Best Hiking Sandals (2026)
Sandals earn their place in an Oregon hiker’s kit on summer trails, coast walks, and waterfall approaches where getting wet is part of the plan. I tested 13 hiking sandals for men and women across open-toe sport styles, closed-toe trail sandals, and arch-support focused options, ranging from under $30 budget picks to premium KEEN, ECCO, and North Face builds. Here’s what’s worth buying.
Quick picks
Full reviews
Men’s Sandals
KEEN Men’s Newport Closed Toe Comfortable Durable Leather Water Sandals
- Closed toe protects against rocks and roots on Oregon trail surfaces
- 9,600+ reviews at 4.6 stars validates consistent real-world performance
- Leather and webbing upper holds up through sustained water exposure
- KEEN’s metatomical footbed provides natural arch support
- Quick-draining design works well on Oregon’s waterfall approaches
- Heavier than open-toe alternatives at this price
- Takes longer to dry fully than mesh-based sandals
- Runs slightly wide, narrow feet may find extra movement inside
The KEEN Newport is the benchmark closed-toe hiking sandal, and its 9,600+ reviews at 4.6 stars put it in a different category from the other options in this guide. The protected toe cap is the defining feature for Oregon trail use, it makes the Newport significantly more capable on rooted and rocky terrain than open-toe alternatives. The metatomical footbed provides built-in arch support that becomes noticeable after several hours on trail. For hikers who want sandal ventilation without sacrificing the toe protection a real trail demands, this is the pick.
Teva Men’s Hurricane XLT2 Sport Sandals
- 11,000+ reviews, most validated sandal in this guide
- Multi-directional strapping locks the foot securely for trail use
- Lightweight and packable for day trips
- Strong value at under $55 for a proven trail sandal
- Open toe leaves feet exposed on rocky and rooted terrain
- Less arch support than the ECCO and KEEN options
The Hurricane XLT2 has 11,010 reviews at 4.6 stars, making it the most reviewed sandal in this guide. Teva’s multi-directional strapping system is what separates the Hurricane from cheap sport sandals, the foot stays locked in place on uneven terrain rather than sliding around inside the strap. At $53.95 it hits the sweet spot between budget options that lack support and premium builds that cost twice as much. The go-to open-toe trail sandal for summer Oregon hiking.
ECCO Men’s Yucatan II Offroad Sandal
- 4.7 stars, second highest rating in this guide
- Offroad outsole adds grip for light trail use beyond the original Yucatan
- ECCO’s contoured footbed supports the arch across long days
- Most expensive sandal in this guide
- 327 reviews is a smaller sample than the top picks
The Yucatan II Offroad updates ECCO’s classic sandal with a more aggressive outsole suited for light trail and mixed-surface use. At 4.7 stars it holds the second-highest rating in this guide, and ECCO’s build quality is consistent across their lineup. The strongest choice for men who want premium comfort engineering in a sandal that can handle mixed trail and town use, though the review sample is smaller than the top picks.
THE NORTH FACE Men’s Explore Camp Sandal
The North Face Explore Camp holds the highest rating in this guide at 4.8 stars, though the 39-review sample means that score carries less certainty than the high-volume options. Ranked here for hikers who prioritize brand confidence alongside a strong early satisfaction signal. Best suited to camp and casual trail use rather than technical hiking terrain.
HUMTTO Men’s Amphibious Closed Toe Hiking Sandals
Designed specifically for water use with a quick-dry upper, non-slip outsole, and closed-toe protection. At $44.99 with 50 reviews at 4.8 stars the rating is strong but the sample is small. A solid mid-range amphibious option for Oregon’s waterfall approaches and river hike routes where the KEEN Newport’s price is a barrier.
DREAM PAIRS Men’s Hiking Water Beach Sport Sandals with Arch Support
The DREAM PAIRS men’s sandal earns its place with 5,275 reviews at 4.5 stars at under $32. Arch support is included at a price point where most budget sandals offer none. The best entry-level option for men who want a capable summer trail sandal without committing to a premium build.
CAMELSPORTS Men’s Closed Toe Hiking Sandals
A budget closed-toe waterproof sandal for men who want toe protection without the KEEN Newport’s price. At $39.89 with 1,596 reviews at 4.3 stars it ranks last in this guide on rating, but covers a specific need: affordable closed-toe construction for beach and water use. Suitable for casual hiking and water-adjacent activities. For more demanding trail use, the KEEN Newport at #1 is worth the price difference.
Women’s Sandals
ECCO Women’s Yucatan Sport Sandal
- 12,800+ reviews at 4.6 stars, largest women’s sandal review sample in this guide
- ECCO’s contoured footbed provides genuine arch support across long trail days
- Premium construction that holds up across multiple seasons of use
- Comfortable from first wear, minimal break-in required
- More expensive than the UBFEN and KuaiLu options
- Less aggressive outsole than the KEEN for technical trail terrain
The ECCO Yucatan is the most validated women’s hiking sandal in this guide with 12,828 reviews at 4.6 stars. ECCO’s engineering is built around foot health and all-day comfort, and the Yucatan’s contoured footbed delivers the kind of arch support that most sport sandals in this price range can’t match. For women who walk or hike long distances and prioritize foot comfort over everything else, this is the top pick in this roundup.
UBFEN Women’s Hiking Comfort Sport Sandals with Arch Support
The UBFEN delivers built-in arch support at a price point significantly below the ECCO options. With nearly 9,000 reviews at 4.5 stars, it’s the most validated value option for women who need arch support without paying premium prices. Adjustable straps accommodate a range of foot widths, and the platform cushioning handles casual hiking, beach walks, and camp use well. A strong pick for hikers who want functional support at an accessible price.
KuaiLu Women’s Orthopedic Walking Sandals with Arch Support
Purpose-built for plantar fasciitis relief, the KuaiLu combines a chunky cushioned sole with an orthopedic arch support footbed and adjustable strapping. At $39.99 with 2,807 reviews at 4.4 stars, it’s the most accessible orthopedic sandal option in this guide. Better suited for casual walking and recovery use than serious trail hiking, but a strong choice for women who need foot pain relief in a sandal format. Pairs well with guidance from our plantar fasciitis hiking footwear guide.
Rieker Women’s Franja Strap Sandals
The Rieker Franja is a lightweight, flexible hiking sandal built for everyday casual use and easy trail days. Hook-and-loop closures allow quick adjustment on the go, and the flexible sole handles most low-impact surfaces well. At $124.95 it’s priced alongside the ECCO options, the tradeoff is a more casual-oriented construction rather than technical trail performance. Strong for hikers who want a comfortable, easy-wearing sandal for Oregon’s lower-elevation summer routes.
DREAM PAIRS Women’s Hiking Walking Sandals
The most affordable women’s option in this guide at under $28. Lightweight construction with an adjustable hook-and-loop strap and 4.6 stars across 989 reviews. Better suited for easy trails, travel, and beach use than demanding terrain. The right pick for occasional hikers who want a capable summer sandal without overspending.
Unisex
LUNA Sandals OSO FLACO Winged Edition
The LUNA OSO FLACO is a purpose-built minimalist trail sandal at 7.2 oz, the lightest option in this guide. It’s designed for trail running and fast-and-light hiking by experienced minimalist footwear users. Not recommended as a first sandal for casual hikers: barefoot-style footwear requires a gradual transition period to build foot strength, and using it immediately for long hikes risks injury. For hikers already comfortable in minimalist footwear, the 4.7-star rating across 209 reviews reflects strong satisfaction among this specific user group.
Comparison table
| Rank | Sandal | Rating | Reviews | Price | Toe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | KEEN Newport | 4.6 | 9,602 | $109.01 | Closed | Best overall, trail use |
| #2 | Teva Hurricane XLT2 | 4.6 | 11,010 | $53.95 | Open | Best open-toe, summer hikes |
| #3 | ECCO Women’s Yucatan | 4.6 | 12,828 | $84.00 | Open | Best women’s, arch support |
| #4 | ECCO Men’s Yucatan II | 4.7 | 327 | $129.95 | Open | Men’s premium, offroad grip |
| #5 | UBFEN Women’s | 4.5 | 8,978 | $39.99 | Open | Value women’s, arch support |
| #6 | KuaiLu Orthopedic | 4.4 | 2,807 | $39.99 | Open | Plantar fasciitis relief |
| #7 | Rieker Franja | 4.6 | 722 | $124.95 | Open | Casual women’s, everyday |
| #8 | LUNA OSO FLACO | 4.7 | 209 | $115.00 | Open | Minimalist, trail running |
| #9 | North Face Explore Camp | 4.8 | 39 | $120.00 | Open | Camp and casual trail |
| #10 | HUMTTO Amphibious | 4.8 | 50 | $44.99 | Closed | Water crossings, amphibious |
| #11 | DREAM PAIRS Men’s | 4.5 | 5,275 | $31.99 | Open | Budget men’s, arch support |
| #12 | DREAM PAIRS Women’s | 4.6 | 989 | $27.99 | Open | Budget women’s, travel |
| #13 | CAMELSPORTS | 4.3 | 1,596 | $39.89 | Closed | Budget closed-toe, beach |
How to choose hiking sandals
Frequently asked questions
What are the best women’s hiking sandals with arch support?
What are the best hiking sandals for women?
What are the best sandals for walking long distances?
What is the best hiking sandal brand?
Are hiking sandals as good as hiking shoes?
Can I wear sandals with plantar fasciitis?
How we test
Every sandal on this list was evaluated on actual use across Oregon trail conditions, summer Gorge routes, coast walks, and waterfall approaches where sandals are genuinely appropriate. We score each product across five weighted criteria and write reviews based on what we noticed in real use, not what the spec sheet says.
Comfort and arch support are weighted highest because the most common failure point for hiking sandals on longer trail days is underfoot fatigue from inadequate support.
