As our lives start to return to a degree of normalcy after a lengthy lockdown and people get back to activities that make them feel connected, spending time outdoors has become widely popular: the natural world has become a refuge for many and a remedy for lockdown life. Urban dwellers, once confined to their condos and couches, eager for a breath of fresh air, began to explore the beauty that nature has to offer. And for the seasoned outdoor enthusiast whose love of nature goes beyond a mere hobby, the pandemic provided even more opportunity to revel in the outdoors and up their adventure game.
With the temperature on the rise, if you really want to enjoy this green nature movement, a pair of high-performance hiking sandals is a must. From backpacking and climbing, to kayaking and rafting, the best women’s hiking sandals can withstand all types of terrains, are breathable, provide structural support, are super durable, and protect your feet. When choosing a hiking sandal, technical capabilities, too, must be factored in which can contribute to high levels of traction, a comfortable fit, and even odor control.
And you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort, thanks in part to the ‘gorpcore’ streetwear movement that began in 2019. An acronym for “Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts,” this aesthetic is characterized by outdoor-inspired fashion. It put brands like Patagonia, North Face, and Teva on the fashion map, and can pretty much guarantee that any sandals you choose will transition seamlessly from hiking through trails to trapezing city streets.
Bedrock Cairn 3D PRO II Adventure Sandals
For the thrill seeker who loves an adrenaline rush—from scaling mountains to exploding through whitewater, Bedrocks Cairn 3D PRO II Adventure Sandals promise to hold up on both wet and slippery missions. Outfitted with a hook heel strap which creates an extra-secure foothold, and a 3D footbed which is anatomically molded for arch and foot support, it also has the added bonus of a Vibram Megagrip sole which guarantees longevity.
- Price: $130
- Materials: Polyester, nylon, aluminum hardware
- Notable Features: The G-hook-and-loop system locks in the heel strap to create an extra secure foothold, while the design features premium webbing and three adjustment zones to fit even the most horizontally-challenged foot.
Chaco Women’s Z/1 Classic Sandals
Available in 21 bold colors including Tie-Dye,Tetra Sunset, and Inlay Moss, Chaco Women’s Z/1 Classic Sandals are fully adjustable for a customized fit, and designed to handle any terrain you might encounter. Built on a firm classic footbed for ultimate durability and suited for those with a high arch or instep, the sandals have only eight component parts reflecting the simplicity the brand is known for.™
- Price: $100
- Materials: Polyester, Rubber, Polyurethane (PU)
- Notable Features: A Luvseat polyurethane footbed gets the podiatrist seal of approval, and antimicrobial protection helps to prevent odor and fungal buildup.
Teva Hurricane Verge Sandals
Whether you’re up for a nature-filled getaway or plan to explore your own city, Teva Hurricane Verge Sandals are a stylish and durable option designed with wearability and versatility in mind. Since the company first designed their original sport sandal back in 1984, the brand has come a long way, even partnering with big-name designers like Anna Sui and Christian Cowan for collabs. Lined with breathable mesh to keep feet cool, and a robust EVA footbed to help provide all-day comfort, the sandals feature quick-dry webbing made from recycled plastic.
- Price: $80
- Materials: Mesh, Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Microban, Nylon, Repreve Polyester Yarn, Recycled Materials
- Notable Features: A rigid nylon shank helps to reduce foot fatigue and provides support on wet or dry terrain.
Keen Women’s Newport H2 Sandals
The first closed-toe sandal on our list, the Newport H2 is a hybrid—part water shoe, part hiker. It’s Keen’s OG adventure sandal for women, and still the brand’s number one bestseller since launching in 2004. Featuring the support and protection of a shoe, combined with the freedom and comfort of a sandal, this shoe was made to get wet thanks to quick-dry webbing and lining, while the toe bumper helps to keep feet protected from rocks and debris. It comes in a wide range of color patterns including Safari/Papaya, Black/Raspberry Wine, and Drizzle/Porcelain.
- Price: $130
- Materials: Polyester, rubber, EVA
- Notable Features: Roomy, grippy and fast-drying, with quick-cinch bungee lacing for an instant secure fit.
Birkenstock Kalahari Women’s Sandals
If you’ve never owned a pair of Birkenstocks, the unfashionable-fashion shoes that everyone has or wants to have, all the hype will make sense the minute you slip them on the Kalahari Sandals from the brand’s Outdoor Collection. Designed with an anatomically shaped cork-latex footbed with added durability and traction, they’re also weather resistant and feature three straps, each with an individually adjustable hook and loop fastener, including a heel strap for extra security.
- Price: $170
- Materials: Cork-latex, microfiber, PU, Birko-Flor (PVC)
- Notable Features: Self-cleaning lugs and a rugged outsole provide grip and durability across varied terrain.
Ecco Women’s Yucatan Sandals
Equal parts rugged and stylish, Ecco Womens’ Yucatan Sandals are able to grip terrain like a hiking shoe and feature the brand’s FLUIDFORM™ technology which provides long-lasting cushioning. Equally lightweight and supportive, the sandals boast a soft yet durable nubuck upper, and three easy-to-adjust velcro straps. Lightweight and supportive, the addition of rubber outsoles provide solid traction on both wet and dry surfaces.
- Price: $135
- Materials: Leather, neoprene, EVA, microfiber, rubber
- Notable Features: RECEPTOR® technology mirrors human motion and enhances stability for added cushion and support while walking.
Xero Naboso Trail Sport Sandals
Naboso, which literally translates to ‘barefoot’ in Czech, is a barely-there trail sport sandal from Xero, that features a three-layer sole and the convenience of ready-to-wear—the lacing is already done for you. The sandals feature Naboso™ technology in the footbed, created by podiatrist Emily Splichal, which is basically a material that can stimulate the nerves in the foot and is designed for the purpose of improving posture and enhancing movement. Ideal for both hiking and running, the sandals are compact and lightweight—a women’s size 7 averages 8.4 ounces.
- Price: $109.99
- Materials: Nylon, rubber, TrailFoam™
- Notable Features: Super flexible to stimulate natural foot function, with an adjustable Z-pattern so you’ll get the right tension across and over your foot and behind your heel.
Merrell Women’s Terran 3 Cush Lattice Sandals
When they first launched back in 1981, Merrill took home the crown for manufacturing “the most comfortable and functional hiking boots in North America.” Over the last forty-one years, they’ve continued to develop superior footwear and their Women’s Terran 3 Cush Lattice Sandals are no exception. Fitted with breathable materials including nubuck leather, they feature 100 percent recycled upper webbing and a hook and loop closure system for quick adjustability, while NXT technology provides natural odor defense.
- Price: $85
- Materials: Nubuck leather, microfibre, EVA, nylon, thermoplastic rubber (TPR)
- Notable Features: A molded nylon arch shank guarantees extra firmness, while increased padding underfoot protects from the impact of rough, uneven terrain.
Teva Universal Trail Sandals
Excellent for traction both in and out of the water, Teva Universal Trail Sandals mixes a cushioned and contoured EVA midsole with a rugged Vibram® Megagrip outsole that provides a combination of grip and durability ideal for vigorous activities. There’s also the added comfort of quick-drying polyester straps made from recycled water bottles. And with every purchase, the brand saves four bottles from ending up in landfills. Consider this option if you’re on the market for a sandal that transitions well from trail to city.
- Price: $100
- Materials: Polyester, mesh, EVA, rubber
- Notable Features: Created using synthetic and plant-based materials, they include a versatile tread pattern for all terrain-performance.
Keen Women’s Whisper Sandals
Since they began making shoes in 2003, Keen has been on a detox journey, selecting materials that favor sustainability and don’t harmfully impact the environment. Slimmer and more streamlined than the brand’s original hybrid, the Whisper Sandals feature a grippy sole that is as equally great for hiking as they are on wet ground, and quick-to-dry, lightweight webbing to take you from rocky river beds to steep trails in no-time flat.
- Price: $120
- Materials: Polyester, EVA, rubber
- Notable Features: Water-friendly, lightweight, and odor-resistant, the EVA footbed provides added arch-support and the nylon mesh linings enhance moisture control.
Disclosure: Clicking on these links and making a purchase may earn us a small referral fee, at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.
