Sandals are generally an excellent choice in footwear when summer comes, they are cool, breathable, and you can show off your lovely pedicured toenails for the ladies.
Sandals are also the first choice for beachwear and pool parties.
They can be worn casually or as a more formal style for elegant events.
However, one thing sandals need is support and comfort features. Most sandal brands offer little support or comfort features that can cause pain and tired feet.
Supportive sandals are your best option, and quite a few brands and models out there have them available.
Table of Contents
- Why You Need Support from Your Sandals
- Where To Start
- Features of a Good Supportive Sandal
- Reviews: The Best Supportive Sandals
- Index Table: Top Rated Supportive Sandals
Why You Need Support from Your Sandals
Just as you look for proper supportive athletic shoes or work shoes,s you also need to find a sandal that offers proper support, and here are a few reasons why;
- Support for Your Arch Type – Good support for your specific arch type is vital to prevent injuries and overuse injuries and help with proper posture. Generally, you will need specialized support for a very high or a very low arch type. Very high arches require support and plenty of cushioning, whereas a shallow arch or flat feet require better stability and a more rigid sole, with arch support for a lower arch type.
- Pronation – When you walk or run, your feet pronate as part of their natural gait movement; they roll inward and outward in motion. This term is known to most runners as they need specific features from their running shoes for pronation. Most persons pronate neutrally, which does not need specific support features. However, if your Overpronate, your feet roll inward excessively, or Underpronate, they roll outward excessively. Please look at support features for these pronation types.
- Standing on Your Feet All Day – In an occupation where you are on your feet all day, standing or even walking, on tough surfaces, your will need proper support from your sandal if you do not want painful muscles, and fatigued feet at the end of the day. Good cushioning and proper arch support will help protect your feet, keep your posture right and help with natural movement.
- Proper Fit – A proper fit is just as important as support features in your sandals. Sandals that fit well with a roomy toe and comfortable footbeds are a start to well-supported feet.
- Sandals For Leisure Wear – Keep in mind that many of us slip out of uncomfortable work shoes or formal shoes after an evening out and into a pair of sandals for leisurewear, which is usually flip flops, the most unsupportive shoe design on the market. Yet you get so many supportive sandal styles, even flip flops that you can use for leisurewear, which will be much more comfortable, and do your feet so much good.
Where To Start
To get the best supportive sandal, look at certain brands that offer support technologies in their sandals. I have added most of these brands to my review list. Some brands design a large range of sandals for all occasions with support and cushioning features.
Look for a sandal that has a contoured, anatomical, or biomechanically engineered footbed with good cushioning.
Many sandal brands also offer wider fits so that you can get the most comfortable fit.
In the Below features section, I will go into a bit more detail on the specific features of a good Supportive sandal;
Features of a Good Supportive Sandal
- Uppers – The Uppers may consist of various materials such as genuine leather, synthetic leather, or textile materials. Many sandals have uppers that you can adjust for a secure and custom fit.
- Footbed – his is where the magic happens. As you will see, contoured, anatomical, Biomechanical, and other technology footbeds provide good support, arch support, and cushioning in the right areas. These footbeds cradle your feet properly and contain cushioning foams such as EVA, memory foam, latex, or cork for good shock absorbency and comfort.
- Outsole – the outsole likewise plays a role in support as you will need a less high heel and more solid outsole in a good durable rubber for optimal traction and slip resistance.
- Options – Regarding options, most support sandals are available in more sizes and colors, and some also offer extended sizes and widths.
Reviews: The Best Supportive Sandals
Here are some of the best available sandals and flip-flops that offer optimal support and comfort;
1
Supportive Sandals
- One of the most supportive sandals from Orthofeet that is ideal for many foot conditions.
- It features layers of cushioning and arch support.
- The toe box is wide and roomy, and you get the sandal in wider options.
- They are also available in more color options.
2
Supportive Flip Flops
- The Merrell sandal for support is ideal for all outdoor excursions.
- They feature a cushioned and stability support dual-density midsole and air-cushioned footbed.
- There is a 3mm lug tread rubber outsole for trails and outdoor terrains.
- The uppers are soft genuine leather.
3
Sandals for Support
- The Chaco ZCloud offers ample cushioning and support.
- It has soft textile adjustable uppers,
- There is dual-density Luvseat design support and cushioning footbed.
- The outsole is a non-marking Chaco-Grip slip-resistant design that is ideal for trails and outdoors.
4
Flip Flops for Support
- The Vionic Tide is a very supportive flip-flop sandal design.
- They have a podiatrist-designed footbed that also offers excellent cushioning.
- The uppers are genuine leather.
- There are also more colors available to you.
5
Leather Support Sandal
- The Propet Jace and Pedic Walkersandalsl are more stable support sandals.
- They have a more closed and supportive design for better balance.
- The uppers are leather, and the footbed offers anatomical support,
- The outsole is a durable and thick rubber.
- Some of the footbed layers may be removed for your comfort.
6
Supportive Flip Flops
- The Crocs Athensise ideal sandal for water use and beach wear.
- They have a Crosslite cushioning foam material and a footbed with a contoured shape for support.
- The design is well-ventilated and very durable.
- They are also available in many more color options.
7
Supportive Hiking Sandals
- Here we have some great hiking sandals from Teva.
- They offer adjustable quick-drying uppers and a rubber outsole.
- There is a nylon shank for stability and a soft and supportive EVA footbed.
- More color options are likewise available to you.
8
Supportive Flip Flop Sandals
- Teva’s two Flip Flop models make for excellent lightweight, supportive flip flop sandals.
- The uppers are leather and synthetic, with a durable rubber outsole.
- More neutral color options are available to you.
- The footbed is cushioned and supportive.
9
Leather Support Sandals
- The Chaco Wayfarer sandal is a comfortable leather design.
- There is a supportive Luvseat EVR cushioned footbed.
- The outsole is a durable rubber.
- There are also a few more neutral colors available.
10
Supportive Slide Sandals
- The Vionic Kiwi slides are easy-wearing and very supportive.
- The uppers are Pu nubuck leather and adjustable in fit.
- The footbed has three-zone Vio Motion support.
- The outsole is a durable and thick rubber.
Index Table: Top Rated Supportive Sandals
No. | Product | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orthofeet® - Supportive Sandals | Clearwater | Verona |
| Orthofeet | 98.3 |
2 | Merrell® - Supportive Flip Flops | J034353 | J033726 |
| Merrell | 98 |
3 | Chaco® - Sandals for Support | ZCloud | ZCloud |
| Chaco | 98.2 |
4 | Vionic® - Flip Flops for Support | Tide | Tide |
| Vionic | 98.3 |
5 | Propet® - Leather Support Sandal | Pedic Walker | Jace |
| Propet | 96 |
6 | Crocs® - Supportive Flip Flops | Athens | Athens |
| Crocs | 95.9 |
7 | Teva® - Supportive Hiking Sandals | Hurricane Verge | Hurricane Verge |
| Teva | 97.2 |
8 | Teva® - Supportive Flip Flop Sandals | Pajaro | Voya Leather |
| Teva | 97 |
9 | Chaco® - Leather Support Sandals | Wayfarer | Wayfarer |
| Chaco | 97.5 |
10 | Vionic® - Supportive Slide Sandals | Pastel Slides | Pastel Slides |
| Vionic | 97.2 |