Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More Next
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2020. Read More Next
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More Next
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    • Travel Guides
    • Flight Deals
    • Travel Deals
    • Ways to Save
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Disney Vacations
    • Festivals + Events
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Buses + Trains
    • Ground Transportation
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home
  2. Style
  3. Shoes
  4. The Best Sandals for Your Feet, According to Podiatrists

The Best Sandals for Your Feet, According to Podiatrists

By Dwyer Frame / Health.com and Health.com
July 28, 2016
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
This story originally appeared on health.com

Related: What to Know About the ‘Heat Dome’ Settling Over Much of the U.S.The 50 Most Gorgeous Running Races in America, State by StateThe 50 Best Bike Rides in America, State by StateSummer means grilling, the beach, and sandals. And although it’s always fun to kick your heavy winter boots aside­, sandals are not the most foot-friendly shoes to be wearing. Besides the lack of support and blister-causing straps, sandals can also be easier to trip in, leading to bumps, bruises, or something worse, like rolled ankles and broken toes.

Luckily, there are supportive and stylish sandals out there. We reached out to top podiatrists across the country to get the scoop on what they personally wear and recommend to their patients.
Start Slideshow

1 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandal

Credit: Courtesy of Zappos.com

“There are many companies that have started making much better sandals. People have gotten much less formal and perform increased activities with less supportive shoes. The companies have caught on to this and have started designing better sandals. Companies like Birkenstock have been around for a long time and have made good sandals with good foot beds at a reasonable price.” —Howard Osterman, a Washington, D.C.-based podiatrist

To buy: $135; zappos.com

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Vionic Kirra Sandal

Credit: Courtesy of Zappos.com

“I like Vionic sandals because a podiatrist created the company. No one knows the foot’s biomechanics better than a podiatrist. When the Vionic shoes where constructed, shock absorption and arch support where highly taken into consideration.” —Hilary Brenner, New York City-based podiatrist

To buy: $70; zappos.com

2 of 7

3 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

NAOT Footwear Kayla

Credit: Courtesy of Zappos.com

“I tell my patients to think about walking on the beach and having the foot form a pattern in the sand—that is what most of the sandals that I recommend do. The second reason for the recommendation, particularly for women, is basically looks!” —Grace Hodges, a podiatrist in Pensacola, Fla.

To buy: $135; zappos.com

3 of 7

Advertisement

4 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Therafit Claire Sandal

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

“This brand has patented technology with adjustable cushion and shock-absorbing midsoles, contoured foot bed, superior arch support, and deep heel cups that stabilize and support feet. The sandals offer relief from arch pain, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and pronation. The company is endorsed by the National Posture Institute and has a seal of approval by the National Podatric Medical Association. Plus they also look great!” —Dr. Spichal

To buy: $130; amazon.com

4 of 7

5 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

OluKai U’I Sandal

Credit: Courtesy of Zappos.com

"I live in Florida, so patients always ask me about flip-flops. Flip-flops were never designed for all-day wear. They were mainly for shower and for pool use. However, that doesn't stop people from wearing them outside of those realms…A few flip-flop brands that I've recommended include OluKai, Vionic, and Fit Flops. These brands have created designs which have contoured foot beds in which the heel sits and there is support in the arch.” —Dr. Hodges

To buy: $90; zappos.com

5 of 7

6 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Toesox Serena Five Toe Sandals

Credit: Courtesy of Zappos.com

“Toesox sandals are great, as they have the slips between the digits which allow for better grip to the sandal and also support the individual digits during walking. I often recommend these sandals to my patients who have hammertoes as they help to support the smaller muscles of the foot.” —Emily Spichal, a podiatrist and fitness trainer based in New York City

To buy: $49; amazon.com

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Aertex Jillian Sandal

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

"I especially like the Aetrex sandals that are strapped around the ankle. Not only does this provide more stability, but it allows for a more natural gait pattern. In addition, all Aetrex sandals contain their orthotics built into the sandals and are fully adjustable for a variety of foot shapes.” —Dr. Spichal

To buy: $112; amazon.com

7 of 7

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Dwyer Frame / Health.com and Health.com

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 7 Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandal
2 of 7 Vionic Kirra Sandal
3 of 7 NAOT Footwear Kayla
4 of 7 Therafit Claire Sandal
5 of 7 OluKai U’I Sandal
6 of 7 Toesox Serena Five Toe Sandals
7 of 7 Aertex Jillian Sandal

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Guide Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

View image

The Best Sandals for Your Feet, According to Podiatrists
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.