I just don’t have the stomach for uncomfortable shoes anymore. Maybe it’s the pandemic or maybe it’s just getting older, but gone are the days of my sky-high stilettos or towering wedges. Especially during the summer when I’m always walking around. Comfortable doesn’t have to mean ugly, though! I found the most comfortable sandals (like my beloved Birkenstocks) so you can strut in style this summer.
If you’ve been reading this site for awhile, you know that I am a firm believer in the Birkenstock. It’s the kind of rare shoe that is truly utilitarian and chic, as beloved by the fashion crowd as people who don’t care about fashion at all. The Arizona big buckle Birkenstock is one of my favorites, with the buckle hardware adding a little bit of glam to the hippie leaning shoe. This black leather version feels a little bit dressier than the signature tan color, but both are great. For an elevated version, Birkenstock’s all-black leather Arizona shoe looks downright designer. And of course, there’s the Gizeh shoe which is a gold leather thong.
But Birkenstocks aren’t the only comfortable sandal out there. I love a sandal with a chunky platform, also known as a flatform. It gives you a little bit of height but you don’t have to sacrifice any comfort. These Beek slides with a champagne gold leather slide would be a perfect shoe to bring on vacation because you can wear them with your favorite slip dress or comfy jeans. M.Gemi’s The Pamela has a sporty lug sole but a suede leather upper perfect for city days. Teva’s multi-color Universal sandal is perfect for anyone looking for a little more color in your life.
On the sleeker side, there are some low profile sandals in pretty colors that leave a big impression. Sarto by Franco Sarto’s Bordo slide comes in six different colors but the lavender shade is my favorite. The Julep sandal by Vionic is a strappy flat sandal that feels especially punchy in a bright tangerine shade.
Shop the rest of our comfortable sandal edit below:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how, and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.