The Summer Sandals Guide
Finding the Right Fit — Not Just the Right Look
Summer is here, and your feet deserve better than whatever pair has been sitting at the back of your closet since last June. Whether you’re logging miles on a trail, walking a farmers market, recovering from a long week on your feet, or just looking for something you can wear from the patio to dinner without thinking twice — there is a sandal built for exactly that.
The trick is knowing which one is right for you.
At Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., we carry some of the best sandal brands in the world — and one you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s your complete guide to summer’s best, broken down by what you actually need from your footwear.
Quick Reference:
Find Your Sandal by Need
| If You Need… | Best Brands to Start With |
|---|---|
| All-day comfort with serious arch support | Aetrex, Birkenstock, Naot, Taos, Dansko |
| Trail, water, and outdoor adventure | Chaco, Keen, Teva, Ecco, Olukai |
| Recovery and tired, achy feet | Oofos, Birkenstock, Olukai |
| Beach, water, and casual lifestyle | Reef, Olukai, Teva, Chaco, Keen |
| Polished, dressy, or work-appropriate | Dansko, Ecco, Naot, Pikolinos, Solmar, Taos |
| Wide widths or orthotic-friendly options | Aetrex, Birkenstock, Naot, Chaco, Taos |
| Something exclusive you won’t find elsewhere | Solmar — Brown’s Shoe Fit exclusive |
The Brands, Up Close
Aetrex:
Built Around Your Foot’s Health
Aetrex is the brand foot care specialists recommend most. Every sandal is built on a podiatrist-designed footbed with deep heel cups, metatarsal support, and arch contouring that goes well beyond what most comfort brands offer. If you’re managing plantar fasciitis, flat feet, bunions, or just want a sandal that was built with your foot’s actual structure in mind, Aetrex is the place to start. Many styles are also available in extra-wide widths — a rarity in sandals. The Ashley is a bestselling strappy sandal with adjustable buckles and a full orthotic footbed, while the Claire offers a more fashion-forward silhouette without sacrificing any of the support underneath.
Birkenstock:
The Original Comfort Sandal
Birkenstock has been making sandals since 1774, and the reason they’re still everywhere is simple: the footbed works. The contoured cork-and-latex base molds to your foot over time, providing arch support, heel cupping, and a toe bar that encourages natural gripping — all the things your foot needs to stay happy through a full day of wear. The Arizona two-strap slide is the icon, and the Mayari toe-strap style has built its own devoted following. Available in regular and narrow widths, and in everything from classic oiled leather to nubuck to vegan-friendly Birko-Flor.
Chaco:
Built to Last a Lifetime
Chaco’s reputation rests on one thing: durability. The LUVSEAT footbed — a triple-density polyurethane midsole — provides genuine arch support without compressing over time, and the VIBRAM outsole handles hard use across any terrain. The Z1 Classic is the foundational single-strap design that has kept hikers and adventurers happy for decades, while the ZCloud adds extra cushioning for longer days on your feet. Chaco sandals are also rebuildable — you can send them back to have straps replaced and outsoles resoled, extending the life of a pair indefinitely.
Dansko:
The Professional’s Choice, Off the Clock
Dansko built its reputation on clogs that get nurses through twelve-hour shifts, and that same DNA runs through their sandal line. Rocker-bottom construction reduces strain on the forefoot and calves, while contoured footbeds and wide toe boxes make Dansko ideal for anyone who’s on their feet professionally and needs their off-hours footwear to feel like recovery. The Tanya is a sleek, ankle-strap sandal with a low wedge and padded footbed that transitions easily from work to weekend, and the Reece brings a bright, seasonal energy without losing any of the structure Dansko is known for.
Ecco:
Scandinavian Engineering, Everyday Elegance
Ecco sandals are made with the same direct-injected rubber sole technology the brand uses across its entire lineup — a construction method that bonds the sole directly to the upper for exceptional durability and a close, flexible fit. The Offroad Yucatan is a workhorse hiking sandal with adjustable straps and a grippy outsole that handles everything from trails to city streets, while the Soft Sandal Cross Strap brings Ecco’s quality leather construction to a cleaner, more elevated everyday look. Full-grain leather uppers soften and improve with every wear.
Keen:
The Sandal That Goes Everywhere
Keen invented the toe-protecting sport sandal category, and their lineup continues to lead it. The Elle series is a standout — the Elle Mila and Elle Backstrap offer an open-toe design with adjustable straps, water-ready materials, and Keen’s signature toe protection in a lighter, more streamlined silhouette that works equally well on a trail or a summer afternoon downtown. The Whisper series delivers the same water-ready performance with a soft mesh upper and a more enclosed feel for anyone who wants a little extra coverage on the foot. And if you’re heading anywhere that might involve uneven terrain, roots, or water, Keen belongs on your feet — the outsoles grip, the straps hold, and the construction handles real use without hesitation.
Naot:
Rooted in Comfort, Refined in Style
Founded in an Israeli kibbutz in 1942, Naot has been hand-crafting sandals built around a unique cork-and-latex footbed that molds to the individual shape of your foot over time. The Dynasty is a classic multi-strap sandal with a metallic leather upper and generous adjustability, while the Kayla pairs a sleek silhouette with Naot’s signature supportive base. Genuine leather uppers, excellent adjustability, and orthotic-friendly construction make Naot one of the best answers in the store for customers who want therapeutic support without the utilitarian look.
Oofos:
Recovery, Engineered
Oofos isn’t a lifestyle sandal. It’s a recovery tool that happens to be wearable everywhere. The proprietary OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional EVA foam, dramatically reducing stress on feet, ankles, knees, and hips. The OOlala is a sleek thong sandal that’s become a go-to for nurses and teachers who need their off-hours to actually feel like rest, while the OOahh Slide offers the same recovery benefits in an easy slip-on. If your feet hurt when you get home, Oofos is the first thing you should reach for.
Olukai:
Hawaiian Craftsmanship, World-Class Comfort
Olukai draws its design philosophy from the Hawaiian concept of malama — to care for — and that shows in every detail. The Ohana is a water-friendly flip that works from the beach to the backyard with a cushioned footbed and quick-dry materials, while the Tuahine offers a more substantial sport sandal silhouette for men who want comfort with coverage. Drop-in heel cups let you wear many styles as a slide or snap your heel in when you need more security — making Olukai one of the most versatile sandal brands on the floor.
Pikolinos:
Handcrafted in Spain
Pikolinos sandals are made in Spain with full-grain leather uppers, leather-lined footbeds that soften and conform over time, and construction built for longevity. The Mahon Sandal is a refined, adjustable everyday sandal in rich leathers that look better with age, while the Gomera Wedge adds elevation without sacrificing the handcrafted quality the brand is known for. If you want a sandal that handles a cobblestone street in Europe or a dinner reservation at home without a second thought, Pikolinos is the right answer.
Reef:
Built for the Water, Worn Everywhere Else
Reef started in Southern California making sandals for surfers, and that beach-bred DNA is still at the core of everything they make. The Water Vista Higher is a water-friendly sandal with a cushioned footbed and adjustable webbing straps built for all-day wear, while a variety of Cushion styles deliver softer, more lifestyle-forward flips for days when you just want to feel like you’re on vacation. Soft EVA footbeds, water-friendly materials, and a relaxed aesthetic make Reef the go-to for anyone whose summer involves sand, pools, or the general energy of not wanting to try too hard.
Taos:
Where Comfort Meets Style
Taos has built a devoted following by doing something that sounds simple but proves surprisingly hard: making footwear that looks like fashion and performs like comfort. The Serene is a customer favorite — a strappy leather sandal with a removable, orthotic-friendly footbed and just enough heel to feel dressed up. The Show brings a bold silhouette to the lineup, while the Loop delivers classic slide energy with Taos’s signature support underneath. Removable footbeds across the line make Taos an excellent choice for anyone who relies on custom orthotics.
Teva:
The Sport Sandal Pioneer
Teva was born in the Grand Canyon in 1984 when a river guide fastened two velcro watchbands to a pair of flip flops to keep them from floating away. Today’s lineup is considerably more refined, but the spirit is the same. The Hurricane XLT3 is the quintessential adventure sandal — multi-directional straps, adjustable hook-and-loop closures, and a grippy outsole that handles wet rock and slippery trails without hesitation. The Original Universal delivers that same water-ready performance in a lighter, more minimalist package for days when the adventure is a little more casual.
Solmar:
Exclusively at Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.
Solmar is Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.’s own exclusive footwear brand — designed with our customers in mind and available only at Brown’s. The collection is inspired by the sun-soaked coasts of the Mediterranean, and it shows in every style. The Rome and Amalfi bring effortless, strappy elegance to everyday summer wear, while the Modena, Murano, Teramo, and Siena round out a lineup built for women who want something polished, comfortable, and distinctly their own.
When you choose Solmar, you’re choosing footwear that was designed specifically for the Brown’s customer — and you’re supporting a brand that exists only because of the relationships we’ve built with communities across the country. You won’t find Solmar anywhere else. That’s entirely the point.
Shop Solmar sandals at brownsshoefitco.com
How to Find Your Perfect Summer Sandal
| What to Consider | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Arch support | Flat sandals with no support put strain on your plantar fascia, Achilles, and knees — especially over long days. Look for contoured footbeds or removable insoles if you use orthotics. |
| Heel cup depth | A deep heel cup keeps your foot properly aligned and prevents the heel fat pad from spreading — a major source of heel pain in summer footwear. |
| Adjustability | Feet swell in the heat — sometimes by half a size or more. Adjustable straps let you fine-tune the fit throughout the day rather than being stuck with one position. |
| Outsole grip | Smooth rubber soles are fine for dry pavement. If you’re near water, on trails, or anywhere that might be wet, look for lugged or textured outsoles that grip on slippery surfaces. |
| Break-in period | Leather sandals (Birkenstock, Naot, Pikolinos, Ecco) take time to conform to your foot. Wear them for short periods first. The payoff — a footbed shaped exactly to you — is worth every minute. |
The best sandal isn’t the one that looks the best on the rack — it’s the one that still feels good at the end of a long summer day. Come see us in store and let our team help you find yours. We’ll measure your foot, talk through what you need, and make sure you leave with a pair that’s going to work for your summer.
Shop the full sandal collection at brownsshoefitco.com
Why Buy Yours From Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.?
With 73 locally owned and operated locations across the Midwest, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. has been a trusted name in footwear since 1911. Known for our personalized service and commitment to quality, Brown’s Shoe Fit is the go-to destination for comfortable, quality footwear for all ages. Each of our stores offers a footwear selection unique to the needs of our communities, with a knowledgeable staff trained to give every customer the best fit possible. To learn more about us, visit brownsshoefitco.com or find a store near you!
