The right sandal isn't the cutest one on the shelf. It's the one that keeps up with your actual day, whether that's city blocks, sandy beaches, or a red-eye and a walking tour. The trick is matching a few features to how you live and how your feet are built.
Since 1984 we have made sandals that go from the water to the street without a second thought. Here is how to choose yours.
In this guide:
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What to look for
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How to find the right fit
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Picks by foot type
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Picks by lifestyle
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FAQs
What to look for in a sandal
Start with the footbed, it's where comfort lives. Cork and our contoured EVA and DreamSole footbeds each give a different feel, but the good ones share a shape that follows your arch and cups your heel instead of lying dead flat.
From there, three things matter:
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strap adjustability so you can dial in the fit
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a sole with enough flex to move with your foot, and
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arch support that meets your foot rather than leaving it to do all the work.
Sandal style follows from there. Flip-flops and slides are easy grab-and-go. Backstrap and slingback styles lock your foot in for more walking. Platform sandals add a little lift without giving up the footbed. And water-friendly styles shrug off the wet and dry fast.
How to find the right fit
A good sandal feels snug but never tight from the first wear, with no heel slipping and room for your toes to sit naturally without hanging over the edge. Comfort should be immediate. That said, a couple of our styles run roomy and a few natural materials settle in over the first wear or two, so a quick break-in on straps is normal.
When in doubt, size at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest, and check the size guide.
Top women’s sandals by foot type
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Low or flat arches. You want structured cushioning with real shape, not a flat slab of foam. Our cork contoured footbeds give arch support and heel cupping that keep your foot settled. And contoured flip-flops are genuinely fine here, it's the shapeless ones to skip.
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High arches. Look for a deeper contour that fills the arch so it isn't left unsupported. The cork Vista footbeds and the Cushion Rem Hi do this well.
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Wide feet. Reach for adjustable straps and a roomier footbed. Several of our styles run roomy, and adjustable options like the Vista Capri and Water Vista let you set the fit to your width.
Top women’s sandals by lifestyle
Everyday and casual
For run-out-the-door days you want soft footbeds and easy styling. The Vista Isabella is a slide with an asymmetrical strap and our Vista contoured footbed, pulled-together in seconds.
Prefer a two-band classic? The Cushion Vista Hi rides on the cork footbed that made us famous, with arch support and heel cupping baked in.
Fit tip: the Cushion Vista Hi runs a little roomy, so size down half if you're between sizes.
Walking and active
More miles means you want a fit that stays put. The Cushion Rem Hi pairs our cushiony cork footbed and arch support with adjustable straps and an easy elastic backstrap that hugs your foot all the way around, so nothing shifts as you go. It's a favorite for long travel days on foot.
Fit tip: no break-in needed. It can run a touch large, so size down if you're between.
Beach and water
Near the water you want materials that don't soak up and a sole that grips wet surfaces. The Water Vista is fully water-friendly, quick-drying, and locked in by an adjustable backstrap.
Want a little lift? The Water Vista Higher keeps the water-friendly build on a cushiony platform.
Fit tip: the Higher runs large, so size down and give the straps a wear to settle.
Travel and long days
Travel rewards light, cushioned, and easy to dress up or down. The Aura Serenity is built on a compression-molded EVA footbed that rebounds step after step, with anatomical support and no break-in, beach to brunch.
For a flatter, packable option, the Vista Capri is water-friendly with an adjustable buckle, so it rinses clean and forgives a long day.
Dressy and elevated
For evenings out, look for a refined silhouette with the comfort hidden inside. The Vista Luxe Liah puts our cork Vista footbed under buttery vegan leather and an adjustable slingback that hugs your foot from all angles, elevated and secure.
The Vista Carmen brings raffia-wrapped, summery style over a cushioned footbed that dresses up or down.
Fit tip: the Vista Luxe Liah comes in whole sizes only, so if you're a half size, order up. Some find the Vista Carmen runs narrow, and its toe straps soften after a wear or two.
FAQs
How should a sandal fit out of the box?
Snug but not tight, with no heel slipping and your toes resting naturally without hanging off the front. Comfort should be immediate. A couple of our styles run roomy, so sizing down half a size can help if you're between.
What should I look for with wide feet?
Adjustable straps, like a buckle or backstrap, and a roomier footbed. Styles like the Vista Capri and Cushion Rem Hi let you set the fit to your width.
Can supportive sandals help with plantar fasciitis?
Supportive styles with arch support, heel cupping, and cushioning can help you stay comfortable through the day. They aren't a medical device, so if heel pain persists, see a podiatrist. Our arch support collection is the place to start.
Which REEF sandals are best for travel?
Light, cushioned styles that transition from day to evening, like the Aura Serenity for all-day comfort and the packable, water-friendly Vista Capri.
Find your pair
Match the sandal to your day and your feet, and the rest takes care of itself. Browse the picks above, or explore the full women's sandals collection to find the pair you'll live in this summer.