14 best walking sandals for men, women and kids that are ideal for all adventures

The Teva hurricane is our top all-rounder walking sandal. The design has tough fabric straps that fit in a T-shape around the foot and are easily adjusted for a snug fit around the ankle and across the toes. The moulded rubber sole gives good ankle support and offers reliable grip, even on slippery wet ground. There are various colourful options as well as neutral colourways for both men and women, so the Hurricane XLT 2 manages to look rather nice as well as work well for hiking. We’ve been on proper treks in these sandals and never been let down.

• Shop men’s hurricane XLT 2
• Shop women’s hurricane XLT 2

Passenger squeezes lots of nice features into its Venice sandal, which is more affordable than many walking sandals but is still comfy to wear, thanks to adjustable, snug-fitting Velcro straps. The soles, which are made from recycled rubber, have a decent grip on groomed trails, too. There’s also good arch support, which many affordable walking sandals lack. For a really decent price, this sandal hits the sweet spot when it comes to style, comfort and practicality.

Proof that sandals can look great as well as being comfy as anything, Walk London’s leather Jackson for men is our top pick for city walks or for wearing during the commute to work. The sole is super thick and cushioning and the wide leather straps are very comfortable and will look and feel better with age. Lovely for city walking and weekends abroad, the grip is limited but you can wear the Jackson around town all day in comfort.

Kids are likely to love these rainbow-bright strappy sandals in primary colours – they even come with a psychedelic footbed. For rocky trails, Vibram rubber soles offer great grip – rivalling some of the best adult sandals we tested – while the Velcro straps are easy to adjust and help make these sandals easy for smaller kids to pop on and off independently. Unlike some children’s shoes we tested, these have a good springy, cushioned footbed, which is great for growing feet.

Danner’s footwear is on the pricier side but you do get lovely craftsmanship and smart leather looks for your money. The new Joseph sandal from the all-American brand is the perfect combo of rugged rubber soles and smart leather straps, and we love the quick-release clasp, so you can pop them on and off in seconds. The Joseph feels comfortable to wear but is heavy at 820g per pair – worth noting if you don’t like the feel of a clunky sandal. We also found this design ran large, so, consider trying a size down.

Love to swim as well as stroll? The new Teva hydratrek sandal was designed to be as happy in water as it is on land – it has a grippy sole inspired by tree frogs that hold tight even on wet rock combined with fabric straps that dry fast when you’re back on shore. The padded straps are comfy even if you’re hiking long distances and most of the materials used to create the Hydratrek are recycled. Great for water sports, island adventures and wild swimming walks. 

• Shop men’s hydratrek
• Shop women’s hydratrek

You’ll probably either love or hate the look of the uneek. Created from two cords and a sole, these eye-catching sandals are also highly comfortable, thanks to a very stretchy, adjustable fit and light, breathable materials that might even trick you into feeling like you’re barefoot, while still providing plenty of support and structure. Just don’t tug the cords too tight, or you’ll end up with the ghosts of your stripy sandals imprinted on your feet.

• Shop men’s uneek
• Shop women’s uneek

Little explorers need great shoes that can keep up with them – and our top pick on test for kids was Peter Storm’s reef. A tough rubber toe box protects small feet from rocks and uneven terrain, so little trekkers can wear these sandals on more challenging hill walks as well as on holiday strolls. Mesh panels and an open heel keep feet cool during hot weather, too. The adjustable Velcro straps are great, and these neoprene sandals can also be worn in water.

Cotswold doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel here – this is a sensible, comfortable walking sandal that’s great if you’re in the market for a leather design. The Lansdown stood out for comfort on test – the straps mould quickly to feet for a custom-feeling fit, and the bouncy rubber sole has good arch support. These sandals felt lovely and light underfoot, mile after mile.

Crocs are cult favourites for grown-ups when it comes to comfort (if not, perhaps, for their divisive chunky looks), and, after testing, we can confirm these rubber clogs are also the perfect first shoe for small children. The combo of breathability, protective rubber and a stay-put ankle strap is ideal for toddlers learning to walk, and for messing around in the garden. We like this version with a soft, toasty liner, so you can wear it during cooler weather, although, it’s a pity the liner isn’t removable and washable.

If you’re serious about walking and want a sandal that grips as well as your winter hiking boots, try the capilano for size. Designed to give a sticky, confidence-giving grip, even on wet surfaces, these sandals are great on dry land and when worn near water – the straps dry fast if you swim in them, too. These sandals are also pleasingly lightweight, so, they’re the perfect everyday shoe to pack for a walking trip. There’s no toe protection, though, so, swap to a ‘shandal’ for rocky mountain trails.

• Shop men’s capilano
• Shop women’s capilano

If you’re after something easy and breezy for strolls on holiday, we love Barbour’s attractive Paloma sandal. The brand has used some high-quality materials – think leather straps, a cork footbed and jute soles – to make a relaxed but super comfortable sandal that still looks very smart. The only downside is it’s best to avoid getting the jute wet, so, this shoe is best kept for sunny trips away.

Kids grow out of shoes fast, so, they aren’t likely to wear walking sandals for long before needing a new pair. This means you may not want to spend a fortune on a pair, and Mountain Warehouse is always a good option for budget-friendly buys.

The neptune sandal has everything we look for in an adult walking sandal – good grip, wide, adjustable straps and a cushioned insole – in mini sizes, at a reasonable price. The upper is made of neoprene, so your kids can wear these in water, and the shoes are quick to dry.

Comfy sandals don’t have to be utilitarian-looking. Vionic’s rather gorgeous torrance sandals are made with plush leather and look smart enough to wear to work but have rugged rubber lugs for grip, plus stretchy straps, great arch support and orthotic footbeds that mould quickly to your feet for a cushiony custom fit. This pair could, therefore, be ideal for anyone who finds most sandals uncomfortable, as well as being a great pick for city strolls and weekends away when you’ll be clocking up the miles but still want to look smart.