How to Buy Walking Sandals

These days, many walkers are leaving closed-toe shoes behind for the comfort and freedom of walking sandals. Like shoes, walking sandals come in an enormous variety of styles, colors and shapes. If you're thinking about buying a pair of them, keep the following tips in mind to ensure that you end up with sandals that are supportive, well-fitting and fun.

Instructions

    • 1

      Think about what kind of walking you'll be doing before shopping for your sandals. It's hard to go wrong with a pair that is supportive, but the cushioning and grip of your sandals should match your walking environment and the distance that you typically cover.

    • 2

      Pick a sandal that offers supportive cushioning. One that offers both arch support and impact absorption is ideal. A sandal that's too soft or not properly formed to your arch can leave your feet feeling tired and turned-out at the end of the day.

    • 3

      Choose a sandal that has a supportive and grippy outsole. The bottom of the sandal needs to be strong, but it should also be flexible enough to roll with your foot during each step. Trail sandals like those made by Chaco and Bite will give you superb grip if you're headed off-road.

    • 4

      Buy sandals whose buckles and straps fit the shape of your feet. Brands like Keen and Bite tend to make sandals that have thick straps and are more like shoes. Chaco and Teva make sandals that have thinner straps arranged in a more open design.

    • 5

      Make sure the sandals you choose are built from durable materials that are appropriate for your walking environment. If you plan on walking off-road or in some place wet, avoid sandals like Birkenstocks that tend to be made from leather and suede. These will stain if they get wet, and they'll probably smell awful.