Summer Footwear Guide: Sandals, Flip Flops & Walking Shoes for Every Adventure
Long days, warmer weather, beach holidays, weekends away, walks through the countryside, trips to the seaside... whatever you've got planned for the summer, you’ll need the right footwear to see you through your adventures.
And here at Avenue 85, we love giving you lots of choice for all that fantastic summer footwear, so we thought we'd also give you the chance to have some of the best of the best spotlighted for you too!
So let's take a look at some of the best sandals, slides, flip flops, and walking shoes that your upcoming summer spent outdoors will love you for.
Plakton Sandals
Exclusively handmade in Spain since 1995, Plakton sandals capture a relaxed Mediterranean character that sits firmly at the heart of the brand.
A natural cork footbed is what makes these sandals so highly sought after for the summer (and throughout the year!). It’s all in that cork material itself, as cork naturally is great for absorbing impact while adapting to the shape of your foot the more you wear them. Then the footbed itself is contoured to support the arch, heel, and toes, so the weight is distributed evenly across the whole foot, leaving you with a more balanced stance. Practically the definition of a personalised fit!
All-in-all, these cork footbed sandals and clogs are focused on three core factors:
- Timeless silhouettes that are easy to wear everyday
- Comfort-led designs so that you’ll want to wear them everyday
- Responsibly-chosen materials so that you’ll feel good about wearing them everyday
For anyone searching for a great pair of sandals for summer adventures, that’s giving big ticks after big ticks after big ticks.
Best Plakton Sandal Picks for Summer
So what type of sandals can you pick up from Plakton at the moment? Here are a few great choices to get you started:
Plakton Womens Blog Mule Sandals
Men's version also available
Plakton Mens Barna Two-Strap Sandals
Reef Flip Flops, Sandals, and Slides
Easy-going vibes are the order of the day when you slip into a pair of Reef flip flops or sandals.
Brothers Fernando and Santiago Aguerre are the brains behind the Reef brand, bringing their shared love of surfing, beach culture, and adventure to the world of summer footwear since 1984. You may have caught our full Reef footwear guide previously, where we explored the brand's story in greater detail along with some of the comfort features that have helped make Reef a favourite for sunny days.
Every collection reflects that laid-back outlook, with their self-professed Ridiculously Comfortable® flip flops, sandals, and slides inspired by time spent outdoors. Alongside their great styling, Reef also gives plenty of thought to the materials used across its range, including natural cork, cotton, and jute, while recycled and renewable materials feature in many designs too.
Best Reef Footwear Picks for Summer
If Reef’s laid-back approach to summer footwear sounds like your kind of thing, take a look at some of the styles we’ve picked out for you below.
Reef Womens Solaye Lightweight Jelly Flip Flops
Havaianas Flip Flops and Slides
Few names are as instantly recognisable in the world of summer footwear as Havaianas.
Born in Brazil back in 1962, the brand has taken the humble flip flop and turned it into a summer favourite around the globe.
What started as a simple flip flop has grown into a huge collection of styles, colours, and designs, while still keeping that easy-going Havaianas feel that people love. From their famous Top styles to their newer sandals and slides, there’s always something new to discover too.
These are great options for your beach trips or holidays, or just to have ready for those heatwaves that seem to pop up every so often!
Best Havaianas Flip Flop Picks for Summer
If you love that classic flip flop style, Havaianas has plenty to pick from. Here are a few of the best-selling designs:
Havaianas Top Logomania Flip Flops
Havaianas Womens Top Aloha Tropical Flip Flops
Teva Sandals
If you’re someone who loves getting outdoors, chances are you’ll have spotted Teva sandals along the way.
As we covered in our Teva footwear guide, the brand’s story goes back to 1984, when a Grand Canyon river guide created the very first Teva sandal after noticing a gap in the market for footwear that could handle life around the water. From there, Teva grew into one of the biggest names in outdoor sandals, with those famous adjustable straps becoming a signature part of the design.
Teva’s “the earth is covered in playgrounds” outlook is a big part of what makes the brand so popular. It’s about seeing the outdoors as somewhere to explore and enjoy, with footwear that fits right into that way of life. The brand basically wants to give you the opportunity to get outside and play!
Best Teva Sandal Picks for Summer
You've got loads to choose from with Teva across their collections, such as their:
- Originals
- Hydratrek
- Hurricane
And to make life even easier, we've highlighted one of each for you below!
Teva Womens Original Universal Sandals
Teva Womens Hurricane XLT3 Walking Sandals
Xero Shoes
Xero barefoot shoes focus on allowing your feet to do what they’re meant to do, naturally.
How they achieve that is through, what they refer to as, “3 Pillars of Natural”:
- Natural FIT: A wide toe box gives your toes the space to spread naturally, while a zero-drop sole keeps your heel and forefoot level to encourage better posture
- Natural MOTION: Super-flexible construction allows your feet to bend and move naturally. A low-to-the-ground design helps improve balance and agility
- Natural FEEL: FeelTrue® soles provide the protection you need while maintaining the ground feedback your brain and body relies on for natural movement
A summer full of outdoor adventures like hikes and explorations sounds pretty great to us, and we’re sure it does to you too! So a decent pair of walking shoes is worth choosing well for the season (and beyond), and this barefoot footwear has become a go-to option for many walkers across the UK.
Best Xero Shoe Picks for Summer
If you're loving the sound of barefoot shoes, Xero bring you their Mesa Trail range:
Xero Womens Mesa Trail II Walking Shoes
(Men's version also available)
Xero Womens Mesa Trail Waterproof Walking Shoes
(Men's version also available)
Waterproof or non-waterproof walking shoes, that is the question... or well, it is for outdoor lovers anyway!
If you've been following the Avenue 85 blog for a while now, you'll know that our usual advice is to go for waterproof for peace of mind. However, that's not necessarily a blanket answer, and during the summer, we're hoping, of course, for some warm weather. And if you know you won't be heading out if/when it rains, then you might prefer to stick to your non-waterproof styles.
You've got the choice with the Xero shoes we've suggested above, as one is a waterproof style and the other non.
Bonus Best Footwear for Summer Picks
We've put the spotlight on some great footwear brands so far, but they aren't all that's available at Avenue 85! We've got plenty more to pick from, with some further styles and types of footwear highlighted below:
Regatta Womens Orla Kiely Slip On Clog Sandals
These slip on clogs are part of the Regatta x Orla Kiely collab, and they are a great, casual everyday shoe for the summer.
Cipriata Womens Eliana Diamante Slides
Love a bit more sparkle with your slides? These ones from Cipriata are perfect for the warmer weather, and come in different colours too.
Trespass Mens Slide Cushioned Slides
Quiksilver Mens Molokai Stripe Flip Flops
This originally-Aussie, now based in California brand is all about that surf, sun, and summer cool, so grabbing a pair of Quiksilver flip flops is always a good shout.
Trespass Adults Unisex Paddle Water Shoes
If you're spending lots of time around water this summer, it's wise to have a pair of water shoes ready to slip into. These ones from Trespass are unisex in a neutral, easy-to-wear design.
FAQs: Summer Footwear
Before we wrap up our guide, let's answer a few commonly asked questions about footwear and the summer season.
What type of footwear is best to wear in summer/hot weather?
You’ve got lots of choice for your summer footwear, and the best pair will come down to where your summer adventures are taking you.
For example:
- Heading to the beach or on holiday? Flip flops, slides, sandals (such as Havaianas and Reef)
- Got hikes or long walks planned? Walking sandals or shoes (such as Teva and Xero)
- Need something for everyday? Sandals, sturdy flip flops (such as Plakton and Reef)
How do you keep your feet cool in the summer?
Breathability is the big word here! Just like you would go for breathable fabrics with your summer clothing, you want to make sure your footwear also has breathable materials used (mainly for closed footwear like walking shoes). Any socks you wear should be breathable too, such as those made from merino wool blends, bamboo, or technical fabrics.
The natural airflow you get when you wear flip flops or sandals should help keep your feet cool, and make sure you go for the right size, so they don't feel too tight around your feet (especially as your feet can swell during hot weather).
Do you have any other guides to help me enjoy the summer outdoors?
We sure do! Here at Avenue 85, we love helping you enjoy the outdoors as much as possible, come rain or shine.
A few handy guides to see you through the summer are:
- The Complete Summer Hiking Gear Guide
- Coastal Walking Essentials: What to Wear from Windy Beaches to Clifftop Trails
- Our Top Walking Gear Picks from the Sale (Boots, Jackets & Trousers)
Shop Your Summer Footwear at Avenue 85
From super comfy cork footbed sandals and suitcase-ready flip flops to supportive walking sandals and the hugely-popular barefoot shoes, we hope you’ve spotted some new favourites in our guide here today!
Whichever adventures you enjoy this season, you'll now have the best footwear to see you through in comfort and looking great to match. Have a blast getting outdoors this summer!
About the Author
Tom, proud resident of Chapel-En-Le-Frith (aka the ‘Capital of the High Peak,’ as he loves to remind everyone), is a dad of two who spends his weekends ferrying the kids between football and dance class, occasionally sneaking in a peaceful walk around Fernilee Reservoir. When the family escapes to their coastal hideaway in Anglesey, he trades in the football boots for paddleboards and fishing rods, though his true passion lies in building the ultimate sandcastle. On the Avenue 85 blog, Tom shares his outdoor tips (and the occasional dad joke) with a down-to-earth approach that’ll make you feel like part of the family.