10 Best Travel Sandals For Men & Women

Travel sandals have long been the wayward traveler’s multi-functional best friend. You can find dressy sandals for nights on the town, waterproof sandals for days at the beach, heavily padded sandals for day hikes, and even mid-range sandals which can keep you comfortable for a full day of site-seeing.

And the best part? Sandals easily pack down in your luggage, taking up a fraction of the space of regular sneakers or boots. Why would you ever need any other type of footwear?! We share a few of our favorite travel sandals for women and men below.

---

Women’s Travel Sandals

---

Birkenstock Mayari

Price: $99 | Weight: 12 oz. | Material: Cork Footbed, EVA Footbed, Rubber Sole

Birkenstocks are some of the most loved sandals for a good reason. They’re the perfect everyday wear sandal because the sole conforms to the shape of your foot for the ultimate support. We’re partial to the Mayari as they’re more feminine than the original Arizona style. The sandals feel adept for many scenarios, from everyday life to beach trips and short hikes.

The neutral heel profile and deep heel cups keep the weight of your body evenly distributed across your feet for the ideal comfort. They feature the patented cork footbed that contours to your foot, giving you excellent arch support and comfort.

This footbed also gives them an excellent shock absorption quality that your joints will thank you. The suede lining means they are best suited for dry urban environments. Also, the cork footbed absorbs smells, so if you are prone to stinky, sweaty feet, these may not be the best choice for you.

---

Teva Tirra

Price: $80 | Weight: 18 oz. | Material: EVA, Molded Nylon, Rubber

Created by a river guide in the Grand Canyon, Teva has fully embraced their adventurous upbringing and bent toward water sports. The Teva Tirra is a perfect example of this. Made with all the best features we have come to expect from Teva – like their sturdy straps and EVA midsoles – they also take water protection to the next level.

The Tirra features water-resistant polyester webbing that dries very quickly, a lightweight EVA-foam midsole for maximum comfort, and a ladder lock enclosure that ensures the best custom fit.

They also have that superb Vibram outsole that gives you excellent traction. All of this and the sandals don’t sacrifice style! These travel sandals can wear from an urban setting to the great outdoors without missing a beat. The lugs on the outsole channel away water, and the anti-slip midsole will keep you stable whether you are walking through a puddle or a river.

---

Rainbow Sandal

Price: $54 | Weight: 13.8 oz. | Material: Leather, EVA, Rubber Sole

I’m a sandal person and don’t believe any travel bag is complete until I throw in a pair. Flip-flops are great travel sandals as they take up minimal room in the suitcase, unlike bulkier versions. The Rainbow Sandal is a thong flip-flop with a straightforward design. They are nothing like those crappy rubber flip-flops many wear.

The sandals use premium leather and nylon thread, while layers are triple glued for optimal durability. Perhaps what makes these so great is the high arch in the midsole. It allows me to wear sandals all day. It’s a sandal you can wear all day and never think twice about your feet. However, it is a thong flip flop, so a large strap is better if you need a sandal for long walks.

---

OluKai ‘Upena

Price: $90 | Weight: 14 oz. | Material: Leather, PU Footbed, Rubber Sole

Hawaiian baed OluKai makes some amazing comfortable sandals and slip-on shoes. We love their shoes for walking, but the Upena stands out as a travel sandal for women because of its style. It’s super cute, versatile, and, most importantly, comfortable.

The Birkenstock and Rainbow sandals above require a break-in period as they’re leather and cork, but the ‘Upena comes ready to go. These travel sandals do not need to worry about blisters, foot pain, or slick bottoms.

I wore them on a recent trip to the Mediterranean, and they were perfect for long walking days to an evening out in a dress. There are some more comfortable and classic designs from Olukai, such as the ‘Ohana, but we love the style of the ‘Upena.

---

Sanuk Yoga Sling 2

Price: $40 | Weight: 12 oz. | Material: Stretch Knit, Yoga Mat Foot Bed, Rubber Sole

These super cute shoes are also really comfortable and perfect for walking. At an affordable price and a multitude of colors so you can afford to pick up more than one color. They’re super comfortable, and the footbeds come from yoga mats for a soft squishy feeling.

There are two things to note. These women’s travel sandals have thinner soles, so they are not great for rough terrain. There is also a lack of arch support for those suffering from weak arches or plantar fasciitis.

If you suffer from foot problems, we recommend more robust sandals with a proper midsole as these offer none. The sandals utilize yoga mat soles and a stretch knit upper, but they have longevity issues. You’ll find far more value in more expensive sandals that will last for years.

---

Chaco Z/Cloud

Price: $110 | Weight: 21 oz. | Material: Dual-density Polyurethane, Rubber

The only sandal brand that can come close to the quality of Teva is Chaco. There are diehard fans on both sides of the debate with strong opinions on who should reign supreme. All that means is that when you choose to buy a Chaco sandal, you leave confident that you have purchased the highest quality outdoor sandal out there. These are a tremendous pair of women’s travel sandals if you need arch support or suffer from plantar fasciitis.

The sole also features an antimicrobial application that will prevent odor and keep your feet feeling fresh all day long. The Z/Cloud is just one of three in Chaco’s Z series and offers such great support you’ll feel like you are wearing a shoe more than a sandal. It provides the cushiest sole, but if you want more support for outdoor activities, shop for the Chaco Z/1 Original.

---

Men’s Travel Sandals

---

OluKai ‘Ohana

Price: $75 | Weight: 17 oz. | Material: Synthetic Leather

Hawaiian baed OluKai makes some amazing comfortable sandals and slip-on shoes. We love their shoes for walking, but the ‘Ohana is a classic sandal from the company. It’s an attractive flip-flop that’s versatile and, most importantly, comfortable.

Many sandals require a break-in period as they’re leather and cork, but the ‘Ohana comes ready to wear. These travel sandals do not need to worry about blisters, foot pain, or slick bottoms. I wore them on a recent trip to Bali, and they were perfect for long walking days to easy-going beach days. These sandals rock, and your feet will love them.

---

Teva Original Universal

Price: $55 | Weight: 13.5 oz. | Material: EVA, Rubber

Teva is well-loved for a good reason, and their classic strap sandal is one of their best. They’re super comfortable, versatile, and don’t look half bad for a pair of sandals. A simple strap setup and smaller footbed make them minimal in all the right ways.

The original design came from the eighties and earned Teva’s loyal following. Patterned straps are lightweight and comfortable and keep the sandals secure on your foot. When it comes to underfoot, EVA provides a comfy ride, while the rubber sole provides enough traction and protection to use on light hikes.

Style is also minimal enough to where they don’t look goofy and feel right at home in outdoor destinations. We love them for destinations like Hawaii, where they have beaches and hiking on one island!

---

Chaco Z/Cloud

Price: $110 | Weight: 21 oz. | Material: Dual-density Polyurethane, Rubber

The only sandal brand that can come close to the quality of Teva is Chaco. There are diehard fans on both sides of the debate with strong opinions on who should reign supreme. All that means is that when you choose to buy a Chaco sandal, you leave confident that you have purchased the highest quality outdoor sandal out there. If you need arch support, these are excellent travel sandals.

The sole also features an antimicrobial application that will prevent odor and keep your feet feeling fresh all day long. The Z/Cloud is just one of three in Chaco’s Z series and offers such great support you’ll feel like you are wearing a shoe more than a sandal. It provides the cushiest sole, but if you want more support for outdoor activities, shop for the Chaco Z/1 Original.

---

Reef Fanning Flip-Flops

Price: $55 | Weight: 20 oz. | Material: Synthetic nubuck, EVA Footbed, Herringbone Rubber Outsole

I used to wear Reef Sandals exclusively, and I even turned my father on to their Fanning Flip-Flops. I’ve had at least a pair for 15 years, and they’re still fantastic sandals for travel. A super comfortable toe thong and thick upper band make these flip-flops comfortable, even for those who don’t like flip-flops. The footbeds are super supportive, and the heel air cushion makes for a great ride.

The soles are still in great shape even after extended wear, and the rubber outsoles show minor abrasion. They have a relaxed look that feels right at home on the beach. The only negative I see is that flip-flops can are less secure than strap travel sandals. I feel comfortable walking around these all day and never strain to keep them on my feet. These travel sandals come with a bottle opener hidden on the bottom — hello, beach beers!

---

Birkenstock Arizona

Price: $135 | Weight: 16 oz. | Material: Cork Footbed, EVA Footbed, Rubber Sole

Birkenstocks are associated with hippy culture and free-living ideology, so naturally, they would make phenomenal sandals for travel! However, Birkenstock Arizonas is much more than a name. They feature the patented cork footbed that contours to your foot, giving you excellent arch support and comfort.

This footbed also gives them an excellent shock absorption quality that your joints will thank you. However, the cork footbed absorbs smells, so if you are prone to stinky, sweaty feet, these may not be the best choice. I find Birkenstocks to look goofy on my feet, but they are super comfortable, and plenty of people love them for a reason.

---

How to Pick a Travel Sandal?

Here’s a breakdown of what to consider in a travel sandal and some of the best options currently on the market. As we alluded to before, knowing the intended destination for your travel sandals is a biggy! You don’t want to be stuck with blistered, achy feet because you figured “a sandal is a sandal,” right? So, let’s look at essential features based on your intended purpose. 

---

Urban Walking

Comfort and style are essential if you plan to spend your days running errands and walking the city streets. So you’ll need a hybrid sandal. You can choose thinner straps in any pattern that strikes your fancy and opt for designs that complement your wardrobe versus the bold look that many outdoor sandals have. 

You’ll want to keep a thick footbed in mind, as walking on concrete and pavement can be hard on your joints. Also, footbeds with a decent grip should consider those days you get caught in a downpour. You don’t want to slip out of your sandals onto the street. 

---

Adventure/Outdoors

Protecting your feet should be high on your list if you’re traveling to an outdoor location where you intend to spend your day’s hiking, biking, running or climbing. In this scenario, the entire construction of the sandal serves a purpose. You should look for travel sandals with thick, well-placed lugs on the outsole to gain maximum traction on rocky terrain. 

The straps should be extra secure to prevent your sandals from coming loose at a pivotal point on the trail. You’ll want to ensure the sandal’s footbed is highly supportive, especially around your foot arch, and look for materials that can take a beating without becoming frayed or broken. 

You may even want to consider travel sandals that give you toe protection, especially when heading to rocky terrain. While stylish adventure sandals exist, this takes a back seat to the overall functionality when the outdoors are your intended terrain. I have loved having a more robust sandal in destinations like the Galapagos, Canadian Rockies, Africa, and Costa Rica.

---

Water Activities

Whether you’re heading to a beach destination, spending a weekend on the lake, or planning to do a lot of kayaking or rafting, all the best travel sandals for water activities have the same thing in common: they have excellent water resistance and grippy footbeds. 

These two things will keep you both stable and comfortable throughout your trip. Water resistance usually comes in quick-drying synthetic nylon or polyester materials that naturally wick water out. Just a few minutes in the sun, they’re ready to go again! Teva and Chaco are both made to tackle water activities, and we love them for this!

---

The Beach

The beach is the most common and least demanding scenario for a pair of sandals. It’s probably why so many people opt for those uncomfortable rubber flip-flops. It’s a fundamental piece of footwear meant for a few steps across the beach or pool deck.

Flip-flops do not need to be uncomfortable for walking as they make more robust sandals. We love Rainbow Sandals for beach life, perfect comfort, style, and practicality.

---

What To Consider When Picking Travel Sandals

---

Materials

It only makes sense that the materials used in constructing travel sandals affect longevity and comfort. However, some materials are better than others in various situations. For example, leather is durable and stylish material but can become waterlogged and ruined in wet environments. 

Synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester are excellent in wet environments, retaining their shape and drying quickly. Velcro-strapped sandals are great for a day at the beach because you can quickly and efficiently take them off and on. However, velcro, like long-distance hikes or climbing adventures, can become frayed over time if put to extreme use. 

One universally excellent material used in the soles of the best travel sandals is Vibram rubber. If you see this label on the travel sandals, you’re considering. You know that you’re getting a high-quality product. 

---

Travel Sandal Straps 

Finding the proper straps for your travel sandals is like the goldilocks effect: there’s no right fit for everyone, but there’s a right fit for you! Remember that choosing thinner straps can cause them to dig once strained over all-day use. 

Straps that are too wide can be constricting and lack the breathability you’re trying to get by wearing sandals in the first place. The perfect straps usually fall in the middle based on your foot size. 

---

Travel Sandal Soles

More and more podiatrists agree that no one should wear flat-soled flip-flops. It is hard on your feet but also puts extra strain on your back, knees, hips, and overall posture. 

That’s why choosing a travel sandal with some arch support is crucial. Luckily, manufacturers of travel sandals have seen this concern and have started producing sandals with high-quality soles that can even stand up to their boot and shoe counterparts. 

---

Travel Sandal Fit

Like any other footwear, you want to find a travel sandal that fits your foot like a glove. They should be tight without constricting, gripped to the bottom of your foot, and long/wide enough that no part of your foot hangs over the edge.

Some brands run small, and others run narrow, so look up the reviews before shopping and try on your sandals before leaving the store. If you’re purchasing them online, consider this, and once you get them, take them for a test run before heading out on your trip, long walk, or event.