The Top Men’s Comfort Casual Shoes and Sandals of the Central United States: Q3 2026 Rankings

By Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

At Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., comfort is our number one priority, and that goes for the shoes men wear every day, not just to the gym. So we asked a simple question: which comfort casual shoes, sandals, and hikers are men in the heart of the country actually buying and wearing? The answer comes straight from the register. Work boots are not included here. We will cover the top work brands in their own post.

Q3 2026 at a Glance

• Men’s comfort casual pairs sold: Down 5.3% year over year
• Men’s comfort casual sales: Nearly even with last year (down 0.4%), as men chose more premium styles
• Number one brand: Hey Dude, with 13.7% of pairs sold
• Number one styles: Kizik Athens 2 and OluKai Ohana, tied at 8.3% of best-seller pairs
• Top three brands combined: 35.2% of all men’s comfort casual pairs sold
• Fastest-growing brand: Kizik, up 74.5% in pairs sold
• Biggest share gain: Kizik, up 3.3 percentage points
• Outdoor matters: 32.4% of best-seller pairs were hiking and outdoor styles

The Top Men’s Comfort Casual Brands of Q3 2026

Men’s comfort casual footwear is a crowded field, with dozens of brands on our shelves. Twelve brands earned at least 2% of men’s pairs sold this summer. Unlike the women’s side, where one brand dominates, the men’s leaderboard is spread out. Hey Dude, Keen, and Skechers lead, and no brand has more than about one in seven pairs.

Brand Rankings by Share of Pairs Sold

1. Hey Dude: 13.7% of pairs sold (-4.9% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). The top brand, known for lightweight, easy slip-ons.
2. Keen: 11.7% of pairs sold (-8.3% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Three top-ten styles, from Targhee hikers to the Newport sandal.
3. Skechers: 9.8% of pairs sold (-20.9% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Comfortable, easy-wearing casuals like the Meroe Dayton.
4. Kizik: 7.3% of pairs sold (+74.5% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). The breakout brand, up five spots with hands-free shoes.
5. Merrell: 6.7% of pairs sold (-8.0% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Trail-ready favorites like the Moab 3 and Jungle Moc.
6. Oboz: 6.6% of pairs sold (-13.2% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Waterproof hikers led by the Bridger Mid B-DRY.
7. OluKai: 6.6% of pairs sold (-1.5% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Supportive, Hawaii-inspired sandals led by the Ohana.
8. Johnston & Murphy: 5.7% of pairs sold (-5.0% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Dress and dress casual shoes built for all-day comfort.
9. ECCO: 5.2% of pairs sold (-15.9% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Danish comfort, led by the Helsinki 2 dress casuals.
10. Birkenstock: 3.4% of pairs sold (-12.9% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Contoured footbed sandals and clogs, led by the Arizona EVA.
11. Clarks: 2.6% of pairs sold (-14.1% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Lightweight Unstructured comfort, led by the Un Briley.
12. Teva: 2.0% of pairs sold (+0.2% pairs sold vs. Q3 2025). Outdoor sandals, with sales up as men traded up.

Brand Growth:

Q3 2025 vs. Q3 2026

Market share tells you who is on top. Growth tells you who has momentum. Hey Dude, Keen, and Skechers held the top three spots from last summer, but the story below them changed. Kizik jumped five spots to fourth, Oboz slipped from fourth to sixth, and ECCO moved from seventh to ninth.

Year-Over-Year Brand Comparison

The Breakout: Kizik

Kizik had the biggest summer of any men’s comfort casual brand. Pairs sold grew 74.5% and sales grew 69.9%, lifting its share from 4.0% to 7.3%. Founded in Utah in 2017, Kizik makes hands-free shoes with a patented heel that compresses as you step in and springs back to hold your foot. The Kizik Athens 2 tied for the number one men’s casual style, and the Kizik Freedom Run also made our top twenty.

The Leaders: Hey Dude and Keen

Hey Dude held the top spot with 13.7% of pairs sold. Pairs sold dipped 4.9%, but sales grew 1.3%, and its share of the category held steady. Hey Dude’s lightweight, easy slip-ons, led by the Wally Stretch Sox and Wally Funk Mono, remain a go-to for men who want comfort without laces.

Keen placed three styles in the top ten, more than any other brand: the Keen Targhee IV Waterproof, Keen Targhee IV Mid Waterproof, and Keen Newport sandal. Pairs sold were down 8.3%, but Keen held a strong second place.

Holding Steady:

OluKai, Johnston & Murphy, and Teva

OluKai grew its share to 6.6% and sales grew 1.1%, powered by the OluKai Ohana, which tied for the top men’s style. Johnston & Murphy held eighth place with sales up 2.0%. Teva sold about the same number of pairs as last summer, but sales grew 11.7% as men traded up to premium sandals.

Slowing Down:

Skechers, Oboz, ECCO, Birkenstock, Clarks, and Merrell

Skechers held third place, though pairs sold fell 20.9%, the biggest share drop of any brand. Oboz pairs sold fell 13.2%, slipping from fourth to sixth, even though the Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY was the third best-selling style. ECCO fell 15.9%, Birkenstock fell 12.9%, Clarks fell 14.1%, and Merrell fell 8.0% while holding fifth place.

The Top 10 Men’s Comfort Casuals and Sandals of Q3 2026

Here are the ten men’s comfort casual shoes, sandals, and hikers that sold the most pairs across the Central United States this summer. Every color and width of each style is combined.

1 (tie). Kizik Athens 2 (8.3% of best-seller pairs)

The Kizik Athens 2 is a hands-free everyday sneaker. Kizik’s patented heel lets you step in without bending over or touching the shoe, then springs back to hold your foot. It is the easiest pair on and off in our stores. Blackout and Alloy were the top colors.

1 (tie). OluKai Ohana (8.3%)

The OluKai Ohana is a Hawaii-inspired sandal with a soft, contoured footbed that supports your arch, unlike a flat flip-flop. It is water-friendly and comfortable enough to wear all day. Dark Java and Black sold almost evenly.

3 (tie). Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY (7.1%)

The Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY is a waterproof leather hiking boot built for rugged trails, yard work, and fall weekends. Oboz, based in Bozeman, Montana, is known for its supportive, well-cushioned insoles and trail-ready fit.

3 (tie). Hey Dude Wally Stretch Sox (7.1%)

The Hey Dude Wally Stretch Sox is a lightweight slip-on with a soft, sock-like stretch upper. It is easy to wear, easy to pack, and a favorite for weekends and travel.

5. Keen Targhee IV Waterproof (6.5%)

The Keen Targhee IV Waterproof is Keen’s go-to hiking shoe, with a waterproof build, a roomy toe box, and grippy outsole that works on the trail and around town.

6. Birkenstock Arizona EVA (5.4%)

The Birkenstock Arizona EVA is the lightweight, waterproof version of the classic two-strap Arizona. It keeps Birkenstock’s contoured footbed shape in a sandal you can wear in the water and rinse clean.

7. Keen Targhee IV Mid Waterproof (5.3%)

The Keen Targhee IV Mid Waterproof adds ankle support to the Targhee, making it a great pick for longer hikes and wet fall days.

8. Keen Newport (5.2%)

The Keen Newport is the hybrid sandal that started it all for Keen, with a protective toe bumper, secure lacing, and a water-ready build for rivers, lakes, and summer days.

9. Hey Dude Wally Funk Mono (5.0%)

The Hey Dude Wally Funk Mono is a clean, single-tone take on Hey Dude’s lightweight slip-on, easy to dress up or down.

10. ECCO Helsinki 2 Bike Toe Lace Up (4.4%)

The ECCO Helsinki 2 Bike Toe Lace Up is the top dress casual shoe on our list. Danish brand ECCO pairs smooth leather with a cushioned, flexible sole, so it looks sharp for work and feels comfortable all day.

Honorable Mentions:

Styles 11 to 20

11. Skechers Meroe Dayton: 4.3% of best-seller pairs
12. Merrell Jungle Moc: 4.1% of best-seller pairs
13. Oboz Bridger Low B-DRY: 3.9% of best-seller pairs
14. ECCO Helsinki 2 Slip On: 3.5% of best-seller pairs
15. Merrell Moab 3: 3.4% of best-seller pairs
16. Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof: 3.3% of best-seller pairs
17. Skechers Slip-ins Arch Fit Superior Talbert: 3.1% of best-seller pairs
18. ECCO Offroad Yucatan Hiking Sandal: 3.1% of best-seller pairs
19. Kizik Freedom Run: 2.9% of best-seller pairs
20. Oboz Sawtooth X Low: 2.9% of best-seller pairs

Sandals, Outdoor, or Casual:

What Men Are Choosing

Men’s comfort casual shopping is more balanced than you might expect. Easy casual shoes and slip-ons led, but hiking and outdoor styles made up almost a third of best-seller pairs, and sandals were more than one in five.

• Casual shoes and slip-ons (37.7%): Kizik Athens 2 and Freedom Run, Hey Dude Wally Stretch Sox and Wally Funk Mono, Skechers Meroe Dayton, and Merrell Jungle Moc.
• Hiking and outdoor (32.4%): Oboz Bridger and Sawtooth, Keen Targhee IV, and Merrell Moab 3.
• Sandals (22.0%): OluKai Ohana, Birkenstock Arizona EVA, Keen Newport, and ECCO Offroad Yucatan.
• Dress casual (7.9%): ECCO Helsinki 2 Bike Toe Lace Up and Helsinki 2 Slip On.

The Best-Selling Style From Every Top Brand

Looking for the most popular pick from a specific brand? Here is the top men’s style from each of our top twelve comfort casual brands in Q3 2026.

• Hey Dude: Hey Dude Wally Stretch Sox
• Keen: Keen Targhee IV Waterproof and Targhee IV Mid Waterproof
• Skechers: Skechers Meroe Dayton
• Kizik: Kizik Athens 2
• Merrell: Merrell Jungle Moc
• Oboz: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY
• OluKai: OluKai Ohana
• Johnston & Murphy: Johnston & Murphy Upton Plain Toe
• ECCO: ECCO Helsinki 2 Bike Toe Lace Up
• Birkenstock: Birkenstock Arizona EVA
• Clarks: Clarks Un Briley (Step, Lace, and Pace)
• Teva: Teva Hurricane XLT3 Criss Cross

What the Q3 2026 Numbers Tell Us

• Hands-free is the story of the year. Kizik grew 74.5% and tied for the number one style. Men want comfort that is also convenient.
• Slip-ons rule everyday wear. Hey Dude, Kizik, and Skechers slip-on styles made up a big share of best sellers.
• Men love the outdoors. Almost a third of best-seller pairs were hikers and trail shoes from Oboz, Keen, and Merrell.
• Supportive sandals beat flat flip-flops. The OluKai Ohana, Birkenstock Arizona EVA, and Keen Newport all offer real footbed support.
• Quality over quantity. Men bought 5.3% fewer pairs than last summer, but sales held nearly even, a sign that men are choosing better, longer-lasting pairs.

How to Choose a Comfortable Men’s Casual Shoe

• Think about your day. Slip-ons are great for errands and travel. Hikers and trail shoes handle yard work, uneven ground, and wet weather.
• Look for real support. A contoured footbed and a firm heel counter make a big difference over a long day.
• Choose the right width. Many of these styles come in wide widths. A shoe that is too narrow is one of the most common causes of discomfort.
• Waterproof when it counts. Styles like the Oboz Bridger B-DRY and Keen Targhee IV Waterproof keep your feet dry in the fall and spring.
• Get fitted. Feet change over time, and a Brown’s fitter can measure length, width, and arch to find the style that fits you best.

That is where a Brown’s fitting makes the difference. Our fitters measure both feet, look at your arch, and talk about how you spend your day before recommending a style. It is the same expert fitting we have always done, in 73 stores across the Central United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular men’s comfort casual shoe in 2026?

In the Central United States, the Kizik Athens 2 and OluKai Ohana tied as the top-selling men’s comfort casual styles in Q3 2026, each with 8.3% of best-seller pairs. The Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY and Hey Dude Wally Stretch Sox tied for third.

What is the most popular men’s comfort casual shoe brand in 2026?

Hey Dude was the top men’s comfort casual brand in the Central U.S. in Q3 2026, with 13.7% of pairs sold. Keen (11.7%) and Skechers (9.8%) ranked second and third.

Which men’s comfort shoe brands are growing the fastest?

Kizik grew the fastest in Q3 2026, with men’s pairs sold up 74.5% from Q3 2025, moving from 9th to 4th. OluKai and Teva held steady, and Teva sales grew 11.7%.

Are Kizik shoes really hands-free?

Yes. Kizik shoes use a patented heel that compresses when you step in and springs back to hold your foot, so you can put them on without using your hands or bending over.

What is the best men’s sandal with arch support?

The best-selling supportive men’s sandals in the Central U.S. this summer were the OluKai Ohana, Birkenstock Arizona EVA, Keen Newport, and ECCO Offroad Yucatan. The right choice depends on your foot shape and how you plan to wear them.

What is the best men’s hiking shoe for everyday wear?

The Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY, Keen Targhee IV Waterproof, and Merrell Moab 3 were the best-selling men’s hiking styles in the Central U.S. in Q3 2026. All three work well on the trail and around town.

Find Your Most Comfortable Pair

Every brand on this list is available at Brown’s. Stop in for an expert fitting at one of our 73 locations, or shop anytime at brownsshoefitco.com. When you shop online through Local Anywhere, your local Brown’s store shares in the sale, so you are still supporting your hometown team.

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. Local Anywhere.