Sandals are judged on the footbed and whether they support your foot through a full day. Our winner is the Birkenstock Arizona, with an SR Score of 88, because its contoured cork footbed molds to your feet over time and pairs with anything, a design proven over decades. The Chaco Z/2 (87) is the runner-up for its adjustable, locked-in fit, while Teva leads on adventure value.
The ranking
| Rank | Sandal | Best for | Typical price (USD) | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birkenstock Arizona | Everyday comfort | $110–$160 | 88 |
| 2 | Chaco Z/2 Classic | Adjustable trail fit | $105–$120 | 87 |
| 3 | Teva Hurricane XLT2 | Adventure value | $75–$90 | 85 |
| 4 | Teva Original Universal | Lightweight casual | $55–$70 | 84 |
| 5 | Naot Arch sandals | Orthotic support | $130–$180 | 85 |
| 6 | Reef Cushion sandals | Beach flip comfort | $50–$75 | 82 |
| 7 | OluKai Ohana | Tropical durability | $70–$90 | 83 |
Methodology
The Style Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria summing to 100:
- Comfort & footbed (30) — cushioning and footbed feel.
- Arch support & fit (25) — support and adjustability.
- Value for money (20) — comfort per dollar.
- Durability (15) — how long they last and resole/rebuild options.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — consensus from podiatrists and testers.
Comfort leads because a sandal you can wear all day is the goal. Re-weight toward adventure and the Chaco and Teva climb; toward everyday support and Birkenstock and Naot win.
Birkenstock Arizona
The everyday comfort pick. At $110 to $160, the Arizona’s cork-latex footbed molds to your feet over time, and the two-strap design is the most versatile in the lineup.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & footbed | 27/30 |
| Arch support & fit | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the classic footbed is firm and needs a break-in (the Soft Footbed solves this).
Chaco Z/2 Classic
The adjustable trail-fit pick. At $105 to $120, the Z/2 uses infinitely adjustable webbing and a toe loop for a locked-in feel, plus a structured LUVSEAT footbed; Chacos are resoleable.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & footbed | 25/30 |
| Arch support & fit | 24/25 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Durability | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the rugged sole is heavier and the toe loop takes adjusting.
Teva Hurricane XLT2
The adventure value pick. At $75 to $90, the Hurricane XLT2 offers cushioned EVA, secure quick-dry straps, and good grip for hikes and water at a fair price.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & footbed | 24/30 |
| Arch support & fit | 21/25 |
| Value for money | 19/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: less arch structure than Birkenstock or Naot.
Teva Original Universal
The lightweight casual pick. At $55 to $70, the Original Universal is a flat, flexible strap sandal updated in 2026 with extra EVA cushioning, great for everyday and water.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & footbed | 22/30 |
| Arch support & fit | 19/25 |
| Value for money | 20/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the thin, flat sole gives minimal arch support.
Naot Arch sandals
The orthotic support pick. At $130 to $180, Naot’s Israeli-made sandals use a cork-latex footbed with pronounced anatomical support, podiatrist-recommended.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & footbed | 25/30 |
| Arch support & fit | 24/25 |
| Value for money | 15/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the highest price here and a more orthopedic look.
Reef Cushion sandals
The beach flip pick. At $50 to $75, Reef’s cushioned flip-flops are plush and easy, the default beach and pool sandal.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & footbed | 22/30 |
| Arch support & fit | 17/25 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Durability | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: flip-flop design offers no heel security.
OluKai Ohana
The tropical durability pick. At $70 to $90, OluKai’s Ohana is a water-resistant, quick-dry flip with a comfortable footbed built for wet, warm climates.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort & footbed | 23/30 |
| Arch support & fit | 19/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: a thong design that is less supportive than strap sandals.
Verification
- Birkenstock Arizona — $110–$160 verified on birkenstock.com and OutdoorGearLab.
- Chaco Z/2 Classic — $105–$120 verified on chacos.com and Treeline Review.
- Teva Hurricane XLT2 — $75–$90 verified on teva.com.
- Teva Original Universal — $55–$70 verified on teva.com.
- Naot sandals — $130–$180 verified on naot.com and CNN Underscored.
- Reef Cushion — $50–$75 verified on reef.com.
- OluKai Ohana — $70–$90 verified on olukai.com.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best sandal in 2026?
- The Birkenstock Arizona wins overall for its contoured cork-latex footbed that molds to your feet over time, paired with go-with-everything style. The Chaco Z/2 is the runner-up for its adjustable webbing and locked-in fit, and Teva is best for lightweight adventure value.
- Which sandals are best for arch support?
- Podiatrists frequently recommend Birkenstock, Chaco, Teva, and Naot for arch support. Birkenstock's contoured cork footbed and Chaco's structured LUVSEAT footbed give the most pronounced arch support; both suit people who need all-day foot support.
- Birkenstock or Chaco?
- Birkenstock excels at everyday casual wear, with a cork footbed that molds to your feet and easy styling. Chaco is built for hiking and water, with infinitely adjustable webbing and a more rugged, secure lockdown. Choose Birkenstock for town, Chaco for trail.
- Do new Birkenstocks need a break-in?
- Yes. The classic cork footbed is firm at first and takes a week or two to mold to your foot. The Soft Footbed version adds a foam layer for comfort right out of the box if you do not want to wait.