The 3 Best Sport Sandal Brands for Hiking and Traveling

When it comes to the best sport sandals for walking, hiking, traveling and water sports, many people turn to trusted brands like Chaco, Teva and Keen. Each brand has its own unique approach to creating a sport sandal that can do it all. And even though each brand has a very dedicated following, many shoppers have a hard time deciding between them.

Sport Sandal Brands

Chaco, Teva and Keen all make stellar sandals, but which pair of sport sandals will be perfect for you? I'll break down the features, performance and reviews of each brand so you can choose wisely.

Shop Sierra Sandals.

Why People Love Chaco Sandals


Chaco Sport Sandal Brands

Chaco sandals are a well-loved option with a big following. People love Chaco sandals for their adjustability, traction and underfoot support. They're a favorite choice for adventurous travelers and are often used to hike even the most rugged terrain.

The adjustable, pull-through straps and anatomical LUVSEAT footbed make Chaco sandals stand out from the crowd. They also feature grippy rubber outsoles that can handle pretty much any trail. One thing to note about Chacos is that they are heavier than other sport sandals.

Chaco has garnered a devoted following since their 1989 debut, and many "Chaconians" have more than one pair.

Why People Love Teva Sandals


Teva Sport Sandal Brands

Teva sandals were created by a river guide in the '80s and have thrived in and around the water ever since. Teva sport sandals are loved for their lightweight support and grippy traction. They usually offer touch-fasten adjustable straps and an antimicrobial treatment that fights odor in the footbed. All of these features come in handy for explorers who love the water. Teva sandals are also a great choice for active beach vacations or any other travel that involves water.

Hikers should be aware that Teva sandals don't offer the stiff, ultra-durable underfoot support many people desire for longer hikes. That's why they tend to be a better choice for water-bound explorers. Looking through the hundreds of Teva reviews on Sierra, you'll notice a lot of people mentioned the soles of their previous Tevas wearing out after about 10 years. That makes it pretty clear that Teva sport sandal fans love their sandals so much that they use them until they wear out, and then replace them with a similar pair.

Why People Love Keen Sandals


Keen Sport Sandal Brands

Adventurers who wear Keen sandals love them for their protection, comfort and support. All Keen sport sandals feature a Metatomical EVA footbed, quickdraw adjustment and, of course, the beloved Keen bumper toe. The Keen toe bumper protects vulnerable toes on rugged trails, while the open-strap design makes for quick-drying, water-friendly performance. Keen offers durable, grippy outsoles, toe protection and a supportive footbed -- making them perfect hiking sandals for rocky and gravelly trails. Keen devotees also love that all Keen sandals are machine washable on the gentle cycle.

While they are extremely comfortable sandals, you may find that a pair of Keens don't offer the beefy underfoot support you might need for longer hikes.

Are Chaco, Teva or Keen sandals right for you?


Sport Sandal Brands

No one brand is better than the other, but one choice might be better for you. Some people boast two pairs of Chacos: one pair that acts as a hiking sandal or a yard work sandal, and another pair to use as comfortable walking sandals (and for any other activity). But many people, especially those who spend a lot of time in and around the water, love Teva sandals the most. And many Keen wearers say they like their Keens more than anything else they've tried.

There you have it. Each brand of sport sandal offers great options for every kind of explorer, so no matter what you're doing in them, you should be able to decide which brand makes the best sandals for your next travel adventure or walk around the block.

From active running shoes to casual footwear, find even more for your feet at teeny, tiny prices.
Share
Comments (10)
MYLOCAT
6/27/2016 at 12:51 PM
I wore Chacos for years and years (another unsung benefit of them is that you can resole them, and re-web them!). But once I started wearing minimalist shoes for running and everyday wear, the contoured footbed started bothering my feet. I now wear Unshoes Pah Tempes, which have a Chaco-like lacing pattern and a super-light footbed. Less durable than the Chacos, but very light and barely there.
WJ1
8/13/2016 at 3:25 PM
Have both Chacos and Keens. Preferred the Keens for all-around use up until the outer soles completely separated from the main body of the shoes in the middle of a river adventure. The Keens were only about five years old, but their warranty is only for one year, so the company refused to do anything about an obvious manufacturing defect. Reading that some Teva wearers have their shoes for 10+ years makes me all the more angry at Keen's failure to stand behind their product.
STAN
6/25/2017 at 1:50 PM
Long time user of Chacos, even still have a pair with the original Gecko label (yep, im old). I switched for a few years to Keen, a little more protection and shoe like. Bought a half dozen keens on a really good sale, and im burning through them. The recent Keens seem to be junk. I get maybe two weeks out of them and the rear strap thread is blown out. The two pair i have left im reserving for casual town outings. Ordered another pair of Chacos for work and play.
LUMBERFOX
8/12/2017 at 3:21 PM
Have had my tevas for a few months and love them, I have oddly shaped feet (wide but short) so it was extremely difficult (and expensive) to get chacos so I opted for the original Texas, and loved them! Theyve been on 10-12 mile hikes and have been holding up better than some of my hiking boots!
DIANE JOHNSON
9/17/2017 at 12:08 PM
A podiatry visit due to a neuroma...doctor said to wear shoes with arches. I live at and walk on the beach barefoot...a lot. So, looked in the back of my closet and drug out my Tevas purchased in 1994. I've worn them off and on through the years. Still feel great. But I did go buy some more to be sure i had a selection.
ANONYMOUS
7/24/2019 at 8:04 AM
Tevas, because of the amazing footbed, cupped heal, raised arch support and toe grip. I threw my Chacos away after I injured my shoulder tripping again and again. They are dangerous with main support set so far back on the foot. I own three pair Teva TIrras and am planning to buy a fourth. Tirra is my choice but I'd also like to se Teva do a closed toe like Keen. Keen is not supportive enough for me. Chaco is dangerous. Since I've worn the Teva Tirra I do not need to wear orthotics. I wear them almost every day, finally, with socks right up to snow. I wear them to work, and around home. I've never had such painless feet. Thank you TEVA. Short, wide foot.
ANONYMOUS
7/24/2019 at 8:05 AM
Tevas, because of the amazing footbed, cupped heal, raised arch support and toe grip. I threw my Chacos away after I injured my shoulder tripping again and again. They are dangerous with main support set so far back on the foot. I own three pair Teva TIrras and am planning to buy a fourth. Tirra is my choice but I'd also like to se Teva do a closed toe like Keen. Keen is not supportive enough for me. Chaco is dangerous. Since I've worn the Teva Tirra I do not need to wear orthotics. I wear them almost every day, finally, with socks right up to snow. I wear them to work, and around home. I've never had such painless feet. Thank you TEVA. Short, wide foot.
ANONYMOUS
7/28/2020 at 9:42 AM
I've been a loyal Teva owner (counties pairs for 20+ years) but I'm not "buying" the part about 10+ years! I have blown thru the exact same model mentioned in the article in a year, causing the air pockets in the tread/sole to wear thin and eventually pop. I hike, cut grass, and live in my Teva's year round when I'm not wearing steal toed shoes for work. But, to reiterate, a year of heavy use is ALL they're good for! These people must be wearing them casually on a weekend to get 10 years out of a pair.
RZ
6/18/2022 at 6:47 PM
I love my Chacos. Naturally a bit flat-footed, the arch is awesome. I use them for hiking, running, whatever. I do agree they're a bit more dangerous than the other brands due to the bed being so wide around the ball of the foot. Being a size 12 normally, I have had size 11, and didn't catch my feet together quite so often. So I disagree with the author a bit about going a size larger. I think you could go a size smaller and trip a bit less while not really noticing the size. Back in 2001, I accidentally ended up hiking 3 days in 6' snow in them - not too bad with thick socks and grocery bags inside the sandal. Last week had the strap break for the first time - probably sand wore it out. Still was able to wear them for another week before i could get to a store, but gradually more chafing as the strap on the other side slipped out. Time for another pair.
ERIC
5/24/2023 at 4:31 PM
This list is overdue for an update. Bedrock Sandals out of Montana are the best hiking/adventure sandal. Extremely adjustable, Vibram Sole, light weight, and fit up to a US Men’s 15(trust me, I know). They offer a re-treading option if you wear out your pair. Just mail them to Montana and they send it back with a custom Re-soul tag. Bedrocks are more expensive than all three of these brands but absolutely worth every single dollar.
Join the Conversation
Name
Comment