5 days ago
I tested the best hiking sandals in 2025 for comfort, traction and more
The best hiking sandals we tested
Best hiking sandals: Teva Grandview Max Hiking Sandals
Best open hiking sandals: Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pro Adjustable Strap Classic Sandals Whether you're crossing streams while hiking or love the open feeling they provide, the best hiking sandals are an essential piece of gear for anyone trying to hit the trails this summer. They don't provide as much protection or stability as traditional hiking boots, but in exchange, sandals are lighter, dry faster and give you a much freer feeling.
While a pair of cheap flip-flops will quickly break and leave you with a rolled ankle if you take them out on the trails, hiking sandals are designed to be durable and grippy so you can wear them on any kind of hike.
To find the best, I wore 12 pairs on trails in my hometown of Boulder, Colorado, and in the raging spring flow of Boulder Creek. After my rigorous testing, I found two of the best hiking sandals you can buy right now.
Teva Men's Grandview Max Hiking Sandals
Striking the perfect balance between the support of shoes and the openness of sandals, these hiking sandals from Teva were a no-brainer for our top spot.
Teva Women's Grandview Max Hiking Sandals
The Teva Grandview Max sandals had the best grip and the best support of any hiking sandals I tested. Chaco Men's Z/1 Rapid Pro Adjustable Strap Classic Sandals
If you want a more open feel, the Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pro sandals are the ones for you. They still have excellent grip and support while exposing your feet more than the Tevas.
Chaco Women's Z/1 Rapid Pro Adjustable Strap Classic Sandals
The Z-shaped design of these Chaco sandals provided the most support out of any sandals that didn't have uppers, and the Vibram soles were nearly as grippy as the Grandview Max sandals. What differentiates a good pair of hiking sandals from $10 flip-flops is grip and stability. In my testing, there wasn't a pair of sandals that performed better in those areas than the Teva Grandview Max Hiking Sandals. They grip well on rocks and loose dirt, are comfortable and are the only pair of sandals I'd want to wear on intense hikes.
The Teva Grandview Max sandals had amazing grip in my testing and the best traction of any pair I tried. Teva utilizes Vibram Megagrip on the outsoles, which provides an incredible amount of grip and durability. I was able to climb up steep rocks without slipping, thanks to this sticky rubber.
A couple of other pairs also had Vibram Megagrip, and while they also performed well when testing grip on a steep rock face, the Tevas blew the competition out of the water when it came to hiking in loose dirt. During my tests, I wore each pair while descending and ascending a steep slope filled with rocks, scree and loose dirt, and the Grandview Max sandals had the most grip by far. This is because these hiking sandals have a much more aggressive tread and deeper lugs than any other sandals in my testing pool. The combination of these aggressive lugs and Vibram Megagrip gave them a clear advantage in traction, no matter the terrain.
While the Grandview Max sandals provide the same traction as some hiking shoes, you might prefer sandals for their ability to work in the water. Luckily, these Tevas kept their top-notch performance even when I was walking in the knee-deep water of Boulder Creek. Whether I was stomping on slippery underwater rocks or loose dirt by the shore, I had much better grip and traction in these than in any other sandals I tested.
Besides grip, stability is a big factor when it comes to hiking sandals. This is typically where sandals fall short compared to hiking shoes, since they have less material surrounding your foot to provide support. However, the Teva Grandview Max sandals have soft, comfortable uppers that also keep your feet locked into place. Whether I was twisting my ankle on tree roots or wading through gushing water, the sandals felt securely attached to my feet and much more supportive than any other pair.
The Grandview Max sandals are also some of the most comfortable I tested. I didn't experience any hot spots from the uppers or the straps, and the midsoles are plush and provide tons of cushion underneath your feet. These sandals can also be adjusted in three different ways — at the heel, the toe box and around the ankle — to achieve the perfect, secure fit.
If I had to pick one pair of sandals to go hiking in, it would be the Teva Grandview Max Hiking Sandals. They provide the best traction and support out the sandals in my testing pool, not to mention they're comfortable. The only real downside? You won't get that open feeling of wearing sandals that many people love. They're not a minimalist pair at all, and your feet aren't as exposed as other pairs. This could be a good thing, since you'll get less dirt and rocks stuck in your sandals while hiking, but some might not like the feel if they're dedicated to letting their toes breathe.
If you don't mind a pair with uppers and don't need your entire foot to be exposed in each sandal, the Teva Grandview Max are a no-brainer. I'd feel comfortable wearing them on a relaxed day at the lake or an adventurous alpine hike. And even though they outperformed all their competitors, they're priced right alongside the other performance-oriented sandals at $130.
If you don't want your toes to feel claustrophobic at all but still need top-tier performance on the trail, the Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pros are for you. They don't utilize uppers like the Teva Grandview Max, and instead have a Z strap that cradles your feet and provides a surprising amount of support. Plus, the Z/1 Rapid Pros also feature Vibram Megagrip, which gives these kicks some of the best grip you'll find in any sandals.
While the Teva Grandview Max had the best traction of all the sandals I tested, the Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pros weren't far behind. They were identically grippy on my rock tests, and I was able to do my best mountain goat impression up steep slopes. Where they fell a bit short was when I was hiking up and down the hill with loose dirt. They still performed great, but the Chaco sandals don't have lugs as deep or as aggressive as the Tevas, which meant they couldn't dig into the loose ground as well.
When I brought these Chacos to the creek, they further cemented their spot as one of the best pairs I tested. Not only did they provide admirable traction when I was hopping from one wet rock to another but they felt very secure and had a decent amount of support. The straps of the Chacos can't compete with the uppers of the Grandview Max, but the Z formation of these Chaco sandals gave the best support of any strap configuration I tried. The straps encircle your feet so no matter what direction your ankle is rolling, they don't slide around too much.
My one qualm with the straps is that when I fully tightened everything in preparation for a hike, the tail of the straps were so long that they were dragging on the ground. They could easily be tucked in somewhere, but it's a complaint I also saw on online reviews, and it was a small annoyance in my testing. All in all, though, the support of these straps is what propelled the Z/1 Rapid Pros into our winners circle, even though the Bedrock Cairn Evo Pro were close behind.
The only other downside I encountered with the Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pro might not be a negative for everyone. They have contoured soles to provide ample arch support, so if you have high arches or like that support, you'll love them; however, some may find the extra support uncomfortable if they don't conform to their foot shape. Also, since the contour of the soles is meant to hug your feet tightly, when small pieces of dirt or pebbles inevitably get stuck between your feet and the shoes, the debris is extremely hard to get out. When I was traipsing through the river, a tiny, sharp pebble got stuck underneath one foot and was quite painful until I sat down, loosened the strap on my sandal and shook it out.
The Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pro offer a freer feeling while you're hiking, and your feet will be able to soak up a lot more sun than in the Teva Grandview Max Hiking Sandals. While they have a similar amount of traction, you're giving up the support of the uppers with this Chaco pick. Plus, the contoured design might not be for everyone. But if you don't need that extra support and want to feel the wind between your toes, there's no better pick than the Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pros.
I searched the web for the best and most popular hiking sandals on the market, selecting 12 pairs to add to my testing pool. From barefoot and close-toed options to cult-favorite brands like Teva and Chaco, I wore each of the hiking sandals on dry trails and in the raging Boulder Creek to test them for comfort, grip, stability and more. Below are all the tests I completed during testing.
Performance
Comfort: I wore each pair of sandals for a few days in a row around town and on dog walks to get a general sense of how each pair felt on my feet.
Traction: I hiked in every single pair and conducted a series of traction tests on steep rocks and loose dirt on the same hill. After I hiked on dry trails, I took all the sandals to Boulder Creek to test them in the water.
Stability and security: While hiking both in and out of the river, I paid attention to how much support each pair of sandals provided. I also paid attention to how secure they felt on my feet.
Durability: During and after all testing, I closely examined each pair of sandals for any wear and tear. I also thoroughly tested all straps and closures and judged if they felt durable or not.
Design
Fit: After wearing each pair of sandals for a few days and on hikes, I judged how well they fit compared to the other sandals.
Adjustability: I counted how many ways I could adjust each pair of sandals and used all of them to see how easy those adjustments were to make.
Weight: I weighed each pair of sandals using a kitchen scale.
Colors and sizing: I counted the number of sizes and colors each pair of sandals is available in.
Warranty: I researched the warranty of each pair of sandals and ranked them.
Hiking sandals won't ever be as supportive as hiking boots, but if you plan on using them at the beach or lake, or if your route requires a lot of water crossings, they can be a great option. When deciding which pair of hiking sandals is best for you, there are a few things to consider.
While normal sandals don't need great grip, traction is of utmost importance on the trail. That's why you should be looking for sandals that use high-quality rubber and have an aggressive tread. The quality of the rubber gives you more grip in general but especially on smooth surfaces like rocks. The tread and lug design can help your sandals dig into loose terrain to keep you on your feet.
After grip, you'll probably want to consider stability. This is the area where sandals have the biggest disadvantage compared to shoes and boots, so if you have weak ankles, you might want to look elsewhere. Since most sandals use various configurations of straps instead of rigid uppers, they don't offer much support. However, the design of the straps can make a big difference. Of all the strap designs I tested, I found Z straps to. be the most supportive. Some sandals do have uppers, like the Teva Grandview Max or the Keen Hyperport H2, and these offer much more stability.
Adjustability is another key feature of hiking sandals. When there are more points to adjust, it's easier to dial in a fit that feels good on the trail or poolside. Most sandals will have some sort of adjustment around the toe boxes and ankles, but you'll also want to make sure to look for adjustable heel straps. I found these to be very useful in creating a precise, tight and supportive fit.
Lastly, the security of your hiking sandals plays a big role in how good they feel on your feet. Especially when wading through water, sandals that feel like they're falling off your feet are less than ideal. And if you're hiking on loose terrain, a loose sandal could get caught up on rocks, roots and other obstacles.
Some hikers might also consider weight in their buying decision, as hiking sandals make great camp shoes. Both our winners are on the heavier side, since the extra stability makes them better for the trail. However, I also tested some great lightweight options like the Bedrock Cairn Evo Pro, Xero Shoes Z-Trail, and Teva Original Universal Sandals.
Bedrock Sandals Cairn Evo Pro Sandals
While I love these sandals, they're not the best for everyone. They're thin, which can feel uncomfortable, and the toe thong can dig into your feet. These simple barefoot sandals were nearly one of my winners. They're lightweight, have great grip and provide a minimalist, wide-open feel many sandal wearers are looking for. However, they fell short in comfort and support compared to the Teva Grandview Max and Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pro. The Cairn Evo Pro have the excellent Vibram Megagrip but had less grip on the loose terrain than both of our top picks. Plus, the thong style of the Bedrocks can be uncomfortable, especially when hiking downhill.
But if you want a more open feel or you're into barefoot shoes, definitely consider the Bedrock Cairn Evo Pro. I personally like them a lot, and while they don't have nearly the same amount of support as our other winners, they are fan favorites for a reason.
Bedrock Sandals Cairn Evo C Sandals
With cushier soles, these barefoot shoes give your feet a bit more protection. But I still think most people will find them uncomfortable. Bedrock's Cairn Evo C Sandals don't have the Vibram Megagrip outsoles (they still use Vibram, just not Megagrip), but they do have a lot more cushion than the Bedrock sandals above. They still have the same issues as the Evo Pro sandals when it comes to comfort and support, but they're a great pair of everyday sandals.
Both the Evo C and Evo Pro use thongs that go between your toes to give your feet some stability, but I found it uncomfortable, especially when hiking downhill.
Teva Men's Original Universal Sandals
These Tevas didn't have grip good enough for the trails, which was the complete opposite of the winning Grandview Max sandals.
Teva Women's Original Universal Sandals
They're comfortable, stylish and easy to put on, but these simple sandals just aren't built for strenuous hiking. Unfortunately, our pick for the best sandals for men couldn't stack up against the competition when it came to more technical and adventurous activities. While the Teva Original Universal Sandals are simple and comfortable, they had terrible traction and security in my tests.
Xero Shoes Men's Z-Trail EV Sandals
Even with a Z strap that normally offers great support, these sandals were too flimsy to be stable.
Xero Shoes Women's Z-Trail EV Sandals
I also found the traction on these sandals to be a bit lackluster. If you're interested in barefoot sandals, you should consider this pair. With an even more minimalist feel than the Bedrock Sandals Cairn Evo Pro, the Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV provide little protection between your feet and the terrain. For barefoot lovers, this is great, but for newbies, make sure to allocate some break-in time.
Besides the barefoot design, the Z-Trail EVs didn't have as much traction as the top sandals, and since they're so lightweight, stability was also an issue.
Xero Shoes Men's D-Trail Sandals
While these make great camp shoes, their lack of traction and support make them less than ideal on hikes.
Xero Shoes Women's D-Trail Sandals
If you're a barefoot fanatic, you'll probably still love these, but for most, they're a bit too uncomfortable. Similar to the Z-Trail EV, the Xero Shoes D-Trail provide a lightweight, barefoot feel but lack in comfort, traction and stability. I liked this pair slightly more than the Z-Trail EV because I found them easier to slip on and off quickly, and since they're so light, they're going to be my new go-to pair of camp shoes. However, I wouldn't want to hike very far in them.
Chaco Men's Z/Cloud Adjustable Strap Cushioned Sandals
These sandals, just like the Z/1 Rapid Pro, offer the best stability out of any sandals I tested that didn't have uppers. However, the soles on this pair have less traction than the winners.
Chaco Women's Z/Cloud Adjustable Strap Cushioned Sandals
Basically identical to the Z/1 Rapid Pro except for the rubber on the outsoles, the Z/Cloud are a good choice for less technical endeavors. The Chaco Z/Cloud utilizes the famous Z strap that I loved so much on the Z/1 Rapid Pro; however, this pair doesn't have Vibram outsoles. It was quite astonishing how much of a difference the Vibram rubber made, as I was slipping a lot more during my traction tests while wearing these compared with the winning pair. If you want a pair of comfortable Chaco sandals and don't necessarily need top-tier grip, these are a good choice.
Chaco Men's Bodhi Adjustable Strap Classic Sandals
I didn't like the toe loop of these sandals, and they weren't grippy enough to be considered for either of our top spots.
Chaco Women's Bodhi Adjustable Strap Classic Sandals
Because of the design of the straps, these sandals lack support, which is a big negative when hiking on uneven terrain. Some people may like the toe loops of the Chaco Bodhi, but I hated them. When hiking downhill and on uneven terrain, they put so much pressure on my big toes that even after just a few minutes of hiking, I found it uncomfortable. They might be an okay pair of sandals for normal walking if you like the toe loops, but their design and slippery outsoles didn't perform on the trails.
Hoka Men's Infini Hike TC Sandals
These cushy sandals are comfortable but fall short compared with the Teva Grandview Max.
Hoka Women's Infini Hike TC Sandals
If you're a die-hard Hoka fan, you'll be happy with these sandals; however, they didn't have the same grip as the winning Tevas, and they didn't feel as secure either. These Hoka sandals have a similar design to the winning Teva Grandview Max sandals and utilize soft uppers that provide more support and security than most of the sandals I tested. However, I found the outsoles of these Hokas weren't as grippy as the Teva sandals, even though they both use Vibram Megagrip.
The adjustability of the straps also wasn't as easy to use, and the pair I got fit bigger than the other sandals in my testing pool. The Hoka hiking sandals aren't a bad pair, but if you're interested in them, I think you should get the Teva Grandview Max sandals instead.
Keen Men's Newport H2 Sandals
If you want to keep your toes protected more than they would be with the other sandals in our testing pool, these should be your pick.
Keen Women's Newport H2 Sandals
While they had great stability, they didn't have nearly the same amount of traction as the top performers in testing. The two pairs of Keen shoes had some of the best security of all the sandals I tested since they're designed like shoes instead of sandals. The closed-toe design can help protect your feet from rocks and debris, but they didn't perform as well as other sandals in my traction tests.
Keen Men's Hyperport H2 Sandals
These secure shoes didn't have enough traction to stand out.
Keen Women's Hyperport H2 Sandals
I also didn't love the adjustability of Keen's sandals. I didn't feel like I could customize the fit as well as others I tested. Between the Newport H2 and the Hyperport H2, I liked the Hyperport H2 a bit more. They were easier to put on, lighter and $10 cheaper than the Newport H2. However, in both wet and dry traction tests, they couldn't compete with the other sandals I tested. Most others also had better adjustability, touting multiple customization points instead of Keen's single bungee.
How should hiking sandals fit?
How should hiking sandals fit?
Hiking sandals shouldn't be too big or too small. If they're too big, the extra foam that pokes out in front of your toes and behind your heels can get caught on rocks while hiking and cause you to trip. If they're too small, your toes could hang off the edge of the sandals. Most sandals I tested fit true to size and had a good amount of adjustability to customize the perfect fit.
Are Teva sandals good for hiking?
Are Teva sandals good for hiking?
Some Teva sandals are good for hiking, yes. The Teva Grandview Max Hiking Sandals are my pick as the best hiking sandals, thanks to their outstanding grip and stability. The original Teva sandals, however, don't have the same grip and aren't good for hiking.
Are Keen sandals good for hiking?
Are Keen sandals good for hiking?
Keen sandals are a great choice for hikers because they have a lot of stability, similar to hiking shoes; however, in my tests, they didn't have the same amount of grip as the winners.
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test the products in our testing guides and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this best-tested product review, CNN Underscored's outdoors editor Kai Burkhardt hiked in all 12 pairs of the sandals included in this article and judged each on comfort, traction, stability and more.
