One of my favorite posts to work on each summer is my big review of comfortable sandals and summer comfort shoes.
The past few summers, however, I’ve been reaching for Birkenstocks WAY more than any other shoe brand in my closet, so I’ve slowly drifted away from many of my longtime favorite summer comfort shoe brands.
Even Birkenstocks, though, can’t do it all (despite my best efforts).
So this year, I decided to update my comfortable sandal post and revisit some of the most popular comfort shoe brands to see what they had to offer for Summer 2026. From brands like FitFlop, Ecco, Naot, Vionic, Sorel, Teva, Fly London, Naturalizer, Crocs, Dansko, and more, I ordered the pair that appealed to me most—the one that looked cutest, most stylish, or most like something I’d actually wear. I wanted to see which styles could actually pull off that elusive magic combination of comfort, support, walkability, and style.
Below, you’ll find my fit notes, comfort impressions, and the biggest pros and cons of each pair. But before we get into the full reviews, here are my personal standout picks so far from this summer.
Comfortable Sandals & Summer Shoes: At A Glance
- Best Jelly Ballet Flats: Naturalizer
- Goes With Everything Sandal: Sofft (or Quince)
- Most Comfortable Flip Flops: FitFlop
- Best Vintage-y Clog Sandals: Dansko
- Favorite Birkenstocks: Arizona & Madrid
- Favorite Fun-Sporty Platform: Sorel
- Tried & True Traditional Comfort: Ecco
- Best Pool Sandals: Crocs (or EVA Birks)
- Biggest Surprise: Sam Edelman
- Trying Next (Wide Sizes Available): Taos
What I Look For In A Comfortable Summer Sandal
A little bit about my feet and what tends to work for them: I’m a size 7 with slightly wide-ish, fuller (not skinny) feet. I tend to prefer firmer shoes (sometimes with cushion, sometimes not) with some arch support (but not arch support that’s too aggressive). I walk a lot on city pavement all summer long, so comfort matters a TON. But style matters too. The shoes that tend to win me over are the ones that feel great on my feet without sacrificing style.
5 Things I Learned From This Summer’s Comfortable Sandal Try-On
- The comfortable flip flop our Discord crew loves? My feet hated them. I still prefer my old low-profile flipflops.
- Love the look of these minimalist Tevas, but I’d still grab my trusty Keens or Chacos for true summer adventures.
- This new-to-me comfortable sandal brand I was most excited to try ended up being my biggest disappointment.
- After all this, I’m still reaching for my old Birkenstocks and FitFlops most often.
- The surprise non-comfort brand summer shoe winner that I’m wearing on repeat? These.
My Top Sandal From Each Comfort Brand: Reviewed
Looking for comfortable walking sandals, travel sandals, pool shoes, platform sandals, or supportive everyday sandals? Here’s how each style worked for my feet in terms of comfort, fit, arch support, and walkability.
1. Top Pick From Sofft: Elrose Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Dillards
Price: $120
Colorways: Sand (shown); Off White; Black; & Brown
Fit: True to size.
Arch Support: Minimal
Pros: Cushioned footbed feels great underfoot (especially the ball of my foot); slight incline feels nice and natural while walking; adjustable buckle closure; easy-to-style raffia/tan colorway (as well as other easy-to-wear neutrals with texture); luxe detailing like the tiny gold nailhead accents along the sole (similar to Freda Salvador designs).
Cons: Have to unbuckle to put on, unless you leave the strap fairly loose.
Perfect For: Classic everyday styling with comfort-shoe features.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Dillards
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
2. Top Pick From Dansko: Alanna Clog Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Dansko
Price: $220
Colorways: Black (shown); Tan; & Vanilla
Fit: True to size.
Arch Support: Medium
Pros: Stylish vintage-inspired design; supportive and very comfortable for my feet standing and walking; adjustable toe strap and upper strap buckles; high quality leather; luxe-looking wood sole; one of my favorite sandals for dressing up summer outfits and adding height with full-length jeans while still feeling comfortable; a winner in my Best Dansko Sandals Review Post.
Cons: Heavier than many summer sandals; not ideal if you prefer lightweight shoes.
Perfect For: Adding height (and a retro vibe) without sacrificing comfort.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Dansko
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
3. Top Pick From Naturalizer: Carly Jelly Ballet Flats
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Naturalizer
Price: $65
Colorways: Clear (shown); Red; & Brown
Fit: True to size, not as much room in toe box as Sam Edelmans.
Arch Support: Minimal
Pros: Cushioned open-cell foam soft footbed that’s comfortable for walking (despite minimal arch support); Naturalizer’s geometric weave pattern feels more sophisticated than other jelly options; stylish square-toe shape; the red is fantastic in person and the dark brown and clear have an elevated jelly vibe.
Cons: Like most jelly shoes, feet will get sweaty on hot days; not as much room in the toe box and material not as flexible as Sam Edelmans.
Perfect For: A polished and sophisticated jelly with soft open-cell foam footbed comfort.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Naturalizer
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
4. Top Pick From FitFlop: Lulu Flip Flop Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | FitFlop
Price: $100
Colorways: In suede — Cappuccino (shown); Sage, & Rose; In leather — Black, Tan, & Pink.
Fit: True to size; run wide.
Arch Support: Medium
Pros: Feel out-of-this-world AMAZING on your foot; cushioned yet supportive footbed; if my feet need recovery I always wear some variation of Lulu; super walkable; grippy-ish footbed keeps my foot from sliding around; adjustable buckle; one of the only toe-post sandals my feet tolerate; feels like walking on supportive clouds.
Cons: Chunkier style isn’t for everyone; wide footbed that’s not for everyone either.
Perfect For: All-day flip-flop walking — they feel amazing on your foot.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | FitFlop
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
5. Top Pick From Sorel: Kinetic Aura Slingback Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | DSW | Sorel
Price: $150 – $160
Colorways: Black/Taupe (shown); Beige; Crimson; Black; & Fawn
Fit: Run a touch short, but I was happy with my usual size 7.
Arch Support: Low-Medium
Pros: Lightweight (for such a substantial-looking sandal); comfortable and supportive for standing or walking; fun colorways; statement-making platform design; adjustable velcro back strap; cushioned footbed; matching footbed and strap colors add a thoughtful design detail on all colors.
Cons: Run slightly short in length; chunkier style not for everyone.
Perfect For: Adding height and a playful sporty (and uber-comfy) style to summer looks.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | DSW | Sorel
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
6. Top Pick From Fly London: Yorg Wedge Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos
Price: $240
Colorways: Black (shown); Taupe; Sky Blue; & Bumblebee
Fit: True to size. The toe straps fit a little narrower than other Fly London styles I’ve worn in the past.
Arch Support: Medium
Pros: One of my longtime favorite comfort shoe brands; very walkable wedge option; supportive firm (with light cushion) footbed; lightweight platform helps balance the height for comfort; distinctive visually interesting designs for all their shoes; great option for long days on your feet (I used to wear this brand constantly when I walked to an office on a daily basis).
Cons: The upper toe strap felt slightly narrower than other Fly London styles I’ve owned; the chunky, “funky” aesthetic isn’t for everyone; platform silhouette can feel substantial if you prefer more minimal shoes.
Perfect For: A distinctive-looking wedge option for long days on your feet.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
7. Top Pick From Crocs: Miami Toe Loop Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | DSW | Crocs
Price: $40 -$45
Colorways: Gold (shown); Black; Coffee; Chalk; Milk Chocolate; Guava, Citrus; Carbon; Orangesicle; Sapphire; Pink Lemonade Jelly; Sky Blue Jelly; & Starfish
Fit: TTS
Arch Support: Minimal
Pros: Chic slightly-glam style; cool Greek-inspired design without feeling costume-y; incredible selection of neutral as well as playful colorways (including some clear jellies); toe loop was more comfortable than expected; soft underfoot with gentle natural-feeling lift on heel; Shana, Kat, & Abby also love these in TME’s Crocs Miami Sandal Review.
Cons: Not enough support for really long city walks for my feet; I have to reach down and gently pull the toe strap over my big toe (I can’t just slide my feet in); toe-strap got tighter in the heat with foot swelling.
Perfect For: Chic pool days and warm-weather vaca when you want a gazillion color choices — totally “comfortable enough”.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | DSW | Crocs
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
8. My Top Pick From Ecco: Cross Strap Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Ecco
Price: $130
Colorways: Cashmere Shimmer (shown); Black, Tan, Red, & Navy
Fit: True to size.
Arch Support: Medium
Pros: One of the most comfortable sandals for walkability I tried this year; firm and supportive footbed; adjustable toe and upper straps; behind the foot padding on back strap; great attention to comfort details; felt perfectly soft and supportive underfoot.
Cons: More utilitarian, classic comfort-sandal styling than some of the more trend-forward options in this roundup.
Perfect For: All-day intense walking and long travel days.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Ecco
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
9. My Top Pick From Naot: Pixe Wedge Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos
Price: $175
Colorways: Tons of neutral shoe/strap color combos
Fit: Run a little long, and my wide-ish feet found the top toe strap a bit snug
Arch Support: Medium
Pros: Really pretty, sleek, and elegant wedge design; supportive firm footbed; material soft underfoot; elevated look that pairs really well with dressier looks.
Cons: Toe strap isn’t adjustable; ankle strap felt slightly stiff initially; my usual size felt a bit long, leaving extra space behind my heel.
Perfect For: Elegant summer looks with comfort shoe features
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
10. My Top Pick From Vionic Sandals: Palisades Sandals
Price: $115
Colorways: Iceberg Green (shown); Cork; Gold; Snake; Black; Rose; & Cream
Fit: True to size; wide-ish foot friendly.
Arch Support: Medium
Pros: Contoured firm (with cushion) supportive footbed that felt great on the bottom of my feet; lightweight; really fun color options; adjustable back strap; more secure than a traditional flip flop.
Cons: Toe post was okay comfort-wise, but the patent material that connected to toe-post felt a little stiff for my foot; not as much “aggressive” arch support as typical Vionics (but my feet were happier with the medium arch support).
Perfect For: Flip-flop lovers who want more foot security and moderate arch support (not Vionic’s typical aggressive arch).
Where To Buy: Vionic | Zappos
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
11. My Top Pick From Tevas: Original Slim Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Free People
Price: $65
Colorways: Tigers Eye (shown); Black; Pink; Sedona Multi; White; Seagrass; Blue; Papaya; Rum; & Confetti
Fit: True to size.
Arch Support: Minimal-Medium
Pros: Stylish streamlined sporty design; effortlessly-cool style; fully adjustable fit; lightweight; water-friendly with quick-drying straps; silver-colored hardware adds a nice sleek touch.
Cons: Not the sporty sandals I’d choose for hiking /water adventures (not enough support or traction for me).
Perfect For: Anyone looking for a cool-girl minimalist sporty sandal (but doesn’t need heavier-duty hiking shoe features).
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Free People
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
12. My Top Pick From Archies: Slide Sandals
Where To Buy: Archies
Price: $60
Colorways: Tan (shown); Olive; Brown; Black; Navy; Taupe; White; Peach; Purple & Red
Fit: True to size; wide-ish friendly
Arch Support: Medium
Pros: More comfortable for me than the Archies Flip Flops; arch support felt less aggressive and more natural underfoot; closed-cell foam cushioned footbed; simple, minimalist design; water-friendly; tons of fun color options; stayed securely on my feet while walking; soft material didn’t create any rubbing or hot spots; cushier footbed than my EVA Birkenstock Madrids.
Cons: For comfort, my feet prefer the contoured footbed of my Birkenstock Madrids vs this thicker and more cushioned footbed.
Perfect For: A simple water-friendly slide (with tons of color options) and more support than a typical flat pool slide.
Where To Buy: Archies
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
13. Surprise Top Pick From Sam Edelman: Jelly Mary Jane Flats
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Sam Edelman
Price: $65
Colorways: Transparent Brown (shown), Navy, Soft Blue, Red, Limon, Black, Pink, & Clear
Fit: True to size.
Arch Support: Minimal
Pros: Cushioned comfortable footbed; my feet have been happy walking 1-2 miles in these; flexible material that lets my toes wiggle and stretch out; no rubbing or hot spots on my feet; cork material under foot doesn’t get as sweaty as plastic footbeds; stylish Mary Jane design with a modern square toe; I especially love Sam Edelman’s colorways (much better in tone than other jellies I tried); Shana & Jess also vote yes on these in The 10 Best Jelly Sandals of 2026 (Tested & Reviewed by Our Team).
Cons: Minimal arch support; not a true comfort shoe brand; like all jelly shoes your feet are going to sweat (but cork footbed makes it more tolerable); some reviews question quality, but I’ve been wearing mine a ton with no problems at all.
Perfect For: Modernizing summer outfits without sacrificing comfort…a total surprise top pick since I’m wearing them a TON even though they’re not a traditional comfort shoe brand.
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Sam Edelman
dress (xs) | bag | earrings
And there you have it! My summer sandal review of some beloved oldie-but-goodie comfort shoe brands, along with a few new-to-me discoveries.
Some other TME comfortable sandal posts to check out:
- I Tried 20+ New Birkenstock Sandals for 2026: These Are the 8 Best
- The Best (& Worst) Quince Leather Sandals? I Tried 8 To Find Out
- The 10 Best Cute Walking Sandals For Travel (Tried 30+ Pairs)
- Papillio vs. Birkenstock Arizona: I Tried 4 Styles to Find My Summer Sandal (Platforms, EVA & More)
- I Tried 17 Pairs of Comfortable Heeled Sandals: These Are The Best
- Best Dansko Sandals
Next up…I want to try Angela’s Taos tan sandals that look like maybe the perfect combination of traditional comfort shoe features with an easy-to-wear leather classic summer style. Also want to try the update to my minimalist go-to Born sandals that I traveled with for years.
Please feel free to shout out any comfortable and walkable summer sandals you’re loving right now…as always, I love to hear from you all.
-Linzi
Haha!!! Thanks for thinking of me!!! I’m really happy with the MIA sandals I got this summer and I have a few pairs of Dr. Scholls ones that are really comfortable. I love the pair you’ve shared here, too! What a great, fun neutral sandal!
Of course I think of you, Elizabeth! Your comments always make me smile. Little by little….those comfort shoes are going to creep in to your wardrobe…watch out!!!
So I have been wearing PONS all summer. They took a week of non stop wearing and the hairdryer trick to break them in. I bought them because I lost my part of my big toenail right as sandal season began and they have been perfect for protecting my toe and feeling cute. ?
Oh, these are totally the PERFECT summer shoe if you are having any toenail issues for sure, Maria! Good to know that the hairdryer trick helped. Curious, though…do they feel supportive enough on the bottom of your foot after breaking in?
This is so helpful – thank you! I’ve been looking to up my game from my Birkenstock Gizeh, which I’ve been wearing constantly for the last few summers, and these are some great options to consider.
Can I ask another question? Linzi, have you tried the Everlane Day Glove? I’m a comfort shoe fan (see Gizeh on repeat, above) and would love to know how the Day Glove stacks up as a closed-toe option for summer city walking. Thanks for the great shoe posts!
I think Birkenstock Gizeh looks great–Keep rocking those if you love them! I haven’t personally tried the Everlane Day Glove. It’s another one of those “Shana shoes” that she looks gorgeous in, but I don’t ACTUALLY believe her when she says they’re super super comfortable. I HAVE seen her walking in them all day long, though, and multiple other friends have them and say they’re super comfortable. I’m not a huge flats wearer, so that’s why I’ve held off trying them. They’re really cute, though, and everyone loves them! Maybe I need to try them for my fall roundup. If you end up trying them—email me at Linzi@themomedit.com and let me know how they feel.
Thank you for this! I have the UGGs with the back strap and they have stretched out after two years, sad. I recently bought old school Tevas for summer and have to say I’m loving them. Not cute but for summer they’ll do. I’d love for you to do a fall comfort shoe post!
I think old school Tevas are totally cute! And so practical for jumping in to sprayground parks whenever you want! A Fall Comfort Shoe post around September/October is on my list for sure. Here are 2 I did from last fall: HERE and HERE.
I LOVE a comfort shoe post!!!! I have foot issues and so ALL of my shoes “have” to be comfort shoes. And i consider myself a stylish person and these two things don’t go together usually. I can’t wear a heel so I would love a post about comfort shoes for dressing up (think holiday cocktail party – perhaps you can address this as the holiday’s approach – it is a real issue!) including some flat and UNDER two inch heel options. A challenge for sure.
Chris, this is an awesome idea. A total challenge, though, for sure–it’s making me nervous already. I can hear the negative facebook comments now! I feel like I often just pretend I don’t see my feet when I’m getting dressed for a holiday party and want to wear Danskos…that’s not so helpful, though. Okay– I’ll give it a go. Curious…what are some of your favorite brands so I can try and include them?
I LOVE my PONS for the look, fantastic leather, and easy slip on…. But the flatness is killing me! I found a brand on Amazon that has support in the avarcas style, so considering that. Anyone have experience with VISCATA?h ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DL84JWZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kWYlDbQHRAZ4W )
Linzi- what’s your take on Birkenstocks? I have never tried, and curious if they pass your test?
Totally agree, Candace. I knew as soon as I put the PONS on, they were going to be too flat for me. Interesting find with Viscata. Interested to hear if any other readers have tried them…they look nice and supportive. I don’t love the white bottoms on them, though— I like the PONS and the Borns similar style because they’re so simple and streamlined. Ahhhh….Birkenstocks. I just haven’t been a huge Birkenstock person recently. I was very tempted to try some of their new thinner strapped metallic sandals this summer–Just didn’t get around to it. It’s going to be on the top of my list for next summer. I used to wear them and loved them, but then just got tired of the styles.
Here’s a tip for the white bottom and sides of your shoes looking dingy…use micellar water and a microfiber cloth. They’ll look good as new! I use this trick for all of my white bottomed shoes! I swear it’s magic!
YOU wonderful commenters are magic, Amanda. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the great post! I have to wear comfort shoes regardless of my day so this was super helpful!
Woohoo!
Linzi, I am going to be a pest again but… PLEASE remember to mention which shoes come in wide! Most of us with wide feet (or bunions) have no choice but to buy “comfort” shoes, but the shoes are not going to be comfortable if they don’t fit on our feet!
Not a pest at all! I obviously need the reminder!! I know I get frustrated sometimes with just restricting myself to the “comfort brands”…so you having to restrict even more to only wide sizing and trying to find stylish shoes must be even more frustrating. I will take a look this weekend at what comes in wide sizing in to this post as well as my Nordstrom shoe post. Thanks for the reminder, Jen.
Okay–the only ones I tried this summer with wide sizing are the Vionic Violet Sandals and the Naturalizer heels. There’s a pretty nice variety of wide sizing, though, in the Nordstrom sale right now. Some that I like are these booties, these cute leopard print flats, and these Vince Camuto Booties.
I just got exactly those Sorels (same color) and I think they are very comfy — but my husband says it looks like I am wearing bandages. Is he right? I want him to be wrong – I don’t really love any of the other colors (except the cool orange/multi, but not as practical) and hate the hassle of the return.
I think I’m in the minority with not loving the comfort of the Sorels—I’ve heard from a lot of people that think they’re really comfortable. And OF COURSE your husband is wrong–If you want him to be wrong! 🙂 There are some people who think the Eileen Fishers (the ones with the wide straps) in some colors also look like bandages…..I’m maybe not the person to ask. I say if YOU love them…wear them!
I love your comfort shoes posts. THANK YOU for including them so I can see some new ideas. Comfort shoes are generally all I wear after having surgery on each foot.. Eileen Fisher, Ecco, and Sorel are my go tos. Occasionally Mephisto but they are so pricy! I have to have a back strap so glad to see you included those. I can’t wear anything flat because it helps me to have a little lift and a small wedge at least. EF heels and boots can be great too, when I find them on sale. I wish those Fly Londons came in a good blue; I love the red but don’t wear that color.
Also, a Magic Eraser works well on the white bottoms of shoes. Also will try the tip above with micellar water and microfiber cloth. But a Magic Eraser is very handy and my boys use it on their precious Nike sneakers!
Hoping Fly London has some new good fall options…will look for a pretty blue! Brilliant with the magic eraser….I have a feeling my older son will be entering the precious Nike sneaker phase soon, so now I will be prepared. SO LOVE YOU GUYS for all your suggestions in the comments.Thank you!
Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes! Linzi, you are making the world a better place.
LOL! Yep, Christy…that’s me…making the world a better place through trying to convince everyone to invest in comfortable shoes. Hahahah!
I couldn’t agree more! Thank you, Linzi! Your comfort shoe posts are wonderful and much appreciated!
Thanks so much, Jessica.
Belated thanks here, Linzi– just back from travels! I really appreciate this… and also that you photograph your feet in the shoes from the top. That can help a lot in determining if non-W shoes will fit wide feet also– I bet the Allbirds here would.
Hi Linzi! I’m just going to put it out there that I’m hoping you’ll do a post on fashionable fall/winter comfort shoes in a variety of styles (not just boots). Love your posts!
Awww! Thanks, Jessica. Fall/winter comfort shoes (not just boots) is in the works! I’m slow, though, so probably not until end of September/beginning of October. 🙂
You might want to try Aetrex. I love their sandals and clog-type heels. Comfortable and cute!