The Summer Sandal Guide: Choosing a Pair You'll Actually Wear

Sandals look like the simplest shoe to buy and are quietly one of the hardest. There is very little material holding your foot in place, which means fit problems that a closed shoe would forgive become immediately obvious. Here is how the main styles differ and who each one suits.

Flat slides

One or two straps across the foot, nothing at the back. The easiest sandal to put on and the easiest to get wrong. Because nothing holds your heel, your toes grip slightly with every step to keep the shoe on — which is fine for short distances and tiring over long ones. Best for warm days with limited walking. Look for a strap that sits across the widest part of your foot rather than close to the toes, which holds far more securely.

Ankle-strap sandals

The single biggest upgrade in sandal comfort. An ankle strap stops your foot sliding forward, which means your toes stop gripping and the whole shoe becomes stable. If you want one sandal that will handle a full day of walking, choose one with an ankle strap. It also visually anchors the shoe to your leg, which many people find more flattering.

Block heel sandals

A block heel gives you height with a stable base — you can walk on grass, gravel and cobbles without sinking or wobbling, which a stiletto simply cannot do. This makes them the default choice for outdoor summer events. Two to three inches is the sweet spot for all-day wear.

Strappy heeled sandals

The dressiest option and the least forgiving. Multiple thin straps look beautiful but concentrate pressure into narrow lines across your foot, so fit has to be close to exact. Buy these having measured properly, and break them in at home first. Our sandals and summer styles collection is the place to start.

Espadrilles and wedges

A wedge distributes your weight across the entire sole rather than concentrating it on a heel point, which makes them among the most comfortable ways to gain real height. The trade-off is flexibility — most wedges have very little give, so your stride shortens slightly. Excellent for standing, less ideal for distance.

Fit notes specific to sandals

• Nothing should overhang. Your foot should sit fully within the footbed, front, back and sides. Overhang at the sides is the clearest sign the shoe is too narrow.
• Straps should sit flat. A strap that has to stretch to close is too tight and will mark your foot within an hour.
• Check the heel. A small gap at the back is normal. More than about a centimetre and your foot is sliding.
• Mind the toe. Your toes should not reach the very front edge — leave a few millimetres.

How many do you actually need?

Most people are well served by three: a flat or low sandal for everyday, one block heel that can handle an event, and one dressier pair. Beyond that you are buying for specific occasions rather than filling a gap.

Making them last

Summer is hard on sandals — sun, sand, water and sweat all degrade the footbed. Wipe them down at the end of a day at the beach, let them dry away from direct heat, and store them flat rather than stacked. Leather footbeds in particular will crack if they dry out in the sun.

Buy for how you will actually spend the day, not for how the sandal looks sitting still. The pair that handles a long walk is the pair you will reach for all summer.