Sandals are the footwear of summer and the pair you choose shapes the entire aesthetic of your warm-weather outfits more than almost any other single decision. A great sandal elevates everything above it. A bad one undermines it. Here's how to choose correctly.
The Sandal Categories
The Slide Sandal
Best for: Beach, pool, casual everyday, the hotel corridor to the breakfast room.
What to look for: A wide, single-strap design with a contoured footbed. The footbed quality determines how comfortable slides are for more than 20 minutes of walking — cheap flat soles create fatigue fast. A slight heel elevation (10-15mm) is more comfortable than a completely flat slide for extended wear.
The quality markers: Leather or quality molded EVA vs. cheap plastic; a footbed with some structure; a strap wide enough to stay in place without gripping. The slide that looks like a fashion choice is the same one you can walk in all day.
The pairing: Works with the oversized tee and shorts, the linen trousers, the beach cover-up outfit. The slide that's too plasticky or too athletic reads as afterthought; the right slide reads as completed.
The Leather Strap Sandal
Best for: Elevated casual, summer dinners, city walking, European travel.
What to look for: Vegetable-tanned leather that softens with wear, a flat or minimal-heel design for walkability, adjustable straps for fit. The classic Greek sandal silhouette (multiple thin leather straps) is the timeless version that works in 2026 exactly as it worked in 2006.
The pairing: The sandal that makes linen trousers look finished, that elevates shorts from casual to smart-casual, that works with a dress without competing. The one pair that does the most for the most outfits.
The Sport Sandal
Best for: Outdoor activities, water environments, anything requiring secure footing.
What to look for: Adjustable straps, a sole with grip, quick-dry materials. The sport sandal has become aesthetically acceptable in streetwear contexts — the Birkenstock as fashion object, the Teva as vintage-inspired choice — in ways that weren't true 10 years ago.
The honest note: The sport sandal that works aesthetically is specific. A technical hiking sandal in a fashion context reads as confused. A well-chosen sport sandal in the right outfit reads as intentional.
The Platform Sandal
Best for: Evenings out, elevated casual occasions, adding height in a summer context.
What to look for: Walkable platform height (3" max before stability becomes an issue), quality straps, a rubber or leather sole. The espadrille wedge is the summer version of this category — classic, vacation-coded, photographs beautifully.
The honest note: Platform sandals for beach use are a mistake. Platforms and sand don't work. Keep these for the evening context and use slides for anything involving actual beach terrain.
The Investment Threshold
Sandals are worth spending on because the difference between a $40 pair and a $140 pair is immediately felt in comfort over a full day of walking. For leather sandals specifically: the quality of the leather and construction determines whether the sandal breaks in beautifully or breaks down. A pair of quality leather sandals worn for 5 summers at $140 is $28/summer. A pair of cheap sandals replaced every summer at $40 is $40/summer.
The Capsule Approach
For most summer wardrobes: two pairs. A quality slide for beach, pool, and casual everyday. A leather strap sandal for everything elevated. These two pairs cover the full range of summer footwear contexts with maximum quality and minimum closet space. See our summer capsule wardrobe guide for how the two-sandal approach fits into the broader capsule strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sandals are trending for summer 2026?
The quiet luxury / old money aesthetic has made simple, unbranded leather sandals the statement shoe of 2026 — no logos, quality leather, minimal design. Sport sandals (particularly vintage-inspired styles) are continuing from 2025. The platform espadrille remains a summer staple. The biggest trend is away from heavily branded footwear toward quality craftsmanship in timeless silhouettes.
What sandals are best for a lot of walking?
Look for a footbed with arch support and some cushioning — not a completely flat sole. Leather straps that adjust to your foot width. A rubber sole for grip. The sport sandal category offers the most ergonomic support for high-mileage days; for style + comfort, a leather sandal with a slightly contoured footbed (Birkenstock-style) is the best balance.