The 9 Best Waterproof Sandals, Tested and Reviewed

Hoka’s chunky footwear is everywhere these days, and we can see why. These sandals were slightly challenging to put on, but once they were on, they fit perfectly, with no heel or toe overhang. They’re also extremely cushioned, going across terrain types smoothly and easily while keeping knees and ankles supported. The footbed is very springy, and we encountered no rubbing or chafing — just lots of padding. We felt like we were walking on air straight out of the box. They also maintain their structure, with a high-quality build. Hoka offers the style in an all-gender model, as well as updated versions of the Hopara 2 in women’s and men’s fits. All versions have a variety of colorways with the same floaty feeling.

The Details: 5M/6W to M14/W15 (all-gender); Sizes 5 to 11 (women’s); Sizes 7 to 14 (men’s) | Synthetic and neoprene upper, EVA midsole | Quick laces | 5 colors

If you’re hitting the trail with your toes out and want something that can stand up to water crossings as well, the Cairn Adventure Sandals are your best option. We conquered 10 hikes in these sandals, some in pretty harsh conditions. It took a few wears to break in the straps, but once that was done, it felt like we weren’t wearing anything. The three adjustment points make it easy to recalibrate for any hot spots that form.

They’re super comfortable and breathable. Because they fit more like flip-flops than the common cross-strap hiking sandal design, they allowed for more maneuverability in slippery conditions and the Vibram soles performed fantastically when hiking up wet granite in a river. While they are on the pricey side, after seeing how well they performed, we wouldn’t hesitate to buy them again.

The Cairns don’t come in half sizes, so if you’re normally between, size up for a longer footbed for more protection while hiking. There are 12 colors available to choose from, including neutrals, brights, and even a few patterns.

The Details: Sizes 5M/6W to 14M/15W | 15 ounces | Polyester and nylon webbing upper, Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole | 12 colors

Sometimes you just want to slide into a classic flip-flop, and Crocs delivers with a style that we think literally feels like you’re wearing a hug. These flip-flops are lightweight and well-cushioned, with tiny bumps on the sole that make it feel like you’re getting a massage while you walk. The arch support was a good height, and we experienced zero discomfort while wearing them from day one. Their soles are thick and sturdy with a supportive feel and no rubbing or pinching on the straps. We also didn’t feel any slipping on carpet, wood floors, or outside. They don’t come in half sizes, but the brand recommends sizing down, rather than up, to find your best fit (we agree, having found them to run a little looser than true to size). They are on the wider side, but we found this just made them more comfortable. Choose from eight colors, including bright blue and coral in addition to black and white.

The Details: Sizes 2M/4W to 15M/17W | TR upper, TPU toe post, EVA outsole | 8 colors

Chaco shows why it’s one of the most popular outdoor sandal brands with its popular Z Cloud. We took these on multiple hikes through rocky and sandy terrain and they haven’t shown any notable wear and tear. They’re also our go-to sandals for water sports like rafting, kayaking, and anything that may involve navigating over wet rocks. They’re sturdy and solid with wide, smooth straps made from quality material. The strap system is extremely adjustable but does take some practice to get going correctly, and wearers with smaller or more narrow feet may have some extra strap dangling on the side. However, they don’t require a break-in period and have excellent traction even when heading downhill. The construction is also vegan-friendly, and there are fun patterns to choose from across genders plus wide sizes available.

The Details: Sizes 5 to 12 (women’s); 7 to 15 (men’s) | Polyester jacquard webbing, polyurethane midsole, rubber outsole | Ladder lock buckle | 6 colors

Teva is another classic brand in the outdoor space, and this strappier style provided a good fit out of the box. There are multiple adjustment points (two over the top of the foot and one around the ankle) that let you lock in with no sliding around or twisting over uneven terrain. The sole is thick and shock-absorbent even for wearers with plantar fasciitis across terrains, though it is on the firmer side, so will feel more supportive and rigid than springy. The straps are lined with mesh to avoid chafing and easy to adjust. Weight-wise, the Tirras are on the lighter side but not as super-light as some other athletic options, and they feel high-quality in their materials, with minimal bending in the sole. The extra heft also affords more support and protection from rough ground. There are 12 color options to choose from, though they all still look like athletic sandals, so might be challenging to dress up.

The Details: Sizes 5 to 12 | 18 ounces per pair | Recycled polyester/synthetic leather upper, EVA midsole, rubber outsole | Velcro closures | 9 colors

An easy slide is a great addition to any summer shoe wardrobe, and the Freedom Moses ones won’t disappoint. There’s no slickness to the rubber material, so your feet won’t slide but will fit fully into the designated footbed. Our feet felt great across grass, pavement, pebbles, and sand, and the slide straps kept us locked in. There’s a slight curve for arch support, plus small bumps on the soles that felt nice and cushioned. Soles are textured for grip, and the buckles are actually fake so there’s no harsh buckle texture to rub against your feet. They’re also very lightweight. We’ve had pairs of these last for three years with almost no visible damage, which is even more impressive considering their low price tag.

The combo sizing is helpful, and wearers who are between sizes should pick the smaller option (so if you’re usually a 6, choose the 5/6 rather than 6/7). The slides come in a whole rainbow of colors and patterns to choose from, with a truly astonishing 148 options currently available. As a bonus, they’re also responsibly designed and created with fair labor and vegan materials.

The Details: Sizes 4/5 to 11/12W, 4 to 8M | PCU, rubber | Slide on | 36 colors

The Olukai Tuahine flip flops are the most comfortable men’s sandals we’ve ever tested, making them well worth the high price tag in our opinion. They’re comfy right out of the box and take no break-in period. The full-grain leather material is fully waterproof and feels soft to the touch without any rubbing or chafing, which is important when walking around in the water. Although these don’t have a heel strap, they felt secure on our feet during testing and we never felt like they were going to slide off. They also have a decent amount of arch support built in, which makes them ideal for longer walks. The sole isn’t especially cushy, so we wouldn’t recommend these for people who want to feel like they’re walking on a cloud. That being said, we felt like there was plenty of support and comfort for the average person and think these are great sandals to dress up or down. The Southshore sandal is the women’s version of the Tuahine, and comes in five different colors.

The Details: 5 to 11 (women’s); 7 to 15 (men’s) | 1.72 pounds | Leather, EVA midsole, mesh lining, nylon toe post | Waterproof | 13 colors