The 16 Best Beach Sandals in 2024

Best Overall

Reef Cushion Celine

View On Reef.com View On Dsw.com View On Zappos $45

Beach sandals need to work on both the sand and the boardwalk, which is why we’re fans of this cushioned sandal from Reef that comes highly recommended by stylist Clare Pollard. Pollard calls it her “tried-and-true brand” because they’re a bit more elevated than a typical flip-flop. (“The scallop edge adds a chic vibe making these so much more than just a basic flip flop,” she says.) But we wear them for comfort and functionality. The arch support ensures your foot still feels braced as you walk on notoriously uneven surfaces — something rare for such minimal shoes — and the water-friendly, vegan leather won’t be ruined if you inch too close to the water. Actually, you could even wear them in the water, if you wanted, and never have to worry about the sandal taking eons to dry or needing to be thrown out almost immediately. We wish they came in more bright, summer-friendly colors, but Pollard points out that the neutrals, especially the tan, “go with everything,” so you can wear them with nearly everything.

Size: 5–11 | Material: Vegan leather | Colors: 7

Best Budget

Ipamena Ana Flip Flop

View On Amazon View On Shoecarnival.com View On Shopbop.com

Rubber flip-flops probably come instantly to mind when you think of sandals you can just slip into a beach bag before heading out. Great on sand and typically at an affordable price, the sandals won’t break your heart if they need to be tossed after a summer (or even just one vacation) of continuous wear. However, this pair from Ipanema won’t be destined for the trash bin anytime soon. The signature style from the Brazilian brand comes in endless color and pattern options (the glitter is our favorite) and lots of comfortable features. Made with a no-slip rubber sole, these babies are designed to last for years, so they won’t fall apart in the middle of your beach day. Unlike other basic flip flops, The footbed on these is anatomically molded, offering more arch support than other similar designs.

Size: 5–11 | Material: Rubber | Colors: 34

Best Splurge

Valentino Garavani Rockstud Jelly Sandal

View On Nordstrom $490 View On Neiman Marcus $550

If you plan on spending most of your time lounging on the beach instead of walking on it, Toronto-based stylist Kim Appelt suggests prioritizing style, like the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Jelly Sandal, an elevated beach shoe that is both fashionable and flexible.

The strappy gladiator design keeps feet secure, and the sole of the shoe features a pronounced tread to prevent you from slipping on wet surfaces. The addition of the studs also makes them a bit dressier, so you can easily wear them out for a nice lunch or an afternoon of shopping, too. “A good tip is to pick a sandal that is in a neutral color so it can go from the beach to dinner and will match many outfits,” Appelt says. Similar to the Ipanema flip-flops mentioned before, these shoes also aren’t offered in half sizes and run a bit small, so we recommend sizing up for the best fit possible.

Size: 5–11 | Material: PVC | Colors: 3

Most Comfortable

Birkenstock Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Essentials EVA

View On Nordstrom $50 View On Dick's $50 View On Sunandski.com

Dr. Brad Schaeffer, a New York City-based board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon at Central Park SOLE stresses the importance of selecting a comfortable beach sandal that offers ample heel and arch support. While he says the original hemp and leather Birks offer the “sturdiest soles, original attention to the footbed (designed to anatomically fit the foot), and quality of materials,” the waterproof PVC version offers the same support, but they’re better suited for a day at the beach.

You can walk long lengths in the pair, but we found they got a bit sticky if your feet sweat while wearing them. That doesn’t impact the comfort, though, because the cushioned footbed is contoured to keep feet supported and absorb shock, ultimately fending off pain while walking across all sorts of terrain, including uneven sand. The adjustable uppers also offer another layer of support, ensuring feet stay snug and don’t slip around. They’re available in extended sizing to accommodate wider feet, and overall, we think they run large, so we recommend sizing down for the best fit.

Size: Regular/Wide, Medium/Narrow in whole sizes 4–12 | Material: PVC | Colors: 11

Best Luxury

Bottega Veneta Carpet Rubber Slide Sandals

View On Net-a-Porter $520 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $520 View On Bottegaveneta.com

If you are going to go designer, go all in with these durable rubber slides from Bottega Veneta, which generally wear better and last longer than flimsy sandals. Recommended by Pollard, the slides feature graphic embossed uppers, treaded soles, and a comfortable molded footbed. Pollard considers these “a feel-good splurge” because the dense rubber will hold up through multiple seasons with minimal wear and tear — even when worn on sand. While neutrals like white, beige and black are times, she suggests going for the green. “It’s neon which adds a fun pop to neutral colors in the summer.” The unisex sizing makes these a bit wider than other options, so they may not be the best for those with narrow feet.

Size: 4–13 | Material: Rubber | Colors: 7

Best Dressy

Ancient Greek Kentima Slides

View On Saks Fifth Avenue $141 View On Shopbop.com $113 View On Ancient-greek-sandals.com

Whether you like to dress up for a day on the shoreline or have a summer beach wedding to attend, investing in a pair of elegant beach-friendly sandals should be on your list. Pollard recommends looking for metallics because they look more elevated than other colors and are neutral enough to go with everything. She is a huge fan of Ancient Greek Sandals, a brand she relies on for high-quality, handmade shoes.

This pair in particular features “metallic striped embroidery [that] makes them a perfect choice to compliment a dressy, fun, beach-friendly party ensemble,” she explains. “They also pair well day-to-day with denim shorts and a white tee.”

Size: 5–11 | Material: Leather, rubber sole | Colors: 1

Best Waterproof

Tory Burch Bubble Jelly Slide Sandal

View On Amazon $188 View On Nordstrom $104 View On Zappos $188

As an adult version of jelly sandals we used to wear as kids, the Tory Burch bubble slides envelop feet in a cushiony cloud, keeping them comfortable all day. They come in eight fun shades, like fluorescent yellow with a semi-opaque blue sole or neon pink, all of which look playful enough for a quintessential summer day at the beach in your favorite bikini. Even with such punchy colors, Brown imagines wearing them with a crisp pair of linen slacks or a feminine sundress. But like all good things worth waiting for, you need to be patient with this pair because they require a break-in period. The rubber pair, which has a heavier feeling sole than other beach shoes, can dig into the sides of your foot when worn for too long at first, but we promise they’ll loosen up.

Size: 4–13 | Material: Plastic, TPU  | Colors: 12

Best Slides

Beek Surfbird Leather Slides

View On Nordstrom $128 View On Beekshop.com View On Anthropologie $240

Up your slide game with Beek’s take on classic summer sandals. The soft, naturally tanned leather epitomizes low-key luxury — but don’t be fooled: Behind the minimalist design the shoe is equipped with a memory foam cushion and molded arch to cradle and comfort your feet. The rubber outsole — made out of 40 percent sustainable materials, FYI — makes them beach-friendly. However, you might not want to get them too wet to keep the buttery soft leather looking fresh.

Size: 5–11 | Material: Leather, rubber outsole | Colors: 5

Best Flip-Flops

Tkees Lily Nudes

View On Tkees.com $55

Tkees’ Lily sandal is the string bikini version of a flip-flop: Minimalist, timeless, and oddly flattering on all foot types. Over a decade ago the brand’s husband-and-wife team designed the barely-there leather shoe in five nude shades, which Appelt says have become “versatile classics.” Since then, the style has become so popular that it’s now available in over 75 colors, textures, and prints — but we’re partial to the Nudes line, which offers 13 hues to look like a second skin.

Along with Jennifer Lopez and Eva Longoria, we wear these on repeat summer after summer, pairing them with swimsuits, sweats, and even slinky dresses. We continuously reach for these because the cushioned insole — which is handcrafted from soft Brazilian leather — makes them extremely comfortable. But because they are a go-to, they wear down pretty quickly. In fact, we find ourselves wearing them so often that we need to repurchase them at the beginning of every summer season.

Sizes: 5–11 | Material: Leather, rubber | Colors: 13

Best for Beach Sports

Teva Women's Original Universal Sandals

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom $36 View On Teva.com

If your average day at the beach involves beach volleyball or other sports, you should opt for a sandal that offers stability, good grip, and flexibility for quick movements and changing directions, says Appelt. “Look for styles with durable outsoles and secure straps to keep your feet protected and stable,” she says. And of course, that leads us to Tevas, which have been on the feet of outdoor enthusiasts for decades on end.

“I love how functional and comfortable Teva sandals are. Not the most flattering on the foot but it's super lightweight and easy to wear,” says New York-based stylist Beverly Osemwenkhae of ProjectBee Wardrobe Consulting. We’re willing to set aside the style perspective, though, because the quick-dry sandal comes in lots of fun color options, including white, multi-colored and animal print, which can add a bit more oomph to a rather plain shoe.

Size: 5–14 | Material: EVA and recycled plastic | Colors: 46

Best for Walking on Sand

Reef Water Vista Sandals

View On Amazon $60 View On Dsw.com View On Sunandski.com

For long walks on the beach, Osemwnkhae recommends sticking to sandals with straps along the foot and around the ankle. “For leisurely long walks you want to consider having a sandal that has a comfortable sole, nothing too hard or flat,” she says.

The Reef Water Vista is one of the brand’s most popular styles for several reasons — style, comfort, support, and traction included. Constructed out of all water-friendly, synthetic materials, the espadrille-inspired sandal cradles and cushions the foot with its compression-molded EVA footbed. And, with double straps and a velcro backstrap, you won’t have to worry about them slipping off your feet.

Size: 5–11 | Material: EVA, TPU | Colors: 13

Best Leather

OluKai Huawai Flip Flop

View On Nordstrom $120 View On Zappos $86 View On Dick's $120

A refined leather flip-flop with ample arch support is a bit of a unicorn when it comes to beach sandals. However, OluKai crafted a sleek leather shoe that cradles your feet in all the right places, is deceivingly comfortable and offers ample traction for walking across uneven sand.

While definitely a minimalistic style, Pollard notes that some of the design details elevate its look. “The knotted leather [strap] makes an otherwise basic flip-flop unique and stylish,” she says. “I also appreciate the slim design, which won’t draw attention or take away from an outfit." They’re a bit more substantial than the Tkees sandals, which will help anyone who has continuous pain in their feet. But they don’t come in quite as many colors. Though it’s offered in three neutral shades, including two metallic options, we wish there were a few bright options available.

Size: 5—11 | Material: Leather, rubber | Colors: 3

Best Platform

Crocs Crush Sandal

View On Crocs.com View On Zappos $38

Those deep in the early-aught, Y2K trend will find the Crocs Crush sandal seriously satisfying. Transfer all your Jibbitz charms over to the more beach-friendly version of the OG Crocs clog. With a double strap design and two-inch platform, these fun-but-functional slip-ons offer the lightweight comfort and support the brand is famous for with a little added height.

However, like most of the Crocs styles out there, the clunkyish rubber shoe isn’t for everyone. For an even more fashion-forward alternative, check out the “ugly” but imposible-to-get-ahold-of Mega Crush. That is, if you can find them in your size.

Size: 4-15 | Material: Thermoplastic | Colors: 11

Best Espadrilles

J.Crew Knotted Espadrille Slides

View On Jcrew.com

J.Crew continues celebrating its 40th anniversary by throwing back to some of its most iconic designs, like the espadrille. The Made-in-Spain knotted espadrille offers a beachy twist to the traditional with durable and incredibly soft leather straps knotted in the middle. Whether you opt for white or gold, the laid-back slide will become a summer staple in your wardrobe, especially because it goes with pretty much everything — from a one-piece swimsuit to a strappy dress. Just be sure not to get these shoes wet, as they are constructed out of leather and jute. We imagine them more for hot sand and boardwalks, rather than running straight into the sea.

Size: 5–12 | Material: Leather, polyurethane, polyester, viscose jute, thermoplastic rubber sole | Colors: 2

Best Arch Support

Vionic Rejuvenate Recovery Sandals

View On Nordstrom $80 View On Zappos $80 View On Walmart $80

Orthopedic shoes used to be, well, ugly. However, times have-a-changed. Dr. Schaeffer’s top pick for arch support? Vionic Recovery Sandals, which he calls “great to throw on after a long day of activity to offload tired feet.” These weirdly adorable slides are “easy on the feet and have great arch support,” he maintains.

Their molded EVA footbed and deep heel cup perfectly cradle feet with high arches, while a dual-density midsole and textured footbed keeps the foot balanced and massaged – all while offering a two-inch platform. They also come in a bunch of catchy color combinations, ranging from a perfectly neutral white to a purple and pink two-tone. While they are a great option for those with normal to wide feet, those who skew on the narrow side might slide around in them.

Size: 5-14 | Material: EVA, rubber | Colors: 9