The 26 Best Sandals to Wear Everywhere This Summer (Even If It’s Not the Beach)

Sandals and shorts, man: two summertime staples that spark a lot of emotion in the men’s style world. On the one hand, you’ve got the folks who say a grown-up guy shouldn’t be caught in either. On the other hand, you’ve got the folks who are correct. Because the folks in the latter camp recognize that it is too damn hot out there to punish yourself by keeping your legs and feet entirely under wraps. Are you still maintaining a Tumblr full of shots of dudes with overly coiffed hair parading around in too-tight suits? Give it a rest. It’s gonna be summer! The sun is gonna be shining, the birds are gonna be singing, and your feet deserve to feel the breeze. Sandals are fine, and you’re fine, too, so it’s time to invest in some of the best sandals in advance.

The only question, then, is what kind. Are you a flip-flop person? Bold, but it takes all kinds. Even the sandal-positive might implore you to keep your beloved thongs confined to beach-and poolside pursuits, but no one’s going to stop you if you want to wear ’em around town with jeans and a T-shirt, too (though you might get a few looks). How about slides? Now that is an easy one. Even sandal-agnostics tend to be convinced by slides, which in all their simplicity look great with everything from shorts and crew socks to cropped chinos and a (cooler-than-average) polo shirt. Not sold? You could opt for Birkenstocks (they only get comfier the more you wear them in), sport sandals of the gorp-y variety (hooray for hiking!), or something entirely different (keep scrolling and you’ll see what I mean).

Whatever you choose, don’t listen to that little voice in the back of your head telling you grown-ass guys don’t wear sandals. It’s a brave new world out there, and our feet deserve to experience the best in full. Just make sure you clip your toenails before taking them out for a tour.

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