Recently, one of my good friends was doing a closet cleanout and texting me pictures of her sandal collection so I could “yay” or “nay” each pair (sidenote: I’m kind of a closet cleanout connoisseur amongst my friends). As we were going back and forth, she lamented that “Sandals are hard!” and I realized she was right. Sandals are hard. They seem simple enough, but choosing the best summer sandals for your personal style and that fit seamlessly into your wardrobe can be a challenge when there are so many options.
Comfort matters most but never at the expense of style. So today, I'm sharing 30 pairs that I think are the best sandals for women in summer 2026. I've personally vetted the following list and made sure that all 30 pairs offer different colors, silhouettes, and styles, ranging from budget-friendly ($20) to high-end picks ($1,000+).
What Makes a Great Summer Sandal
Before we slide and strap-in to the list, I wanted to answer the question of what is a great summer sandal? Like, how do you choose from so many never-ending options from every retailer out there?
The most important element is obviously comfort. I don’t care how trendy or cute the sandal looks, if it doesn’t feel good and you’re unable to wear it comfortably all day, what’s the point in spending the money? The sole and footbed should be easy enough to wear on a date night and walk to a couple of bars afterwards. Next is the quality, no matter what the material is. If it’s super synthetic and cheap, it’s not going to last, so my question again is why bother?
A versatile color that works with multiple outfits (black, white, and tan of course but also think reds and greens), a true-to-size or adjustable fit so there’s no squeezing or sliding around, and a silhouette that’s modern but not trendy and classic but not dated are all imperative elements when it comes to shopping for sandals!
Editor's Top 3
Hermès Oran Sandals
My number one pick for maybe the best summer sandals I’ve ever owned are the Hermès Oran sandals. I’ve owned these in multiple colors for years now, and I can’t imagine a spring or summer season without them. They are worth all the hype and every penny, in my opinion. If you want a full review on them, I wrote one five years ago, and my feelings have only grown stronger. Prices start around $850 and can go up to $1,500 based on specialized material.
Toteme Sandals
My number two pick has to be these heeled sandals by Toteme. I moved away from pretty much any and all heeled sandals years ago — they have to be a really specific, special kind to join the ranks in my closet, and these made the cut. In fact, they’ve climbed the ranks and landed as one of my top three best summer sandals! I love that these are a classic black thong sandal but elevated both literally and figuratively. These cost $560.
Gianni Bini Sandals
My last top three picks are these admittedly random flip flops that have become so incredibly important to me and my summer attire. I can’t accurately express how comfortable these Gianni Bini flip flops are, and the fact that they’re only $50 and come in four core colors (black, brown, tan, and white) feels like winning the summer sandal lottery. I am completely obsessed with mine and love how the leather makes them a more than appropriate “fancy” flip flop while also serving as a perfect, everyday flip flop as well.
Best Designer Summer Sandals
Two of the best designer summer sandals I've invested in made it to my Top 3 overall picks: the Hermes Oran sandals and Toteme Heeled Flip Flops. The cost per wear on each of these is down to dollars, if not cents at this point. If you were going to start with one designer sandals today, you couldn't go wrong with either of these buys.
Other designer sandals I own and keep within reach all summer are The Row Ginza flip flops, the Khaite Loop sandals in python (more sizes here), and (newer to me) the Prada platform sandals.
I've had The Row Ginza sandals for a few years now and always get compliments when I wear them. They're a great option to have when I want to wear a flat but also need something a bit more substantial than a basic flip flop to balance out an outfit. For date nights, I reach for the Khaite Loop sandals. I love the minimalist design and snakeskin embossing - IMO snakeskin is one of those non-neutral neutrals that compliments almost anything. These look great with pants, shorts, and dresses. And lastly, for a head turner, my new Prada platforms would be my rec. I bought these for an event I had about a month ago and not only did I get several compliments that night, they were also comfortable for the whole event. I know they look a little intimidating but the platform is easy to walk in and really cancels out a good portion of the heel height, making it feel more like a 3" heel.
Best Hermès Oran Sandal Look-a-Likes
We talk about closet essentials here a lot - items that have genuine staying power. Pieces that can be reached for year after year. Styles that are eternally chic and classic, never dated. And if one and only one summer sandal had to take this title, it would without a doubt be the Hermès Oran sandals. A classic slide sandal isn't going to swing in and out of style - they're minimal and easy to pair with any outfit for an effortless, relaxed yet polished look. I've owned mine for more than a decade and did a review a few years back if you want to read more on them. All that said, I know the cost is steep for a pair of sandals - especially if you're still on the fence on the style or if they're out of reach for your budget. You can still achieve the same low-key elegant look of this round-up of the best Hermès Oran sandal dupes worth buying.
- Bruno Magli Fina Slide ($275) These are always quick to sell out, but give an almost identical look while adding a fun touch of gold hardware
- Margaux The MX ($265) While not an identical dupe, it's still giving the same minimalist look - this brand is loved by many for it's quality and comfort
- M. Gemi The Malfada ($228) Another quality option that is similar without being an exact copy, handmade in Italy
- Steve Madden Hadyn ($69) A longtime trusted brand, an identical look, and under $70 price point makes these definitely worth it to try out the style
- Amazon Project Cloud ($49.90) Over 1k reviewers back these under $50 real leather sandals as worth it to buy
- H&M Sandals (24.99) Reviewers love this very budget-friendly option that can be dressed up or down
Best Summer Sandals Under $250
A great summer sandal doesn't need to break the bank - my closet is a mix of high, low, and in between. Some of these sandals I own, others I'm window shopping, and the rest are great alternatives to some of my favorite designer summer sandals.
- Tony Bianco Caprice Heel ($150) I own and love these in several colors - great with shorts, dresses, and jeans
- Ancient Greek Eleftheria ($235) Not sure how many years I've had these but a classic staple to wear year after year
- Tony Bianco Topaz Flip Flop ($155) Love this brown croc for a bit of texture this summer
- Tony Bianco Ives Flip Flop ($130) An identical dupe for The Row Ginza flip flops
- Intentionally Blank Pretty Please Strappy Heels ($198) Great python option under $200! Snake is a fave of mine
- Intentionally Blank Year Ahead ($188) Color color color! Love the shape and the pop of color here these give
- Larroudé Biarritz Jelly Sandals ($190) A fun 'naked' sandal with a little extra 'jewelry' on the toe
Best Summer Sandals Under $100
These on-trend budget-friendly styles and can be styled with a variety of outfits this summer.
- Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel ($49.95) An identical dupe for my Toteme pair that I truly have to stop myself from wearing all the time
- Mango Slide ($79.99) These could nearly be in the Oran dupe section, they give the same effortless chic touch to an outfit
- Zara Red Sandal ($75.90) Own and love this pair - comfortable right out of the box
- Zara Strappy Sandals ($75.90) A little bit dressy and so so chic - I own these and wear with jeans, shorts, and mini skirts
- Madewell Iggy ($98) Love the touch of zebra and the texture these bring
- Gianni Bini Steffan ($49.99) Own and wear these all the time - super comfortable and perfect for everyday wear
Best Amazon Summer Sandals
You guys know how much I love a good Amazon find. Whether it's an essential item for travel, a kitchen gadget, or a trendy fashion piece at a great price, Amazon seemingly has it all plus incredibly fast shipping for instant gratification. Summer sandals are no exception and these are my top picks all under $50.
- Snakeskin Strappy Sandals ($19.99) This price is unreal for an exact designer dupe with good reviews - there's also a kitten heel version for under $20 here
- Pointed Open Toe ($19.98) Love this more unique sandal style - it's so chic and another designer dupe for under $20!
- Jelly Flip Flops ($39.99) I own and love these; they're the perfect summer sandal for the beach or poolside
- Suede Slides ($49.90) Designer dupes are clearly the theme here and these are a great option for casual looks
- Square Toe Slides ($39.99) Modern and chic, these would look so great with a pair of black trouser shorts
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most comfortable summer sandals?
The most comfortable summer sandals have a supportive footbed, soft leather that breaks in without rubbing, and a strap design that doesn't dig in after a few hours. My personal picks for all-day wear are the Hermès Oran (worth every penny if you can swing the investment), the Gianni Bini flip flops at $50, and the Tony Bianco Caprice heel for occasions when I need something a little dressier. Comfort really comes down to the footbed and the quality of the leather more than anything else.
Are Hermès Oran sandals worth it?
After more than a decade of wearing mine, yes — for me they absolutely are. The cost per wear has dropped to actual cents, the leather has softened beautifully without falling apart, and they genuinely go with everything in my summer wardrobe. That said, $850+ is a real investment, and if it's a stretch, there are excellent dupes (see my section above) that give you the same minimalist slide silhouette for under $300, and a few under $50 that hold up surprisingly well. I wrote a full review of my Hermès Oran sandals if you want a deeper take.
What sandals are trending for summer 2026?
Summer 2026 is leaning into a few clear directions: saturated colors (think red, butter yellow, and deep greens — see my Zara red sandal and Intentionally Blank "Year Ahead" picks), platform silhouettes (my Prada platforms are a great example), and the elevated flip flop having a serious fashion moment (Toteme, The Row Ginza, and the Gianni Bini at the budget end). Minimalist slides like the Oran are also still going strong and feel completely timeless.
Are Hermès Oran dupes any good?
The right ones, absolutely. The Bruno Magli Fina Slide and Margaux The MX are my favorites at the mid-range — both use real leather and hold up well over time. At the under-$70 mark, the Steve Madden Hadyn and Amazon Project Cloud are surprisingly close in look and have strong reviews from people who've owned them for a season or more. The key is to look for real leather, a quality footbed, and a sole that won't wear out after a few wears.
