Flip-flops, flats and other warm-weather shoes are typically so unsupportive that podiatrist Dr. Priya Parthasarathy calls the transition from summer to fall “plantar fasciitis season.” “Flexible, non-supportive sandals make your foot work harder, which increases load on your plantar fascia,” the podiatrist said.
But you don’t need to wear chunky, orthopedic shoes year-round to avoid foot pain. Instead, opt for a good pair of arch-support sandals, which will keep your feet healthy and stylish while at the beach. I talked with podiatrists about their favorite walking sandals, ergonomic flip-flops and recovery slides from brands like Chaco, Hoka and Birkenstock to figure out what sets these slip-on shoes apart from the rest. It turns out that there are lots of supportive styles out there suitable for every occasion, from work to play.
When you think of ergonomic footwear, you probably imagine a pair of chunky clogs. But FitFlop’s low-profile sandals buck that trend. Dr. Miguel Cunha, a board-certified podiatrist in New York City and the founder of Gotham Footcare, named the brand a top choice for supportive sandals. He said these shoes offer “ergonomic midsoles that provide weight redistribution and shock reduction.”
Our photo editor Molly Flores calls the cushioned flip-flops the most supportive sandals she’s ever owned. “They hug your entire foot and provide arch support, and after countless trips to the beach this summer, there are no blisters to be had!” she said in our roundup of editor-favorite sandals.
Oofos caught our team’s attention with its Ooah Slides, which “redefined what a comfortable pair of shoes is” for our editorial director Chelsea Stone. But Parthasarathy likes the Oomega OOlala, a pair of platform sandals she said are a “nice compromise for a flip-flop lover.” The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)-approved recovery sandals come with enlarged foam midsoles for shock absorption, and for the sake of convenience, they’re machine washable.
These recovery sandals are universally loved by CNN Underscored editors, readers and the APMA. They’re great for recovery, Cunha said, but they can also serve travelers and workers who stand all day. “The dual-density foam provides superior shock absorption, reduces fatigue of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon,” the podiatrist said.
Read our review
“As a biomechanics expert, I recommend the Vionic Rejuvenate sandal because it’s engineered with podiatrist-designed arch support and stability features that most casual sandals lack,” Dr. Samantha Landau, a podiatrist and assistant professor at Touro University New York College of Podiatric Medicine, said. Her favorite features include the shoes’ contoured footbeds, deep heel cups, ample cushioning and adjustable straps. “For anyone who wants a sandal that feels like a supportive extension of a custom orthotic — without sacrificing the convenience of a slide — this is an excellent choice,” she said.
Best arch-support sandals
These oiled leather Birkenstocks, the only ones I’ve ever owned, are great for when you don’t feel like wearing stuffy shoes. I have flat feet and find the contoured footbeds supportive enough for long walks through the city, making them a go-to for summer travel. While they’re unisex, some retailers specify gender for sizing purposes.
Parthasarathy, who said she’ll have a “permanent” Birkenstock tan this summer, highlights this model for its adjustable straps. Despite the slightly different design, you also get the same mold-to-your-feet footbeds, which Landau commended for their “excellent arch support and structure.”
If you snag a pair of Max Wanderers and feel they don’t live up to the hype, give your feet time to adapt. Vionic recommends wearing the shoes for just a few hours at a time, as it can take as long as one to two weeks to fully adjust. Our associate testing writer Joe Bloss, who tried the APMA-approved Walk Max Wanderer Sandals, said they were “heavily cushioned.”
Like Landau, Cunha is a Vionic fan, commending the brand’s proprietary Vio-Motion footbed. The technology relies on contoured arch support, extra cushioning and a deep heel cup, which Cunha said reduce overpronation and improve alignment.
Read our review
Dansko’s Bianca Platform Sandals are proof that you don’t have to sacrifice height or style for arch support. Parthasarathy recommends them for their clog-like, supportive footbeds and ankle straps, though she said all of Dansko’s shoes are excellent.
Even though Bloss was skeptical of the style at first, the APMA-approved Lappland Sandals won him over with their “supremely comfortable” footbeds. “From first wear, they felt familiar and perfectly fitted, almost as if I had worn them the previous summer and stashed them during the offseason,” he wrote in his review. Podiatrists love them too. Cunha praises the brand’s cork footbeds, which “promote natural gait mechanics” and are “ideal for prolonged daily wear.”
Read our review
The chic Kayla Sandals also benefit from Naot’s latex and cork footbeds. “Another key benefit of the Kayla sandals are the adjustable straps, which allow for a secure yet customized fit,” Landau said. “This is particularly helpful for people whose feet swell throughout the day or who have volume fluctuations due to medical conditions.”
If you wouldn’t be caught dead in orthopedic flip-flops, you might prefer this fashion-forward pair. “Clarks is known for thoughtfully engineered footwear,” Landau said, “and this sandal exemplifies that with a contoured footbed that gently cradles the arch, helping distribute pressure more evenly across the sole of the foot.”
Best arch-support hiking sandals
Hiking … in sandals? Totally doable, according to our outdoors editor Kai Burkhardt who recommends this pair from Teva. Not only are they some of the most comfortable sandals Burkhardt has tested, but they also boast plush midsoles and plenty of adjustability.
Read our review
If you care about more technical details — like Vibram Megagrip outsoles — then these Tevas won’t disappoint either. In his performance tests, the Grandview Max sandals wowed Burkhardt, besting 11 other pairs when it came to traction and stability.
Read our review
Chaco sandals’ structured midfoot platforms and adjustable straps stabilize and accommodate different foot shapes, Cunha said. The Z/2 Classic are one of the brand’s best-known models, though other variations like the cushy Z/Cloud and rugged Z/1 Rapid Pro (our favorite hiking sandals) are similarly supportive. Notably, the Z/2 model comes with a toe loop for extra stability.
Parthasarathy also likes Chacos for its shoes’ adjustable strap designs, good tread and supportive footbeds that she said are “appropriate for activity.” Our fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw has owned a pair of ZX/2 Cloud Sandals for over a decade and said that “the arched footbeds have maintained their shape and support since day one.”
With the XLT model, Teva took the silhouette of its Original Universal sandals and upped the arch support and ruggedness, according to Bloss, who tested the previous iteration. Like other podiatrist-approved sandals on this list, these come with ample adjustability and excellent arch support, which Teva improved in 2026 by adding 5 millimeters of extra EVA foam.
Bloss said the XLT2 could handle uneven, slippery surfaces when he tested them last year. Teva improved that grippiness with the XLT3, offering a new lug pattern. That, combined with the sandals’ quick-dry straps, make these ideal water shoes.
Read our review
Exploring rock pools is a lot easier when you have a pair of protective water shoes in your quiver. Landau recommends Teva’s quick-drying, grippy Omnium sandals. “One of the key strengths of this sandal is its rugged, durable sole with good traction, which supports stability on a variety of surfaces — from sidewalks to nature trails,” she said.
Landau said the Omnium’s footbed deserves recognition too. Thanks to its contour and moderate arch support, she said the shoes maintain proper foot alignment, reducing strain on your plantar fascia and other tissue. Teva has only updated the men’s version of its Omnium sandals, but the original Omnium is still available in women’s sizes.
How to choose the best arch-support sandals
The fastest and easiest way to find sandals with proper arch support is to search the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance footwear database. APMA podiatrists have reviewed and confirmed that these products promote foot health.
If you’d like to understand what makes great arch-support sandals so you can spot them in the wild, Cunha, Landau and Parthasarathy offer the following criteria:
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Ample support: “A very flat sandal is just as bad for your feet as a high heel,” Parthasarathy said. Look for footwear with contoured and built-in arch support instead. These are sturdy, structured sandals, Landau said. Many podiatrists recommend trying to bend sandals and shoes from the toes to the heels to see if the models maintain shape.“A good rule of thumb is that if the sandal can twist excessively, so can your foot, which increases strain on the muscles and ligaments which is not helpful,” she added.
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Elevated heel: According to Parthasarathy, an elevated heel takes pressure off the plantar fascia and Achilles. Landau agreed, adding that a subtle heel-to-toe drop (the distance from where your heels and toes rest on the insoles) encourages a more natural gait pattern too. Health and fitness editor Summer Cartwright said that she considers a subtle drop to be anything under 5 millimeters.
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Cushioning and shock absorption: Cushioned shoes absorb impact, Cunha said, “reducing stress on the feet, joints and lower back.” To determine if a pair of shoes is sufficiently cushioned, he recommends pressing down on the insoles, walking around in the sandals, ensuring your arches feel cradled and choosing materials like EVA and memory foam.
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Wide toe box: A wide toe box allows for “natural toe movement without crowding,” Cunha said.
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Adjustable straps: Straps are important for stability, Parthasarathy said. Cunha specifically recommends ankle straps, which reduce strain and prevent unnecessary movement.
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Traction and stability: Look for patterned or treaded outsoles, Cunha said, as these prevent slips and falls. “A well-designed outsole allows for better control and balance, making it safer for daily wear and outdoor activities,” he added.
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APMA Seal of Acceptance: Sandals with this seal are “biomechanically designed,” Cunha said, so you can rest assured they’ll support your arches.
The following FAQs have been answered by podiatrists Dr. Miguel Cunha, Dr. Priya Parthasarathy and Dr. Samantha Landau.
Why is arch support important?
When you wear unsupportive shoes, Cunha said your arch collapses, increasing the risk of inflammation and plantar fasciitis. “Over time, this imbalance can also accelerate deformities such as bunions and hammertoes and contribute to conditions like shin splints, posterior tibial tendonitis and Achilles tendonitis,” he added.
In contrast, he said supportive footwear reduces plantar fascia strain, thanks to even pressure distribution, better shock absorption and improved alignment.
Who should wear arch-support sandals?
Everyone should wear supportive sandals, Parthasarathy said, as inadequate footwear can lead to fatigue, foot pain and overuse issues. That said, arch-support sandals are especially important for people with flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, bunions, metatarsalgia, neuromas and general foot fatigue, Cunha said.
Which sandals should you avoid?
Landau said to steer clear of thong-style sandals, which can irritate your toes, and jelly sandals, which can increase friction and blisters.
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this article, CNN Underscored’s associate updates writer Maxwell Shukuya interviewed three board-certified podiatrists. Having written our guides to the best men’s running shoes, best shoes for plantar fasciitis and best foot massagers, Shukuya also has extensive experience covering health and wellness topics.
