When it comes to shoes, while most quality sneakers and loafers offer a certain amount of arch support and cushioning in the heel, sandals can often seem like a valley of flat rubber slides. But if you have achey feet or just plan on walking more than a few feet, the best men's sandals with arch support are essential when you're looking to avoid a whole lot of pain.
Supportive soles make feet happy because they stabilize the heel and help distribute your weight more evenly across your entire foot, reducing pressure on particular spots. Those with higher arches will find that sufficient arch support will go especially far in helping relieve pressure and strain, as well as cushioning the foot from impact that happens when walking, according to podiatrist Mindy J. Trotter, DPM, at the University of Iowa.
On the other hand, those with lower arches should focus on finding shoes that stabilize the heel without too high of an arch to avoid impacting range of movement. Cushioning and shock-absorption are especially helpful when it comes to the heel.
Luckily, there are plenty of sandals — even some flip-flops — that offer support and cushioning where you need it if you know where to look. Some of these customer-approved models are so comfortable, you might even prefer them over sneakers and loafers. With the best sandals for arch support on, the next time a day at the beach turns into a walk along the beach, you’ll be excited to walk the extra mile or two.
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1. The best slide-on sandals with arch support
With a contoured footbed made with the brand's signature cloudfoam tech — designed to support the heel and arch — this is a slide-on shoe most feet can enjoy. The rubber sole gives it good grip to the ground while the single-band strap keeps your foot firmly in place.
Fans say: "Super comfy, and just enough support for my weak arches....I went to multiple stores looking for a pair of slides that were cushy and still offered some support....for some reason most slides today have hard flat insoles with no archsupport at all....sure glad I found these! Next best thing to going barefoot (better actually) [...]"
2. The best flip-flop with arch support
With more than 24,000 five-star reviews, this is a customer favorite for its well-crafted footbed that provides plenty of arch support. The base is made of a super shock-absorbent molded foam which makes this great for all foot types because of all the heel support (including so-called airbags) it offers. For added novelty, there's a bottle opener embedded in the sole. These shoes are a far cry from traditional sheet-of-rubber flip-flops and your feet with thank you for it. There are even more than a dozen color combos to choose from.
Fans say: "These are great sandals, SO much more comfortable than standard flip-flops. I think it's the arch support combined with how well the top strap holds. I could never go back to flat flops."
3. The best budget flip-flops
While the arches aren't as high, this pair of flip-flops still offer a good deal of cushioning and support thanks to the thick foam footbed made of yoga mat material and rubber sole. Shock-absorbent and durable, these are an especially good choice for those with flatter feet.
Fans say: "I suffer from flat feet, and struggle with foot pain even with inserts. These sandals are great for my feet. They are soft, form to the feet, and provide comfort to my arches." Another wrote, "It's non slippery outsole (very important!), comfortable footbed and with arch support too, the leather straps are soft, don't hurt top of the feet and won't cause blisters."
4. The best sandals for hiking & walking
The soles of these Tevas are so well-thought-out, they have three layers. The top includes antimicrobial Microban while offering some EVA foam support. The middle is specially molded for cushioning and support. And the bottom is made of extra-grippy rubber so you can walk without fear of slipping. With three adjustable straps to make sure your feet don't slip around, these are great for hikes around town, on your travels, and even on a trail. However, because of the snug and stable fit, these are not the best choice for wide feet. If you're not sure, these are available as part of Amazon's Prime Wardrobe program which gives you 7 days to try them on and return them if it's not for you.
Fans say: "The inner soles provide good cushion support and also good arch support. The outer soles are thick and durable. I walked miles in them one day on the Wildwood boardwalk and my feet were fine. The straps are easy to adjust and the Velcro works great."
5. The best budget sandals for hiking & walking
If you're looking to hike or walk around for longer distances but spend less than $40 for comfort, consider the Atika sports sandals. While the arches aren't as high as with the Tevas, these have won a 4.3-star rating with customers loving how lightweight and durable these best-sellers are. And like the Tevas, they feature three layers of sole comfort. There are more than 20 color combos available, too.
Fans say: "They are of [good] quality for the price and have arch support for his feet!"
6. A podiatrist-recommended favorite
When it comes to comfortable sandals, it's tough to beat the Birkenstock no matter the height of your arches — at least after you've broken them in. These podiatrist-recommended favorites offer plenty of arch support and a shock-absorbent cork footbed. The rubber sole keeps slips to a minimum. No wonder these have been around for nearly 250 years and come in dozens upon dozens of colors and finishes.
Fans say: "My husband has been wearing these sandals for 3 years now. He has flat feet, causing trouble with his arches. These were recommended by his doctor and have been a real life saver." Another customer wrote, "I have a very high arch and they give wonderful, comfortable support. Great for posture and back."
