11 best girls’ sandals they’ll want to wear all summer long

Best: Overall

Rating: 9/10

Never mind feet, place a pair of Bobux in your hand and the soft leather and supple nature are instantly recognisable. And it’s precisely this that makes these an incredibly comfy pair of summer kicks. They’re crafted from premium full-grain leather and have reduced water absorption properties, so they’re fast-drying and perfect for a day by the pool.

The closed-toe keeps little feet secure, while the rip-tape fastening was a doddle for our six-year-old tester to sort independently. The metallic finish – we opted for seashell shimmer – looks stylish and elegant paired with the strappy design, and is the reason our tester calls them her princess sandals. The best bit is that they’re designed specifically for active kids without compromising on style. The high-grip pattern soles ensure lively play is the order of the day, while the flexible, durable, breathable materials keep sweaty, slippy feet at bay.

Best: Value for money

Rating: 9/10

Childhood isn’t complete without beach days and a trusty pair of jellies, and these are some of the coolest we’ve seen. While the concept of the humble jelly shoe is the same, it’s safe to say the comfort and design have come a long way.

The removable cushioned insole not only supports tiny feet but also dries quickly, while the imitation buckle, which has secretive Velcro hiding underneath, meant our four-year-old could take them off or put them on in seconds. The closed-toe offers protection and security, the rubber material is surprisingly soft and practically speaking, they’ll wipe clean. There are nine sun-bleached brights to choose from, so there’s something for everyone.

Best: For toddlers

Rating: 8/10

Spanish brand Igor is certainly one to have on your radar. The brand has been crafting fancy footwear for kids since 1974, and we think its Igor starbrillo crystal sandals are summer in a shoe. While they’re heavier than other jelly styles we tested, our 15-month tester loved clocking up the steps in these. The tough, robust construction gives us high hopes that these will have multiple owners. There’s a handy removable insole, which is plush underfoot, and we found that as these are a little wider, putting these on our youngest tester wasn’t a battle, with the added bonus of a Velcro fastening. Born to be in wet environments, these are great for paddles in the sea or splashing in the pool.

Best: Retro design

Rating: 8/10

Blending retro-cool with classic British heritage styles, Young Soles has been crafting luxury children’s footwear since 2014. With all footwear designed in east London, the flo Velcro tassel sandal is effortlessly cool, but as you’d expect with the premium price tag, the quality is irrefutable. The leather is super supple for ultimate comfort, which our four-year-old tester confirmed when she refused to take them off. She was able to put them on without assistance, thanks to the Velcro fastenings on both the central and ankle strap, which also makes them a great choice for wriggly toddlers (they’re available from a UK size four).

The beautiful detailing makes these a stand-out pair of sandals with adorable Brogue-style holes around the back and chic tassels at the front. We also found the natural rubber sole hardwearing and up for the challenges of daily wear by an active pre-schooler.

Best: For adventurous kids

Rating: 8/10

Clarks isn’t merely a brand that fulfils our children’s back-to-school needs, and we were impressed by its expansive range of summer shoes. It has been crafting fine footwear for just shy of 200 years, so it’s safe to say you’re in good hands or, erm, feet. As the title suggests, these are the ultimate beach buddy. Made using a water-friendly neoprene, these sandals have a good level of flex, but we also found them to have excellent grip for our six-year-old’s rockpool expeditions. The double rip-tape made for quick turnarounds, and we were delighted to learn that they’re machine washable. They come in four colours and half sizes, so finding the perfect pair is a doddle.

Best: Lightweight sandals 

Rating: 8/10

Scandi brand Liewood keeps our kids’ bedrooms, playrooms and wardrobes looking effortlessly cool while reducing our eco footprint. The brand is well versed in stylish summer essentials, and the Monty sandals are a fine example. While they’re wonderfully lightweight, the foam is high quality, so they’re ready for action. Our six-year-old tester loved the sporty style, and she was able to navigate the Velcro fastenings independently. The nylon material is soft with adequate stretch for a comfortable fit while being put through its paces by our active tester. And the weightlessness means carrying them across the beach it isn’t such a hardship – we only wish they did them in adult sizes.

Best: For comfort

Rating: 8/10

We found these sandals reminiscent of special childhood occasions with their open fisherman-style design and classic white straps. It’s no surprise there’s a traditional outlook because Start-Rite is a British heritage brand known for its timeless designs.

Striking a balance between enough support for growing feet and sufficient flexibility to go about a kids’ daily business, the Coastal sandals fuse elegance with comfort. The padded collars and plush insole ensured there was no rubbing or wearing in required for our four-year-old tester, and we found that the leather lining and strappy design kept active feet cool and dry. The rip-tape fastening was a little more restrictive than others, which meant assistance was needed, but that’s a small price to pay for the adorable outcome.

Best: Fun design

Rating: 8/10

Liewood yet again nails pretty and practical with its Blumer sandals, which come in various unisex prints. We loved the monochrome panda print, which looked oh-so-stylish on our four-year-old tester, and matched the sweet panda shape they imprinted in the sand.

There’s a good level of flex to these, which meant they performed well with our preschooler’s high energy, and there were no complaints on the comfort front either, thanks to the lightweight nature and soft EVA foam straps. While the Velcro fastenings allowed our mini tester to close them herself, they stick so well that adult help was needed for the undoing. Sea splashing and rockpool jumping weren’t to be feared as we found these dried at speed.

Best: Gender-neutral design

Rating: 8/10

Our 15-month-old tester looked gorgeous in these unisex sandals from trusty Marks and Sparks. The laidback look is similar to the popular Birkenstock style and they’re wonderfully lightweight, which is useful for a tester who is still finding their feet. The lining is soft on precious skin and feels leather-like, while the soles are plastic with a decent level of grip. Parents to young wriggly ones will appreciate the double rip-tape fastenings at the toes and ankles, and they even boast antibacterial Freshfeet technology for keeping feet fresher for longer. We did find the sizing comes up big, so it’s worth bearing that in mind when ordering.

Best: For wide feet

Rating: 7/10

If you’ve a summer family holiday on the horizon and you’re looking for a purse-friendly pair of sandals, these brightly-coloured Jojo Maman Bébé kicks are just the ticket. They’re incredibly lightweight, and the Velcro fastening makes for speedy donning, which our four-year-old managed with ease. It also helps that these are on the wide side, so there’s no squeezing. Sizing is a little unusual on these (we ordered an 8, which is a 26 EU size), so it’s worth measuring beforehand. The ankle strap is akin to a wetsuit neoprene that is soft on the skin, and we found them more than adequate for casual wear on the beach. However, they’re unlikely to withstand excessive use, racking up the steps with our infant, but we were more than content given the price tag.