The 12 Best Beach Sandals of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Oct 29, 2024

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Hit the sand with one of these pairs of travel editor-approved beach sandals.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure/Taylor Fox

While you can certainly get away with wearing any type of shoes to the beach, a pair of sandals fit to combat sand and salt water is the best option — unless you want to slide your wet bare feet into sandy sneakers. For beachside picnics, long walks by the shore, or just to get you across scalding hot sand, Travel + Leisure editors shared their favorite beach sandals for any trip to the water.

We’re big fans of various types of beachy footwear like waterproof slides, sleek leather flip-flops, and sporty sandals to get us to the sand in comfort and style. Brands like Chaco, Reef, and Birkenstock came highly recommended, but we also tested options from other popular footwear brands you’ll want to try for your next beach adventure.

Fully waterproof, these TPU slides make getting in and out of the water (and rinsing sandy feet) a breeze.

There is a slight break-in period.

A waterproof sandal like the Reef Water Vista Slide is essential for beach trips when your feet are likely to get wet and sandy. Made of TPU plastic with an EVA foam footbed, these slides can be submerged in water without running the risk of damaging the material. As a bonus, water beads off the sandals, so they’re quick-drying, too.

The sandals also come highly recommended by T+L outdoor gear editor, Taylor Fox. “I love a waterproof shoe when I'm headed to the beach so I can rinse my feet off while in the shoe to minimize the amount of sand I'm walking away with,” she said. Best of all, the shoes don’t squeak when they’re wet and the stylish faux-woven design makes it easy to go from the beach to a restaurant without looking too casual.

The Details: Size 5 to 11 | TPU and EVA | Waterproof

We reach for these sandals time and time again due to the elevated look of the T-shaped straps and tortoise-shell buckle.

The white material get dirty quickly.

When I’m on a beach vacation, I always pack a pair of shoes that I can wear for multiple occasions like these stylish OluKai sandals. From the beach to brunch, the sandals can be dressed up or down thanks to the elevated details like the tortoise-shell buckles and wide T-shaped straps. The best part is that the open-toed shoes offer plenty of cushioning and support with a soft PU footbed and dip in the heel and toe-box that cradles the foot for extra support. Plus, the wave-patterned texture on the outsole adds stability around slippery surfaces like pool decks.

The Details: Size 6 to 11 | Rubber and polyurethane | Water-friendly

Made in trendy colors like lime green and pale pink, you might even want to pick up two pairs of these colorful sandals.

Slides aren’t always the best shoe for walking long distances.

We love this colorful and waterproof version of Birkenstock’s iconic Arizona slide for seaside adventures. Differing from the usual cork and leather materials, these sandals are made with a soft and lightweight foam that makes them easy to pack in a suitcase or slip on for a road trip to the beach. Testing editor Jackie Cucco loves these sandals so much that she got two pairs in different colors. “The waterproof material is perfect for the beach because you can easily rinse them off if they get sandy or dirty,” Cucco said. “Even though they're made of this plastic material, the straps are adjustable with plastic buckles, unlike some other slides.” While we love the adjustable upper straps for getting a secure fit, Cucco notes that these slides aren’t the most supportive for extra long beach walks or hikes.

The Details: Size 5/5.5 to 10/10.5 | EVA | Waterproof

These slides offer the perfect balance of dressy and casual.

The sole got noticeably thinner after nearly five months of near-constant use and they are not waterproof.

These Ecco slides are the chameleon of footwear for warm-weathered travel since they can be paired with virtually any outfit. Slides are typically the casual end of footwear but these have sleek leather upper straps for a dressier appearance without sacrificing comfort and convenience. All you have to do is slip these leather and PU slides on and you can be on your way to the beach or dinner in no time. “These are truly the most versatile sandals I have,” Fox said. “I have worn them on the beach everywhere from Costa Rica to Egypt and they are so comfortable and stylish.” After five months of use, Fox noticed the sole was wearing out quickly, which can happen with PU versus hardier rubber soles.

The Details: Size 4/4.5 to 10/10.5 | Leather and PU

Thanks to the leather-wrapped foam straps, the flip-flops don’t chafe or rub in the slightest.

Consider spraying these with a leather protector to prolong the life of the materials.

While leather flip-flops might not be the first material you think of for beach footwear, this pair from Beek are incredibly comfortable and durable, according to T+L associate director Morgan Ashley Parker. “My biggest complaint with flip flops is the uncomfortable straps rubbing the top of my foot and in between my toes,” she said. “This pair has foam straps wrapped in leather so they feel so soft and don't irritate my feet at all.” Parker used a leather protector spray on the sandals and after getting them wet and sandy, the leather straps and footbed still look in tip-top condition. The flip-flops also have a layer of foam cushioning in the footbed for even more comfort while walking to and from the beach.

The Details: Size 5 to 12 | Leather, memory foam, and rubber

With a thick rubber sole and sturdy polyester straps, we’re confident these sandals are made to last.

We wish they had a toe loop for even more support and stability.

Whether you’re hiking, walking, or biking to the beach, these Teva sandals are fit for rigorous seaside adventures. The grippy outsole is made with thick rubber for tackling uneven and slick surfaces, and the upper straps will keep your foot locked in with hook-and-loop buckles. When your feet inevitably get wet, the Repreve recycled polyester straps are designed to dry quickly without stretching out, too.

According to commerce writer Alexandra Domrongchai, these Teva sandals are a staple for any summer wardrobe. “Wearing them to the beach, camping, and around town I've really put these sandals through the test," she said. "They've been covered in sand, dirt, and water and have held up incredibly well. Plus, they wash super seamlessly. Beyond their durability, I also just love how cute they look.”

The Details: Size 5 to 14 | Repreve polyester, EVA, and rubber | Waterproof

With a thick, double-density footbed, these sandals offer extra comfort and durability.

The heel can cause some chafing when the strap gets wet.

Ecco’s Sport Yucatan Sandals offer a pillow-like cushioning for your feet, which makes them an excellent option if you’re in search of an ultra-comfy pair of sandals. The sandals boast twice the amount of density in the PU footbed for extra cushioning and longevity in the sole of the shoes for resistance to daily wear and tear. “I wore these sandals during an active vacation to Portugal last year, and they were truly perfect for everything from a day at the beach to a hike along a seaside trail,” senior commerce writer Merrell Readman gushed. “The adjustable straps are great for keeping your shoes in place during your walk to the beach, which is half the battle, and they're well-padded for impressive comfort all day long.” One thing to note is that these shoes aren’t technically waterproof and Readman experienced some slight chafing in the heel from the wet rubber.

The Details: Size 4/4.5 to 12/12.5 | Leather, PU, and rubber

The outsole is three millimeters thick with plenty of traction for gripping slick surfaces.

Chaco sandals are only offered in whole sizes.

While I love going barefoot, walking on both hard and soft sand can hurt my feet so I almost always wear Chaco’s classic Z/2 sandal when I’m looking for extra arch support and stability. The outsole is made with a thick rubber material with a variety of grooves and indents for superior traction on slippery surfaces. One of my favorite beach activities is tidepooling, which can require walking on slick and sharp rocks, and I’ve never fallen while wearing these sandals. The polyester straps dry quickly after getting wet and I haven’t experienced any chafing or rubbing with this Chaco style that doesn’t have the toe loop that usually rubs for me. Chaco rotates colors and patterns often but I also recommend getting a custom pair if you want to create your own unique pair.

The Details: Size 5 to 12 (medium and wide) | Polyester, PU, and rubber | Waterproof

These featherlight EVA slides are super packable; perfect for a suitcase or beach bag.

The soft cushioning doesn’t offer much arch support.

Bombas launched a waterproof EVA slide and it’s shockingly lightweight while still offering all the benefits we look for in a beach sandal. The foam material is soft and cloud-like with grooves on the footbed to ensure the foot doesn’t slide around if it gets wet. There’s also plenty of dotted indents on the bottom of the shoes for traction and stability on slick pool decks or beach boardwalks.

“I love how the material seems to mold to my feet for a truly supportive fit, and the style is neutral enough that I’ll be able to wear them everywhere from the beach to the airport throughout the spring and summer,” Readman said. Because the entire shoe is made with soft foam, they don’t offer much in the arch support department, so you may want to wear these when walking short distances only.

The Details: Size 5 to 11 | EVA | Waterproof

These water shoes boast a 4-millimeter thick outsole and a rubber toe cap for extra protection.

They look and feel more like sneakers than sandals.

Not all beaches are made of smooth sand with paved paths to get there, which means more rigorous adventures call for waterproof sandals that can handle all types of terrain like these Hokas. Half sneakers and half sandals, these shoes have thick outsoles to grip surfaces like jagged rocks or slippery riverbeds. Taking foot protection one step further, the toe box has a rubber cap on it to prevent stubbed toes and other possible injuries. We found these shoes to be extremely bouncy and cushioned to walk in, so they also make an excellent hybrid sandal for hiking or other adventurous activities.

The Details: Size 5 to 11 | Rubber, EVA, neoprene, and mesh | Waterproof

For a heeled sandal, these are extremely lightweight, cushioned, and stable for walking.

The two straps on the foot don’t adjust and may be loose for narrow feet.

Wedges might not be the first pair of shoes you think to wear to the beach, but trust us when we say you could walk over uneven sand in these stable and ultra-comfortable platform sandals from Keen. The slight heel isn’t quite large enough to cause instability and the rest of the sandals boast a thick platform and adjustable ankle strap to keep your foot firmly planted on the ground with every step. Plus, the rubber, EVA, and leather materials are surprisingly lightweight without sacrificing quality. After testing these sandals ourselves, we found that they were comfortable right out of the box and don’t require a break-in period before you hit the sand.

The Details: Size 5 to 11 | Rubber, EVA, and nubuck leather

Travel + Leisure / Stephanie Lewis

It’s rare to find a flip-flop with adjustable straps to get a secure fit.

The style might not fit everyone’s preferences.

These sandals prove that flip-flops can actually be comfortable when they’re designed with arch support, cushioning, and adjustable features. Between the EVA foam cushioned midsole and soft synthetic straps that are fully adjustable, these flip-flops cradle and support the foot without causing any discomfort or pain. We also found that the rubber outsole offers superior stability and traction compared to other flip-flops we tested out. Because of the thicker outsole, these sandals are quite a bit heavier than your run-of-the-mill foam flip-flops but we think it’s worth it for a comfortable footwear option that’s built to last.

The Details: 7 to 12 | EVA, rubber | Waterproof

T+L editors have all felt the pain caused by uncomfortable footwear after a long day on our feet, so we take shoe testing very seriously. We’ve tested hundreds of pairs of shoes, including dozens of sandals from flip-flops to slides. To test each pair of beach sandals, we wore them a number of times on outdoor adventures to beaches, lakes, or rivers, and we also made sure to wear the shoes in other settings like when sightseeing, going out to dinner, or walking through airports.

We jot down thorough notes on our experiences with comfort, fit, support, packability, and durability to gauge which sandals exceeded our expectations and ones that fell short, and we recommend the best options out of the lot we tried.

Even if you don’t swim at the beach, you’ll likely have to rinse sand off of your feet with water or take a quick shower, so it’s wise to have sandals made with waterproof materials. Sandals made with plastic materials like TPU, EVA foam, and rubber repel water and dry quickly. Even sandals made with fabric like polyester and neoprene can still be comfortable while wet and quick-drying. Whatever the material, beach sandals also make a savvy gift for the traveling woman in your life.

If you’re planning to take a dip in the ocean, make sure your footwear is securely fastened to your feet or you run the risk of losing your shoes in the swells. Sandals with ankle and foot straps are your best bet for security purposes and you’ll want to steer clear of running into the waves with slides or flip-flops since they will slip-off right away.

Sand can get deceptively hot, which means you can easily burn your feet while walking barefoot. Not to mention shells, trash, rocks, and other sharp objects can be hidden in the loose grains of sand, so wearing shoes before setting up your beach towel is the best way to avoid potential burns or other injuries from occurring.

Blood vessels expand when it gets hot, which is why parts of the body will swell in warm weather. T+L chatted with Dr. Nelya Lobkova, DPM, and podiatrist at Step Up Surgical Podiatry, who recommended several ways to combat swollen limbs at the beach. “If your feet tend to swell in warm weather, make sure you are staying active at the beach, walking often, or at least elevating the feet on the beach chair, and staying hydrated,” she shared.

Anna Popp is the associate commerce editor at Travel + Leisure, covering all of the best travel products from carry-ons to comfortable shoes. For this article, Anna shared several beach sandals she uses and loves, and she sought out other sandals that come highly recommended by her fellow travel editors. T+L also spoke with Nelya Lobkova, DPM, podiatrist at Step Up Surgical Podiatry, for beach footwear tips and tricks.

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