A Guide to the Best Walking Sandals for Women

When the weather warms up, we all begin to think about updating our wardrobes with new sundresses and shorts to suit the season. But often, those outfits can feel incomplete without a pair of stylish, summer-ready shoes to go along with them.

As a summer shoe, sandals often get a bad rap for being uncomfortable or impractical, but not all sandals are created equal. There are plenty of chic, fashion-forward options that will also keep your feet supported and comfortable during all of your outdoor, summertime adventures.

If you’re looking to find the best walking sandals for women, read on to learn what features you should be looking for and the stylish ways you can incorporate these comfortable walking sandals into your new summer wardrobe.

What Should I Be Looking for in a Walking Sandal?

When you’re on the hunt for the best walking sandal, your considerations should be a little different than when you’re looking for beach flip flops or sky-high stilettos. While you may want a shoe that’s trendy, you’ll also want something that’s durable and provides your feet with plenty of support.

Essentially, you want to choose a sandal that’s designed for walking. Walking long distances for long periods of time in improper or unsupportive shoes can lead to any number of issues, including:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Ankle sprains
  • Unnatural foot position or toe crowding
  • Hip, back, calf, or foot pain
  • Bunions
  • Blisters

None of these ailments is any walk in the park, so it’s vital to find an ultra-comfy sandal that will support you through countless steps. And this leads us to our next question: what should you be looking for in the search for walking sandals?

There are four important factors you should consider when choosing your walking sandals:

  • Flexibility – The best walking sandal will bend and move with your foot as your heel hits the ground, improving your natural gait and warding off painful shin splints.
  • Cushioning – Additional padding or cushioning to the shoe can provide an extra degree of comfort on those long-distance days when you need a comfortable sandal.
  • Fit – Whether they’re pinching your feet or slipping off, ill-fitting shoes can lead to major pain. Look for shoes in your size with adjustable straps or buckles and make sure they fit your toes comfortably with no gaps or crowding.
  • Support – Shoes with specially designed insoles, like TOMS OrthoLite® insoles, are made to provide maximum arch support to your foot and keep you feeling comfy no matter how far you’re going.

What Styles Do Walking Sandals Come In?

Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort when searching for the best sandal for walking. Women’s walking sandals come in a variety of styles, with something to suit every outfit or mood. They’re also easy to dress up or dress down depending on the occasion.

Before you start your sandal shopping spree, take a look below at a few of the different sandal styles available to you.

Heeled Sandals

Heels are often notorious for being uncomfortable or difficult to walk in, so you might not have considered them as an option when looking for summer sandals. However, you don’t have to give up your stylish heels for the sake of comfort.

The TOMS Majorca Sandal features a chunky, ultra-walkable 3-inch heel, as well as the super supportive, breathable TOMS OrthoLite® insoles to keep you elevated and comfortable over any distance. With six color options available—everything from beachy neutrals to bold prints—and both open or closed-toe designs, these sandals will be your new go-to for any occasion. They’ll look elegant paired with a summer dress or skirt, but can also make casual jeans look seem effortlessly pulled together.

Looking for a sandal that combines walkability with a retro-cool vibe? Try a cork sandal with strappy leather details. Paired with a floral sundress or your favorite ripped blue jeans, these sandals will give you the perfect blend of 70’s inspired California vintage and Amalfi Coast elegance.

Wedge Sandals

Wedge sandals provide all the glamour and lift of a heel while also creating a beachy-cool, nautical look. Plus, their extra-comfortable stacked heel means they can take you from long walks in the park to long nights of dancing, pain-free!

A peep-toe wedge in a neutral color with a trendy rope-wrapped heel looks great when paired with wide-legged white jeans and a striped top. It’s a stylish take on a nautical outfit, perfect for any summertime boat outing.

Looking for a wedge sandal that has an extra touch of glamour? Choose a mule with an adjustable buckle, such as:

These buckles add a stylish touch to your sandals, and because they can be adjusted for the best fit possible, they’ll help keep your feet feeling comfortable and supported all day and all night. If you’re looking to style sandals to wear with dresses, pair them with a maxi dress for an outfit that’s perfect for date night or cropped jeans with a puff-sleeve blouse for a casual Friday office look.

Platform Sandals

Just like the name implies, platform sandals have a chunky, elevated bottom that gives you a lift without positioning your feet at an uncomfortable angle like other heels. Platform sandals can also easily take you from spring to summer, making them an incredibly versatile sandal option.

Looking for some platform sandal style inspo? Try the looks below:

  • Style them with a vintage tee and wide-legged pants for a retro look.
  • Wear them with a crop top and boyfriend-style jeans. The loose, open leg will help to balance the chunkiness of the shoe.
  • Pair them with a mini skirt or denim cutoffs for an effortlessly cute summer outfit. The extra height paired with a skirt or shorts will elongate your frame and give you an ultra-flattering, ultra-cool look.

Slides

Looking for a summer sandal you can easily slip on at a moment’s notice? Slides are a great casual option to add to your wardrobe.

Slides have all the ease of a classic beach sandal, but they’re a step up from your run-of-the-mill rubber flip flops, offering a more refined look. Slides are a great choice for those with wide feet, as these types of sandals typically come with a wider footbed.

Just check out the TOMS Carly slide. These comfy slip-ons feature:

  • A die-cut EVA insole and arch cookie made from renewable sugarcane to provide your feet with optimal support.
  • Padded straps for enhanced comfort.

Because slides are the epitome of casual-cool, try pairing them with blue jeans and a simple white top. You could also opt for paper bag shorts and a ribbed crop top for a look that’s the ultimate in summertime style. Looking for a closed-toe option? Try our women’s casual slip on shoes.

Sporty Sandals

If you’re on the hunt for a walking shoe that can handle any challenge you throw at it, consider a sporty sandal that features a tactical-chic sawtooth rubber sole for traction and comfy cushioned straps to keep your foot in place.

And sporty doesn’t have to mean unstylish. The TOMS Sidney sandal pairs its rugged treads with chunky leather straps for an outdoorsy, adventurous look.

Consider styling a sport sandal with your favorite athleisure pieces. They’ll look great paired with bike shorts and a cropped sweatshirt, or with a tennis skirt and crop top. If you’re looking to dress them up a bit, choose a simple sleeveless black maxi dress and add chunky gold jewelry accents for an artsy, cool-girl aesthetic.

T-Bar Sandals

Seeking a sandal that gives you the “coolest girl at the farmers market” vibe? T-bar sandals provide an all-natural look, thanks to their suede exteriors and unique shape inspired by Indian handcrafted Kohlapuri sandals.

The TOMS Bree Sandal is a T-bar sandal that takes elegance and ease to a whole new level with its one-of-a-kind toe loop and ultra-comfy TOMS OrthoLite® insoles.

Pair these sandals with:

  • Overalls and an eyelet blouse for a sweet daytime look.
  • A floral or gingham printed midi dress for a pretty date night look that’s perfect for a balmy summer evening.

Strappy Sandals

If you’re looking for an updated twist on the classic gladiator sandal, consider adding a strappy sandal into your walking shoe rotation. Strappy sandals are a summertime staple that look great when you pair these sandals with jeans and a breezy blouse, colorful midi skirts, or chic linen shorts.

We love a strappy brown leather sandal worn with a flowy white dress and oversized sunglasses for an easy, sunkissed look. You can also pair them with raw hem slim-cut white jeans and a French-tucked black seersucker top for a simple, stylish outfit that’s suitable for the office or grabbing dinner with friends.

Plus, when you choose the strappy TOMS Sicily sandal, you get cushioned insoles and an adjustable buckle for unparalleled levels of comfort and unbeatable summer style. Whatever style you choose, these are definitely one of our most comfortable sandals for women.

Finding Your Perfect Walking Sandal at TOMS

Searching for your summer sandals doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style or comfort. TOMS women’s sandals are the perfect combination of fashion-forward and foot-friendly, featuring a wide range of styles that are made with your feet’s needs in mind.

There’s something for every aesthetic—from daring leopard prints and bright colors to classic neutrals—with materials ranging from leather, suede, earth-friendly EVA, and nautical-inspired rope detailing.

And with TOMS cushioned OrthoLite® insoles, your feet will stay comfortable all day long. So, don’t keep your summer wardrobe waiting. Check out TOMS sandals today.

Reviewed By Andrew David Stewart

Andrew David Stewart is the Manager of Digital Marketing at TOMS and has been working in the digital marketing and social media world for 6 years. Andrew is a lover of nature and the outdoors, and is passionate about telling stories through digital media.

Sources:

WebMD. The Worst Shoes For Your Feet. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-worst-shoes-for-your-feet

VeryWell Fit. How to Buy Your Next Pair of Walking Shoes. https://www.verywellfit.com/before-you-buy-walking-shoes-3433020