray said. “The Bravada is a high-performance line in general, and the sandals held up to their reputation. I clocked countless miles on them, and they still look great after six months of heavy use!”

Crocs Women’s Swiftwater Sandal, $31–35 at Amazon

Crocs have taken the world by storm with their ultra-comfortable foam construction, “sport-mode” heel strap, and more. For walking purposes, we especially love this Swiftwater Sandal that can be easily slipped on and off while lasting you all day on your feet. They are water-friendly and lightweight and designed with Croslite foam, flexible straps and flex grooves on the outsoles for ultimate traction in slippery conditions. This is an excellent walking shoe option from the lake to the trail.

Hoka Hopara Mountain Sandal, $135 at Zappos

Hoka sandals are on Dr. Javed’s “best” list for the outdoors. This pair is specifically best for hiking, designed with strategic cutouts for drainage. The unique sandals feature a neoprene collar, quick-lace system, rubberized EVA midsole, rubberized toe cap and sticky outsole for always-on traction.

Oofos Ooriginal Sandals, $60 at BackCountry

Oofos sandals are made with OOfoam technology that absorbs impact and reduces the stress on your feet and joints. It’s no wonder these recovery sandals also made the Dr. Javed best list. The Ooriginal sandals are perfect for leisurely walks and daily use. Bonus: they are designed to keep odor at bay and are machine washable.

Keen Whisper Sandals, $92 at Amazon

Earth, Wind and Fire are more than a band...it’s also what these Keens are made to survive. OK, fire is a bit of a stretch, but these Whisper Sandals were crafted to be trail and water-ready at any given moment. They have a contoured arch for midfoot support, feature Cleansport NXT that resists odor-causing bacterial growth and were infused with a non-toxic vanilla fragrance during the high-temp KEEN FUSION bonding process.

Merrell Women's Terran 3 Cush Lattice, $65–$90 at Amazon

This second sandal option from Merrell is made with breathable materials and a COMFORTBASE ACTIVE sole intentionally designed for continued support. “Merrell’s Terran 3 Cush sandals have a contoured insole that is made to help with arch support,” Murray tells us. “With all-day comfort, your feet will be happy after a day in these – these shoes are fantastic!”

Sorel Women's Viibe Sandal, $125 at Sorel

Another excellent walking sandal option, Sorel “has some great sandals with antislip soles that help with traction during traveling,” Dr. Najwa Javed stated. The iconic scalloped sole is popular for a reason! The Viibe Sandal elevates the classic walking sandal look with puffy leather straps and an adjustable ankle band. They are lightweight, molded from Livelyfoam, and feature a contoured and supportive EVA footbed.

Skechers On-The-Go 600-Brilliancy Sport Sandal, $37–$58 at Amazon

When someone says they can wear a pair of sandals all day at Disney without pain, you know the shoes are special. These Skechers sandals are ideal for all sorts of activities and practically any occasion whether you’re spending the day at an amusement park, the beach or at a block party. They have a high-rebound insole with additional cushioning that enhances the comfort level so you can wear them for hours on end.

Janey Sport Water Friendly Slide, $65 at Aetrex

Aetrex shoes are designed with every kind of foot in mind. These sandals, in particular, are recommended for anyone with a high instep, wide or narrow feet, hammer toes, arch pain, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s Neuroma, heel pain, ball of foot pain or bunions. We weren’t kidding when we said every kind of foot. The Janey sandals are perfect for tropical vacations that keep you on your toes. They are water friendly and made with UltraSky EVA foam, Cobra Orthotic Technology, adjustable straps and a dual-density outsole. Aetrex also secured a spot on Dr. Javed’s best list.

Dr. Scholl’s Islander Sandal, $60 at Nordstrom

You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort when it comes to Dr. Scholl's. These fashionable Islander sandals are made with soft gore, elastic straps that wrap around the ankle, insole technology with anatomical cushioning and a contoured footbed. They are ideal for maintaining high-quality comfort while taking on daily outings or leisurely activities.

Chaco Women's Z/1 Classic Sandal, $46–$100 at Amazon

If you spot a little lizard on your shoes, don’t freak out. It just means you’ll be able to go the distance because you’re wearing Chacos. The iconic, timeless hiking sandals are built in just eight parts, keeping things simple yet advanced with the right footwear technology. They are crafted with adjustable straps, a podiatrist-certified LUVSEAT PU footbed, and ChacoGrip outsole rubber. Chaco sandals have a home on Dr. Javed’s best list and the Z/1 Classic Sandals made ours too, because they are artfully constructed and chic.

Birkenstock Kumba Soft Footbed, $150 at Birkenstock

The Birkenstock is back again! This second option from the high-quality footwear brand features an ankle strap and an anatomically shaped cork-latex EVA footbed. Dr. Javed told us that the ankle strap on a shoe like this is especially helpful with increasing stability. And not to mention, great for keeping the sandal securely in place.

Sorel Kinetic Impact Sling Sandal, $49 at Amazon

Hiking sandals but make it fashion! This Sorel sandal is unique and bold, just like you. It is designed with a full-grain leather upper frame, EVA midsole and footbed with anti-microbial treatment, and molded rubber outsole with oversized signature SOREL scallops. The Kinetic Impact Sling is guaranteed to provide all-day comfort and style.

Clarks Women's Mira Isle Slide Sandal, $42–$65 at Amazon

Perfect for everything from running errands to running around a new city, these walking sandals from Clarks can do it all. They are ultra-lightweight and have a cushioned EVA footbed along with a shock-absorbing midsole . The upper straps are crafted from stretch knitting, making your feet feel securely hugged while also remaining breathable and comfortable.

Skeena Sport Sandals, $85 at The North Face

You can rely on these walking sport sandals from The North Faced regardless of the direction on your compass. The Skeena sandals are excellent for outdoor traversing thanks to their quick-drying, water-friendly materials. Not to mention they are also made with an anti-slip and drop-in EVA footbed and Surface CTRL rubber outsole for all-day traction.

Crocs Women's Kadie II Flip Flops, $13–$50 at Amazon

Instead of settling for a cheap pair of flip-flops that likely won’t last more than a week, pick up a pair from a trustworthy brand that’s backed by thousands of shoppers. More than 24,000 people alone have given these Crocs Flip-Flops a 5-star rating. They are made of flexible material that’s lightweight, waterproof and offers light support, which means you can wear them for long periods of time without sacrificing comfort.

Cushionaire Women's Luna Cork Footbed Sandal, $30 at Amazon

We understand that spending $100 or more on a pair of walking sandals is a lot, and that’s why we’ve included a budget-friendly option. Better yet, it looks more expensive than it is. This dupe could easily be mistaken for name-brand sandals given that it has a flexible cork footbed and an insole that’s made of genuine suede. It also has adjustable straps as an added bonus.

Clarks Women's Breeze Sea Sandals, $33–$41 at Amazon

If you still associate flip-flops with blisters between your toes, then you’ve clearly never tried the Clarks Breeze Sea Sandals. What sets them apart from others is they have a soft cloth toe post that won’t irritate the skin like a traditional hard plastic. The best part, though, is that the insole is made with high-density foam that provides extra cushion for your feet.

Bronax Pillow Slide Sandals, $24 (was $36) at Amazon

When it comes to shopping for the best walking sandals, it doesn’t get much better than a pair of pillow slides. As the name suggests, they really do feel like you’re walking on clouds or pillows, according to tons of Amazon shoppers. They’re available in a variety of colors—including bright and neutral shades—and are relatively inexpensive, so you can grab more than one pair without spending a ton.

Bonus Shoe: Ghost 14 Running Shoes, $90 (was $140) at Brooks Running

We love sandals just as much as the next person, but we wanted to include one final walking shoe alternative outside of the strappy universe. The Brooks Ghost 14 sneaker rounds out the walking shoe list with praise from Dr. Javed, “Brooks Ghost is a great walking shoe,” she says, “they are neutral shoes that can accommodate all foot types while accepting custom orthotics for patients who need them. They are the best in all categories.”

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