5 Women’s Hiking Sandals to Rule Them All
What makes a pair of the best women’s hiking sandals? Unlike flip flops or slides, a hiking sandal should be fully secured to the foot and have a rigid sole to sustain uneven terrain. Waterproof materials are definitely a plus.
WHY HIKING SANDALS?
Just like anything in life, it really boils down to preference and a list of pros and cons.
A women’s hiking sandal is going to offer much less support and protection than a day hiking shoe. But a day hiking shoe will offer less support and protection than a mid rise backpacking boot. Yet all exist and for different reasons!
Women’s hiking sandals come in clutch during the summer months and can easily be worn through spring and fall. From casual outdoor outings, to water expeditions, hiking, and even backpacking, hiking sandals just might be the perfect pair of soles for you.
There’s a time and place for every type of hiking shoe. If you’re looking for a pair of quality women’s hiking sandals you came to the right place.
Women’s Hiking Sandals: Ups & Downs
PROS
- Lightweight
- Wet Feet Dry Faster
- Don’t Have to Wear Socks
- Easily Shake Out Trail Debris
- Some Are Completely Waterproof
- No Toe Box Means No Toenail Damage
- Ultimate Breathability Means Less Blisters
- Ability to Walk Right Through Water Crossings
CONS
- No Ankle Support
- Potential Strap Hot Spots
- Lose a Strap, Might Lose a Sandal
- Less Protection – Sun, Cold, Bug Bites, Snakes, Rocks
- Sandal Strap Tan Lines (might be a pro as some womens hiking
- sandals are adorable!)
After reading these pros and cons you’ve probably just confirmed why you want a pair of women’s hiking sandals. The cons aren’t really anything outside of what you already knew!
So with that said let’s see what brands are making the best women’s hiking sandals and why.
Oh, and even though your feet may be exposed you should still consider these 6 Articles of Sun Protection for Hiking to avoid damage from harmful UV rays.
5 BEST WOMEN’S HIKING SANDALS IN 2022
The following list is in no particular order.
🌻 Our content may contain affiliate links. If clicked through to make a purchase, the price remains the same for you and we will earn a small commission. This helps us to continue creating useful and valuable content for you and other visitors. 💜1. Teva Women’s Tirra Sandals
If you know anything about women’s hiking sandals or outdoor footwear in general, then you’ve surely heard of Teva. They’ve been dominating the outdoor men and women’s hiking sandals market since 1984.
The Teva Women’s Tirra Sandals are a modern design fit for all kinds of outdoor activities. Multiple straps allow a custom, comfort fit. They have compression top and bottom soles that absorb shock providing you with ‘push off’ inertia with each step.
The outer soles are made with their trademarked ‘Spider Rubber®,’ which consists of high friction, tacky rubber perfect for gripping all kinds of terrain, wet and dry.
Teva Tirra’s are also available in over 20 color combinations.
FEATURES
- Best for: Day hikes, Light hikes
- Quick-dry webbing made from recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE® polyester yarn by Unifi® supports your foot and stands up to abuse
- Easy hook-and-loop closure comes on and off quickly and gets the fit just right
- A cushioned Shoc Pad™ in the heel absorbs impact where you need it most
- An added contoured EVA midsole gives you added arch support , Nylon shank stabilizes and supports your foot on uneven terrain
Rugged Spider Rubber outsole, designed to work in wet conditions, is extremely durable and supplies great traction - Sustainability Initiative(s): Vegan footwear, created using synthetic and plant-based materials, Webbing made from recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE® polyester yarn by Unifi®
- Half pair weight for size W7/M9: 9.0oz
WHAT WE DISLIKE
- For some the straps are too long, hanging off the sandal
- Reports of inconsistent sizing from previous years model
- Has a wider fit, not suitable for those with very narrow feet
2. KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandals
Looking for women’s hiking sandals with a little more support and coverage? The KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandals has a reputation for being an all out adventure sandal on both land and in water.
Simply slip them on and cinch the cord for a secure fit. Thanks to probiotic technology infused in the upper soles, these women’s hiking sandals naturally break down odor produced by sweat.
Cleaning them is incredibly easy too, you simply toss them in the washing machine and they’re good to go.
FEATURES
- Cleansport NXT™ for natural odor control
- Multi directional lug pattern for increased traction
- Secure fit lace capture system
- TPU stability shank
- Women’s specific fit
MATERIAL
- Washable polyester webbing upper
- Non-marking rubber outsole
- Compression molded EVA midsole
- Hydrophobic mesh lining
- Metatomical EVA footbed
WEIGHT
- 8.7 oz / 246.6 g
CARE
- All KEEN water sandals are machine washable. Use a small amount of detergent, wash on gentle cycle and air dry.
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WHAT WE DISLIKE
- Quality control can be spotty
- Top sole is hard as opposed to soft
- Heel strap may lose elasticity resulting in poor fit
3. Chaco Women’s ZX2 Classic Athletic Sandal
Another cult classic are the Chaco Women’s ZX2 Classic Sandals, worn by people since 1989. With only 8 component parts, these sandals are simple and to the point, while accomplishing both function and form.
Straps can be manually adjusted for a custom fit, accommodating all foot shapes and sizes. Pair that with podiatrist-certified LUVSEAT™ PU footbeds and you have a pair of womens hiking sandals that provide all day comfort.
Chacogrip™ outersoles feature a new tread design, optimal for gripping wet surfaces.
UPPER:
- Double-strapped polyester jacquard webbing upper wraps around the foot and through the midsole for a customized fit
- Toe loop for secure fit
- Adjustable and durable high-tensile webbing heel risers
- Injection-molded ladder lock buckle
MIDSOLE:
- Women’s specific LUVSEAT™ PU midsole
- Vegan-friendly construction
OUTSOLE:
- Non-marking ChacoGrip™ rubber compound
- 3mm lug depth
WHAT WE DISLIKE
- Heel is very narrow
- Straps can become to tight
- Comfort and fit not for everyone
- Heavy compared to others on this list
- Fastening straps have a learning curve
4. Teva Women’s Original Universal Sandals
What kind of article would this be if I didn’t include the timeless Teva Women’s Original Universal Sandals? We’re talking about a pair of womens hiking sandals that have been around since 1989.
While the design has remained essentially unchanged, there are now more colors and patterns to choose from then I can count.
These aren’t the most rugged women’s hiking sandals on this list, but they can easily work for shorter, easy to moderate trails. They wear seamlessly between the outdoors and urban settings.
FEATURES
- Best for: All-day wear , Festival wear, Getting around town, Water activities
- Quick-dry webbing made from recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE® polyester yarn by Unifi® The Universal
- Strapping System™ and earth-friendly recycled polyester webbing supports your foot and stands up to abuse, Multiple points of adjustability let you dial in the absolute perfect fit
- Easy hook-and-loop closure comes on and off quickly and gets the fit just right
- Molded EVA midsole with heel cupping and arch cookie for added support
- Rubber outsole for durability and traction
- Added Microban® treatment keeps smells at bay
- Sustainability Initiative(s): Vegan footwear, created using synthetic and plant-based materials, Webbing made from recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE® polyester yarn by Unifi®
- Half pair weight for size W7/M9: 5.5oz
WHAT WE DISLIKE
- Back strap isn’t adjustable
- Velcro straps too short for some
- Size runs wide; not for narrow feet
- Not as robust as other women’s hiking sandals
5. ECCO Women’s Yucatan Sandals
Looking into the ECCO Women’s Yucatan Sandals we have a pair of women’s hiking sandals that may be the most comfortable on this list.
The footbeds of these performance sandals have been described as soft pillows under your feet. Nubuck leather is used across 3 adjustable straps and lined with nylon/spandex liners for premium comfort on and off the trail.
You can most certainly get these wet, but they won’t be quick to dry. That’s the trade off for having highly durable nubuck leather uppers.
FEATURES
- Tackle the terrain in PUre comfort in this performance sandal
- Direct-injected PU midsole featuring full length RECEPTOR®
- Technology
- Rubber outsole
- Nubuck uppers
- Dual density footbed for added comfort
WHAT WE DISLIKE
- Not entirely waterproof; slow to dry
- May be a tight fit for those with wider feet
- Can get a bit toasty in weather over 90°F
Hit the Trail with Any of These Women’s Hiking Sandals
Initially the thought of hiking in sandals may be crazy. But rest assured, you’re not alone as there’s a hearty market for women’s hiking sandals.
Not everyone wants to hike with full size boots and instead much prefer something open, lightweight, and still capable on rougher terrain.
All of the women’s hiking sandals on this list are tried and true by the outdoor community. Now it’s just about finding which pair suits your lifestyle best!
If you do need a new pair of hiking boots you can hop on over to 3 Performance Day Hiking Shoes for Men and Women.
Do you already own a pair of women’s hiking sandals? Is it on this list? We’d love to know in a comment below!
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