06 Boots vs Trail Runners Best picks

Best Hiking Sandals for Men

A men's hiking sandal has to solve volume, not just length: enough strap to close over a high instep, a footbed wide enough at the forefoot, and a size run that does not stop at 13.

By: Mike M.
Updated: September 28, 2026
Method: How we choose

A hiker crossing a log bridge over a forest stream

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Quick picks

The short answer

#	Product	Best for	Score	Price
01	Chaco Z/1 Classic Men's Medium runs 7-15 with a separate Wide in 7-12, on a 3 mm-lug ChacoGrip outsole, and the sandal can be resoled at Chaco's Michigan factory.	Best men's size and width run	8.0 / 10	$95.00Amazon
02	Orthofeet Clearwater Orthofeet publishes Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide across most styles, which is more forefoot room than any other sandal here - but it is a comfort sandal, not a technical trail one.	Best for hard-to-fit feet	7.9 / 10	$89.99Amazon
03	KEEN Newport H2 Sold in men's Medium and Wide, with KEEN's rubber toe bumper: the pick if you scuff rock on descents.	Best closed-toe protection	7.7 / 10	$86.46Amazon
04	Chaco Z/Cloud Same 360-degree pass-through strap and resoleable platform as the Z/1, on a softer dual-density footbed, with the Wide sold separately.	Best softer footbed	7.5 / 10	$99.95Amazon
05	Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal Three points of adjustment plus a midsole shank, so it holds a high-volume foot without needing a wide size.	Best strap adjustability	7.0 / 10	$121.95Amazon
06	Bedrock Cairn Evo A flat, wide, zero-drop platform for hikers who want ground feel - no arch shape and no shank, which is the point and also the limit.	Best minimalist platform	6.1 / 10	Check price on Amazon

#ad · Prices come live from Amazon, last checked November 3, 2026. Scores are ours, compiled from published specs, widths and warranty terms against this page's problem. Product photos come straight from the retailer listing. Tap a row for the full write-up.

What actually goes wrong on a men's sandal

The usual failure is not the footbed, it is the strap running out of travel. A higher-volume foot - a thick instep, a broad forefoot, or both - needs more webbing to close over the top of the foot, and a sandal that adjusts in three fixed places can hit its limit while the sandal is still loose. That is why the pass-through designs, where one length of webbing runs through the whole sandal and you redistribute it by hand, fit more men's feet than their spec sheets suggest.

The second failure is size run. Plenty of sandal lines stop at 13. Chaco publishes the men's Z/1 Classic in Medium 7 to 15 (Chaco, accessed Sep 2026) with the Wide-Width version sold separately in 7 to 12 (Chaco). KEEN does the same thing for the Newport H2, publishing a Medium (KEEN) and a separate Wide (KEEN). Those are the two lines worth starting from if your size or width is at the edge of normal.

The third thing to check is whether the sandal is a hiking sandal at all. A lugged outsole, an arch shape in the footbed and often a midsole shank are what make an open sandal usable on trail; a flat, soft footbed with a smooth sole is a camp shoe. Teva lists a midsole shank on the Terra Fi 5 (Teva); Bedrock deliberately does not, and publishes a comparison of its own models showing the flat, zero-drop platform as the design goal (Bedrock).

How we ranked these

Problem fit (how well the sandal handles a men's foot on real trail) carries 30%, fit range 25%, support and protection 20%, durability and warranty 15%, weight 10%. Support matters more on a sandal than on a boot because there is no upper doing any of that work. Every figure is quoted from the brand's own page.

In detail

Every pick, in full

Best men's size and width run

Chaco Z/1 Classic

8.0 / 10

Built for

Men's Medium runs 7-15 with a separate Wide in 7-12, on a 3 mm-lug ChacoGrip outsole, and the sandal can be resoled at Chaco's Michigan factory.

Widths sold: Men's Medium (7-15); Wide (7-12)

Published specs (tap for source)

Footbed:LUVSEAT PU midsole; "Podiatrist accepted footbed promotes arch support and healthy alignment"Podiatric certification:Footbed "certified by the American Podiatrist Medical Association"Outsole:Non-marking ChacoGrip rubber compound, 3.5 mm lug depth Straps:Polyester jacquard webbing, single pass-through strap with 360-degree adjustability and a ladder-lock buckle Sizes (Medium):Men's US 7-15 Sizes (Wide):Men's US 7-12, Wide width Repairability:Repairable: resole and re-strap through Chaco's repairs program

Problem fit (30%): 9
Fit range (25%): 8
Support & protection (20%): 7
Durability & warranty (15%): 9
Weight (10%): 5

What it gets right

Firm PU arch, with APMA certification stated on the product page
Sold in a real Wide width, not just a wider strap
Resoleable and re-strappable rather than disposable

What it doesn't

Chaco does not publish a weight, and these are heavier than a strappy sport sandal
The firm arch is polarizing: it is a shape, not an adjustable insert
Open toe, so there is no toe protection at all

Skip it if…

…you want a soft, forgiving footbed straight out of the box: the Z/1's arch is firm and shaped, and there is no removable insole to swap.

$95.00$100.00−5%View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Chaco Z/1 Classic

Best for hard-to-fit feet

Orthofeet Clearwater

7.9 / 10

Built for

Orthofeet publishes Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide across most styles, which is more forefoot room than any other sandal here - but it is a comfort sandal, not a technical trail one.

Widths sold: Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide (most Orthofeet styles)

Published specs (tap for source)

Build:"Versatile, lightweight sandal with a closed-toe leather upper and the support and comfort of the Ortho-Cushion System"Insole:Premium orthotic insoles providing arch support and cushioning; two fitting spacers per shoe to tune depth and volume Closure:Two-way inset strap that opens and adjusts on both sides, no-tie bungee closure and an adjustable heel strap Widths:Orthofeet footwear is offered in Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide, with some styles in Extra-Extra-Wide Trial terms:60-Day Wear Test: return for a full refund within two months of purchase if they don't deliver

Problem fit (30%): 7.5
Fit range (25%): 9.5
Support & protection (20%): 8.5
Durability & warranty (15%): 7
Weight (10%): 5

What it gets right

Removable orthotic insole plus fitting spacers: the only sandal here you can tune
Wide and Extra-Wide widths, and adjustment at strap, instep and heel
Closed toe, and a 60-day wear test rather than a stock-photo promise

What it doesn't

Weight is not published
Built for walking and light hiking, not scrambling or river crossings
Leather upper is not a swim-and-dry sandal

Skip it if…

…you want a sandal that lives in water: the Clearwater is a leather walking sandal, and a webbing sandal or water shoe dries far faster.

$89.99View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Orthofeet Clearwater

Best closed-toe protection

KEEN Newport H2

7.7 / 10

Built for

Sold in men's Medium and Wide, with KEEN's rubber toe bumper: the pick if you scuff rock on descents.

Widths sold: Men's Medium and Wide

Published specs (tap for source)

Fit claim:"Our iconic KEEN fit secures your heel while creating generous space across your forefoot for toes to spread out"Widths:Sold in a dedicated men's Wide as well as the standard width Weight:1 lb. per pair Upper:Polyester webbing uppers lined with hydrophobic foam, elastic cord lacing with quick locks Footbed and midsole:EVA midsoles; Clarino Serdia antimicrobial footbeds Outsole:Non-marking carbon-rubber outsole with knife-cut siping; "multi-directional lugs and a grippy, siped sole"Toe protection:Rugged rubber toe bumper

Problem fit (30%): 8
Fit range (25%): 8.5
Support & protection (20%): 6.5
Durability & warranty (15%): 8
Weight (10%): 6.5

What it gets right

Closed toe with a rubber bumper, so rocks and roots don't reach your toes
Genuine Wide width plus KEEN's naturally roomy forefoot
Siped rubber outsole aimed at wet rock, and the whole shoe is washable

What it doesn't

No arch-support or orthotic claim: the footbed is flat EVA
Bulkier and warmer than an open sandal
Bungee lace gives a fixed heel fit with little fine adjustment

Skip it if…

…you want arch support: the Newport H2 sells fit and protection, not a shaped footbed, and it has no removable insole to build on.

$86.46$130.00−33%View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Affiliate disclosure for the link to KEEN Newport H2

Best softer footbed

Chaco Z/Cloud

7.5 / 10

Built for

Same 360-degree pass-through strap and resoleable platform as the Z/1, on a softer dual-density footbed, with the Wide sold separately.

Widths sold: Men's Medium (7-15); Wide width version sold separately

Published specs (tap for source)

Footbed:LUVSEAT dual-density PU midsole with a "top layer of ultra-soft PU to cushion every step"Support claim:"Durable and long lasting all-day comfort and support certified by podiatrists"Outsole:Non-marking ChacoGrip rubber compound, 3.5 mm lug depth Sizes (Medium):Men's US 7-15 Wide width:Sold as a separate Wide-Width Z/Cloud model

Problem fit (30%): 8.5
Fit range (25%): 7.5
Support & protection (20%): 6.5
Durability & warranty (15%): 8.5
Weight (10%): 5

What it gets right

Same shaped LUVSEAT arch as the Z/1, with a softer PU top layer
Full men's size run 7-15, plus a separate wide-width model
Same 3.5 mm ChacoGrip outsole as the Classic

What it doesn't

No published weight, and the extra PU adds some
Soft top layer compresses over time in a way the firm Classic footbed doesn't
Open toe; no toe bumper

Skip it if…

…you want the firmest possible arch: the Classic Z/1 uses the same shape without the soft top layer, and holds it longer.

$99.95$105.00−5%View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Chaco Z/Cloud

Best strap adjustability

Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal

7.0 / 10

Built for

Three points of adjustment plus a midsole shank, so it holds a high-volume foot without needing a wide size.

Published specs (tap for source)

Midsole:Molded PU midsole with a "midsole shank that provides support when the ground gets uneven"Straps:Quick-dry straps made with 100% REPREVE recycled plastic; "three points of adjustability"Outsole:Durable Spider Rubber outsole Closure:Hook-and-loop closure Sizes:Men's US 7-14 (half sizes through 11.5)

Problem fit (30%): 7.5
Fit range (25%): 6.5
Support & protection (20%): 7.5
Durability & warranty (15%): 7
Weight (10%): 6

What it gets right

Published midsole shank, which most strappy sandals don't have
Three independent adjustment points, so the fit can be tuned front to back
Molded PU midsole rather than plain EVA

What it doesn't

No width options published
Weight not published for this model
Open toe, and the straps take time to dial in

Skip it if…

…you need a wide width: Teva publishes one width for the Terra Fi 5, so a wide forefoot is better served by Chaco's Wide or KEEN's Wide.

$121.95View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal

Stock photo

Best minimalist platform

Bedrock Cairn Evo

6.1 / 10

Built for

A flat, wide, zero-drop platform for hikers who want ground feel - no arch shape and no shank, which is the point and also the limit.

Published specs (tap for source)

Footbed:Minimalist footbed "that conforms to your feet for superior ground feel, flexibility, and packability"; zero drop Stack height:14 mm Vibram sole stack (Cairn); 20 mm on the cushioned Evo C Outsole:Vibram XS Trek Regolith: "lightweight, long-lasting, and re-soulable", best grip in dry conditions Sizes:Unisex, men's 5 / women's 6 through men's 14 / women's 15

Problem fit (30%): 5.5
Fit range (25%): 6.5
Support & protection (20%): 3.5
Durability & warranty (15%): 8.5
Weight (10%): 8.5

What it gets right

Nothing constrains the forefoot, so wide feet and toe splay are a non-issue
Vibram outsole and a resole program rather than a throwaway sole
Packs flat and weighs almost nothing in a pack

What it doesn't

No arch support at all, by design
No width options, because there is no upper to be narrow
Zero drop and thin stack is a real adjustment if you hike in boots

Skip it if…

…you have plantar fasciitis, flat feet or any arch complaint: a flat, unsupported 14 mm platform is the opposite of what those feet are usually told to look for.

Check price on Amazon

#ad · Price as of November 3, 2026 · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Bedrock Cairn Evo

Fit notes and resoling

Set a new sandal up at the end of the day, and expect the first fitting to take a while. On a pass-through design, pull webbing through the toe loop until the instep is snug, then work slack back toward the heel; most of the “this sandal doesn't fit me” reports are a sandal that was never adjusted properly. Your heel should sit fully on the platform and your longest toe should stop short of the front edge, because a toe hanging over the edge will find a rock eventually.

One underrated reason to buy a Chaco: the platform is designed to be rebuilt. Chaco will resole or re-strap Z-series sandals at its Michigan facility (Chaco), which changes the maths on a $95 sandal you like. Orthofeet takes the opposite approach and solves fit with widths instead, publishing Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide across most styles (Orthofeet).

If your forefoot is the whole problem, best hiking sandals for wide feet ranks only on fit range. If your arches are what hurt after a day out, start at best hiking sandals with arch support. The women's version of this list is best hiking sandals for women.

Who should skip all of these

Skip a sandal if you are carrying a multi-day pack, hiking loose rock or scree, or protecting an ankle you have rolled before: straps do not stabilize an ankle and an open sandal does not protect skin. A low, breathable hiking shoe gets you most of the ventilation with none of the exposure, and best hiking boots for men covers the case where you actually need a boot. For water crossings specifically, see hiking sandals vs. water shoes.

How we chose

Scored on published specs, side by side

Every pick here is scored against the problem this page is about, using the brand's published specs, width and size charts, warranty terms and cited research. Every figure links to where it came from, so you can check any of it yourself — the full source list is at the bottom of the page.

Scores are editorial judgments from that published data, weighted for this page's problem. The weights are below. The full rubric is on How We Choose.

Problem fit: 30%
Fit range: 25%
Support & protection: 20%
Durability & warranty: 15%
Weight: 10%

The weights this page used for its scores.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Do men's hiking sandals come in wide widths?

Several do, as separately published products rather than a stretchy standard size. Chaco sells a men's Z/1 Adjustable Strap Wide-Width in 7 to 12 (Chaco), KEEN sells a Newport H2 Wide (KEEN), and Orthofeet publishes Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide across most of its styles (Orthofeet).

What size hiking sandals do men's lines go up to?

It varies more than boots do. Chaco publishes the men's Z/1 Classic in Medium 7 to 15 (Chaco), which is one of the longest runs in the category; several other sandal lines stop at 13. Check the size chart before the reviews if you are a 14 or 15.

Can hiking sandals be resoled?

Chaco's Z-series can: the brand runs a resole and re-strap service at its Michigan factory (Chaco). Most other hiking sandals are glued constructions that are replaced rather than repaired, so if longevity matters to you it is worth checking before you buy.

Are hiking sandals good for backpacking?

As camp shoes, excellent. As your only footwear under a loaded pack, no: extra weight on your back raises the consequence of every misstep, and a sandal gives you neither ankle coverage nor a stiff platform. See best backpacking boots for the load-carrying case.

Should I wear socks with hiking sandals?

If a strap is rubbing, yes - a thin liner sock removes the skin-on-webbing friction that starts the hot spot. The mechanism is the same one covered in how to prevent blisters hiking.

Keep going

Update log

What changed

September 28, 2026First published.

Receipts

Sources

Specs, widths and materials come from the brand's own pages (or a named retailer's listing where the brand doesn't publish them); health information comes from the research and professional bodies linked above. Prices come live from Amazon and carry the date they were checked. Where a figure isn't published, we say so. Read the full method.

The short answer

What actually goes wrong on a men's sandal

How we ranked these

Every pick, in full

Chaco Z/1 Classic

Orthofeet Clearwater

KEEN Newport H2

Chaco Z/Cloud

Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal

Bedrock Cairn Evo

Fit notes and resoling

Who should skip all of these

Scored on published specs, side by side

Questions people ask

Related fixes and picks

What changed

Sources