The Best Elevated Men’s Sandals, From Birkenstock to Cole Haan and Nisolo
Your toes deserve to breathe and some sandals look (and feel) so great you can wear them to work, to parties, and more.
With the exception of winter (and fitness environments), I strongly consider sandals the preferred mode of footwear. Lighter and breezier, they’ve just always been my favorite way to, well, not be barefoot. (Come to think of it, barefoot is my top choice but modern life shakes its head at that.) With sandals in tow, your feet are covered in a style that should allow you to stand amongst shiny wedding shoes without anyone flinching—on the contrary, they’ll likely envy your breathable sandals and curse their sweaty feet. You can call these dress sandals if you want—I’m calling them my new work casual sandals.
FOR A WOVEN OPTION
Nisolo Leather Huarache Sandal
Elevated footwear brand Nisolo recently sent me a pair of its handmade Huarache Sandal and within less than two weeks turned me into a convert. It’s not so much the Huarache’s features that pushed me as much as the way Nisolo packages them in such a refined design that I can wear them to work or an elegant dinner and fit right in (if not better). The soft and hand-cut leather marries a microporous cushioning in the leather insole for comfort that stayed with me through the day. And the heel itself is lined with extra soft leather to keep that delicate edge of your foot even more comfy.
FOR A CLOSED TOE
Mephisto Sam
Designed for casual comfort, these top-rated sandals are made of full grain leather and hefty soles. The footbed is latex to keep your feet comfortable and a buckle closure lets you customize the fit.
FOR A SLIDE
Goldwyn 2.0 Slide Sandal
The simple elegance of this sandal meets Cole Haan’s trusted quality. And the GRAND.ØS tech in the footbed will keep you comfortable and springy.
FOR A TRIED AND TRUE CLASSIC
Arizona Soft Footbed
These EVA Birkenstocks are a twist on a classic. While they don’t have the same cork footbed as the originals, they are more waterproof and more easily washable, making them perfect for summer.
FOR A TWIST ON A CLASSIC
Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals
These EVA Birkenstocks are a twist on a classic. While they don’t have the same cork footbed as the originals, they are more waterproof and more easily washable, making them perfect for summer.
FOR A WATERPROOF OPTION
Pali Hawaii Jandals
These soft and flexible sandals feature an air pocket footbed and two weave pattern straps. They are lightweight, waterproof, and as comfortable as can be.
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