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Slipping into a pair of the best sandals for men might be the last thing on your mind right now (though, to be honest, the warmer weather is already kind of here), but there’s never been a better time to hunt down a pair. As menswear continues throttling down the thruway of its anything-goes era—Skateboards affixed to sweaters! Jeans instead of tuxes! Inexplicably large red boots!—dusting off your summer footwear, the type you usually wear lounging poolside or kicking up way too much dust on the trails, suddenly seems like a righteous flex.
Thankfully, today's sandals are a lot better looking than they used to be. The best of the bunch can stand on their own with some glitzy painted toes, or look dope with an assist from nubby camp socks or striped crews. If it still feels like winter in your neck of the woods (on most days, at least), we’re not suggesting your feet go commando—since as far back as 2018 we've been championing the benefits of winterizing your summer footwear, and the same logic rings even more true today.
Which means no matter what type of weather you're contending with at the moment (or looking forward to contending with on vacation) there's some impossibly rad sandals with your name on them, just waiting for you to slip ’em on. So we gathered the absolute best slides, clogs, and sandals for men, along with—gasp!—a couple of superlative flip-flops, to help your dogs weather whatever season you'd call this in impeccable style.
The Best Sandals Shopping Guide
- The Best Sandals Overall: Birkenstock "Arizona" soft footbed leather sandals, $145
- The Best Budget (but Expensive-Looking!) Sandals: Deer Stags “Bamboo2” sandals, $85
- The Best Waterproof Sandals: Birkenstock "Arizona" EVA sandals, $45
- The Best Trail-Ready Sandals: Nike "Oneonta" sandals, $70
- The Best Huarache Sandals: Nisolo huarache sandals, $150
- The Best Sandals for Flip-Flop Devotees: Hoka One One Ora recovery flip flops, $60
- The Best Dressy Sandals: Hereu low-heel buckled sandals, $330
The Best Sandals Overall
What, were you really expecting something else? Birkenstock has reigned supreme atop the sandal world for well over two centuries for a reason: namely, the brand's perfect blend of comfort, quality, and style. Their sandals are handcrafted in Germany using top-tier leathers and suedes atop and then set atop a cushion-y cork footbed that moulds to your feet over time. They fit it into every style camp, whether you're some version of normcore, outdoors enthusiast, high-fashion snob or hypebeast. The Arizona is Birks' most iconic model, and whether they're your first or your 45th, it's high time you slipped into a new pair.
The Best Budget (but Expensive-Looking!) Sandals
Breezy, dressy, and ready to be paired with slick shades and any manner of frozen beverage, these huarache-style sandals from Deer Stags look more expensive than they actually are. That's mainly thanks to the intricately woven uppers, which happen to be crafted from genuine leather—an absolute steal at a price this low. Wear 'em the way you would a killer pair of loafers: with shorts, with jeans, hell, even with a relaxed linen suit.
The Best Waterproof Sandals
Love the look and feel of your leather Birks, but bummed you can't get 'em wet? Here's your solution: the classic Arizona silhouette molded from waterproof, washable, ultra-lightweight EVA (a.k.a. the same stuff Crocs are made from). They're affordable, durable, and a great hang whether you're lounging poolside or sunning on the beach.
The Best Trail-Ready Sandals
Sometimes, your spontaneous walk around the block turns into a spontaneous walk around the park. When that happens, Nike's Oneonta sandal—equipped with an extra-grippy tread to keep you grounded, and a drawstring closure at the heel for a secure fit—is the shoe to reach for. Slip ‘em on before your next impromptu hike and you’ll be well-prepared to scale a few rocks or quickly skip-walk past that cute lil' spring you come across. No one will even know you were dressing for function—they'll simply think your shoes look really dope.
The Best Huarache Sandals
Modern technology is great and all, but when it comes to footwear, the human touch reign supreme. Nisolo's huaraches are handmade in Peru, not far from the silhouette's origins, from a water-resistant leather that'll keep your toes well-protected from surprise poolside splashes. Not every pair of sandals on this list can stand up to a relaxed linen suit, but these stick the landing with aplomb—and the flexible soles mean you can ditch the suit jacket and tear up the dance floor long after the DJ's stopped spinning.
The Best Sandals for Flip-Flop Devotees
We're noted fans of Hoka One One's cloud-like recovery slides, but the ‘tween-the-toes version is every bit as impressive. If you just can’t ditch your flip-flops, take these smooth-driving convertibles out for a spin. The thong is made from a jersey textile that wicks away moisture—meaning no uncomfortable chafing between the toes–or accidental flinging of your shoe across the room. Coupled with the extra-cushy sole, they’ll have you bouncing back in no time.
The Best Dressy Sandals
Sandals, we'll grant you, skew pretty casual, but when occasion demands footwear a little more formal, the genre has plenty to offer. Hereu's riff are more like loafers with strategic cutouts, an elegant hybrid silhouette that pulls inspiration from the sun-dappled shores of the Spanish coast. The smooth leather uppers give way to gently curved lines, the block heels offer just enough height, and the whole shebang adds up to a sandal your grandkids will joyfully pilfer from your closet—provided, of course, your kids don't get to them first.
