Before You Buy Walking Sandals Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Walking Shoes, Apparel, and Gear Before You Buy Walking Sandals By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 15, 2021 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Cara Lustik Fact checked by Cara Lustik Cara Lustik is a fact-checker and copywriter. Learn about our editorial process Print ABEO Capistrano Sandal. The Walking Company Walkers choose walking sandals or trail sandals for both short and long distance walks. As with any walking shoe, it is important to find a good fit and to test the walking sandals at shorter distances and with or without socks. Today's running sandals and trail sandals provide athletic shoe features such as motion control, flexibility, and secure strapping systems so your feet don't get rubbed raw by the straps. Fitting Your Walking Sandals Walking sandals must have enough adjustment points to keep your heel at the back of the sandal and prevent the foot "traveling" forward and back, rubbing against the straps with each step, which can lead to blisters. You must test sandals at an actual walking distance to see whether foot swelling during walking makes your toes bump against the toe guard, which can lead to black toenail or blisters, or just over the front edge. Flexibility Cushioning and Support Your foot rolls through each step, and your walking sandal must be flexible enough to roll with it as well. Too stiff a sole will have your foot fighting the sandal with each step. The sandal should be able to flex in the forefoot. Look for running sandals or trails sandals that provide the cushioning, support, and flexibility features of athletic shoes.​ 7 Ways to Stay Cool on Hot Weather Walks Trail Sandals Trail sandals are designed for use on natural trails. Often they have toe guards to prevent stubbing your toes or picking up too much gravel and dirt. The sole is often more rugged and durable, but you must be cautious to ensure it is still flexible enough for comfortable walking. Popular trail sandal brands include Teva, Bite, and Keen. Socks With Sandals Many walkers who wear sandals for walking 10 kilometers or more wear socks with them. Socks put a barrier between the straps and the foot, reducing the risk of hot spots and blisters. Many walkers say they wear their walking sandals year-round, which they can only do by adding socks. Socks can also wick moisture away from the sole of the foot to keep it dryer. Anatomic Sandals Birkenstock is the classic anatomic sandal, designed to mimic walking barefoot. Some walkers testify that only Birkenstocks have helped them overcome plantar fasciitis. New wearers may find an adjustment period to become accustomed to the difference in the design of anatomic sandals. Distance Walking With Sandals Sandals are best suited for shorter walks on surfaces that don't have much litter or gravel, which tends to get picked up by any sandal design. Once used to the sandals, some walkers wear them regularly for 10 kilometers or longer walks. While trail sandals are big sellers, hikers often report they are best used for day packing or in camp rather than when carrying a heavy backpack on natural trails. That said, many long-distance walkers on the Camino de Santiago wear trail sandals some or all of the time. It is an individual choice. You should definitely try them on shorter walks before tackling long distance walks in sandals.​ Where to Buy Walking Sandals As with any walking shoes, you need to go to the experts to get properly fitted. A top quality outdoors store will have a selection of trail sandals, and a top quality running shoe store will have some running sandals. Another option is The Walking Company, which will also provide a digital foot analysis and has sandals available with different footbeds for different needs. Visit, get fitted, and compare prices both online and in the shop. Get the Correct Fit for Your Walking Shoes 2 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cleveland Clinic. 5 tips to prevent black toenails from running. Runners Connect. What are the best shoes to wear when you have plantar fasciitis? By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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