The 9 Best Men's Hiking Sandals

If rocks and roots worry you more than heat, the Keen Newport H2 is the safe bet. A wide rubber bumper wraps the toes, and a bungee lace with a lock snugs the fit in one pull. The straps dry fast and can go through the washer on a gentle cycle. Grooved lugs hold well on wet rock, and the front leaves room for toes to spread. The covered front runs warm, and sand and grit slip in and stay.

The Teva Hurricane XLT2 is a light, airy open sandal for hot trail days and quick river crossings. Hook-and-loop straps adjust in three places, so the fit can be tuned in seconds with no buckles. The webbing dries fast, and a cushioned foam footbed sits on a chunky lugged rubber sole. RunRepeat's lab scored it near the top of the men's hiking sandals it rates. Toes stay bare, so stubbed toes and sunburn are real risks.

Hikers who want one pair to last for years tend to land on the Chaco Z/2 Classic. A single strap runs through the sole and around the big toe, so the whole fit shifts with a pull on the buckle. The firm footbed keeps its shape over long miles, and Chaco repairs and resoles worn pairs. Chaco lists a limited lifetime warranty. It feels stiff at first, and the toe loop can rub until it breaks in.

For long days on gentle paths and town streets, the ECCO Yucatan puts comfort first. Soft leather straps close with hook-and-loop tabs over the toes, instep and heel, and the molded footbed has a smooth cover that feels kind on bare feet. The footbed cups the heel and follows the arch, which keeps each step steady. Grip is only fair on wet rock or loose dirt, and the leather takes a long time to dry.

Mud, roots and loose rock are where the Keen Targhee III Sandal earns its place. Deep lugs in a grippy all-terrain rubber bite into soft ground, and a cupped heel locks the foot so it doesn't slide on descents. Leather straps and a rubber toe cap shrug off scrapes, and a two-layer footbed adds arch support for longer hikes. The leather runs warm and stays soggy for a while after a creek crossing.

The Chaco Z/Cloud adds a soft top layer to Chaco's firm, supportive footbed, so the first miles feel gentler. There's no toe loop, which suits anyone who finds one annoying. The strap still threads through the sole and cinches with a ladder-lock buckle, and the wavy tread grips well on dirt and gravel. It is a heavy sandal, and getting the strap tension right takes some trial and error.

Wide feet and rushed mornings both suit the Keen Hyperport H2. It pulls on like a slipper, then a bungee cord with a lock draws the cage snug. Toes get a roomy front with a protective cap, and bouncy foam softens hard ground. Grooves cut into the sole push water aside for better grip in the rain. The thick foam and covered toe make it warm, and the bungee offers less fine-tuning than separate straps.

Light and flat enough to strap to a pack, the Teva Original Universal is the classic river and camp sandal. Its webbing is spun from recycled plastic and dries quickly, and a small arch bump plus a cupped heel give the flat sole a bit of shape. One hook-and-loop ankle strap sets the fit. The sole is thin, so sharp stones come through and long rocky trails get tiring.

The Crocs Swiftwater Mesh Deck is a cheap, light shoe for river crossings, boat days and camp. A mesh upper and side ports let water rush out, and the closed front shields toes from sharp rocks and shells. One adjustable strap holds the foot, and the molded foam sole feels soft and won't soak up water. Crocs suggests ordering a full size up. The shallow tread slips on loose dirt, so keep it off long, steep trails.