When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreRachael Schultz/Business InsiderIn our years-long pursuit of the best walking sandals for women, the pairs we keep coming back to come with plenty of support without reading as orthotic. Packing for 20,000-step days in 90% humidity requires a lot of forethought, so to make it easier, we tried pairs built to withstand hot asphalt, slippery sidewalks, and sandy coasts. Together, we've found that the ideal walking sandal has three things in common: supportive cushioning that keeps feet comfortable mile after mile, a lightweight design that's easy to pack, and enough versatility to go from sightseeing to dinner. After all, when suitcase space is limited, the best travel sandals should do the work of two or three pairs. Our main takeaway: The most comfortable walking sandals we tested are Vivaia's Sport Sandals. They come in a few style variations that work with summer dresses or airport outfits, and they're easy to pack thanks to a lightweight, cushioned footbed. Choosing the right pair will depend on where you're headed and what you're planning to do when you get there. Whether you're exploring a beach town, a theme park with the family, a new hiking trail, or a cobblestone-paved city, here are our favorite sandals to spare you from sweaty, achy feet.The top walking sandals for women we tested:How we tested women's walking sandalsWe've tested over 30 pairs of sandals across airports, city streets, beaches, mountain towns, and everyday errands, walking at least a mile in each to find ones that truly deliver on comfort (and compliments). Whether you're looking for maximum arch support, rugged hiking traction, or a chic leather sandal you can wear with a dress, these are the pairs we'd happily pack again.For more ways to feel comfortable and stylish on the road, see our guides to the best flip flops with arch support, the best women's walking shoes and the best travel pants for women.Best overall: Vivaia Kiara Sport SandalsRebecca Strong/Business InsiderThey're built with spongy, quilted footbeds. My first few steps in the Vivaia Sport Sandals felt like walking on a cloud to due to their cushioned insole, and dual arch support. They're extremely comfortable and strike the perfect aesthetic balance for casual or dressy outfits.I feel secure wearing these. Thanks to the durable, anti-slip outsole, these sandals feel ultra-stable on my feet regardless of what kind of terrain I'm covering on my travels.They're super adjustable. What I really appreciate about these sandals most is that the criss-cross straps across the foot are extra stretchy. That means whether you have narrow or wide feet, these will git like a glove. Not only that, but the ankle strap has an adjustable buckle.By the way — Vivaia has made our list of the best travel shoes, most comfortable heels, best flats, best loafers for women, best ankle boots, and best knee-high boots. Read more in our full Vivaia shoes review. — Rebecca Strong, style contributor, Insider ReviewsBest budget: Dr. Scholl's Island GlowRebecca Strong/Business InsiderDr. Scholl's is known for making shoes that prioritize comfort — after all, the brand was founded by a podiatrist back in 1906. The Island Glow Sandals in particular are a solid pick for warding off discomfort during your travels — not to mention, they're incredibly lightweight.It's so easy to pull them on and off. The side buckles on these sandals confused me at first, but then I realized they were nonfunctional. Honestly, the faux buckle still looks nice and I actually prefer the Velcro strap closure, because they're much faster to put on and take off this way.They're surprisingly cute. I got a few compliments when I was wearing these sandals to a casual family gathering. I wasn't surprised, either: They look like real leather, and the wood—like low wedge heel is a nice visual touch.They're really versatile. These sandals go with literally everything, from jean shorts and flowy skirts to leggings and maxi dresses. They're versatile enough that I can wear them while sightseeing and then head straight to lunch at a nice restaurant with no footwear changes.They're very supportive. Between the contoured footbed and cushioned insole with arch support, these sandals definitely prevented discomfort — even after standing and walking around in them for nearly six hours. — Rebecca Strong, style contributor, Insider ReviewsBest flip flop: FitFlop RELIEFF Recovery Toe-Post SandalsRachael Schultz/Business InsiderThe recovery-style footbed feels supportive all day. The reason FitFlop's RELIEFF Recovery Toe-Post Sandals feel so comfortable is that they have triple-density EVA midsoles, which cushion your heel, arch, and forefoot with different levels of firmness. This soft foam footbed molds to your feet over time, and the slight wedge helps take pressure off your lower back and arches. I wore them for full day
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