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With so much of our planet having yet to be explored, embarking on your next (or first!) adventure doesn’t have to be a plane trip away. From caves to long hiking paths, getting in touch with nature can be as close as a one or two hour drive to a local nature reserve or trail.
Instead of spending time at home, why not go for a hike every now and then? A great way to enjoy some much needed solitude or bond with those in your family and social circle, hiking will require more than a well-packed backpack and physical endurance–and trading your old sneakers for a pair of hiking sandals can truly level up your experience.
Perfect for those who live in rocky, hotter climates, hiking shoes allow for airflow all while protecting your feet from hard surfaces. To help you find the optimal pair for your preferences, we’ve curated a list of the leading hiking sandals for women in 2024!
The Leading Hiking Sandal for Women in Detail
Camel Crown Waterproof Hiking Sandals — Editor’s Choice
If there’s one pair of sandals you should try out, it’s this one by Camel Crown. Their line of hiking sandals is perfect for just about any hiking trip, and with plenty of options to choose from you can rest assured you’ll find your perfect fit.
While some people may mistake hiking sandals as being all fashion and no benefit, a single pair will be sure to serve you in both the styling and durability departments. Allowing you to take photos and walk along rockier surfaces at ease, Camel Crown takes this a step further by offering a plethora of buying options.
Pros
- Comes in 15 different colors
- Waterproof design for heavy-duty use
- Sporty look thanks to jacquard ribbon
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a whole lot of protection
Dream Pairs Women’s Sport Sandals — Best Athletic Sandals
Running is generally not advised when out hiking, but if you ever need to run or walk at a faster pace then you’ll need a pair of sandals that can handle that extra force. Dream Pairs’ sport athletic sandals offer exactly this, and with their compact design you can rest assured it won’t take up too much space in your bag.
Leading with its ethylene-vinyl acetate sole that works to promote maximum comfort and durability, its shoe-like shape helps protect your feet from the likes of stones and debris.
While there are only four colors to pick from, those who love a neutral look will love how Dream Paris pairs well with a variety of outfits.
Pros
- Designed for athletic use
- Lightweight and flexible design
- Durable outsole for fast movement
Cons
- Limited color options
Viakix Acadia Hiking Sandal — Most Stylish
Who says you can’t hike in style? Hiking is just as much of a social activity as it is a physical and therapeutic one, and if you’re traveling with friends you may as well look the part. This pair of sandals by Viakix combines durability and comfort with style, using a unique zigzag shape to make it stand out among other sandals.
The lower sole of the sandal also has an ergonomic design which makes the sandals feel more comfortable to wear and walk in. With five adjustable straps, you can play around with your sandals’ fit so they achieve a more perfect fit.
Pros
- Sleek, unique zigzag design
- Ergonomic sole design
Cons
- Can look a little weird from the side
atika Women's Athena Outdoor Sandals — Most Traditional
Sandals aren’t a modern invention. They’ve been around for centuries, with older sandals being made out of various materials. This sandal pair made by atika looks very reminiscent of a traditional pair of sandals you’d find in an archaeological dig site.
For those who love variety, these shoes can be bought in a few different colors. Featuring eight color options that range from modern and flashy, you can select from organic earth tones to classic tones of the old.
Pros
- Eight different colorway options
- Resembles traditional sandal
- Suitable for everyday use
Cons
- A bit too bulky to look at
Megnya Hiking Sandals for Women — Most Comfortable
Let’s face it. Unless you’ve been wearing sandals for your entire life, it’s hard to say that they’re actually very comfortable to wear at all. This is due to a few factors, including the shape of the sandals themselves.
Hiking sandals that are uncomfortable to wear are doomed to be tucked away in your closet. This is where Megnya’s sandals come in!
Leading with a rubber sole and a stylish nylon braided rope, you get this pair of sandals that not only looks good but also feels great to wear. Comfortable for everyday use, they can be worn in both urban or rural settings.
Pros
- Very comfortable fit
- Nylon braided rope decoration
- With durable rubber sole
Cons
- Doesn’t guarantee a perfect fit
How to Buy Quality Hiking Sandals for Women: A Buyer’s Guide
When you want to take a hike outdoors, you’re going to need the right footwear. This guide will cover the basics regarding hiking sandals.
The Purpose of Hiking Sandals for Women
A hiking sandal is a type of footwear made out of durable materials including rubber, nylon and leather. Hiking leather is used in rugged outdoor settings to allow the user to walk and travel great distances without damaging or hurting their feet.
To add to this, hiking sandals are often made with durable velcro straps to ensure a tight fit when slipped on!
The Benefits of Hiking Sandals
Lightweight
If you’re moving great distances for hours at a time, you’ll need to conserve your energy as much as possible. While hiking boots are helpful, they tend to prove heavy on the feet and are generally uncomfortable to wear during the hotter months.
This is why hiking sandals are the clear winner. You won’t have nearly as much weight on your feet, which makes it easier to move around when you start getting fatigued!
Waterproof
Hiking sandals are very useful in situations where you expect your feet to get wet. For example, unlike hiking boots, most hiking sandals can withstand water exposure. So if you’re crossing a river or stream you won’t have to worry about drying the surface area off.
In that case, all you’ll have to do is keep trekking!
Stylish
Hiking sandals are great to pair with other hiking gear when going for a photo. Unlike hiking boots, hiking sandals are lightweight in design and match a variety of outfits due to their often minimalist nature.
Hiking Sandals vs. Hiking Boots
Both hiking boots and hiking sandals serve as great pieces of footwear to have when traveling in the wilderness, but they have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Compared to hiking sandals, hiking boots offer more protection. This protection is important as it keeps you safe from one major thing: physical injury.
Physical injury is pretty common these days when hiking, especially when traveling for the first time. Even veterans can slip up every now and then, and while small scratches and cuts will be absorbed by a hiking shoe, a hiking sandal will leave your skin open and exposed to possible injury. Adding to this hiking boots fit and cover your foot perfectly–which means that when your foot moves, the shoe moves, too.
How We Chose the Best Hiking Sandals for Women
We used a few metrics to determine how good a hiking sandal was. These criteria included the design of the sandals, their weight, design and shape.
