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If you’ve got a big day of walking ahead or even if you’re just going to be standing on your feet all day, comfortable sandals are a must. While thongs might feel good to slip on for the walk between the car and the beach, slides are far from the best sandals for walking long distances.

This is for two reasons. One, thongs and slides tend to be completely flat, which doesn’t support the natural arch of your foot or offer enough support. Two, slip-on sandals require your toes to ‘grip’ the shoe to keep it on your foot, causing you to hold an unnatural position while walking.

Do comfortable walking sandals matter?

While you might have found basic sandals alright as a child, the fact is that as we age, we need to take care of our feet as much as the rest of us! Without comfortable walking sandals, feet can quickly become tired and sore, leading to knee and hip pain and back problems, not to mention the dreaded callus or blister that emerges after a busy day of sightseeing or walking.

To keep your whole body aligned and avoid unnecessary pain or, in extreme cases, foot deformation, a pair of fashionable, comfy sandals will be your saviour in summer. Sneakers and walking boots may be good, but sometimes the weather is too hot for close-toed shoes, or the occasion demands something a little dressier. Plus, if you’ve never invested in supportive footwear, you’re missing out!

Comfortable walking sandals will keep that bounce in your step, supporting you over hard surfaces and rough terrain — so you don’t have to tap out of the fun early because of aching arches and tormented toes.

So, without further ado, let’s run through what makes the comfiest sandals feel so good and how you can find a pair to keep you walking on air this summer.

What are the most comfortable walking sandals?

You might have a summer holiday planned, with plenty of sightseeing down cobblestone streets (lucky you!), or it might just be that you’re headed into work, weekend entertaining and expeditions with the kids on holiday. Whatever the case, a pair of fashionable, comfy sandals are well worth the investment and can be easily paired with your everyday summer workwear or dressed up for an evening look that’s both practical and glamorous.

What should I be looking for in a comfortable sandal?

• The right fit—This might sound obvious, but a lot of people take a ‘near enough is good enough’ approach to shoe sizes, which can end up being mightily uncomfortable down the road. Comfortable walking sandals won’t just be the right length for your foot, they’ll also match the width of your foot perfectly, so you’re supported on all sides and get the full benefit of the shoe’s supportive details.If you’ve never had your foot professionally measured and sized, it’s worthwhile doing so. That way, you’ll know what you’re looking for when shopping online and using brand size guides.

• Sturdy, comfortable fabrication —It goes without saying that comfortable sandals you plan to wear all day, every day need to be made from quality materials — sorry, thongs and plastic footwear, you’re out again. Leather is always a popular choice for shoes, and it’s especially well suited to comfortable sandals for women. Not only does leather look the part, but it has a natural give that isn’t restrictive and moulds to the foot over time.It’s also worth looking at other details like buckles and other fastenings to ensure they’re sturdy and well attached. While you might get away with more flimsy construction on a pair of heels you only plan on wearing for a few hours, poor-quality construction will quickly come back to bite you on a pair of walking sandals.

• A trusted brand name —There are some occasions where it’s worth finding a hidden treasure, but footwear isn’t really one of them. Popular brands have a good reputation because of quality craftsmanship and an understanding of proper supportive design.Brands like Diana Ferrari, Frankie 4, Django and Juliette, Skechers and Taos are all well established and known for their well-designed footbeds, quality leather uppers and correctly pitched shoes. Because of this, you can easily shop their newest season styles for a design you love without worrying about whether they’ll hold up to hours of walking around.

• Timeless design —There’s no reason your comfiest sandals shouldn’t last you more than a season. In fact, with a well-made, comfortable walking sandal, you’ll find that they often get even better with wear, as the materials mould to your individual footprint.With that in mind, it’s a good idea to go for a sandal with timeless details that you’ll want to wear for more than just one summer. Of course, timeless doesn’t have to mean boring! Bright pink leather might be exactly the right style to keep in your wardrobe for years, depending on your style. When making your choice, think about the colours you gravitate to most often and what colour accessories you own. Choose a complimentary colour and a simple style that won’t overshadow your outfits – unless that’s your thing, in which case, opt for a decorative style with all the bells and whistles!

• Adjustable details —This goes hand in hand with the fit, but making sure that your chosen sandal has adjustable straps and other detailing will go a long way to answering the question, what are the most comfortable sandals for walking?Especially if you often find there’s a gap between the top of your forefoot and the front strap of a shoe, making sure this has a buckle, velcro, or other adjustable fastenings will go a long way to keeping it secure on your foot. This also helps avoid the dreaded gripping toes that can become so uncomfortable when walking.

• Straps over slide-ons —  Finally, if it’s comfortable walking sandals you want, there’s no avoiding the importance of secure straps over a slip-on design. An ankle strap keeps your sandal firmly on your feet, allowing the foot to rest comfortably without the shoe sliding off.This, in turn, makes lifting your foot up and down more effortless and walking far more comfortable – even if you’ve been at it all day. If you’re not sure where to start with finding a style like this, the brands at Green’s Footwear have all been carefully selected for their commitment to quality fabrication and excellent support.

Shop the comfiest sandals from Green’s Footwear

At Green’s Footwear, we’re proud to stock a wide collection of comfortable sandals for women that will hold up to whatever you have planned. As a family-owned business, we carefully source every pair in our collection from the best Australian and international shoemakers to deliver you new season styles that all share a quality construction for a supportive shoe.

If you still have doubts about what makes the best sandals for walking, our experienced team is on hand to give you expert advice for finding your perfect fit. Talk to us, and we’ll help you find your most comfortable walking sandal ever.

Shop our entire women’s collection online today and discover why our customers love shopping with us season after season.