Every time I go on vacation, I run into the same problem: I pack my favorite heels and sneakers but forget a pair of beach sandals. While I do believe that sneakers work for basically any occasion, they tend to look a little out of place in the sand. Plus, do we really want to risk ruining our favorite sneakers? Probably not. Therefore, investing in at least one pair of sandals for the season is imperative. But I'd note that there are a couple of ground rules when it comes to finding the ideal pair of beach sandals. They need to be lightweight and fuss-free and look great with just about any swimsuit in my collection. They also need to look fashionable enough for me to wear when I'm not on the beach.
Luckily, there are tons of options to choose from this summer—from elevated pairs of flip-flops to comfy-looking slide sandals. Ahead, you'll find a roundup of the season's best sandals based on reviews, quality, versatility, and trends, ensuring that you won't make the mistake of forgetting to pack a pair of shoes for the beach ever again.
Editor Highlight: Lizzie McGuire would love these.
Review Highlight: "This is my second pair in this style, just in a different color. I love the consistent comfort and how well it handles various terrains (cobblestone streets, city pavements, etc.) with no issues whatsoever. I'm already considering what color I'll get next!"
Review Highlight: "I love this sandal. It’s so comfortable. Perfect for summer and for the beach."
Review Highlight: "These are such a nice pair of staple summer sandals. Of course, they match everything and can be dressed up or down. I bought my normal size, and the fit is perfect. A must-have!"
Editor Highlight: These are truly timeless.
Review Highlight: "I finally found the perfect sandal to wear with dresses, bikinis, and jeans. I love the rigid on the sole to stabilize me from slipping. It's the perfect height heel for someone that likes to be in fashion but closer to the ground like me. This pair is truly a touch down for me."
Editor Highlight: Chloé slides? Sign me up!
Review Highlight: "I recently bought these sandals to take on a vacation, and they were absolutely perfect! Comfortable right out of the box—I'm talking zero blisters even after miles of walking on my first day wearing them. They're about as padded as a sandal like this possibly can be, which makes them comfortable to wear all day. They obviously don't provide as much support as other sandals would, but then again, I wasn't expecting support. These are just as stylish with jeans as they are with dresses, and they fit at the beach as well as in the city."
Editor Highlight: Match your shoes to your pedicure this summer.
I love the simplicity of block-heel slides.
Review Highlight: "I love these flip-flops; they are light and comfortable. I don’t wear any other sandals after I bought them."
Review Highlight: "These are the perfect sandals. I love the color and the simplicity. Very chic!"
Editor Highlight: I'm obsessed with the buckle on these sandals.
Review Highlight: "These shoes are unbelievably comfortable and so cute. They're great with jeans, swimsuits, or dresses. I love them."
Editor Highlight: Metallic shoes are trending, making these the perfect sandals for the summer.
Review Highlight: "These sandals are sleek, comfortable, stylish, and perfect for everyday wear. I love the subtle 'C' that isn't in your face and goes with everything. You can tell these were well made and will last a long time. I would absolutely recommend them to anybody!"
Editor Highlight: The braided raffia adds some flair.
Review Highlight: "Love these sandals. The style is similar to Birkenstocks, but these are more polished-looking. They're very comfortable and true-to-size. I cannot wait to wear them as the temps start to warm up."
Editor Highlight: These look designer.
Review Highlight: "These are so cute, so comfy, and so well made! They're a perfect vacation shoe because you can wear with anything."
Editor Highlight: These sandals are a minimalist's dream.
Editor Highlight: Leave it to Miu Miu to make the perfect pair of crochet sandals.
Review Highlight: "Purchased for a beach vacation, and they were perfect. I love the platform!!!!"
Review Highlight: "I love love these slides! They are extremely comfy, and I have taken to wearing them all the time now in this hot weather."
Review Highlight: "I love flatform wedges. These were comfortable right out of the box; I walked 5 miles on the first day with zero issues. The padded in-sock was great for all-day comfort."