Trail and Scramble Shoes

Best Hiking Sandals for Women 2025 | Tested and Reviewed

We’ve tested these hiking sandals across the UK and beyond. From the wilds of Eryri to the river deltas of Argentina - here’s what our gear testers had to say.

As soon as the temperature goes above 20 degrees, you’ll most likely find me rocking a pair of sandals out on the trail. And yes, that includes the iconic – always fashionable – socks and sandals combo. Whether I’m hiking, hillwalking, rockpooling, or even just sightseeing in a new country; there’s just nothing quite like the freedom of having your feet out in the open air.

In particular, it’s the versatility of sandals that I love. I like being able to slip in and out of shoes easily, especially if I know I might come across a body of water. I also like being able to use a shoe across multiple activities in one day without having to bring three pairs of shoes along for the ride. Hiking sandals, in my opinion, can do just that.

Of course, not all hiking sandals are created equal and you’ll want to make sure you go for a trustworthy pair. But that’s where we come in. As an outdoorswoman who’s walked a lot of miles in outdoor sandals, I’ve put together a list here of my favourite women’s options for hiking. This guide will hopefully help you whittle down the masses of options in the shops to a much smaller pool of sandals to choose from.

Sometimes the walking sandals also require a waterproof jacket…

And if you’re looking for men’s hiking sandals too, here’s our favourites from over the years. It’s worth noting that many popular brands will have unisex options too if you’re not too fussed either way. Alternatively, if you’re looking for footwear for more technical terrain, you might also be interested in our best walking shoes for women round up, or our top 10 guide to the best walking boots.

What I Look For

For me, the top quality I look for in a good pair of hiking sandals is stability. Since sandals have an open design, it’s easier for your foot to slip over the edge of the sole. Ideally, a good hiking sandal will use strong webbing and straps, and/ or a specially designed footbed to help stop this from happening.

Traction is also key and will determine what kind of terrain you use your sandals on. While standard sandals are primarily focused on airflow, a good hiking sandal will also have a uniquely grippy sole that keeps you well and truly glued to the trail.

Breathability, of course, is another huge benefit of sandals. With this aspect, I find it’s important to consider whether you want an open-toed or a closed-toe sandal, and also how breathable the footbed is. From my experience, there’s a lot of hiking sandals out there that, while breathable from the top and around the sides, don’t have a breathable footbed so the sole of your foot can get really sweaty.

It seems silly, but take it from someone who’s used non-waterproof sandals in water, and then had to put up with the horrible smell and deteriorating velcro afterwards; you’re going to want to check what fabric is used. I now always check that the sandal’s materials are designed specifically to withstand being submerged.

Of course, the comfort level and the general fit are also vital when choosing a good pair of hiking sandals. And while this mostly comes down to personal preference, I’ll go into the details of how comfy each sandal is and what the fit is like in each individual review. In particular, I’ll be considering how the straps feel against my skin, and whether or not any rubbing occurs.

How I Test

I spend most of my free time exploring the natural landscapes here in the UK. Whether that’s on the side of a mountain, the shorelines of a lough, or deep in the boggy trails of the Celtic nations; more often than not, this is where you’ll find me. Along the way, I’ll take various bits of outdoor kit with me to see how well they fare against different terrains and weather conditions, and across a variety of activities too.

This time round I actually ended up testing some of these sandals further afield in the wetlands and river deltas of Argentina, as well as closer to home along the South Downs way, in Bannau Brycheiniog, and across the pond to Fermanagh and Leitrim in the northern and western regions of Ireland. These tests primarily focused on trail walking and mountain hiking, though I also did a spot of canoeing to test the waterproofing on a few models, along with more casual campouts and beach trips too.

The Best Hiking Sandals for Women in 2025

Here’s a round-up of my favourite hiking sandals for women. You’ll find a range of styles here including open and closed toe sandals, waterproof and non-waterproof options, and some more casual outdoor sandals too. These are the highlights:

Columbia Peakfreak Rush – Best Overall Hiking Sandals for Women
Keen Hyperport H2 – Our Runner-Up and the Most Versatile Hiking Sandal
Passenger Venice Roam – Best Value Hiking Sandals for Women
The North Face Explore Camp – Best Campsite Hiking Sandals for Women

Our Ratings and Updates to this List

With our ratings, our sandals are assessed on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being not very good, and 10 being the best. This rating is chosen based on which sandal strikes the best balance between comfort, fit, stability, and traction. Durability and sustainability are also very important factors that we consider here at Outdoors Magic, especially with regard to environmental protections and social impacts.

We’ll be continuing our testing throughout the year and will note down any changes we make here. With that in mind, keep an eye out as we get deeper into the summer hiking season.

Note: All weights are given per shoe.

1. Columbia Peakfreak Rush Sandals

Best overall hiking sandal for women: This gets our pick as the best in test. The stability, comfort and versatility sealed the deal with our tester.

Price: £60
Weight: 314g
Pros: Super comfy design, supportive fit, grippy outsole
Cons: They run a little narrow
Overall rating: 8/10

These, the Columbia Peakfreak Rush shoes, are a cracking pair of hiking sandals. At 252g, they’re mighty lightweight too. I’d very happily strap these to my hiking backpack for a thru-hiking trip without worrying about their weight or how much space they take up.

Made from a soft but tough nubuck leather and Columbia’s proprietary Adapt Trax outsole, these sandals performed the best during our hiking tests. Their adjustability and comfort make them ideal for multi-day hiking, while the grippy outsole makes them a good option across a variety of terrains.

Jazz is pictured here testing the Columbia Peakfreak Rush sandals in some rainy summer conditions.

I was especially impressed with the stability and flexibility of the shoe. I felt protected underfoot from sharp rocks and roots while still feeling able to move freely and dynamically across the trail. I’ve also found them to be capable at handling muddy trails too, which is often where sandals fall short.

The fit felt really secure too, even during ascents and descents, thanks to the fully adjustable strapping. It’s worth noting that I have narrow feet so I got on really well with these sandals, but I think those with wider feet might want to size up or look elsewhere. Similarly, I’d look elsewhere if your priority is water activities as this sandal is only water resistant.

Buy the Columbia Peakfreak Rush sandals: £60 at Columbiasportswear.co.uk

2. Keen Hyperport H2 Sandals

Our second best pick: This is the runner-up according to our tests, as well as the most versatile hiking sandal on the list.

Jazz is pictured here out and about with the Keen Hyperport H2 sandals, testing their waterproofing abilities.

Price: £72 (sale)
Weight: 345g
Pros: Versatile, very comfy, waterproof
Cons: Ventilation isn’t as good as open toed options
Overall rating: 8/10

I’ve used these sandals for a whole bunch of activities ranging from hiking and canoeing to rockpooling and city walking. In fact, I just used them on a bikepacking trip along the Cantii Way where there were a few hike-a-bike sections and many dips in the sea on rocky beaches.

I’ve been consistently impressed with their grip across a variety of different hiking terrains and really like that I can use them for loads of different outdoor activities. I’m yet to try them in properly muddy terrain but I’ll be taking them with me for some hiking in Scotland next week so stay tuned on that front.

Here the Keen Hyperport H2 sandals are being used in Bannau Brycheiniog.

My only qualm so far is that, because they are a closed-toe sandal with fabric covering most of the foot, they can get a bit sweaty at the sole. When I’m wearing socks with them, I have no problems. But when it’s my bare foot against the rubber, there’s less breathability than more traditional sandals so it does get a wee bit sweaty. The shoe never smells, mind you. That’ll be thanks to the eco-friendly anti-odour treatment across the sandal.

Other than that, I’ve hiked wearing these sandals on grassy paths, rocky trails, sandy beaches, and in Irish bogs, and have been impressed. The bungee cinch has been handy for switching from level ground to steeper ascents, the toe bumper and all-around protection has been great for rockier terrains, and the midsole has been comfy enough for multi-day use. Their grip on wet surfaces is also well-worth a mention and hasn’t let me down yet.

It’s worth mentioning that Keen shoes run quite wide and I have narrow feet so I went half a size down on these. I’m glad I did as they fit just right – there’s enough wiggle room for a comfy hike, and I simply use the cinch cord when I want a more refined fit.

Read our full Keen Hyperport H2 sandal review.

Buy the Keen Hyperport H2 sandals: £72 at Alpinetrek.co.uk

3. Passenger Venice Roam Sandals

Best value hiking sandal for women: Our pick for those who want a highly functional hiking sandal at a good price.

Price: £40
Weight: approx. 550g
Pros: Nice cushioning underfoot, recycled content, versatile look
Cons: Not the most secure fit on this list
Overall rating: 7/10

These are some of the lowest priced sandals in this article, and for what they can offer, I think they’re a bit of a steal. I can see them working well for day hiking, travelling, and daily walking in particular, where you’re not tackling anything technical but still want a comfy sandal for a solid amount of hours on the trail. They’ve got a very versatile look that would fit in across many contexts too, which can’t be said for all sandals..

The cushioned EVA footbed is worth a mention as it’s super comfy, particularly at the heel. I also liked the slightly upturned edges that helped stop rocks and other debris from entering the sandal while also minimising slippage in the shoe. The outsole, on the other hand, has a reasonably aggressive tread that grips well on groomed trails and rocky paths.

The fit was a little large for me as I have narrow feet but when another tester with wider feet tested them, the fit was just right. In this sense, you might want to try before you buy just in case you need to size them down.

Buy the Passenger Venice Roam sandals: £40 at Passenger-clothing.com

4. The North Face Explore Camp Shandals

Best campsite hiking sandals for women: This gets our pick for the best sandal for campsite use, everyday wear, and casual walking.

Here The North Face Explore Camp Shandals are being used on some easygoing walking trails.

Price: £90
Weight: 316g
Pros: Super comfy, handy bungee cord, nice look
Cons: Your foot can slip out the back sometimes
Overall rating: 6/10

The North Face explore camp shandals are a solid option for campsite use, everyday walking and as a recovery shoe. They’re super comfy underfoot thanks to the moulded-EVA midsole, while the 3.5mm lugs offer reasonable traction for non-technical trails during the summer months. Considering the protection you get at the front from the mesh lining, I’ve also been impressed with the breathability overall.

I’d mostly recommend these as an everyday walking sandal or as a campsite sandal as the back strap is a little flimsy and your foot can wiggle around a bit too much for serious hiking. I’ve also found that the little plastic buckle that the backstrap loops through tends to twist around a bit.

I do, however, appreciate the eco-friendly build of the shoe. The entire upper is made using 98% recycled P.E.T. content, the woven rand is made from 100% recycled P.E.T, and the Surface CTRL rubber outsole is made with 20% rubber from smallholder farmers committed to agroforestry principles and regenerative agricultural practices. Not bad, not bad at all.

Buy The North Face Explore Camp shandals: £90 at Ellisbrigham.com

5. Bedrock Cairn Pro

The Bedrocks during our Outdoor 100 selection process

Price: £105
Weight: 240g
Pros: Light, packable
Cons: Not the most supportive or protective, expensive
Overall rating: 6/10

This minimalist offering from Californian brand Bedrock does everything you need an adventure sandal to do, and it does it with assured, understated confidence.

Simplicity is the key here: a high-quality y-strap attached to a Vibram sole gives you a product that’s ideal for wild and wet outings. However, don’t confuse simple with basic; the Cairn Pro has been refined over a period of eight years to arrive at the durable, capable sandal it is today.

Performance wise, the Cairn Pros are reassuringly grippy, with superb traction achieved thanks to their triangular lugs. The minimal footbed is surprisingly comfortable and conforms to your feet with each step. Finally, though they are relatively expensive compared to some, we consider them an good investment and, if they do eventually wear out, they are fully re-soleable.

Read our full Bedrock Cairn Pro review

Buy the Bedrock Cairn Pro: £105 at Bedrocksandals.com