8 Best Trekking Sandals of 2026, Tested and Ranked

A closed toe is the feature that separates the Newport H2 from almost everything else in this guide, and on the trail it is not a small one. Roots, loose scree, and the rocks you cannot see under murky water all hit the front of a sandal first; the rubber bumper over the toes takes those hits instead of your feet. That single design choice is why we reach for this pair on rough ground, and why it works as a river-crossing and boat-launch shoe as well as a walking sandal.

What we like beyond the toe cap is how little the rest of the sandal asks of you. The arch is supportive without being aggressive, the footbed feels broken in from the first walk, and the lace-and-slider adjustment sets the fit once and holds it. Getting them on is the friction point — the opening is snug and the heel strap needs a deliberate tug, so this is not the pair you kick off and step back into at a rest stop. Loosening the slider first makes the difference.

The build is not uniform, and that is worth knowing before you buy. The outsole and toe bumper hold up well; stitching and strap joints can let go before the sole wears through. Men who want toe protection on rough ground and a sandal that handles water will still get more out of this than anything else here, and women have a comparable water-friendly option in the Whisper.

KEEN’s women’s answer to the same problem — a sandal that hikes and gets wet — is the Whisper. The straps sit close without pressing, the footbed is supportive enough for a full day, and the sandal stays comfortable once it is soaked, which is not true of every design here. Airiness is the other thing we noticed: these breathe on a hot day, and they rinse clean in a sink and dry overnight.

Sizing is where to slow down. The fit splits — some feet get a true-to-size sandal, others find it comes up small and wide — so try them before a long trip rather than on the morning you leave. Once they are on, grip on wet rock and muddy banks is solid, and the sandal stays put instead of sliding around on the footbed.

Durability is above average for the category: straps and sole hold up, and the failures that do happen tend to sit at the neoprene near the ankle rather than at the sole. For women who want one sandal for hot-weather hiking, beach walks, and stream crossings, this is the pair we keep coming back to.

Three separate Velcro straps — at the heel, around the ankle, and across the toes — are the whole argument for the Hurricane 4. Each one moves independently, so you can cinch the heel on a narrow foot, open the forefoot strap over a wider one, and get a fit that holds on side-sloping trail instead of letting the foot slide toward the downhill edge. We set all three on the first walk and have not needed to touch them since.

Grip is the standout. The outsole bites on wet river rock and holds on packed dirt, and the footbed molds to the foot rather than staying rigid under the arch. It is a firmer ride than a cushioned walking sandal, which we like on trail and less on a day spent standing on pavement.

Upkeep is worth knowing about: feet sweat in these, the footbed picks up odor, and a scrub with soap plus a full dry is part of owning them. That is a small tax on a sandal that handles water and heat as well as this one does, and it is easy to work into a rinse-and-hang routine after a hike.

At the price, this is the women’s sandal we point to when the top pick is more than the budget allows. Secure adjustment, dependable grip, and a molded footbed cover the essentials, and nothing about it feels like a first pair. If you hike in heat, wade through streams, and want to spend the difference on the trip instead, this is the one.

Where the Yucatan is a substantial, molded sandal, the Plaka Explore takes the opposite approach: thin, flexible, and light enough that you forget you have them on. The sole bends with the foot instead of supporting it from underneath, and the pair packs flat into a corner of a daypack. For travel and fast day hikes that is a real advantage — there is nothing stiff to break in and nothing bulky to carry.

What surprised us is how much support Plaka built into a sandal this light. The arch is pronounced and sits where the foot actually needs it, and the straps hold the foot in place instead of letting it creep forward on descents. Long days are where it earns its keep: this is one of the pairs we wear from morning to evening, and the cushioning is soft enough that pavement does not beat up the feet.

Two caveats. Sizing runs about a half size large, so order down if you are between sizes. And the flexibility that makes them comfortable also means you feel sharp stones through the sole — fine on groomed trail, less pleasant on talus. For travel, easy trails, and long days on your feet, that is a trade we make happily.

If budget is the deciding factor and the hiking is day trips rather than multi-day loads, this is the women’s sandal we point you to. It gives you a cushioned footbed, a roomy toe box, and three Velcro straps for a fraction of what the premium picks cost, and it does not feel like a compromise on comfort the way inexpensive sandals usually do.

Cushioning is the reason to choose it. The footbed is soft underfoot without being mushy, the arch is built up enough for long walks, and the wide toe box leaves room for bunions and swelling feet — a genuine advantage for anyone who has given up on narrow strappy sandals. The straps adjust at the toes, midfoot, and heel, so a wide forefoot does not mean a loose heel.

Where it gives ground is longevity. The uppers and straps hold up, but the sole is the part that fails, and it is the reason to treat this as a two- or three-season sandal rather than a lifetime buy. For easy and moderate trails, festival weekends, and travel where you would rather not risk an expensive pair, it is excellent value.

The name on the box is one you have probably never seen on a trail, so it is worth saying plainly what you get: an open-toe sport sandal with doubled stitching on most seams, a soft air-cushion sole, and a finish that looks more expensive than the price suggests. We went in expecting the usual budget compromises and came away thinking the construction is the best part of it.

Comfort is close behind. The footbed is soft and forgiving, the arch is built up enough that flat-footed walkers will notice, and the straps tighten down without pinching. Sizing is the catch — these run small and narrow, and there are no half sizes, so order up if you are between sizes or have a wide forefoot.

The details that usually give away a cheap sandal are handled here: the stitching is doubled on almost every seam, the tread has real depth, and the straps are wide enough that they do not cut in. What we could not settle in our time with them is how long the whole thing lasts; the back strap and the seams are the weak points, and water seems to shorten the odds.

Where it lands is a warm-weather walking and light-trail sandal for men on a tight budget. It is comfortable enough for a full day on your feet and presentable enough for dinner afterwards, and it costs little enough that replacing it in a couple of seasons is not a disaster. Just do not ask it to be the pair you take up a rocky mountain.

The Original Universal is the sandal most people picture when they hear the name Teva, and it is also the thinnest one we cover. The sole is flat and flexible with very little underfoot structure, which is fine on a boardwalk, a beach, or a camp loop and noticeably less fine on a rocky trail where every stone comes through the footbed. That limits what it is for, and it is worth saying before anything else.

What it does well, it does very well. It barely adds weight to a pack, the Velcro strap across the toes adjusts to a wide range of feet, and it slips on and off at a tent door without a fight. The colors are part of the appeal — this is the pair people wear into town after a hike — and it handles lake water and wet sand without complaint.

So this is the one we take for camp and easy miles, and the one we leave behind when the route turns rocky. On flat paths, beach walks, and airport days it is comfortable for hours and easy to live with; on anything rougher it asks more of your feet than the supportive picks above. Sizing runs long, so order down if you are between sizes.