Reef Footwear Guide: Best Styles for Travel, Beach & Casual Walking

Your summer plans deserve great footwear, and Reef makes an easy choice for just that!

This popular brand's collections cover flip flops, slides, and sandals, with styles suited to everything from holidays to fun-filled beach days and weekend strolls with the family.

And with a range that vast, the only question becomes: which ones do you go for?

So to lend a helping hand, we've picked out some of the best Reef footwear across three categories, travel, beach, and casual walking, with recommendations for both men and women to help you land on the perfect pair.

Who is Reef Footwear?

Reef footwear started in 1984, with Argentine brothers Fernando and Santiago Aguerre and their love for surfing and all things beach.

The brothers had moved from Argentina to La Jolla in San Diego, where they got to fully soak up that beautiful Californian sunshine and surf. And it was this ocean-and-sand-loving lifestyle that led them to thinking about how they could make their experience outdoors even better.

Footwear was what they set their focus on: namely, multi-purpose sandals that were high-quality and ultra-comfortable. The brothers had this Reef Dream, and, in 2026, the brand’s impact initiatives continue to centre around that; with the fun and freedom the beach brings, and the positive impact it has on our wellbeing and happiness.

 

Types of Reef Footwear

In the brand's ever-growing range of that high-quality, ultra-comfy Reef footwear, you can shop from lots of different styles, such as:

• Flip flops (also known as thongs for any Aussies out there, and jandals for the Kiwis)
• Slides
• Sandals 

As a quick note: whereas we might automatically think of sandals specifically as being similar to these with the straps:

It's worth bearing in mind that you often will hear the term Reef sandals being used to describe all of the types, including the flip flops and slides. 

 

Who Wears Reef Sandals?

Reef footwear may often be seen in seaside and surf towns all over the world, but they can be worn by anyone who is seeking comfy sandals for all sorts of outdoor adventures. 

For the purposes of this guide, however, we’re going to focus on:

• Travellers 
• Beach goers
• Casual walkers 

So let’s take a look at each category and which Reef sandals you should add to your basket.

Best Reef Footwear for Travel

When you’re travelling, there are a few things which are going to important for your choice of footwear:

1. Comfy enough to wear for long stretches of time, and easy to slip in and out of when needed
2. Versatile enough to pair with a variety of outfits from your shorts and t-shirts to summer dresses or smarter shirts 
3. Lightweight enough that they can be stored easily in your suitcase or backpack

Luckily, Reef has plenty to fit the bill!

 

Best Mens Reef Sandals for Travel

Reef Mens Cushion Tradewind Twin Bar Sandals

These lightweight mens sandals come with adjustable straps and a supportive, cushioned footbed. You can easily slip them on and off, but they still have that secure fit you need, plus all the comfort required for being on your feet for long periods of time.

 

Reef Mens Fanning Flip Flops

If you're a traveller that prefers more of a flip flop style, these are the ones for you. You’ve got compression-moulded, high-rebound EVA and a built-in airbag in the sole that makes it feel like you’re walking on a pillow, with soft padding in the straps to further increase comfort. And, of course, you can’t forget the legendary built-in bottle opener in the outsole!

 

Best Womens Reef Sandals for Travel

Reef Womens Water Vista Sandals

Here, Reef brings you smart looking sandals that can be used for during the day or the evening when you're on your holidays. Made from water-friendly material, with a secure back strap for when you’re out and about, plus a lightweight outsole and footbed that’s super soft and bouncy for extra comfort.

 

Reef Womens Cushion Vera Cruz Vegan Leather Slide Sandals

Offering a slightly different style and fit with their wider shape and two-bar buckled design, these leather sandals are a great choice for travel. Stability, traction, and support are all taken care of with the durable rubber cupsole and cushioned footbed, plus they surely earn a place in your suitcase from good looks alone!

 

 

Best Reef Footwear for the Beach

Malibu, Bondi… You can tell by some of the product names that this is footwear ready for the beach! 

Similar to the travel category, you’ll want that comfort, of course, but being by the sea and sand means you’ll also want to look for footwear that is:

• Not overly slippery, particularly when the material gets wet
• Easy to clean and wipe off any sand or salt water at the end of the day

Plus, the material needs to be durable against sand and salt water, but not provide any friction (particularly on other side of the toe post).

So which Reef sandals are front runners here?

 

Best Mens Reef Sandals for Beach Lovers

 

Reef Mens Fanning Slide H20 Water Friendly Slides

These are made for the beach from the ground up, with quick-drying materials, an ergonomic toe post that sits comfortably between the toes, and a fully injected EVA footbed that delivers serious cushioning. Adjust the strap to your fit, and you're good to go.

 

Reef Mens Fanning H20 Water Friendly Flip Flops

Everything that makes the H20 slide a great beach choice, in flip flop form. Water-friendly and quick-drying for when you're in and out of the sea all day, with a fully injected EVA footbed for cushioning and an ergonomic toe post that stays comfortable on the sand between swims.

 

Best Womens Reef Sandals for Beach Lovers

Reef Womens Baja Sands Summer Flip Flops

Reef's signature cushioned footbed is the star of these womens flip flops, keeping your feet happy across a full beach day. The rubber outsole keeps you steady as you cross the sand, and the classic design means they pair with pretty much anything in your beach bag.

  

Reef Womens Water Willow Malibu Beach Flip Flops

These Malibu-beach-named flip flops have a minimal, modern aesthetic that's complete with PlushPod cushioning underfoot and a water-friendly build that make them perfect for wearing on the beach. A summer staple for anyone who loves the sea and the sand.

 

 

Best Reef Footwear for Casual Walking

The main feature you’re looking for with any sandals for walking is that secure fit, so it doesn’t slip off or mean you’re having to constantly be aware of what your footwear is doing. And, naturally, a comfy, cushioning feel that supports your movement as you walk.

While these choices from Reef aren’t necessarily the hill-walking sandals you might spot from ECCO or Regatta, they are great for general strolling in warmer weather. 

 

Best Mens Reef Sandals for Casual Walking

 

Reef Mens Cushion Phantom 2.0 Leather Flip Flops

 

The memory foam-like leather footbed is the reason these sandals work so well for casual walking. It moulds to your foot over time, cushioning each step and reducing fatigue across a long day out. Plus, it's backed up by a rubber outsole that can handle walking on varied surfaces, with the soft toe post keeping friction between the toes to a minimum.

 

Reef Mens Cushion Dawn Flip Flops

Softest sandals ever says Reef, and it’s easy to believe! They’re lightweight and fitted with an anatomical arch support to help keep your feet comfy as you walk. The water-friendly leather strap also has a padded jersey lining that’s great for when you’re wearing them over longer distances.

  

Best Womens Reef Sandals for Casual Walking

Reef Womens Water Willow Maya Adjustable Back Flip Flops

A secure, adjustable fit and a seriously cushioned footbed make these a fantastic choice for a day on the move. They’re also water-friendly so if you find yourself by the coast, you don’t have to worry!

 

Reef Womens Cushion Cloud Flip Flops

 

Pillowy, lightweight cushioning underfoot is what you get when you choose these for your walking adventures! The straps have foam padding and soft jersey lining for comfort over the top, and between your toes you've got a toe post made from 100% recycled PET webbing - better for your feet and the planet.

 

 

Reef Footwear Guide: FAQ

Keen to pick up a pair for yourself? Fantastic! Here are a few questions we often get asked about these sandals and shoes.

 

What are Reef sandals made from?

Reef put a lot of thought into what goes into their footwear. Here's what you'll find across their range:

• Natural materials including cotton, jute, genuine cork, and wood
• EVA and rubber compounds that incorporate recycled content
• Bio-based EVA midsoles made from renewable Brazilian sugar cane
• Leathers and suedes from gold or silver-rated tanneries, the majority of which are ISA Lite certified for low environmental impact

Beautiful materials, beautifully made.

 

How do you care for your Reef footwear?

A little TLC keeps your Reefs looking and feeling their best for longer. Here's how:

Textile or synthetic styles

1. Brush off any loose dirt with a soft-bristled brush or dry cloth
2. Mix a small amount of laundry soap with warm water
3. Use a soft sponge to clean the affected areas
4. Rinse the sponge and go over the sandal to remove any excess soap
5. Leave to air dry in the shade at room temperature

Leather styles

1. Brush off any surface dirt with a soft-bristled brush or dry cloth
2. Apply a saddle soap or leather cleaner and conditioner, following the product instructions

For all Reef footwear, please remember to keep them away from the washing machine, tumble dryer, bleach, and harsh chemicals.

 

What's the difference between Reef flip flops, slides, and sandals?

Good question! Here's a quick breakdown:

• Flip flops have a Y-shaped toe post that sits between the toes, with a flat sole and no back strap
• Slides slip on easily with one or two straps across the foot and no toe post or back strap
• Sandals tend to offer more coverage and support, often featuring adjustable straps and (sometimes) a back strap for a more secure fit

All three styles are available across Reef's range, so whether you're after a relaxed slip-on or something with a bit more hold, there's a perfect pair waiting for you.

Are there Reef sandals for kids?

Absolutely! The little ones can get in on the fun too. Reef's kids' range brings the same great comfort and quality to smaller feet, so the whole family can step out confident for their adventures.