From Dr Martens and Crocs to Skechers and Passenger, here are the best summer sandals according to people who love them
It’s officially sandal season, but finding the perfect pair isn’t always easy. Some styles that look stylish may not always be the most comfortable, and the ones that don’t rub aren’t always the most attractive.
What’s more is that sandals aren’t a one-size-fits-all. Some are built with fashion in mind, designed to take wearers from coffee shops to day trips, while others are for the more outdoorsy life, from woodland walks to city breaks.
But there’s one thing we firmly believe is that the right pair should feel as good as they look, and most importantly – they should last. Because no-one wants to be buying a fresh pair every summer.
To help narrow down the options, our team has rounded up the sandals we’ve personally tested and re-wear for year after year. From Dr Martens and Passenger, to Skechers and Crocs these are the styles we’d happily recommend ourselves.
Bethan: Dr Marten Wrenlie Open Toe Leather Fisherman Sandals – £150
I’ve lived in Dr Martens sandals for more summers than I can count, and when my black Blaire sandals started to look a little bit tired this spring, I decided to invest in a fresh pair. I don’t wear as much black as I used to, so I was searching for a brown pair this time around. When these Wrenlie Open Toe Leather Fisherman Sandals popped up, let’s just say I’ve never hit ‘add to basket’ faster.
Since buying them in May, I’ve already styled these dozens of times with midi skirts, linen trousers, dresses and more. To say they go with everything would be an understatement. Plus, they’re well suited to a range of occasions and activities, from city breaks to pub gardens.
The sandals are made from 100% grizzly leather which has a gorgeous grained finish that ages over time. The floral embossed detail is playful and feminine, contrasting against the chunky quad shore sole which gives them a bit of height and a heavier appearance, toughening up an outfit and leaning into my personal style more than slimmer pairs.
I love the 90s fisherman silhouette – it feels really timeless while the antique gold buckles give them a really premium feel. As is often the case with Dr Martens, they take some wearing in, but I’ve not had any blisters from them. They rub the big toe a touch if worn for long periods of time, but as they’re leather, I’m expecting them to soften and for this to stop within a few weeks.
The other downside is that these are an investment at £150. But since they’ve barely been off my feet the past two months, I’d say they’re worth every penny.
Narin: On the Go Brilliancy Skechers – £34.99
These On the Go Brilliancy Sandals have been my summer saviour for the last years and are still going strong. I regularly wear Go Walk Flex Crossbands and have them in several colours but for being out and about walking the On the Go options feel much more secure, thanks to the comfortable padded heel strap which means there’s no risk of them falling off mid-stride getting off the tube in a heatwave.
I must have walked over a million steps in them over the time I’ve had them. The most in a day was 28,000 steps when I used them to walk round Disney World last year on holiday.
I’ve never had a blister or felt so much as a toe rub, while the bouncy footbed means I can walk for hours without getting leg ache, they really are like walking on clouds.They’re easily slipped in and out of too.
I swear by Skechers for sandals and trainers but have noticed the price creeping up over recent years. My secret weapon though is M&M Direct , which discounts lots of brand name shoes including Adidas, New Balance, FitFlop, Superga and more. A lot of Skechers’ best-loved designs are available, often with hefty savings on other retailers. I got my sandals from them for £34.99 when their normal RRP is £59.99 and Amazon is currently selling them for £54.99, albeit in a slightly different colour.
The one down side with M&M Direct is that delivery costs £4.99 a time. However their unlimited delivery is £9.99 a year and I ended up buying that because by the time I’d bought the kids’ school shoes and my sandals I was already saving money.
Jada: Crocs Women’s Brooklyn Low Wedge Clog – now £41.60, was £54.99
Growing up I always had a pair of Crocs with Jibbitz, they were something of an essential especially when I would be constantly in and out of the garden playing with my cousins. As I’ve gotten older, my tastes in shoes gravitate more towards sleek heels like Christian Louboutin Pigalles (£720), which make my feet look great but aren’t the most comfortable option out there. Recently I went to Paris for a day where I clocked in 30,000 steps. As I looked at my shoe collection I felt nervous at best and ended up searching Amazon for what would be the best option.
I’d heard great thing about Skechers, which seems to be a hit with nurses who are on their feet all day but I couldn’t find any that suited my personal style. As I scrolled through the sandal selection at Amazon I was surprised by the name that caught my eye: Crocs Women’s Brooklyn Low Wedge Clog.
The sandals don’t look like a traditional Croc and actually whenever I’ve told my friends that that is what I’m wearing they’ve not quite believed me until I’ve hiked my foot up and shown them the barely visible logo. They come in quite a few colours but I opted for a simple black that goes with everything.
At 4’11 I’m always on the hunt for something that gives me a little extra height and the chunky platform sole on these is perfect for that. I’ve been able to wear trousers with these sandals that I normally reserve for days when I’m in heels exclusively.
I must’ve spent at least 45 minutes reading through reviews as I wasn’t going to have a chance to wear in my shoes before diving into a day with a huge amount of steps. I was assured that they wouldn’t hurt on my feet and I was thrilled to find it was mostly true.
I was in Paris during one of their many summer heatwaves so temperatures were around 34 degrees, the shoes held up well all day but once I started to sweat – around 25,000 steps in I did get some small blisters. Nothing so intense that I was in pain but on the top of my feet where straps and sweat had met I did have some rubbing.
The soles of my feet were cushioned all day and these have instantly become my favourite sandals. I find they’re quite versatile and look great in almost every outfit.
Ruth: Passenger Atlas Roam Sandal – £23.97 instead of £39.95
These are possibly one of the comfiest sandals I’ve ever owned – which is saying something as someone who previously swore by Teva Hurricane’s. I currently have a black pair that can just as easily be worn with a pair of jeans, as they can paddleboarding or on a walk.
Passenger has two versions of the Atlas sandal – one with a chunkier rubber sole – the Roam , which comes in Black and a Dusty Olive, or the lighter Atlas version , which starts from £17.95 in the sale but lacks the same grippy sole. Those looking for a more colourful shoe may prefer the lighter version, especially the Arctic/Spearmint colourway .
I’ve walked miles in my sandals, and despite looking like they may cause blisters due to the toe post and woven straps, I’ve never had one. I have also worn these on slippery rocky surfaces while out with my dog and found them to be relatively grippy.
As part of the design, there are multiple cross over straps with an adjustable side buckle to help create a secure fit. One thing to note is that this buckle may occasionally need readjustment on long hikes, which could be annoying for some shoppers.
The overall look may not be as stylish as Beth’s Wrenlie Open Toe Leather Fisherman Sandals , and while the thick sole will add some height, those looking for a boost may prefer Jada’s Crocs . I’d recommend Passenger’s Atlas Roam Sandal to anyone outdoorsy looking for a sandal to go from the trails to the pub garden.
Shawna: Blowfish Malibu Brown Magical Regular Fit Slingbacks – £55
After wearing my favourite River Island sandals to death, I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of comfortable sandals that are slightly out of my comfort zone. After scrolling through endless pages at Next, I found a pair that ticks all of the boxes. I was lucky enough to be sent the Brown Magical Regular Fit Slingbacks, £55, from BlowFish Malibu to see if they would suit my needs. Spoiler: they did.
If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I love going to a carboot. While trudging through through the back of the Bolton Wanderers stadium car park isn’t the most glamorous location to wear them, it definitely puts them through their paces. After walking in them for a few hours, I can say the sandals were comfortable from the moment I put them on to the second I took them off. While the uppers are made from faux leather, they feel premium and look expensive.
I picked the sandals up in a size five and they fit pretty well. I have wide feet, so I typically opt for a 5.5 when I can, but the adjustable buckles meant that my feet were still comfy without overspilling on the sides. I really like the tan colour on the sandals too. I would normally opt for black, but tan is a basic neutral that goes with a lot pieces in my wardrobe. If the brand wanted to expand the range, I would love if they stocked the style in a denim blue or baby pink.
