Whether you are going on vacation or are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, sandals provide comfort and style in hotter temperatures.
Open-toed shoes can be extremely casual and waterproof or more formal and elegant. There are sandals for every occasion!
Sandals offer comfort and style in warm weather, with various styles available for different occasions, making it easier to find the right pair when considering vacations or warm climates (Credit: Selena3726 / Shutterstock)
When trying to find a place to buy sandals, it can feel overwhelming. To help you narrow your search, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the different styles of sandals available.
6 Types of Sandals That You Should Know
1. Flip flops
Flip flops are extremely versatile. Although they are most commonly worn to the beach or pool, they come in a number of styles and colors and can range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, depending on the brand and materials.
Also known as thong slippers, flip flops are flat casual sandals with a thin sole that leave your feet exposed
Most flip flops are very affordable, waterproof and they are always easy to slip on and off in a hurry. Flip flops are available for men, women, and children of all ages!
2. Slides
Historically, slides, with one thick band across the foot, were more athletic. Brands like Nike and Adidas made slides that were great commuting shoes for athletes.
Easy to slide on and off the foot, slide sandals are characterized by one or multiple straps that run across the center top part of the shoe
They were also made from rubber making them waterproof and easier to clean. Now, slides have become high-fashion footwear with designers like Gucci and Fendi making luxe pairs of slides from leather, satin, and faux fur.
3. Gladiator sandals
A trend started by Ancient Romans, this style is both high-fashion and functional.
Also called Roman sandals or caligae, gladiator sandals are normally flat with several wide cross straps
Although this used to be the chosen footwear for men in battle, gladiator sandals are now best paired with a summer dress or shorts and sold in women’s sizes.
4. Dressy sandals
Dressy sandals worn with formal wear are often made from more luxe materials like leather or satin and feature gold or silver hardware and buckles.
Of course, they usually have a heel and are made by every major shoe designer!
Dress sandals can be worn at smart casual or more formal events like parties and weddings
Heels are the most common dressy sandal for women ranging from 1 to 4 inches.
There are already dressy sandals for men, often made from brown or black leather.
5. Wedge sandals
Wedge sandals are perfect if you want to add some height while still keeping your foot comfortable.
They vary in height, usually with the heel slightly elevated, making a wedge shape that supports the length of your foot.
These Rockstud wedges from Valentino Garavani are made from lamb leather in a metallic golden hue and are defined with tonal pyramid embellishments
These may have one strap over the front of the foot or an ankle strap for added support.
The higher the lift, the more support you will need to prevent injury.
6. Flats
Flat sandals have a thin sole with no heel and can have a variety of straps. It may have a thong toe but often entails more straps than your basic flip flop.
Similar to flip flops, flat sandals are incredibly versatile and can be designed for athletic, casual, or formal wear.
Flats sandals are a great shoe choice for everyday comfort, ease, and enduring style
When shopping for sandals for the whole family, time is a luxury that isn’t typically on your side.
To help save you the trouble of scouring the internet for sandal retailers, we have put together a list of the top 10 best places to buy sandals for men, women, and kids.
1. 6pm (Zappos Outlet)
Did you know that Zappos also has an outlet store? They sure do, and it’s a great place to buy sandals for all men and women of all ages. 6pm is known for its great sales, even on high-end, brand name sandals.
If you love name brands, you will love this site. Their deal of the day can save you up to 70% off sandals already priced lower than competitors. The website makes shopping for sandals very easy.
All you have to do is click on the sandal category, and you will have tens of thousands to choose from!
Seem a bit overwhelming? Not to worry, you can narrow down your search results and look for a style of sandals like flip flops, active, flat, or heeled sandals.
2. Birkenstock Online Shop
Birkenstock sandals were created by a German cobbler named Johann Adam Birkenstock in 1774. These notoriously comfortable sandals feature two straps across the top of the foot with adjustable buckles and a unique footbed.
Unlike other sandals, Birkenstocks have an anatomically shaped inner sole designed to support the foot. 4 layers in the footbed make these sandals very comfortable while promoting foot health and wellness.
The two straps are the OG Birkenstock, but they now have several styles to choose from, including wedges, beach, thong, and ankle strap sandals, and are available in men’s, women’s, and kids’ sizes.
3. Nordstrom – Luxury department store chain
If you appreciate designer sandals, you will find one of the most extensive selections at Nordstrom. You will find everything from stiletto heels to flip flops and everything in between.
The kid’s selection is incredible, so if you want to match your little one in a pair of UGG Fluff Yeah slides, you will find them at Nordstrom!
If there is a particular style you are looking for, the Nordstrom website makes it very easy to search the thousands of pairs of shoes they have. You can filter style, color, brand, size, and width.
4. Keen Footwear
Toddlers, kids, moms, and dads can all find sandals perfect for outdoor adventures at Keen Footwear.
The brand is very keen on sustainability and giving back. Since the brand launched in 2003, they’ve donated over $15 million to non-profit organizations and causes.
The sandals have a sneaker-esque sole, so they are great for hiking or camping. They also boast a slip-resistant grip and cushioned support.
The straps are made from quick-dry, recycled plastic webbing, and to keep them in place, it has a recycled PET plastic bungee cord and lack-lock system. Unlike many sandals, these have a closed toe for safety when trekking forest floors or rocky hills.
5. Merrell – Hiking, running, and casual shoes
Merrell has casual and athletic sandals for kids, men, and women.
Although they may all look different, the quality and comfort are consistent. So whether you get leather thong sandals or athletic waterproof slides, you can be sure they were built to last.
Merrell also has hiking sandals with thick rubber outsoles designed to give you the grip and traction needed to tackle the trails.
Function is at the heart of this footwear company, so when you search for sandals, you can search by activity like trail running, hiking, or casual.
6. Crocs – Casual shoes, foam clogs, and sandals
Crocs’ unique slide-on shoes may have been mocked years ago, but no one can deny the comfort of their line of sandals. The style of their sandals has come a long way too!
For women, they have t-strap flats, thong sandals, slides, and cross-band sandals. Just check out the Serena flip – feminine, stylish, and super comfortable. Men’s and kids’ styles include flip flops, slides, and cross strap sandals.
Although the style varies, they are all made from croslite foam, making them extremely lightweight and flexible. Waterproof and yet offering loads of cushioning, croc’s sandals are perfect for the whole family.
7. DSW – Designer and name brand shoes
For a large selection of sandals for men, women, and kids, look no further than DSW. They have every possible style you could ever want, including stiletto open-toe heels, flip flops, leather slides, and athletic sandals.
For designer sandals, you will find very competitive pricing at DSW, getting a great deal on brands like Gucci, Chinese Laundry, Converse, Calvin Klein, and more. You can shop online or visit one of their many retail locations.
8. Shoe Carnival – Family footwear
If you are looking to buy sandals for the entire family in one spot, shoe carnival will provide you with a ton of options and won’t break the bank. They have a lot of well-known brands at discounted prices.
Plus, if you join their rewards program, you can earn points for greater discounts down the road. Shop for comfortable sandals, activewear, or those that are more suitable for formal events. You can get it all at a great price.
9. JCPenney – American department store chain
Kids’ feet grow quickly, so you may not want to spend a lot on a pair of sandals they will outgrow by next summer. If you want to buy sandals for the whole family for cheap, check out JCPenney.
The quality is great for the price, and they have a lot of options to choose from.
If you shop their sales and take advantage of their virtual coupons, you will save a lot of money on sandals, getting pairs for under $10!
JCPenney has every style of sandal, including slides, gladiators, dressy sandals, and flats.
10. Mytheresa – High-end luxury sandals
If you are looking for the latest designer sandals, then check out the selection at Mytheresa. You’ll find top designers like Christian Louboutin, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, and Burberry.
You don’t necessarily have to pay sticker price either, they often have sales, and you can shop the clearance section of sandals for last year’s collection.
Mytheresa has the most eclectic collection of men’s and kids’ sandals as well, in colors like gold, silver, and metallic purple.