The 7 Most Comfortable Women's Sandals of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Sandalup Elastic Flat Sandals

$20 at Amazon

These sleek sandals feature elastic straps that mold and stretch to fit your feet perfectly — there are no buckles, zippers, snaps, or ties on the shoes to constrain movement or cause irritation. In a slide, thong, or any other open silhouette, your toes are constantly gripping in order to keep the shoe from sliding off your foot. According to Dr. Sutera, that causes strain on the muscles in your feet and can also make common issues like bunions, hammer toes, and pinched nerves even worse. That type of pressure is reduced with these sandals. These also have a lightly padded footbed and rubber sole for extra comfort and traction. Best of all, they're super stylish, so they can be worn with everything from travel dresses and skirts to jeans and leggings.

Our favorite thing about the sandals? The fact that they were comfortable right out of the box. One of our team members reported that they stretched enough to immediately accommodate her wide feet, unlike most other sandals. We also noted during testing that the shoes were easy to pack, comfy enough for all-day wear, and perfect for warm weather since they don't cause your feet to sweat.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Rubber, elastic, textile | 0.4 inches | Elastic straps

Best for Wide Feet

Munro Pisces

$160 at Nordstrom $160 at Zappos View on Shoemall.com

If you have a difficult time finding sandals that are comfortable for wide feet, check out this pair by Munro. The cute shoes come in five different widths, ranging from super slim to extra wide. They also feature an elastic back strap and padded insole for all-day comfort. Snag them in more than a dozen colors and prints ranging from neutral beige and white to cheetah and giraffe prints.

We were particularly impressed with how sturdy they were and how long they remained comfy. "I wore them to a four-hour concert where I was on my feet the entire time, standing and dancing," one of our team members said. "I was shocked by how cushiony yet supportive they were and appreciated that they didn't slide around." She also mentioned that their lightweight design makes them ideal to pack in a suitcase.

The Details: 4 to 13 | Leather, suede, vinyl, textile | 0.4 inches | Sling-back

Best Sporty

Teva Tirra Sandal

$85 at Nordstrom $85 at Zappos $85 at Walmart

If you're looking for a sporty pair of sandals to wear on long summer hikes, check out this pair by Teva. The quick-drying sandals feature a padded midsole, and they have a rubber outsole for traction to help you avoid any slips or falls. They also have shock pads in the heels and stretchy mesh-lined straps that won't cause blisters.

After testing these out, we thought the Tirras stand out as true active footwear, as they're rugged and provide a personalized feel. "These shoes offered a great fit as soon as I put them on," says T+L commerce director Jamie Hergenrader. "I like that there are three adjustable Velcro straps, so they were easy to adjust when needed to make them tighter or looser. Also, the style is nice — not as much for an everyday shoe, but as far as hiking sandals go, I like the look of these."

The Details: 5 to 11 | Polyester, nylon, rubber | Strapped

Best Heel

Steve Madden Irenee Heeled Sandal

$79 at Amazon $80 at Zappos View on Stevemadden.com

If you want to add a little polish and height to your travel looks, reach for these sleek sandals with a low block-heel by Steve Madden. The buckled ankle straps keep your feet from sliding around, and the low heel (2 inches) is an ideal height for longer periods of walking. They're so stylish, you'll want to wear them with everything from formal dresses to jeans — and because they're so comfortable, you can.

Hergenrader has owned these for years and packs them on most warm-weather trips due to their versatile style and comfort for walking around cities. T+L editor Elizabeth Rhodes, who also tested the shoes, adds that "the design is aesthetically perfect… and the heel height looks very polished, but isn't too high." And while heels might seem counterintuitive for a comfortable shoe, know this: a little height is totally okay to add into your packing lineup. In fact, it's healthier to switch up your shoe height and style from day to day, according to Dr. Sutera. You're welcome, over-packers.

The Details: 5.5 to 12 | Leather, suede, synthetic materials | 2 inches | Strapped heels

Best Flip-flop

Vionic Rest Dillon Toe Post Sandals

View on Amazon $95 at Zappos

Flip-flops aren't known for being supportive enough to wear for a full day of sightseeing, but if you need a pair for the pool or hot sand, Dr. Sutera, who is a member of Vionic's Innovation Lab, recommends the brand because of their scientific approach to shoes. The brand has been awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for promoting good foot health. The vacation-ready sandals have a thin profile with a soft sole and topsole cushioning that makes them extra comfortable.

These shoes are all about versatility. "I like that they manage to merge comfort and style," T+L commerce editor Hillary Maglin says. "I spent several days walking and standing in these on various terrains and my feet never hurt. I'll also probably pack them on my next vacation, because they'd be perfect for sightseeing in both comfort and style." Maglin notes that while the top straps were slightly loose on her narrow foot, they would probably fit shoppers with wider feet perfectly.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Leather, suede | 1.2 inches | Flip-flops

Best for High Arches

Vionic Tide II Toe Post Sandal

$70 at Amazon $90 at Zappos View on Vionicshoes.com

If you have high arches, opt for these comfortable, supportive sandals by Vionic. Not only are they incredibly lightweight, but they also feature a midsole that provides shock absorption. Their contoured design aids in stability and natural alignment. As Dr. Sutera explains, it's all about keeping your foot as neutral as possible — not pronated (rolling inward), not supinated (rolling outward), but right in the middle. The biomechanically designed sandals have even earned themselves a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

These shoes were made for taking on the day in comfort. The textured footbed received rave reviews during testing for preventing feet from slipping around, and we loved that they are plush and supportive with a substantial arch. One of our team members did say, however, that the rope-like toe divider was a bit uncomfortable, even after several wears.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Synthetic rubber, vinyl | Flip-flop

Best Traction

Keen Women's Rose Sandal

$114 at Amazon $120 at Nordstrom $115 at Zappos

If you are headed somewhere with rocky terrain or uneven cobblestone streets, you're going to want a comfy pair of sandals with great traction like this pair by Keen. The molded insole offers all-day comfort, while the ridged rubber sole and durable ankle straps provide stability as you're walking around. We especially love that the sandals are machine washable and come in 11 colors ranging from red violet to silver.

However, the comfort and walkability factors are where these shoes really shine. They proved to be pretty and stylish enough to wear to work and durable enough for long walks. Keen's "grippy sole," which includes small bumps on the inner sandal for traction, prevented any slippage when our feet got sweaty. When it came time for cleaning, we appreciated how easy it was to wipe dirt off of these sturdy sandals.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Rubber, polyester, vinyl | Semi-closed toe with straps