8 Greatest Sandals With Arch Assist in 2025, Per Podiatrists

Gone are the times of sweating in heavy sneakers and tripping over flimsy flip-flops. You want the perfect sandals with arch help—a.ok.a. pairs that permit your toes breathe, however are nonetheless sturdy underfoot.

Good arch help could make your sneakers really feel extra snug (even for those who’re strolling or standing all day lengthy) and stop achiness from plantar fasciitis, Amy DeGirolamo, DPM, a podiatrist at Florida Foot and Ankle Associates in Miami, tells SELF. Even for those who don’t take care of ache, you should still profit from sporting sandals with extra construction—say, if in case you have flat toes.

And so they aren’t all chunky orthopedic pairs, both. We discovered cute, expert- and editor-approved choices that you simply’ll wish to put on on repeat. Take your decide!

Our prime picks

Store the perfect sandals with arch help

For those who’re able to put some further spring in your step in your summer season strolls, take a look at our favourite sandals with arch help beneath.

Greatest General: Chaco Z/1 Traditional Sandals

Nick Cutri, DPT, bodily therapist and founding father of MOTI Physiotherapy in Los Angeles, recommends Chaco sandals as a result of they’re supportive, however have a extra minimalist profile. The footbed on the Z/1 Traditional is contoured to the form of your foot and has a elevate within the arch that helped it earn the seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA). The seal is barely awarded to sneakers that podiatrists have discovered to be good to your toes, so you understand you’re getting a strong sandal.

“I really like the Chaco Traditional as a result of they’re good for climbing and strolling,” one SELF editor says. She’s worn her pair over muddy trails, by way of waterfalls, and extra. One other SELF editor loves the Z/1 Traditional for canine walks in heat climate. “They’re agency, however not onerous, with sufficient flexibility that they bend as I stroll. And the straps are adjustable sufficient to accommodate my tremendous slender toes,” she says.

Greatest for Mountaineering: Teva Hurricane XLT2

Like Chaco, Teva is a family title in the case of ultra-supportive climbing and strolling sandals—Dr. Cutri is aware of individuals who’ve hiked the Grand Canyon in a pair. Our prime decide from the model is the SELF Fave Hurricane XLT2, which one author calls her “go-to sneakers for spring, summer season, and past.”

She put her pair by way of the wringer on hikes throughout the Austrian countryside and strolls over tough cobblestone paths, and couldn’t discover any main indicators of wear and tear. (That’s the signal of a really trail-ready sandal, for those who ask us.)

Greatest for Large Toes: Birkenstock Milano Huge Buckle Sandal

It’s no secret that Birks run vast. However that’s why one SELF editor loves them: “As somebody with vast toes and excessive arches, it is necessary that my sneakers have a bit of further room for my toes to swell all through the day,” she says. “These are spacious, tremendous breathable, and supportive sufficient that I can run errands all summer season lengthy in them.”

The Milano has a light-weight foam and cork footbed that contours to your foot over time. Plus, “the large buckles and further backstrap are so cute and practical on the identical time,” our editor says. “I really like that the entire straps are adjustable too.”

Greatest for Plantar Fasciitis: Kuru Present Water Sandal

Nicholas Japs, DPT, a bodily therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Middle in Bridgeport, Connecticut, beforehand instructed SELF that Kuru makes glorious sandals for individuals with plantar fasciitis. The key: Their contoured, heel-hugging, shock-absorbing insoles.

The Present additionally has the model’s most quantity of cushioning and an outsole with a deep tread, so you may really feel comfortable and steady in your outings.

Greatest Home Shoe: Vionic Rejuvenate

Dr. Cutri, Dr. DeGirolamo, and Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute St. Vincent’s Medical Middle, all advocate Vionic sandals. Plenty of the model’s sneakers have earned the APMA’s seal of approval, together with the cool and cozy Rejuvenate Sandal.

“These slides have changed my fuzzy slippers for the nice and cozy climate—and truthfully, it is for the perfect as a result of they’re far more supportive,” says one SELF author. She loves this slide’s arch help, grooved footbed, and adjustable Velcro strap. The Rejuvenate can be undoubtedly powerful sufficient to put on outdoors, with a thick, artificial outsole to guard your toes on sizzling woman walks across the neighborhood.

Most Adjustable: Naot Enid

Naot’s Enid sandals “have a clear, daring design that goes with every little thing,” our tester says. “They’re my favourite supportive summer season sandal.”

We additionally love the adjustable straps—one over the toes and one on the highest of the foot—and the detachable cork footbed (BYO insoles, anybody?). And the instep strap has a stretchy panel that strikes together with your foot as you stroll, relatively than digging into your pores and skin. Even higher, the heel and toe straps are padded.“I can put on all of them day and on lengthy walks with out ache,” our tester confirms.

Greatest for Journey: Sorel Viibe

All of Sorel’s sandals come really helpful by Dr. Piekarska, however the Viibe mannequin stands out for its thick insole and contoured footbed. Sculpted foam holds and cushions your toes with each step, whereas the evenly padded straps shouldn’t chafe or trigger blisters.

Plus, it’s a genuinely cute sandal that’ll look equally at residence with climbing shorts or sundresses. Professional tip: They’re mild sufficient to throw in your suitcase on summer season getaways (and supportive sufficient to hold you thru an extended day on the airport too).

Most Protecting: Eager Rose

All the consultants we spoke with love Eager’s supportive, snug sandals. Dr. DeGirolamo likes the breathable and protecting Rose mannequin as a result of you may put on it each round city and within the water.

It’s quick-drying and has a sturdy outsole with plenty of traction, however we actually love the rubber toe cap. For those who’re navigating rocky trails, bumpy roads, or pebbly seashores this summer season, that further protection provides you with some peace of thoughts (and hopefully spare your toes from just a few devastating stubs).

How will you inform if a sandal can be supportive?

Search for sneakers that match the form of your toes. You probably have excessive arches, you’ll most likely want a sandal with further peak within the midfoot to carry your toes in place, Dr. Cutri says. Flat toes or low arches want snug footbeds that don’t rise as excessive. Both method, be sure that your toes really feel held and supported.

Dr. Cutri additionally recommends checking for a very good stability between flexibility and rigidity in your footwear. A shoe that’s too agency gained’t really feel nice (and should even trigger foot ache), whereas one which has an excessive amount of give gained’t present sufficient stability. To examine, attempt folding or bending your sneakers in half. If it’s straightforward, they aren’t supportive sufficient, Dr. Piekarska says.

One other professional tip: Skim the record of sneakers which have earned the APMA’s seal of approval, Dr. DeGirolamo says. This implies a bunch of podiatrists has discovered that the shoe’s design helps maintain your toes wholesome.

How we selected the perfect sandals with arch help

Testing merchandise that’ll enhance your on a regular basis life is an enormous a part of our job right here at SELF. When it got here to picking the perfect sandals for arch help, we requested editors which pairs they attain for—they usually got here by way of with stellar recs. Our editors examined the sandals on this record on walks, hikes, bike rides, and days roaming round New York Metropolis.

We additionally requested podiatrists to weigh in on their favourite types, in addition to what they wish to search for in sandals with arch help. Their suggestions additionally helped inform our record.

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