7 Best Hiking Sandals For Men, 60+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Do not deny yourself the pleasure of experiencing the backcountry with as much intimacy with the wild as possible. To that end, the best hiking sandals for men are for you.
The selection you see below consists of top picks we have come up with after testing over 80 pairs of men’s hiking sandals. So, whether you prefer something with which to prance around the water or need a mighty protective pair, there is no better place than here.
How we test hiking sandals
Our ad-free site houses thousands of footwear reviews, all of which are written with objectivity in mind. For the curious, we live by this approach:
- We buy men’s hiking sandals—be they dirt cheap or expensive—using our own funds. Our reviews remain unbiased this way.
- We hike in every pair on different types of terrain for days, exposing each sandal to the elements along the way.
- Our hiking sandal reviews reflect findings and reports from hundreds of gear experts and regular trail enthusiasts alike.
Together, these elements produce a CoreScore — a 0-to-100 rating system that helps us determine the best hiking sandals for men in a handful of categories.
Best hiking sandals overall for men
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking sandals.
- Top 3% in hiking sandals
- Top 7% in Chaco hiking sandals
- Top 19% most popular hiking sandals
Pros
- Attractive colorways
- Great arch support
- Ample traction
- Excellent underfoot cushioning
- Satisfying stability
Cons
- Toe straps tighten while walking
- Not best shoe for flat feet
- Tad heavy
Verdict
Ready your raging heart because there’s no better sandal for the gents than Chaco’s Z/Cloud 2! An apex predator on the trail, this piece dominates with cunning skill on all fronts.
The Z/Cloud 2 never demanded too much from us from a break-in period’s perspective. In fact, we hiked in it straight from the box and came away with highly pampered feet. Most pleasing about the sandal in this regard was how much cushioning underfoot we got out of it!
Equally benefiting about the Z/Cloud 2 is its support system. The sandal’s midfoot, in particular, granted us more than enough support around the arch for hours on end. We also give its rearfoot zone’s unmatched heel-centering capabilities extra props.
On the stability front, the Chaco Z/Cloud 2 never relented on bumpy terrain. Its plush sole unit, which includes the Luvseat footbed, adapted to the ruggedness of the trail without a hitch!
And before we forget: the Z/Cloud 2 has the grip to match its gait-correcting midsole. While the lugs on its outsole look unassuming, they helped us negotiate wet environments (think bogs and muddy hills) without slipping.
So, yeah, the Z/Cloud 2 is, from top to bottom, our greatest pick. Bag it at a discount on us!
Best men's hiking sandals for water
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking sandals.
- Top 16% in hiking sandals
- Top 20% in KEEN hiking sandals
- Top 4% most popular hiking sandals
Pros
- Exceptionally plush
- Incredible grip level
- Supportive
- Stabilizing
- Breaks in quickly
- Light
- Quick-drying
- Stink-proof
Cons
- Frail threads
- Debris-trapping confines
- Sweat-magnet
Verdict
They say that sometimes it’s better to go with the flow where wetness is all around to make the best out of your hike. In such a case, the Newport H2 can amp up your game exponentially!
Out of the 50+ pairs of men’s water hiking sandals we’ve put through the wringer, we wholeheartedly give the top spot to this amphibious bad boy. Never have we sported something this solid yet powerful (and graceful) in the water until the Newport H2 came along!
Slipping on perennially wet rocks and logs is not in the Newport H2 vocabulary. Indeed, its siped outsole reassured our every step with cat-like grip! This non-marking rubber outsole also afforded us superb traction on dusty tracks.
As for comfort, the KEEN Newport H2 gave our stout tootsies the break they deserved. While on the outside, the sandal may appear stiff, its interior tells a completely different story. Plushness everywhere was what we got within its supple confines, giving us a cozy ride all the way to the tail end of our trip!
The sandal in question made us KEEN believers in the areas of stability and support, as well. Not once did we lose our balance on uneven surfaces, and we also skipped the achy arches entirely.
Best hiking sandals with closed toe for men
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking sandals.
- Top 2% in hiking sandals
- Top 5% in KEEN hiking sandals
- Top 6% most popular hiking sandals
Pros
- Breathable
- Excellent grip
- Very supportive
- Durable
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Needs break-in
- Not for long hikes or technical terrain
Verdict
If you’ve been desperately searching for something truly out of this world, then you’d better lock your sights on the appropriately named Uneek from KEEN!
With its cordy shell, the Uneek will take you places in shoe-like protection. It’s still a sandal, though, so expect to catch the wind as you go, keeping your brawny feet fresh in the process.
In our books, one of the most unbelievable things about the KEEN Uneek is its ability to deal with small rocks and sand, especially underwater. Its footbed, we believe, was designed to flush out all manners of debris with every step. And those pesky buggers that stayed underfoot despite our best efforts were gone in a matter of seconds, all because the sandal was easy to put on and off!
Now, the KEEN Uneek is also a success story comfort-wise. Indeed, everything within its corded confines felt amazing from the off. And in shallow waters, the sandal’s footbed didn’t rub. It’s true—we didn’t sustain blisters anywhere underfoot on it.
The protectiveness and incredible water performance of the Uneek are matched by its high surface traction. While its proprietary outsole has none of the aggressive lugs seen on most of our picks here, it worked beyond our expectations on grassy hills and in wet, wooded areas.
Best Teva hiking sandals for men
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking sandals.
This shoe has a 8% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 25% in hiking sandals
- Top 14% in Teva hiking sandals
- Top 23% most popular hiking sandals
Pros
- Super comfy
- Exceptional arch support
- Stable
- Among the lightest
- Quite affordable
- Consistent sizing
- Posh
Cons
- Short toe strap
- Could be stickier
Verdict
Best closed toe hiking sandals for men
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking sandals.
This shoe has a 8% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 18% in hiking sandals
- Top 24% in KEEN hiking sandals
Pros
- Delightfully comfy
- Amazing underfoot support
- Provides grip on slippery terrain
- Dries quickly
- Non-existent break-in period
Cons
- Hard to wear
- Narrow toe box
- Lack of stitching durability
Verdict
Best value sandal hiking sandals for men
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking sandals.
- Top 11% most popular hiking sandals
Pros
- Featherweight
- Versatile in use
- Comfortable strap system
- Affordable
- Cushioned for short hikes
- Durable
- Wide foot friendly
- Stylish with plenty of colors
Cons
- Lacks traction
- Texture is felt underfoot
- Back strap is not adjustable
Verdict
After having the privilege to test several dozen pairs of men’s hiking sandals, we’re here to confirm that the Original Universal from Teva is the king of value!
In case you’re wondering, the Original Universal sells for a measly $80 a pop. Having said that, we’re quite positive that that price can even go lower through our smashing deals!
Where does the value part come in concerning this sandal, you might ask? Well, the Original Universal has the versatility for one. Whether on casual walks or water hikes, the Teva sandal in question performed like a champ.
Underfoot, the Original Universal also latched on to a variety of surfaces, including mossy wooden steps and sandy banks. But perhaps what convinced us the most about its outsole was the way it kept us going slip-free on wet fist-sized pebbles and mini boulders!
Comfort-wise, all we want to say is that the Teva Original Universal felt like a worn-in slipper right from the start. Yes, its chafe-free straps and non-slip footbed surrounded our burly feet with enduring comfort.
And with its barely-there weight, it can easily pass as a minimalist sandal. Do yourself a big favor and get the Original Universal ASAP!
Most popular hiking sandals for men
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking sandals.
This shoe has a 8% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 21% most popular hiking sandals
Pros
- True to size
- Very comfortable
- Adjustable fit
- Grippy outsoles
- Lightweight
- Chaco durability
Cons
- Break-in period
- Heel needs adjustment
- Too long straps