Hands up if you’ve fallen in love with a pair of sandals, only to try them on and realise that they meet all of the style criteria, but fall short on the practicality side. Me too. Walking away from dream shoes is always painful, especially if you’ve already started planning outfits around them—but not quite as painful as poorly designed footwear (I'm sure your ankles would agree).
And realistically, we’re all wearing our sandals for long days of sightseeing, beach-hopping or simply strolling around in the sun. That’s what summer is all about, but nothing dampens high spirits like a shoe that keeps slipping off. For this reason, I’ve turned to ankle strap sandals to tick all the important boxes.
And while, like every other fashion person at the moment, I love the look of a flip-flop, ankle strap sandals provide a little extra support that goes a long way in keeping your shoe in place. They also tend to cause less friction, since your foot isn’t constantly shifting around from lack of security. And if that wasn’t enough reason to add a pair to your summer rotation, there’s the bonus of adjustability: with multiple buckle holes on most, you can fasten the strap for a just-right fit.
Basically, if you're planning to walk further than fifty metres this summer, this sandal style is a sensible investment. And you can start your search for the perfect pair right here, because I've rounded up the best ankle strap sandals for every budget. Shop my top picks from brands like Whistles, Marks and Spencer, Ancient Greek Sandals and Toteme.
Shop the Best Ankle-Strap Sandals:
The Best Ankle-Strap Sandals Under £100:
A great, versatile option from the high street.
I love this take on an ankle strap.
These also come in bright red.
Super chic.
These will elevate any outfit, day or night.
The Best Ankle-Strap Sandals Under £200
This simple design will go with all your summer outfits.
A pop of red, anyone?
I think these look a lot more expensive than they are, thanks to the rich brown shade and criss-cross straps.
These look really chic on.
This brand is an influencer favourite. Expect classic, comfortable and long-lasting sandals.
The Best Ankle-Strap Sandals Under £500
There's something nostalgic about this pair.
Slot these into a ’70s boho-inspired look.
The perfect summer evening shoe.
Just one of many Isabel Marant designs I've been eyeing up lately.
I'm expecting to see these all over Instagram any day now.
The Best Ankle-Strap Sandals Under £1000
A modern classic.
Perfectly minimal, for those who prefer pared-back style.
You can also pick these up in black leather.
When it comes to footwear, Gucci gets it right every time.
Add something different to your warm weather wardrobe.
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