By Natalie Ferguson

(With a background in retail and a love for wellness, travel, and the outdoors, Natalie Ferguson joined Alabama Outdoors in 2016. )

Sun’s out, sandals out! From wedges to pair with your easy, breezy sundress, to functional yet stylish sandals fit for all your adventures, we have rounded up the best sandal brands for summer and highlighted some of our favorite styles.

Teva

I remember when I was growing up, I wore Teva sandals every summer. As they say, everything comes back in style.

Teva continues to refresh its selection, making the functional yet trendy sandal a mainstay and the summer must-have sandal. 

What’s not to love about Teva? They have the nostalgia, the bright color pops, and fun prints (like the new, magical Unicorn print).

Plus, there is a style for everyone.

Did you know? “Born out of necessity to prevent sandals from floating downstream, a resourceful river guide strapped two Velcro watchbands to a pair of old flip-flops. And just like that, Teva was born.”

The Universal series

With easy-to-adjust Velcro straps, quick-dry features, and on-trend, this sandal has it all. Did I mention these sandals are also earth-friendly? The straps are made from recycled polyester, helping keep plastic out of landfills! 

• • If you’re looking for some height, look no further than the Flatform Universal. This platform shoe will take you from the beach to the breweries in comfort and style. 
  • Love the style but not the height? The Midform Universal or the Original Universal is the perfect fit for you! 

The Hurricane Series

When you love the look of your Tevas, but need more performance and support, the Hurricane series has multiple water-ready, functional styles. 

• The Hurricane XLT 2 Sandal is equipped with a Rugged Durabrasion Rubber™ outsole that stands up to tough terrain and supplies great traction. 
• The Hurricane Drift is just what it sounds like: the perfect sandal for floating on the water. This sandal takes summer fun to the next level with a silhouette designed to be ultra-comfortable, super durable, and ultra-light. 

Chaco

Most everyone is familiar with Chaco, and for good reason. Chaco’s sandal selection offers styles that are ready for whatever your journey holds.

If you are chasing waterfalls all day and relaxing on an outdoor patio at night, Chaco sandals are perfect for it all. Yes, Chaco still has the classic Z Clouds and Z Cloud X’s, but check out some of the new styles!

The Lowdown

The name says it all. The Lowdown gives you all the basics of a Chaco sandal in a low-to-the-ground sandal. This low-profile style is 40 percent lighter than your classic sandal, making it a smart, travel-ready sandal with all-day comfort. 

The Banded Z Cloud

Chaco took the classic Z Cloud and added an extra strap on the top of your foot so you have more stability on your trek. This style is good for you and good for the planet, thanks to Chaco’s eco-friendly dyeing techniques.

Birkenstock

Searching for your new favorite everyday sandal? Birkenstock is where it is at! So why all the hype about this sandal?

Birkenstock’s comfy cork footbeds earned the brand its devoted fan base. The cork molds to the shape of your foot, making it the perfect “solemate.”

Here are just a few of the styles we love!

Slides

The Arizona is your timeless, wide-strap buckle slide and continues to be the summer staple for many because of its maximum comfort and versatile, classic design. The Mayari is our favorite slide for those who prefer thinner straps and a toe loop. We know that toe loops are a personal preference. 

Ankle Strap Sandal

The Yara Habana Oiled Leather sandals are our top pick for an ankle-strap sandal. Like the Mayari, the Yara Habana has a  toe loop, but it also features a curvy ankle strap, giving the sandal a more feminine feel and the security of an added strap.

Sorel

Sorel applied the expert craftsmanship of its boots to its sandals, creating functional and fashionable shoes that stand out.

So if you are looking for a summer sandal to dress up your wardrobe without compromising comfort, the Ella Sandal will meet all of your expectations. The EVA footbed coupled with soft, stretchy straps that hug your foot will give you all-day comfort and style perfect for summer. Sporty, stylish, comfortable, and effortless. 

Rainbow

We all have that one pair of flip flops we wear out every summer because it seems to be our throw-on and go-wherever shoe. The Rainbow Flirty Braidy flip flop is just that. With a high-quality nubuck leather top and a comfortable single-layer midsole, this flip flop is durable and fashionable. The braid detail in this style makes it our favorite option!

Find all your summer essentials at Alabama Outdoors. We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time.  Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our shipping or curbside pickup  #BeOutdoors