Top to bottom: Keen Hyperport H2; Scarosso Apollo sandal; Jacques Solovière Biarritz sandal; Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandal

FOR A LONG TIME, sandals for men were met with irony. It’s Adam Sandler in his baggy T-shirts and shorts, or your grandpa in his orthopaedics. These are important, of course, but style was often neglected in these discussions. There’s also something a little unsavoury about exposing your dogs to the elements of a city. And unlike sneakers, there isn’t enough real estate on the sandal for design to flourish (maybe part of the appeal is to indeed show off your dogs, in which case, please wear an enclosed shoe).

But like all things exposed to the churning cycle of trends, sandals have had a surge in popularity in 2024. Stalwart brands in the sandal space like Birkenstock and Keen have updated their classic models. The fisherman has been an alternative even to the loafer. And more and more new brands are experimenting with material and cut: making their sandals from leather or suede, for instance, for more elegant touches for summer evening events.

So we took a hard look at what all the fuss is about, and came back with our curation of the most stylish versions on the market right now. From the truly crunchy, to tasteful pairs you can wear to a summer wedding, or something to show off your toes in the best light possible, scroll on for our selects.

What are the most stylish sandals for men?

Birkenstock Uji Sandals for men

The best slide: Birkenstock Taupe Regular Uji sandal

Do you remember your first sandal? It was probably a Birkenstock . . . and most likely an Arizona. The two strap design has remained a classic since its release in 1973, even getting the occasional high fashion redux from brands like Rick Owens (the pony hair!) or Phoebe Philo-era Céline (we’re accent aigu loyalists).

The Arizona has major blank canvas potential; it can be rehashed in ways we didn’t know possible-slash-needed. The Uji sandal is a sportif take on the iconic style: featuring the same two-strap design with a cleaner matte look, and, of course, the anatomically shaped cork footbed. If you’re looking for something a little different (but not too different), this is our pick.

The best fisherman sandal: Scarosso Apollo sandal

In our post-sneaker world, the return of classic leather shoes has been meteoric. The loafer has obviously been fronting this charge; it’s about finding a shoe that can be dressed up or down that’s prevailed. The leather fisherman sandal can also fulfil these needs, and they’re a lot more interesting to look at.

Originally worn by European fisherman in the 1940s for their fast drainage, the current surge of fishermans comes as we’re integrating utilitarian pieces into everyday rotations. Of course, dressing like a fisherman is not the goal – we learnt that from workwear. Instead the sandal should be worn with a pair of straight to wide-leg pants, so you can lean into that relaxed style.

It’s also one of the few sandal styles where wearing socks isn’t ironic. White socks are the standard, but do go coloured; it’s those little personal flourishes peeking out between the bands.

The best classic sandal: Suicoke Depa sandal

Suicoke is a brand for urbanites who like to signal a life on the trail. Though its proliferation in fashion hasn’t stopped the Japanese label from achieving heights comparable to, say, Birkenstock: they create sandals for style as well as function. What comes standard to all Suicoke products are the fixed Vibram sole (aka the Italian manufacturer that makes one of the most reliable soles out there). Providing enhanced durability and comfort in the sole, the Depa sandal is a lightweight option for leisurely hikes in the afternoon, fastened with velcro straps. But, you know, it’s also a great sandal to slip on for a coffee run and errands around town.

The best outdoor sandal: Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandal

This one’s made to hike hike in. But because there’s no longer a hard distinction between hiking gear and street style, the Teva Hurricane is also the ideal sandal to wear for a day walking around the city. What gives the Hurricanes that latter appeal is their durability for all-terrains you might find yourself in: beach-friendly (from the quick-dry webbing), and enough sole height to keep you from blistering on the asphalt (the Rugged Durabrasion Rubber outsole provides excellent traction). It’s the perfect thickness before verging on platform territory.

But it’s also the straps that have earned Teva their street-style stripes. Coming in a variety of patterns and colours, with soles to match in tone, Teva expanded tastes for hiking sandals beyond graphite and mud.

The best leather sandal: COS The Leather Wrap sandal

Getting used to the thin sole on most sandals takes time. So, if you’re looking for something substantial, something with a bit of weight to it, the craft-focused minds behind COS Atelier have just released their leather wrap sandal. It’s a similar deal to what we saw with the fisherman, except your toes are al fresco. The straps come designed in-house, a smooth-grained leather tanned to an espresso hue; it’ll age nicely as you break them in.

The best mule sandal: Needles x Reebok Classics Edition Beatnik sandal

Mule, clog, whatever you call it, they’ve been on the rise for quite some time. The most extreme side that we’ve seen of this sandal style is the grotesque mule-ified sneaker. Who wants half their foot sweating in a sandal built with the materials of a running shoe? Suffice to say that sandals should behave like sandals. In a collab between Reebok and Japanese label Needles, we have a supremely substantial-looking suede mule that can be worn casually or on a run to the grocery store – all with style. Fitted with Needles’ purple butterfly, it’s an if you know you know logo among menswear circles.

The best closed-toe option: Keen Hyperport H2

Keen is one of the pillar brands of the sandal world. It’s up there with Birkenstock, but the brand has made its name among the best, most experienced hikers. The Hyperport H2 sandal are stylistically a fisherman (replete with all the layered bands and openings) but built like a hiking shoe. This makes the sandal our pick for a more closed-toe option: covering enough of the toes but with the ample ventilation in all the right places.

Malibu Zuma LX Recycled sandal in orange

The woven sandal: Malibu Zuma LX Recycled sandal in orange

All the woven bands of leather on a sandal can make them heavy. Japanese label Malibu has remedied this with six handwoven straps made of recycled polyester and spandex to take on the size and shape of your foot. Coming in bright hues, splattered in contrasting colours, it’s the ultimate statement footwear with all the comfort of its cushioned sole.

Jacques Soloviere Biarritz sandal

The best smart-casual option: Jacques Solovière Biarritz sandal

I’ve been reckoning with what cocktail attire means recently. Even more so in the warmer months when the dress code becomes harder to nail. Without the armour of a jacket or a thick pair of leather shoes, what else are you left with? For the latter, suede makes for an elegant option. Cut from the flesh side of animal hide (which explains that supple matte surface), it’s a texture that lends itself to a softer appearance. And as you wear for it years to come, suede will mould nicely to the feet. Even ageing into a fine patina for a well-worn appearance.

The Biarritz sandal by Parisian label Jacques Solovière are the most balletic cut sandals we’ve come across. Cut with two pieces of criss-crossing suede, it conceals enough toe to wear for the night, while allowing ample ventilation in the side-openings.

Xero Genesis Barefoot-inspired sandal

The best thin sandal: Xero Genesis Barefoot-inspired sandal

If you want to feel like you’re walking on the earth itself, these are our pick. But it’s design for a barefoot experience doesn’t mean the sandal is a flimsy piece of sole and strap. These sandals by Xero Genesis are shaped to the contours of the foot for a secure grip, while the nylon Achilles strap locks it in. It’s a simple design, but thoughtfully made to withstand a whole itinerary of activities. From yoga to hiking, paddling, and even paddle boarding, you’re set.


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