When the warmer months come upon us, it doesn’t mean that we have to sacrifice the health and well-being of our feet in a bid to stay cooler while walking or engaging in other outdoor activities. Walking sandals are meant to provide all the airy coolness of a sandal with the underfoot protection and tread of a walking shoe or boot.

Depending on the type of terrain you plan to walk on there will be different options for walking sandals to best meet your needs. For example, if you are heading out for a hike on the trails, you will benefit from a sandal with proper underfoot protection, support, and cushion. Whereas if you are planning on walking along wet surfaces, a sandal that offers a good grip on slippery terrain will be the best option.

So, what should you look for if you’re walking on trails?

What about wet surfaces?

And for walking on pavement?

The sole of a shoe is what comes between your foot and the ground beneath it. There are many different types of shoe soles available which can make choosing the right one a difficult task. Below you will find information on the options available to help you in selecting the most appropriate sole for you.

When selecting the type of sole your walking sandals should have, keep in mind that this is the part of the sandal which is going to protect your feet from hazards like, stones, dirt, sticks, and sharp objects, this is why the sole of your sandals is so important. The right kind of outsole will keep your feet safe, happy, and comfortable for many miles of walking and will make your overall walking experience a pleasant one.

When the weather gets warmer it gets harder to prevent foot odors from occurring. When feet get warm and start to sweat this makes for the perfect bacteria breeding ground and with bacteria, come odors. There are different options for odor control, including items sold separately from your sandals like sprays, deodorizers, and gels, but these can be costly and ineffective. A better option is to purchase a walking sandal that was designed with built-in odor-controlling technologies.

There are several technologies available which are included in the manufacturing of a sandal, but two stand out above the rest;

Cleansport NXT™:

Uses probiotic technology as a natural method of odor control. The process involves the use of beneficial microbes that are bonded to the surface of the shoe fabric that results in natural, non-toxic odor control.

Microban®:

Footwear that has been treated with Microban technologies offers the wearer many benefits, including; sweat prevention, odor and mildew prevention, and the elimination of odor while you wear your shoes and in between washings.

Microban stops odor through the use of antimicrobials that use odor control technology to capture and prevent bacteria from multiplying and creating odors. These treated- materials are subjected to customized experiments to simulate the actual intended use, including; wearability tests, repeated laundering tests, and shower simulators, to ensure product efficiency.

The footbed is the part of the sandal which makes direct contact with your foot. It provides added cushioning and ensures a comfortable fit which is why wearing a pair of sandals with a well-designed footbed is so important to the overall health of our feet.

Another important consideration is the kind of support a walking sandal has to offer. If you are planning on a long walk a sandal with a supportive outsole and footbed is important to prevent fatigue and muscle pain. Below, you will find information on various types of footbed designs and supportive features to look for in a walking sandal.

Walking sandals come with various types of closures and straps that offer secure and comfortable wear. Some of the most common types of closure and straps for sandals are;

Hook & loop closure systems offer the most secure fit thanks to the wearers’ ability to customize the level of tightness to their foot. The most well-known hook & loop system is Velcro®, which is widely used on shoes ranging from children’s to dance style. Hook & loop closures are excellent for walking sandals because of their versatility and easy on and off wear.

Criss-cross strapping is both stylish and practical, making it a popular choice option for sandals. The downfall to this type of closure is that some wearers’ find the straps can tend to rub on their feet causing blisters, this effect can be heightened in warmer weather when a person’s feet tend to swell.

Buckle closures are another stylish option that offers the wearer a good level of control and the ability to tighten or loosen their straps to the most comfortable level. The main complaint with this type of closure is that buckles tend to fall off and become lost, rendering the sandal useless because you would be unable to tighten the closure.

When shopping for any type of footwear, you will surely consider the cost, and how much the product is worth. The one trend that appears to be true with sandals is that they're either very cheap, with little to no features, lacking support, traction, and durability, while the models that do offer more in terms of comfortability and protection seem to be much more expensive than you'd expect.

Whether you should go with the first or second category depends on what you will be using your shoes for. If you only need something to wear casually, not too often, you'll be OK with a cheaper model that's pretty, fits, and is comfortable enough. But, if you're heading for a hiking trip, want to walk daily, or have foot health issues that require certain elements, then a higher price should not turn you away.

The list above features plenty of styles, and some are so well made that they'll last you several years during which you'd probably go through ten regular sandals. Keep this in mind - there's a significant difference between price and value, and sometimes a higher initial investment may turn out to be cheaper in the long run.