I tested 25+ sport sandals (think: Teva, Merrell, Keen) to find sneaker-replacing pairs for blistering Philly summers. Expect trail-worthy grip, city style, and ’90s-kid nostalgia distilled into 10 shockingly chic, walk-all-day winners. Let’s go.
The TME team is in the midst of a major sandal deep dive (here’s our full report on Fisherman sandals, and it turns out we hate Tkees) and, during our discussions, sport sandals kept popping up. Since I’m a 90’s girl through and through, Tevas have a verrrry special place in my heart (not to mention a permanent place in my closet), so I jumped at the chance to test out sport sandals. (ps. If you’d like my mom’s perspective, her favorite pairs of sports sandals for the 60+ crowd can be found here.)
Additionally, since I live in downtown Philadelphia, I walk everywhere, so I’m always on the lookout for a possible sneaker-replacement for those 90 degree days. Sports sandals are great because they’re wildly practical (comfy, easy to walk in, grippy on rough terrain) and cute. So if you, too, are looking for a sneaker-alternative, or if you just love a little adventure [S raises hand] but want something that can do double-duty (trail and city), this is for you.
The good news is that there are a ton of sporty sandal options on the market right now, and most are surprisingly chic. Even the hardcore hiking brands (like Merrell) are doing some really cool things with color & feminine touches. In the end, I tried on over 25 pairs(!!) to narrow it down to just the very best. (I also have a widget of failed sandals, if interested.)
I Tried 25 Sport Sandals: These 10 Are The Best
My requirements for a sports sandal include comfort – I want to be able to actually walk on uneven terrain – and security – unlike a flip-flop, I want a sandal that stays on my foot. While I don’t necessarily need waterproof fabric, I do want a sandal that can get wet and emerge relatively unscathed. And while I ultimately want a sports sandal that can be used for hot-weather adventuring *sometimes*, I need this sandal to also function as a fashion sandal: it’s gotta look good with a casual little dress, as well as a few other casual summer basics.
Top 10 Sports Sandals (At A Glance)
Let’s get into it.
1. F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals (Best Overall)
Where To Buy: FitFlop
PRICE: $75
INSOLE/FOOTBED: Microwobbleboard midsole – triple-density cushioning + heel & forefoot ‘impact pillows’
OUTSOLE: Slip-Resistant Rubber
COLORS: Black (also available in red)
FIT: TTS
Pros: These are seriously fantastic sandals. One of my Mom’s top picks, too, they’re supportive underfoot, easy to walk in, and lightweight. The straps are fully adjustable in three places (toes, ankle and back of ankle), smooth and really, REALLY comfortable on your foot (and I have pretty sensitive feet). Because the metal hardware is only on the big-toe side, there’s no possible pinching or rubbing against your baby toe.
I also love how they look: sporty, but chunky enough to look like a fashion sandal without being over the top (FitFlop’s Gen FF sandal, for example, looked ridiculous on, wasn’t adjustable, and didn’t make the cut).
Cons: While these sandals are fine on pavement, they are a little slippery on my hardwood floors. You can tell this is a comfort shoe brand, rather than a rugged outdoor brand.
These sandals also come in the most beautiful shade of red. This red is so stunning in person, my jaw dropped. While I love it with all of my neutrals (and other pops of red), I wear too many pastels for this color to make sense in my wardrobe. But man…it’s GOOD.
2. Teva Original Slim (The Lightest)
Where To Buy: Zappos | DSW | Free People | REI | Macy’s | Anthro | Backcountry | Dick’s
PRICE: $60
INSOLE/FOOTBED: EVA footbed.
OUTSOLE: 50% recycled rubber outsole.
COLORS: Wearing Black (but available in a bunch of other colorways)
FIT: TTS
Pros: These are Teva’s daintiest style, and I’ve owned this exact pair for years. They’re super flexible and comfortable on – these allllmost feel like a minimalist shoe (but there’s definitely more support than true minimalist shoes). Given the thin sole, there’s actually a decent amount of cushion (they’re much squishier underfoot than, say, my Sambas or Gazelles). They’re adjustable in two places (toes, ankle), and I love the vibe – they’re sporty, but chic, too.
Cons: Because they’re so thin, I wouldn’t trust these for really rugged hiking. But casual walks and the occasional sandy-bottom river exploration would be totally fine.
3. Teva Gladiator Sandals (The Coolest, Fashion-Girl Pick For Summer 2025)
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | DSW | Free People | Zappos
PRICE: $70
INSOLE/FOOTBED: Cushioned EVA footbed with arch support + Molded EVA midsole
OUTSOLE: Durable rubber outsole
COLORS: Wearing ‘Lion’ (but available in 4 other colorways)
FIT: Runs a tiny bit big (size down if you are a half size)
Pros: Ok, so here’s the deal: these are sofreakingcool. Teva’s Gladiator sandals are, by far, the coolest-looking sandals of the bunch. They look good with everything! They will garner compliments walking down the street! They are not just “cute enough,” they are the outfit. Observe:
Cons: These sandals are SO ANNOYING to put on. You have to slide your foot through the ankle part, then shimmy it in through a web of lies. They are only sort-of adjustable, but once your foot is all the way in, you can tighten them at the back of your ankle, then pluck each string to make sure one of them isn’t too tight. Once you’ve done all of this, the net result is more like a flip-flop – they even make that noise when I walk. That said, the traction is surprisingly good and they ARE comfortable once on!
Honestly, I was so conflicted about these sandals (I hate that I love them so much?) that I ended up putting them through a very thorough test: walking the dog. Honestly, I was shocked by how comfortable they are to walk in, and they only seemed to get more comfortable with wear! Unlike other Teva platform sandals (hated those), the platform here isn’t so thick that you can’t easily walk. These sandals are still nice and flexible.
Of course, these sandals DID leave marks on my feet once I took them off. It wasn’t painful, just ugly. So I wore them again the next day – for 4+ hours, just to be sure – and while I was happy to take them off (true for any shoe after being on my feet for 4+ hours), I still wouldn’t use the word uncomfortable. Instead, I….kinda…love them??
Additionally, one of our Discord subscribers owns them and has also confirmed that they’re, “so much comfier than I expected!!”
4. Teva Original in Gingham (The Chicest)
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Free People | Anthro | Macy’s | Amazon
PRICE: $60
INSOLE/FOOTBED: Cushioned EVA footbed
OUTSOLE: Durable rubber
COLORS: wearing ‘Modern Check Taupe’ (but available in 5 other colorways)
FIT: TTS
Pros: These are classic Tevas which is, frankly, always a good thing. They’re comfortable for walking, river hiking, and adjustable in two places for a secure fit (toes, ankle). They’ve got great grip on all surfaces, and are lightweight on your foot. While these sandals come in other colors, the really special thing about this pair is this particular color and pattern, ‘Modern Check Taupe’. It’s sooooooooo chic.
Cons: None.
The Supporting Cast (How I Tested & Styled Each Pair)
Here’s the little black dress, jeans, tank, matching set(s), bags and earrings used to test how versatile each pair of sandals really are.
5. Woden Hey Day Sports Sandals (Sustainbly Made)
Where To Buy: Free People | Free People (in patterns)
PRICE: $110
INSOLE/FOOTBED: Contoured footbeds made from eco-conscious cork
OUTSOLE: Rubber soles
COLORS: Wearing ‘Lemon’ (but also available in ‘Blueberry’ or leopard (!!), as well as pink, orange or the prettiest olive green)
FIT: TTS
Pros: This sandal has a really comfortable footbed – it’s soft & smooth (but not slippery) and really supportive – there’s some arch support, for sure. These sandals have leather detail made from fish leather (instead of traditional leather), and this sustainable Scandinavian brand uses a minimum of 10% recycled rubber in the soles, and crafts their insoles with eco-conscious cork. These sandals have three places of adjustment: toes, ankle and heel for a really secure fit. They’re really comfy to walk in. I also appreciated the grippy bottom – even on my hardwood floors.
Cons: They’re a little heavy – they’re the 2nd heaviest sandal I tried on. The upside is that my foot felt rather protected – less sandal, more sneaker. And, well, this is on me, but I didn’t love the yellow as much as I thought I would. In hindsight, I should’ve gone with the leopard print – it’s subtle and gorgeous. Or even the olive green! It’s really pretty and chic.
6. Merrell Speed Fusion Sandal (Most Flexible)
Where To Buy: DSW | Zappos | Free People | Scheels | Amazon
PRICE: $100
INSOLE/FOOTBED: FloatMax™ Foam integrated insole, cork-wrapped footbed
OUTSOLE: Sticky rubber
COLORS: wearing ‘Ice Blue/Hoodoo’ (but available in 3 other colorways)
FIT: TTS
Pros: The cork footbed is a dream. So soft underfoot, and supportive without forcing a contoured footbed. These are the most flexible sandals I tried – it feels like you could run a race in them. These sandals were also one of my Mom’s top picks (but she preferred the pretty rose colorway). We both loved – what we’re calling – the “pretty ribbon detail” – it’s such a sweetly feminine touch on a really sporty sandal.
Cons: There was the tiniest bit of slippery-ness on my hardwood floors. (But again, totally fine everywhere else.)
7. Vivaia Sport Sandals (The Most Comfortable, 2025)
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Vivaia | Amazon
PRICE: $75
INSOLE/FOOTBED: Microwobbleboard midsole – triple-density cushioning + heel & forefoot ‘impact pillows’
OUTSOLE: Slip-Resistant Rubber
COLORS: wearing ‘Rich Gray’ (but available in 6 other colorways)
FIT: TTS
Pros: These sandals are so gasp-inducing-comfortable that it is actually bizarre. Even on this list, which is already filled with VERY comfortable sandals, this pair stands out. It’s no wonder that these Vivaias are my Mom’s very top choice (and the pair she took home with her). The comfort level, from the squishiness while walking, to the very feel of the sole underfoot, to the bananas-soft-and-secure straps…I’ve honestly never felt anything like it.
Cons: I don’t think these are the cutest (or the coolest) sandals on my list, but with this level of comfort…they’re definitely cute ENOUGH.
8. Danner Josef Leather Sandals (Most Durable)
Where To Buy: Free People | Scheel’s (men’s sizing) | Amazon
PRICE: $140
INSOLE/FOOTBED: One-piece PU footbed and midsole
OUTSOLE: Vibram® traction cascade outsole
COLORS: Wearing ‘Roasted Pecan’ (but also available in ‘Midnight’)
FIT: TTS
Pros: If you are looking for serious, adventure-worthy sandals that allllllso happen to look really, really cool, this is your pair. These Danner sandals are substantial, grippy, and will last forever. They’re the heaviest sandals on my list, with a leather upper. But don’t be afraid of this leather – it’s not precious. Break these in, get them wet, and the leather will only get better over time. I also love the quick-off release tab (oddly enough, it’s similar to my ski helmet). These are forever sports sandals, with some serious trail cred. I still love my Danner hiking boots, and can attest that Danner is a company that stands behind its products.
Cons: These sandals won’t be for everyone and they do need to be broken in. But they will last forever.
9. Keen Uneek Canvas Sandals (The Biggest Surprise For Summer 2025)
Where To Buy: Zappos | Dick’s | Amazon
PRICE: $130
INSOLE/FOOTBED: Resilient foam insole with arch support
OUTSOLE: Non-marking rubber outsole
COLORS: Wearing ‘Natural Canvas/Birch’ ((but available in other colorways)
FIT: TTS
Pros: These are like a lovechild of sports sandals and huaraches…and there’s something that reminds me of Aqua Socks (haha) but in the very best way possible. These are surprisingly comfortable – the sole almost feels like a cork footbed, but smoother (but not-at-all slippery). If feels really good underfoot, and would likely continue to feel good even when wet. They’re relatively adjustable, and I’m kinda digging the vibe: they’re boat shoe-esque.
Cons: Getting them on the first time is tricky – you’ve really gotta loosen them up all the way. That said, once you get your foot in and adjust the drawcord, it gets easier and easier to slip them on.
Some Sandals That Didn’t Make the Cut
After chatting with our Discord community, they were mentioning that it’s sometimes helpful to know what we didn’t like, too. Frankly, we try on sooooo many things that I don’t have time to discuss everything I didn’t like (and I don’t like most of it, haha), but in the interest of helpfulness, here are a few that didn’t make the cut (and why!).
Sports Sandals FAQ
Yes—look for cushioned footbeds, secure straps, and grippy rubber outsoles; our very top picks handled city walks with zero hotspots.
Light trails and river walks? Absolutely. Steep, rocky routes? Go for a sturdier pair like the Danner Josef or Merrell Speed Fusion.
Rinse in lukewarm water, scrub gently with mild soap, air-dry away from direct heat. Leather uppers benefit from a conditioner post-wash.
Teva Original Slims are lightweight, and could even be packed in a carry-on.
Cheers to a little adventure this summer!
xo,
S
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