Best Travel Sandals for Warm-Weather Trips
Updated How we research
Teva Women's Original Universal Sport Sandal
The Teva Women's Original Universal sport sandal, a classic strappy sandal for beaches, rivers and summer city trips.
Our score8.6/10Mid-range
Teva Men's Original Universal Urban Sandal
Teva's Men's Original Universal Urban sandal, a slimmer take on the classic Teva for city travel.
Our score8.6/10Mid-range
Travel sandals cover the warm-weather duties a single pair of shoes cannot: hot beaches, wet showers, water crossings, and casual city strolls. For one-bag travelers, a good pair earns its space by being genuinely comfortable for long walks, not just poolside lounging. They suit anyone heading somewhere hot or humid who wants breathable footwear that dries fast. Look for supportive contoured footbeds, secure adjustable straps that stay put on uneven ground, and grippy outsoles for slick surfaces. Quick-dry, odor-resistant materials matter since these sandals get wet often. The lightest, flattest designs pack easiest, so balance packability against the arch support your feet need for long days.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 8.4 to 8.6 out of 10, across $$, $$$ price bands.
- Best overall:Teva Women's Original Universal Sport Sandal. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Teva Men's Original Universal Urban Sandal. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Chaco Men's Z/1 Classic Athletic Sandal. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:Chaco Women's Z/1 Classic Sport Sandal. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Teva Women's Original Universal Sport Sandal8.6/10$$Check price
- 2.Teva Men's Original Universal Urban Sandal8.6/10$$Check price
- 3.Chaco Men's Z/1 Classic Athletic Sandal8.6/10$$$Check price
- 4.Chaco Women's Z/1 Classic Sport Sandal8.6/10$$$Check price
- 5.Xero Shoes Men's Z-Trek Packable Barefoot Hiking Sandal8.4/10$$Check price
- 6.Xero Shoes Men's Z-Trail EV Barefoot Hiking Sandal8.4/10$$Check price
- 7.Xero Shoes Women's Z-Trek Packable Sport Sandal8.4/10$$Check price
#1The Teva Women's Original Universal sport sandal, a classic strappy sandal for beaches, rivers and summer city trips.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Adjustable hook-and-loop straps give a secure fit for walking and wading
- + Quick-drying webbing handles beaches, boats and river crossings
- + Classic Teva design is lightweight and packs flat in a carry-on
- - Thin sole offers less arch support than a Chaco for all-day walks
- - New straps can rub on bare skin until they soften up
#2Teva's Men's Original Universal Urban sandal, a slimmer take on the classic Teva for city travel.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Urban styling looks cleaner than trail sandals on city streets
- + Lightweight sandal packs flat alongside shoes in a carry-on
- + Adjustable straps fit wide and narrow feet alike
- - Less rugged than Chacos for rocky hikes and long trail days
- - Thin flat sole can feel firm after many hours on pavement
#3Chaco's Men's Z/1 Classic athletic sandal, a supportive, rugged sandal for hiking, rivers and long walking days.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Contoured footbed gives strong arch support for long walking days
- + Tough build tends to last many seasons of hikes and river trips
- + Adjustable single strap system customizes fit for different feet
- - Noticeably heavier than Teva sandals in a light one-bag kit
- - Break-in period can cause rubbing before the straps soften
#4The Chaco Women's Z/1 Classic sport sandal, a durable, supportive sandal for adventurous travel.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Supportive footbed suits long walking and hiking days in summer
- + Grippy sole holds well on wet rocks, docks and trails
- + Adjustable strap system locks the foot in for water activities
- - Heavier sandal takes more space and weight in a carry-on
- - Strap design leaves distinctive tan lines after sunny days
#5Xero Shoes' Men's Z-Trek packable barefoot hiking sandal, a thin, flexible sandal that folds flat for one-bag travel.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Packable design folds flat, so it slips into a carry-on beside your main shoes
- + Barefoot sole gives ground feel for easy trails, beaches and river walks
- + Adjustable straps hold the foot securely for wading and light hikes
- - Minimal cushioning takes getting used to on long days of pavement walking
- - Thin sole offers less protection from sharp rocks than Chaco-style sandals
#6The Xero Shoes Men's Z-Trail EV barefoot hiking sandal, a lightweight trail sandal with a slightly more cushioned feel.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + EV version is extremely light, which suits travelers counting every ounce
- + Trail-focused sole grips better on dirt paths than flat city sandals
- + Strap layout keeps the sandal locked on during scrambles and creek crossings
- - Barefoot-style platform still needs a transition period for sore arches
- - Bulkier strap layout does not fold quite as flat as the Z-Trek
#7Xero Shoes' Women's Z-Trek packable sport sandal, a flexible, featherweight sandal for beaches, trails and travel days.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Women's fit and strap sizing suit narrower feet and ankles
- + Packs almost flat, making it an easy second pair for one-bag trips
- + Quick-drying straps handle boat trips, showers and river swims
- - Thin sole can feel harsh on cobblestones after a full day
- - Minimal arch support may not suit people who need structured footbeds
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Thin sole offers less arch support than a Chaco for all-day walks (Teva Women's Original Universal Sport Sandal)
- Less rugged than Chacos for rocky hikes and long trail days (Teva Men's Original Universal Urban Sandal)
- Noticeably heavier than Teva sandals in a light one-bag kit (Chaco Men's Z/1 Classic Athletic Sandal)
- Heavier sandal takes more space and weight in a carry-on (Chaco Women's Z/1 Classic Sport Sandal)
- Minimal cushioning takes getting used to on long days of pavement walking (Xero Shoes Men's Z-Trek Packable Barefoot...)
- Barefoot-style platform still needs a transition period for sore arches (Xero Shoes Men's Z-Trail EV Barefoot Hiking...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among travel sandals for warm-weather trips?
Teva Women's Original Universal Sport Sandal is our top overall pick. The Teva Women's Original Universal sport sandal, a classic strappy sandal for beaches, rivers and summer city trips. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Teva Men's Original Universal Urban Sandal is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Teva's Men's Original Universal Urban sandal, a slimmer take on the classic Teva for city travel.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $$ to $$$ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
One Bag Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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