The Best Men’s Sandals

No matter what you call them – flip flops, sandals, sliders, thongs, Jesus boots – a man treads through a sartorial minefield every time he attempts to get his feet out in public. One false move, and bang – you’re giving off some serious “Bill Oddie on vacation” vibes. Another, and boom – you’re less of a “slick weekend warrior” and more of a “hippie washed up on shore”.

And as if to make matters worse, everything we thought we knew about the airy footwear option has changed. Sandals and socks became cool. The heck is going on there? Have we been transported to some parallel universe where up is down, stop is go, and style rules have been turned on their heads? What year is this? Who’s the President?

But should this put the brakes on you coughing up for a fresh pair of beach holiday essentials? Absolutely not. Why? Because nothing says ‘I’m out of the office with no access to emails’ quite like putting a new pair on. Boy, doesn’t it feel good.

With that holiday-starting ritual firmly in mind, we’re here to bring some certainty back to the sandals game, to pull you from the danger zone and maintain your stylish reputation. We’ve compiled the very best pairs a man can own right now, including some so-hot-right now sliders fresh from the high street, and seaside-ready sandals from surf specialists Reef.

Take a look through our top picks, find your perfect pair, then break free from the safety of the sock and let those feet run free.

RECOMMENDED: The Best Men’s Summer Shoes

Marks & Spencer leather double-buckle mule sandals

sandals

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£35, buy on marksandspencer.com


Toms, Alpargata sandals

sandals

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£50.99, buy at toms.co.uk


Dune, Ibiza Sandals

Dune, Ibiza Sandals

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£25, buy at dunelondon.com


Dune, Ionian sandals

Dune, Ionian sandals

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£40, buy at dunelondon.com


John Rocha, brown leather sandals

leather sandals

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£50, buy at debenams.com


Base London, Aztec weave

weave

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£44.99, buy at baselondon.com


Kurt Geiger, Yakima sandals

sandals

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£35, buy at kurtgeiger.com


Clarks, brown leather sandals

leather sandals

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£65, available in store clarks.co.uk


Teva, Original Universal sandals

sandals

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£35, buy at teva.co.uk


Next, black sport sandals

Next, black sport sandals

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£22, available in store next.co.uk


Reef, Rover XT Athletic

Reef, Rover XT Athletic

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£56, buy at reef.com


Birkenstock, blue sandals

blue sandals

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£64.95, buy at birkenstock.co.uk


Kurt Geiger, Dwight sandals

sandals

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£75, buy at kurtgeiger.com

Former fashion editor

Gary Kingsnorth was the fashion editor for Coach as well as Men’s Fitness.