7 Best Hiking Sandals in 2023

There is more to this classic, colorful sandal than meets the eye. Not only does it have excellent arch support, but the cushioning in this grippy sandal is a cut above the rest. There can only be one best overall hiking sandal, and it’s the Teva Hurricane XLT2.

The arch support in this sandal is a welcome change from the featureless footbeds of most other sandals. The contours and raised arch support our feet and keep our feet secure in the sandal, even while hiking on uneven paths and inclines. It gets a thumbs up from us, especially for hikers with flat feet or overpronators.

Whether we found ourselves hiking on wet or dry rock, loose gravel or shallow mud, the functional triangular pattern on the outsole prevented us from slipping. In the lab we measured the lugs, finding them to be an impressive 3.5 mm. Our lab-tested sandals have 2.5 mm lugs on average. The Teva Hurricane XLT2, on the other hand, is comparable to some hiking shoes. No wonder we felt footsure on our hikes!

This sandal has taken more inspiration from the hiking shoe in the form of cushioning. With a 30.9 mm heel stack height, it is 5.5 mm higher than the average sandal, and approaching the average stack height of 33.5 for hiking shoes. The 11.9 mm heel-to-toe drop almost convinced us that we were wearing hiking shoes, too! It makes for a very comfortable ride, and the sheer quantity of material underfoot kept our feet protected from rocks and other sharp objects.

With such a hiking-shoe-like feel to the Teva Hurricane XLT2, it is easy to forget about watching our step. The open toe leaves us vulnerable to stubbing our toes on rough terrain. Hikers looking for a closed-toe hiking sandal for maximum toe-protection should take a look at the KEEN Newport H2.

That distinct silhouette from KEEN is back, this time in the guise of a hiking sandal that is comfortable from day one. Perfect for hiking on established trails on hot summer days, we were astounded by the amount of protection, stability, and grip offered by the KEEN Newport H2, making it our most protective hiking sandal.

There’s nothing minimalist about the sole of this sandal. Our measurements showed the heel stack height comes in at 29.4 mm. That’s 6.7 mm thicker than the average hiking sandal, not to mention approaching the 33 mm average for hiking shoes! The amount of material underfoot keeps our soles protected from sharp objects on the trail, making the KEEN Newport H2 a great alternative to hiking shoes in the summer.

This sandal really shines in the support arena. It has top-notch arch support and feels super stable when hiking along rough and rocky trails. We measured the width of the outsole in the lab and were amazed to find it measures a whopping 121.1 mm at the forefoot and 88.8 mm at the heel. For reference, the average hiking sandal measures 96 mm at the forefoot, and even hiking boots measure 113.5 mm. Best friend of wide-footed hikers, it also explains the stability we experienced on our hikes.

The toe cap keeps our foot protected from stubbing on stray roots, and the sandals grip well in both wet and dry conditions. Our lab measurements backed up our observations - the lugs measure 4.1 mm deep, almost the same as the average hiking shoe (4.3 mm)! For all this support and protection, this sandal tips the scales at 13.4 oz (381g) - 2.3 oz (314g) heavier than average.

For hikers who spend a lot of time adventuring over loose terrain, we recommend looking elsewhere. The enclosed design makes it hard to get dirt and debris out of the sandal without taking it off.

We tested numerous hiking sandals in the lab and on the trail, but only one is worthy of the title of best lightweight hiking sandal, and that is the Teva Original Universal. Not only is it exceptionally lightweight compared to the competition, but this simple, versatile sandal is also durable for its weight.

It was easy to forget we were wearing anything on our feet during our test hikes in the Teva Original Universal! In the lab, our scales declared this sandal weighs an impressive 6.3 oz (179g). Compared to the average sandal which weighs 10.2 oz (288g), this is an astoundingly lightweight option!

Its simple style makes it fit in anywhere, from city streets to easy hiking trails and everything in between. With a 15.9 mm stack height, it’s by no means a chunky hiking sandal, especially when compared to the average of 25.4 mm, and in fact rocks a more minimalist, barefoot feel. All that considered, we still felt our feet were supported and protected from stepping on sharp objects. Our lab investigations uncovered a firmer midsole of 35.1 HA (compared to the average of 28.4 HA), making it surprisingly protective.

There is more to this sandal than meets the eye, and we were impressed by its durability. The outsole is 29% thicker than average for hiking sandals: more material means it's slower to wear out. To top it off, we pressed a durometer to the outsole and measured 84.8 HC, which is around the same hardness as the average in hiking sandals. We expect to put in a lot of miles in these sandals before replacing them!

On the other hand, there are no lugs to speak of. The triangle pattern of the outsole doesn’t offer much grip on slippery surfaces or inclines. We don’t recommend this sandal for technical hiking.

Based on our lab tests and actual submerged adventures, Teva’s Hurricane Drift is the best floatable hiking sandal. It feels light and comfortable on foot as this sandal is made entirely of foam. Even as we venture through river banks and slippery rocks, we remain sure-footed thanks to its grip and stable platform.

Drift gives a barely-there feel. Our scales confirm it’s a light 7.2 oz (204g) vs. the average hiking sandal (9.4 oz/267g). We can swim without worries as this sandal floats right up. We don’t stay wet for long as the foamy straps repel water easily.

We feel at home in the soft cushion, which our caliper measured at 28.9/18.5 mm. Both figures are above average, especially in the heel where impact protection is needed most. The forefoot gives the needed ground feel to navigate tricky terrains better. Our durometer confirms Drift’s velvet touch, measuring 20.6% softer than average.

Grip is a 10/10 as Drift performs effortlessly on our wear tests on slippery and rocky surfaces. Maintaining our balance is a breeze since Drift gives enough width and stiffness to prevent awkward foot movements. The 94.8 mm heel and 105.6 mm toebox are extra wide for stable landings and natural toe splay.

Unfortunately, the forefoot strap is not adjustable. Those of us with narrow feet didn’t get the secure lockdown we wanted.

The Hoka Hopara is an excellent choice for hikers looking for a high-stack hiking sandal for all day on the trail. With its superbly cushioned midsole, plenty of space for wider feet, and the toothy lugs boasting fabulous grip, we dub the Hoka Hopara our number one hiking sandal with the best cushioning.

We have no fear of stepping on sharp rocks or edges in the Hopara. With more cushioning than the majority of running shoes in our lab, the extra-thick midsole provides ample support while hiking while still being comfortable and springy. Altogether this is an unbelievably comfortable hiking sandal and we didn’t want to take them off at the end of the day!

We don’t just feel protected from the ground - the closed toe prevents painful stubs and the rubber toe bumper protects the upper from scuffs and scrapes, prolonging the lifetime of the sandal. Yet despite the closed toe, we still have loads of wiggle-room up front, and we experienced no pinching or compression.

The 4 mm lugs of the Hopara are generous for hiking sandals, given that the average across our lab-tested specimens is 2-2.5 mm! We had no trouble with traction on loose ground, gravel, or smooth rock.

Weighing in at 12.6 oz (357g), we can’t call the Hopara a lightweight sandal – at least, not when our lab average is 9.4 oz (267g). Those looking for a lighter sandal for lighter days might want to look at other options.

A hiking sandal doesn’t have to be flimsy or minimalist. We decided on the Chaco Z/Cloud as the most comfortable hiking sandal because of the plush comfort it delivers in the midsole and footbed. Boasting excellent grip on loose ground, there is more to the Chaco Z/Cloud than meets the eye.

Chaco’s trademarked Luvseat midsole is made of dual-density polyurethane. On our hikes, we were astounded by the feeling of cushioning balanced with the support that the midsole delivers. Our feet felt stable and supported on rough trails, whilst the squishy material underfoot acted as a shock absorber. The podiatrist-approved Luvseat footbed is blissfully comfortable too, providing superb comfort and support. We experienced all-day comfort in the Z/Cloud – we love the Luvseat!

The ChacoGrip outsole works wonders on loose, soft ground. The 3 mm lugs are designed with multidirectional slipping in mind, and our feet gripped well on cambered trails as well as inclines.

Hikers with narrow feet might find it difficult to get a good fit in the Chaco Z/Cloud. In our experience, it suits average to wide-footed hikers best.