Please Wear Sandals With Arch Support (Your Feet Will Thank You) (2025)

Gone are the days of sweating in heavy sneakers and tripping over flimsy flip-flops. You need the best sandals with arch support—a.k.a. pairs that let your feet breathe, but are still sturdy underfoot.

Good arch support can make your shoes feel more comfortable (even if you’re walking or standing all day long) and prevent achiness from plantar fasciitis, Amy DeGirolamo, DPM, a podiatrist at Florida Foot and Ankle Associates in Miami, tells SELF. Even if you don’t deal with pain, you may still benefit from wearing sandals with more structure—say, if you have flat feet.

And they aren’t all chunky orthopedic pairs either. We found cute, expert- and editor-approved options that you’ll want to wear on repeat. Take your pick!

Our top picks

• Best Overall: Chaco Z/1 Classic, $63
• Best for Hiking: Teva Hurricane XLT2, $79
• Best for Wide Feet: Birkenstock Milano Big Buckle Sandal, $175
• Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Kuru Current Water Sandal, $102
• Best House Shoe: Vionic Rejuvenate, $65
• Most Adjustable: Naot Enid, $130
• Most Stylish: Sorel Viibe, $60
• Most Protective: Keen Rose, $66

Shop the best sandals with arch support

If you’re ready to put some extra spring in your step on your summer strolls, check out our favorite sandals with arch support below.

Best Overall: Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandals

Nick Cutri, DPT, physical therapist and founder of MOTI Physiotherapy in Los Angeles, recommends Chaco sandals because they’re supportive but have a more minimalist profile. The footbed on the Z/1 Classic is contoured to the shape of your foot and has a lift in the arch that helped it earn the seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). The seal is only awarded to shoes that podiatrists have found to be good for your feet, so you know you’re getting a solid sandal.

“I love the Chaco Classic because they’re perfect for hiking and walking,” one SELF editor says. She’s worn her pair over muddy trails, through waterfalls, and more. Another SELF editor loves the Z/1 Classic for dog walks in warm weather. “They’re firm, but not hard, with enough flexibility that they bend as I walk. And the straps are adjustable enough to accommodate my super-narrow feet,” she says.

Best for Hiking: Teva Hurricane XLT2

Like Chaco, Teva is a household name when it comes to ultra-supportive hiking and walking sandals—Dr. Cutri knows people who’ve hiked the Grand Canyon in a pair. Our top pick from the brand is the SELF Fave Hurricane XLT2, which one writer calls her “go-to shoes for spring, summer, and beyond.”

She put her pair through the wringer on hikes across the Austrian countryside and strolls over rough cobblestone paths and couldn’t find any major signs of wear. (That’s the sign of a truly trail-ready sandal, if you ask us.)

Best for Wide Feet: Birkenstock Milano Big Buckle Sandal

It’s no secret that Birks run wide. But that’s why one SELF editor loves them: “As someone with wide feet and high arches, it’s important that my shoes have a little extra room for my feet to swell throughout the day,” she says. “These are spacious, super breathable, and supportive enough that I can run errands all summer long in them.”

The Milano has a lightweight foam and cork footbed that contours to your foot over time. Plus “the big buckles and extra backstrap are so cute and functional at the same time,” our editor says. “I love that all of the straps are adjustable too.”

Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Kuru Current Water Sandal

Nicholas Japs, DPT, a physical therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, previously told SELF that Kuru makes excellent sandals for people with plantar fasciitis. The secret: their contoured, heel-hugging, shock-absorbing insoles.

The Current also has the brand’s maximum amount of cushioning and an outsole with a deep tread, so you can feel comfy and stable on your outings.

Best House Shoe: Vionic Rejuvenate

Dr. Cutri, Dr. DeGirolamo, and Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute St. Vincent’s Medical Center, all recommend Vionic sandals. Lots of the brand’s shoes have earned the APMA’s seal of approval, including the cool and comfy Rejuvenate Sandal.

“These slides have replaced my fuzzy slippers for the warm weather—and honestly, it’s for the best because they’re way more supportive,” says one SELF writer. She loves this slide’s arch support, grooved footbed, and adjustable Velcro strap. The Rejuvenate is also undoubtedly tough enough to wear outside, with a thick, synthetic outsole to protect your feet on hot girl walks around the neighborhood.

Most Adjustable: Naot Enid

Naot’s Enid sandals “have a clean, bold design that goes with everything,” our tester says. “They’re my favorite supportive summer sandal.”

We also love the adjustable straps—one over the toes and one on the top of the foot—and the removable cork footbed (BYO insoles, anyone?). And the instep strap has a stretchy panel that moves with your foot as you walk rather than digging into your skin. Even better, the heel and toe straps are padded. “I can wear them all day and on long walks without pain,” our tester confirms.

Best for Travel: Sorel Viibe

All of Sorel’s sandals come recommended by Dr. Piekarska, but the Viibe model stands out for its thick insole and contoured footbed. Sculpted foam holds and cushions your feet with every step, while the lightly padded straps shouldn’t chafe or cause blisters.

Plus it’s a genuinely cute sandal that’ll look equally at home with hiking shorts or sundresses. Pro tip: They’re light enough to throw in your suitcase on summer getaways (and supportive enough to carry you through a long day at the airport too).

Most Protective: Keen Rose

All of the experts we spoke with love Keen’s supportive, comfortable sandals. Dr. DeGirolamo likes the breathable and protective Rose model because you can wear it both around town and in the water.

It’s quick-drying and has a sturdy outsole with lots of traction, but we really love the rubber toe cap. If you’re navigating rocky trails, bumpy roads, or pebbly beaches this summer, that extra coverage will give you some peace of mind (and hopefully spare your toes from a few devastating stubs).

How can you tell if a sandal will be supportive?

Look for shoes that match the shape of your feet. If you have high arches, you’ll probably need a sandal with extra height in the midfoot to hold your feet in place, Dr. Cutri says. Flat feet or low arches need comfortable footbeds that don’t rise as high. Either way, make sure your feet feel held and supported.

Dr. Cutri also recommends checking for a good balance between flexibility and rigidity in your footwear. A shoe that’s too firm won’t feel great (and may even cause foot pain), while one that has too much give won’t provide enough stability. To check, try folding or bending your shoes in half. If it’s easy, they aren’t supportive enough, Dr. Piekarska says.

Another pro tip: Skim the list of shoes that have earned the APMA’s seal of approval, Dr. DeGirolamo says. This means a group of podiatrists has found that the shoe’s design helps keep your feet healthy.

How we chose the best sandals with arch support

Testing products that’ll improve your everyday life is a big part of our job here at SELF. When it came to choosing the best sandals for arch support, we asked editors which pairs they reach for—and they came through with stellar recs. Our editors tested the sandals on this list on walks, hikes, bike rides, and days roaming around New York City.

We also asked podiatrists to weigh in on their favorite styles, as well as what they like to look for in sandals with arch support. Their tips also helped inform our list.

Related:

• Take It From a Dancer: Ballet Flats Are Out, Ballerina Sneakers Are In
• The Best Slip-On Sneakers That Podiatrists Love
• Experts Recommend These Long-Distance Running Shoes, From Start to Finish

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