14 Best Sandals for Men in 2025, According to GQ

No matter where your preferences land on the Toes Out spectrum, the best sandals for men will persuade you to embrace a barely-there summer slip-on. Why? Simple: we’re living through a golden age of sandals. It started with Birkenstocks, then Crocs, then Keens, then we reeled it back into more dignified waters with fisherman sandals. And if the current craze for flip-flops isn’t proof enough that sandals have reached a fever pitch, we don’t know what to tell you.

Sandals have more range these days than you remember. They span from fuddy-duddy dad sandals (the ones he wears unironically with socks) to refined leather sandals that look better with dress pants than cargo shorts to the gauche, off-kilter joints favored by the freakiest of fashion enjoyers. If you’re open to sandals, there’s a pair for you. So we put all of our feet together and looked at as many sandals as we could, tested each one for good measure, and distilled them down to the best of the best.

Featured in this article

The Best Sandals Overall

Birkenstock Arizona Sandals

Read More

$155

Nordstrom

The Best Sandals for Hiking

Chaco Z/1 Sandals

Read More

$105

REI

The Best Indoor/Outdoor Sandals

Keen Uneek Sandal

Read More

$140 $113 (19% off)

Amazon

Show more

It’s best not to mess with perfection, and the Arizona is as close to perfect as sandals come. Originally released in 1973, the Arizona was Birkenstock’s third shoe ever—and first crack at a two-strap design—and they haven’t made many changes since, because they nailed it out of the gate. The iconic iteration features two adjustable suede (or leather) straps atop a super comfy cork footbed that molds to your foot with each wear, and a rubber outsole for added traction and an overall smooth ride. They look great with shorts, with pants, with socks or without, and are the rare sandal that can handle some serious summer miles without wrecking your feet. In other words, the only sandals you need, every day of the week. (Oh, and if you’re *really* trying to maximize comfort, make sure you get the Soft Footbed.)

“I’m an avowed Boston-wearer—I (literally) wear through a new pair every year—but it was actually the Arizona’s that made me fall in love with the pillow-soft cork footbed and the slightly bulbous toe box,” says Style Commerce Writer Reed Nelson. “Even after adding a few other sandals to the quiver, there’s none that I wear more consistently (or more recklessly) than Arizona’s, and they’ve yet to let me down.”

As its name implies, the Keen Uneek is one of the more inimitable sandals out there. For starters, it’s got as much sneaker DNA coursing through its veins as it does sandal—particularly in regards to the grippy outsole and bungee lacing system—but due to an upper made almost entirely of cords and an open back, it also wears like a sandal, albeit an impossibly comfortable, super supportive one. Do they dress up? Not really, but that’s not the point. Think of these instead like a specialty shoe with everyday aspirations. Or maybe just like a hammock, but for your feet.

“These are easily some of the most comfy sandals I’ve ever worn,” says Style Commerce Writer, Gerald Ortiz. That’s saying a lot coming from a guy who’s sole slip-ons of choice for eight years were Birkenstocks. He says that the EVA sole in tandem with the cork insole feels squishy but supportive and the webbed upper is plenty breezy, but doesn’t give the world free tickets to the Little Piggies show. As for style, they look great peeking out of a pair of baggy trousers as well as with short shorts.

We love a huarache around these parts, mostly because they provide a cheeky, extremely practical middle ground between the breathability of a sandal and the elegance of a loafer. And when it comes to huaraches, no one does ‘em better than the comfort- and sustainability-minded Nisolo. Their hand woven uppers break-in easily, allowing your feet to breathe on even the hottest days, while the no-slip rubber sole helps them handle everything from the pool to the bar. Which means that if you find yourself with room for just one pair of shoes in that weekend bag, pack these.

You know who else really likes Nisolo’s huaraches—besides, like, every dad with a sprawling “cottage” in Westhampton? Chris Pine. When he’s not gleefully freaking it on the red carpet or en route to the gym, Hollywood’s shaggiest Chris swears by the brand’s flagship silhouette, wearing ‘em with an enviable disregard for occasion we’ve saluted time and time again. Much to his chagrin, GQ commerce editor Avidan Grossman is not Chris Pine. (In person, Grossman insists, the physical similarity is uncanny.) But Grossman praises Nisolo’s huaraches for the exact reasons we imagine Pine prizes them: stellar craftsmanship and all-day comfort, at a price that belies the quality involved. “Fellas,” he says, “to misquote the poet laureate of our era: let those dogs breathe.”

For more picks, check out our guide to the best huarache sandals.

The Fisherman Sandal’s rise has been meteoric. There are a few reasons for this—big-time cosigns, killer options, a creeping sneaker and/or loafer malaise—but we think it’s also because they’re just cool-looking shoes that look good with an unexpectedly large number of pants and shorts. And the Vinny’s Fisherman Sandal is as good as good gets: they can get all dressed up under a suit, look delightfully insouciant with a pair of white socks and big shorts, frame the ankle nicely when worn barefoot, and generally turn a good outfit into a great one. They also happen to look best with a little wear, so smoke ’em if you got ‘em.

Since 2020, Vinny’s has been hawking best-in-class hard-bottoms to guys weaned on rare sneakers. From the outset, the upstart Danish brand imbued even its swankiest shoes with a no-frills, laid-back bent befitting its Scandi provenance. It’s sublime fisherman sandals, though, lean into the silhouette’s dressy vibe—and are all the better for it. “Are these the fanciest sandals on this list?” GQ commerce editor Avidan Grossman asks rhetorically. “Absolutely.” But, Grossman notes, they just might be the most deceptively versatile, too. In the last week alone, he’s worn them with fraying jeans and a striped button-up; sawed-off carpenter shorts and a white tee; and a gloriously rumpled linen suit and what he calls a “tie”. Grossman prefers to wear ‘em with socks, but he wouldn’t fault you for ditching the hosiery. When in doubt, he says, think “WWAD—What Would Armani Do?” and orient your outfit accordingly.

For more, take a look at our complete guide of the best fisherman sandals.

There’s a reason that basically every river guide I’ve ever encountered wears Chacos. They have the traction of a hiking boot, the support of a sneaker, last forever, and are more comfortable in the water than most creatures with gills. Really the only thing to consider is whether you want to lock in your big toe or let it stretch out a bit. After much consideration, we opted for no toe sling, allowing for added sock—and thus trail—potential. The bottom line: if you’re trying to get off-road this summer, prefer a sandal, and need one that can keep up, they don’t make them any better than this.

“The first time I ever ran a river, I wore Teva’s because I liked Teva’s and because Teva’s are essentially unbeatable all-terrain sandals,” says Nelson. “But every single person who was hardcore about running rivers was out there wearing Chaco’s,” because, found out, Chaco’s absolutely rip in the outdoors, and they last forever. “I kept my Teva’s for a while longer, but once I made the switch, I ran the Z/1’s for years on end.”

For the self-identifying sophisticates in the audience, the only sandals you’ll entertain are ones that can feasibly pair with your quietly luxurious wardrobe full of neutral tones and wide silhouettes. That means a pair of sandals made of premium leathers designed with a refined eye for chic silhouettes and minimalist style. You can find a super yacht’s worth of fancy sandals on the market these days, but our favorites happen to be from the American menswear wizard, Todd Snyder. His Nomad sandals feature luscious suede at the uppers and lining the molded footbed. They’re crafted in Tuscany by shoe artisans using old-school techniques and are as premium as a pair of sandals can get.

For more great leather sandals, check out the best leather sandals for men.

Flip-flop discourse is at an all-time high with Copenhagen fashion girlies, menswear influencers, and runway designers all getting in on the infectious trend. While the humble thong sandal has expanded stylistically (and cost-wise), a pair of Hari Maris is perhaps the best rendition of the genre. It’s more robust than the cheap and cheerful Havaianas, but more down-to-earth than the Auralee’s and The Row’s of the world. The soft nubuck leather, plush memory foam, and grippy rubber soles coalesce to make something that’s greater than the sum of its parts and could convince many staunch flip-flop haters to change their position.

For more options, check out the best men’s flip-flops.

This was a harder category to decide than you’d imagine—the power of the slide means there are a lot of players in the space, but it’s just a big ol’ problem for the competition that the Adilette is still undefeated. Comfortable, affordable and as classic as any piece of modern footwear, regardless of genre, the original remains the best. Do these dress up? Not even remotely, but that’s not their job.

“You can try to find more comfortable, more interesting, whatever, but please know you really don’t have to,” says Nelson, who thinks the beauty of the Adilette lies in its simplicity: “because you can’t adjust it, your foot always can slide in. There’s no added weight on the strap, no hardware to fasten, just pure, uncut comfort a single shuffle away. And pasta on DoorDash will run you more than a pair, so that helps.”

Yes, wearing socks with sandals is perfectly acceptable! In fact, under the right circumstances, we actually encourage it. But like many a swerve, socks-and-sandals require a little extra consideration when it comes to both outfit and proportions. Thicker sandals should always be paired with hefty socks, for instance. A pair of hiking socks with Arizonas, pleated shorts, and a rumpled Oxford shirt? LFG.

That depends on the sandal and on the dress code. If it’s a garden wedding or something on a beach, absolutely—you can mess around with some huaraches, something strappy, or even a two-strap design, assuming they’re still looking presentable. On the other side, however, there aren’t many sandals that we’d advise wearing to a black tie function.

Having been with us for centuries, there are now types of sandals to be worn for every activity under the sun. Whether you’re on the hunt for a comfortable sandal for long walks or a low-profile leather design to complete your next date-night look, you’ll of course want to buy something to meet your specific needs. With that in mind, here are a few important things to look out for:

• Fit and function: Sandals are, of course, shoes, but there are notable differences from dress shoes and sneakers when it comes to finding your size. This is a good thing: While you don’t want to be spilling over the edges, there are usually fewer confines with sandals, meaning you can allow yourself a little less room than you would with a closed-toe shoe—too much room and you’ll be left with a lot of visible footbed. Straps should fit snugly without being tight, and do remember that leather straps will stretch over time.
• Looks and comfort: When it comes to comfort, always note the footbed and sole. The most forgiving tend to be made of rubber, but a soft cork bed will compete with anything else. Those made of leather tend to require a bit of break-in, but they’ll mold to your foot over time. And along those lines, leather sandals tend to work better in the city, while something that can handle the elements is preferable on the trail.
• Quality construction: If you want a sandal to last the long haul, keep materials in mind. For the purposes of this guide, we chose to prioritize sandals that were made with real leather and nylon webbing, as well as time-tested methods and hardware—forgoing any made with synthetic leather or rubbers that wear down quickly and can’t be resoled.

Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.

Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.

We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.

To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.

We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.

Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best of the category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.

Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there’s bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. (Read more about GQ’s testing process here.)

Production Credits
Photographs by Bowen Fernie and Natalie Piserchio
Styled by Tyler Austin