Sandals

It’s finally time to splurge on a nice pedicure and a pair of sandals (or three) to match. The Spring 2022 runways brought the best sandal styles to shop and wear this summer, from fisherman-style footwear at Max Mara to sporty slides at Proenza Schouler. To help prepare your wardrobe for all of your warm-weather plans, we’ve rounded up the hottest sandal trends for you to shop ASAP.

You don’t necessarily have to toss all your not-so-supportive shoes. “I think there's a lot of false myths on shoe wear and foot condition,” Ettore Vulcano, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle issues at Mount Sinai in New York City. For example, heels may “accelerate the bunions and make them feel worse, but they don't cause the bunion; if you develop a bunion, you will have probably developed it, regardless of what type of shoe you’ve worn in your lifetime.” Getting realistic—and strategic—about when and where you wear your comfiest, most foot-pleasing kicks is key.

Chaco is one of the biggest names in outdoor sandals, and their adjustable Z-strap models are legends in the hiking and water sport markets. Stacked up against the Bedrock Cairn above, the Z/Cloud listed here is noticeably heavier at 1 pound 14 ounces per pair but gets the clear edge in hiking capabilities with a comfortable and well-cushioned midsole, deep lugs for digging into softer surfaces like mud and sand, and thick straps that effectively secure the heel and forefoot (the Bedrock feels notably loose at the front by comparison). Added up, the Z/Cloud has a very premium fit and feel with an excellent track record to back it up—we’ve had pairs withstand up to three full years of consistent use before needing to be resoled or replaced.