The 9 Most Comfortable Women's Sandals of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Sandalup Elastic Flat Sandals

$20 at Amazon

These sleek sandals feature elastic straps that mold and stretch to fit your feet perfectly — there are no buckles, zippers, snaps, or ties on the shoes to constrain movement or cause irritation. In a slide, thong, or any other open silhouette, your toes are constantly gripping in order to keep the shoe from sliding off your foot. According to Dr. Sutera, that causes strain on the muscles in your feet and can also make common issues like bunions, hammer toes, and pinched nerves even worse. That type of pressure is reduced with these sandals. These also have a lightly padded footbed and rubber sole for extra comfort and traction. Best of all, they're stylish, so you can wear them with everything from travel dresses and skirts to jeans and leggings.

Our favorite thing about the sandals? The fact that they were comfortable right out of the box. One of our team members reported that they stretched enough to immediately accommodate her wide feet, unlike most other sandals. We also noted during testing that the shoes were easy to pack, comfy enough for all-day wear, and perfect for warm weather since they don't cause your feet to sweat.

The Details: Elastic straps | Sizes 5-11 | Rubber, elastic, textile | 0.4-inch platform

Best for Wide Feet

Munro Pisces

$160 at Amazon $160 at Nordstrom $160 at Zappos

If you have a difficult time finding sandals that are comfortable for wide feet, check out this pair by Munro. The cute shoes come in five different widths, ranging from slim to extra wide. They also feature an elastic back strap and padded insole for all-day comfort. Snag them in more than a dozen colors and prints ranging from neutral beige and white to cheetah and giraffe prints.

We were particularly impressed with how sturdy they were and how long they remained comfy when we tested them out. "I wore them to a four-hour concert where I was on my feet the entire time, standing and dancing," one of our team members said. "I was shocked by how cushiony yet supportive they were and appreciated that they didn't slide around." She also mentioned that their lightweight design makes them ideal to pack in a suitcase.

The Details: Slingbacks | Sizes 4-13 | Leather, suede, vinyl, textile | 0.4-inch platform

Best for High Arches

Vionic Tide II Toe Post Sandal

$75 $70 at Amazon $90 at Zappos View on Vionicshoes.com

If you have high arches, opt for these comfortable, supportive sandals by Vionic. Not only are they incredibly lightweight, but they also feature a midsole that provides shock absorption. Their contoured design aids in stability and natural alignment. As Dr. Sutera explains, it's all about keeping your foot as neutral as possible — not pronated (rolling inward), not supinated (rolling outward), but right in the middle. The biomechanically designed sandals have even earned themselves a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

These shoes were made for taking on the day in comfort. The textured footbed received rave reviews during testing for preventing feet from slipping around, and we loved that they are plush and supportive with a substantial arch. One of our team members did say, however, that the rope-like toe divider was a bit uncomfortable, even after several wears.

The Details: Flip-flops | Sizes 5-12 | Synthetic rubber, vinyl

Best Everyday

Steve Madden Cape Leather Sandals

View on Stevemadden.com

We like how you can easily slip these slides on and off while standing. They don't have ankle straps to keep them secure on your feet, but the traction is excellent. With slightly puffy straps and cushioned soles, our feet felt adequately supported, though there was a little bit of a break-in period to soften the material. As the footbeds began molding to our feet, the sandals got more comfortable over time.

This style is only available in whole sizes. If you're in between, we recommend sizing up — you can always adjust the forefoot straps to make them tighter. They also have a small platform that will give you some height. Though they’re not the most high-quality sandals on this list, they still looked great after wearing them for a few months, and the oversized gold buckles make them appear high-end. "I feel like I can easily slip them on to run errands and look way more put-together than I would if I were wearing flip-flops or slippers," T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco says.

The Details: Backless slide | Sizes 5-12 | Leather upper, synthetic lining and sole | 1.25-inch platform

Best Sporty

Teva Aliciela Sandal

$77 at Amazon $80 at Zappos View on Dsw.com

Teva's Aliciela sandals really stand out for their outsoles. The durable yet flexible rubber has patterned treads to deliver superior traction underfoot. We never slipped and were confident walking on loose dirt, mud, gravel, sand, and wet rocks. With arch support, deep heel cups, cushioned footbeds, and adjustable straps, these shoes felt comfortable and secure on all types of terrain, uphill and downhill, rain or shine.

These sandals definitely have more of a rugged, sporty aesthetic. Once they got dirty, we found it hard to get them looking clean again, especially the lighter color. But if you're looking for active sandals for outdoor adventures, we highly recommend buying them. We wore them on walks, bike rides, on a boat, and even in the water. They kept our feet comfy and performed really well, wet or dry. We're big fans of the heel loops, which makes them easy to pull on and off. You could also hook them to a backpack with a carabiner.

The Details: Hook-and-loop strap closure | Sizes 5-11 | Nylon, EVA, rubber | 0.5-inch platform

Best Lace-up

Sorel ONA Streetworks Drille Sandal

$100 $35 at Amazon $50 at Nordstrom $67 at Zappos

These sandals are inspired by espadrilles but have sporty upgrades to keep your feet happy — think comfortable footbeds, high-traction soles, and ankle-supporting laces. “I didn't expect these to be as comfortable as they are since they're quite flat, but the soles are cushiony and springy,” says T+L editor Taylor Fox, noting that they also fit true to size. They never caused soreness, chafing, or the need for Band-Aids. 

We love the overall style and minimalistic peep toe of these sandals. "They are versatile enough to wear with dresses or jeans alike and can be dressed up or down," adds Fox. Not only that, but they held up really well during the testing period, showing no significant signs of wear and tear. All things considered, we think the price is reasonable.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The Details: Lace closure | Sizes 5-12 | Suede, EVA foam, rubber | 1-inch platform

Best Fisherman

Everlane The Day Fisherman Sandal

$168 at Everlane

We took these fisherman-inspired sandals on a 10-day Grecian trip consisting of sightseeing, exploring cobblestone streets, winery tours, dinners out, and beach excursions where they got wet several times. "I love how breathable and lightweight the sandals were for gallivanting around Greece when the weather was superhot," says T+L associate editor Anna Popp. With wide straps, a square toe, and a monochrome colorway, the practical yet elegant style worked for both casual and dressier outfits.

These sandals run true to size. From the first wear, the buttery-soft leather straps didn't rub, chafe, or cause a single blister. Though they don't have much traction or arch support, we never felt like we were going to slip in them and think the footbeds are sufficiently padded. The price is higher than many other sandals we tested, but we think it's acceptable, considering the high-quality design. The sandals looked as good as new at the end of Popp’s Greece trip, and the leather got better with every wear. Plus, they pack flat to save suitcase space.

The Details: Ankle strap, buckle closure | Sizes 5-11 | Nappa leather

Best Flip-flop

Vionic Rest Dillon Toe Post Sandals

$94 at Amazon $95 at Zappos View on Vionicshoes.com

Flip-flops aren't known for being supportive enough to wear for a full day of sightseeing, but if you need a pair for the pool or hot sand, Dr. Sutera, who is a member of Vionic's Innovation Lab, recommends the brand because of their scientific approach to shoes. The brand has been awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for promoting good foot health. The vacation-ready sandals have a thin profile with a soft sole and topsole cushioning that makes them extra comfortable.

These shoes are all about versatility. "I like that they manage to merge comfort and style," T+L editor Hillary Maglin says. "I spent several days walking and standing in these on various terrains, and my feet never hurt. I'll also probably pack them on my next vacation, because they'd be perfect for sightseeing in both comfort and style." Maglin notes that while the top straps were slightly loose on her narrow foot, they would probably fit shoppers with wider feet perfectly.

The Details: Flip-flops | Sizes 5-12 | Leather, suede | 1.2-inch platform

Best Heel

Steve Madden Irenee Heeled Sandal

$79 at Amazon $79 at Zappos View on Stevemadden.com

If you want to add a little polish and height to your travel looks, reach for these sleek sandals with a low block-heel by Steve Madden. The buckled ankle straps keep your feet from sliding around, and the low heel (2 inches) is an ideal height for longer periods of walking. They're so stylish, you'll want to wear them with everything from formal dresses to jeans — and because they're so comfortable, you can.

T+L commerce director Jamie Hergenrader has owned these for years and packs them on most warm-weather trips due to their versatile style and comfort for walking around cities. T+L editor Elizabeth Rhodes, who also tested the shoes, adds that "the design is aesthetically perfect … and the heel height looks very polished but isn't too high." And while heels might seem counterintuitive for a comfortable shoe, know this: a little height is totally okay to add into your packing lineup. In fact, it's healthier to switch up your shoe height and style from day to day, according to Dr. Sutera. You're welcome, overpackers.

The Details: Strapped heels | Sizes 5.5-12 | Leather, suede, synthetic materials | 2-inch heel