I need sandals.. It's summer. It's hot.

June 23, 2022 8:14 PM

Comfortable durable men's sandals? I can't go through summer in socks...

After my cheap under $20 flip flops flopped again and ripped apart while walking I need sandals. I wanna get good ones now though. I prefer flip flop style for easy slip-on/slip-off but open to all types. Flip flop design is usually better for me to walk in without them falling off and they're quicker to get into and out but they also cause rubbing between my big and long toes and the cheap ones I've used for a while never last more than a year or so. Over the foot strap type never seem to stay on cause I have wide but small feet. What's a comfortable men's sandal that will both last and not hurt my feet and toes?

posted by downtohisturtles to Shopping (12 answers total)

After some similar issues of repeated discomfort and/or structural failures, I ended up with Reef Cushion Lux sandals. They’ve held up well, they’re heckin’ comfy… I’d buy them again.
posted by twigatwig at 8:24 PM on June 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

Chacos!
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:43 PM on June 23, 2022

I watched this video about Tevas recently which was amusing and informative. I have a pair of their older sport style sandals that have held up to seriously heavy use over the years and am considering some new ones in a different style. You don’t say if it’s an issue for you or not but an ankle strap would solve the problem of slides not staying on but flip flops chafing. Teva does make flip flops, though.
posted by Mizu at 8:45 PM on June 23, 2022 [4 favorites]

Okabashi This is my favorite brand of minimal footwear. If you do a Metafilter search under the brand name you will see that there are about ten other MeFites that like them as well.
posted by effluvia at 10:15 PM on June 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

Seconding Chacos. A little pricy but indestructible. I have a pair that's been my primary summer footwear for the past ten years and they're still in great shape.
posted by key lime guy at 10:37 PM on June 23, 2022

I love my crocs flipflops. Only flipflops I've found where I don't regularly skin the end of my toes. Current pair are three years old.
posted by Faff at 12:28 AM on June 24, 2022

Bedrock sandals are often recommended as a Chacos alternative if you want something a little lighter. The best thing about them is the piece between your toes is thin and soft.
posted by umwhat at 3:41 AM on June 24, 2022 [3 favorites]

I've been living in Ecco sandals all summer for years. One pair lasts me a decade or so until the velcro starts to wear out (and even then they're still usable).

They're generally comfortable and I can walk a few miles a day in them no problem.
posted by DrumsIntheDeep at 6:58 AM on June 24, 2022

I mean Birkenstocks are so popular for a reason. Not quite a flip-flop but they are a much better design in my opinion.
posted by sid at 7:43 AM on June 24, 2022

Seconding Bedrocks. They're the most comfortable sandals I remember owning.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:36 PM on June 24, 2022

A friend who is a flip flop expert - he wears them almost all the time- recommends Sanuk.

He says they last forever.
posted by mareli at 1:49 PM on June 24, 2022

I wear sanuk sandals these days and love them, although I took them on a long walk the other day and it nearly blistered the soles of my feet.

I have friends who swear by rainbows, which I would compare with old school blue jeans — really durable, comfy once they’re broken in, but basically zero stretch or cushioning.

(In retrospect, my sanuk-instigated blistering was surely because of the cushioning — the give in the sole causes it to rub against the skin.)
posted by bjrubble at 8:57 AM on June 26, 2022