My Hunt for Fisherman Sandals That Won’t Tear Up My Feet (original) (raw)

Photo-Illustration: Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photo: Angela Tafoya

I typically start every spring the same way: scouring the internet for fisherman sandals. It’s my unofficial marker of the season. For me, they’re the ideal transitional shoe. They still cover parts of your feet when it’s chilly, keeping the toes warm, but they invite spring with their sandal-like airiness and versatility. They can last well into the fall, too (especially when paired with socks). With their cute buckles, caged silhouette, and padded soles, they feel like a European vacation on foot. Or at least my ideal ones would. Try as I might, I haven’t quite unlocked a pair that fits my criteria (comfy, style-forward, and packable).

Last year I purchased a pair that, while I loved them in theory, ended up being too chunky and were impossible to toss in a suitcase without them taking up valuable real estate. The year before, I purchased a pair so uncomfortable that I couldn’t wear them to my local park without resting every few minutes. This year, things will be different. I’m determined to find a pair I can travel with, walk distances in, and wear during the day and for a night out. Also, I don’t want it to be just another minimalist shoe in my mix — they should make a little bit of a statement. I tried out nine pairs, from chunky to classic to printed to jellies, and finally landed on some winning ones.

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When I pulled these out of the box, I immediately noticed how luxe (especially for $230) and weighty they felt. Made in Portugal, they have a more artisanal element (they are very Euro vacay) and are slightly heavier than the other pairs I tried; their substantial sole gives them a grounded feel. The chocolate-brown color is beautiful, and the caged front with a bit more ankle coverage makes for a really chic silhouette.

I ordered a size nine, and they ran a little big, which is worth noting. I took them out for a spin to my neighborhood coffee shop, and after a couple of blocks, I did start to feel some digging on the sides. That said, they seem like a pair that just needs a bit of breaking in, which is to be expected with fisherman sandals.

These feel best suited to shorter outings or lower-key wear rather than longer walks, at least at first. I have a narrow foot, so they were a bit roomy on the sides, but overall, they’re a very polished, elevated option (though noticeably more substantial than the other pairs).

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For $138, these sandals genuinely surprised me, both in comfort and style. It’s easy to see why they’re one of Madewell’s best sellers, but the suede option gives them just enough of a twist. I ordered them in Juniper Berry, a pretty shade of blue that felt unexpected for the style. The first thing I noticed was how lightweight they were (although not as featherlight as the Rothy’s pair, which I’ll get to soon) along with the subtle padding in the insole that makes them comfortable right out of the box. I wore them around the house for a bit and then eventually to a school event for my daughter. I paired them with shorts and a long-sleeve, and they immediately gave off a Euro-vacation vibe (at least in my opinion). Fitwise, they run true to size. These are solid for price and subtle style.

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These are like sunshine in shoe form, thanks to the jelly and rhinestones. I’d been wanting to try the Rhys Sandal by Loeffler Randall simply because they’re so joyful looking. Also, I’m a bit of a sucker for a sequin or rhinestone embellishment. They were the only jellies of the group, and I’ll admit I was hesitant; past pairs have meant blisters and less-than-great breathability. But after reading the reviews online, I decided it seemed people were happy with their purchase, so I gave them a whirl.

They’re also pretty lightweight (Rothy’s still takes the crown for the lightest) and fit my narrow foot well. While they don’t offer the same level of support when walking, they far exceeded my expectations for a jelly fisherman sandal. I wore them walking out and about in the city and they fit me nicely, were comfortable, and made me feel very sparkly. As many people noted in the reviews, these are an easy way to give a daytime look a little oomph.

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The Karina Lynx by Ancient Greek Sandals stood out immediately for how barely there they are (they are an ideal pack-and-go shoe). I opted for a lynx-printed pair for a playful look. Despite the thin sole and minimal padding, they were such a breeze to walk in. The barely there essence is there partly because there’s not much of a heel, but they don’t feel flimsy (which, again, is a great quality for packing on vacation). They also cover more of the front of the foot than some of the other styles I tried, which makes them a smart in-between option for shifting seasons and especially great for Bay Area weather. I wore them to a girls’ lunch with a sparkly crisp top and shorts, and they were comfortable, unfussy, and felt very cool.

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Most of the pairs I tested leaned light and low-profile, so I wanted to throw one truly chunky fisherman sandal into the mix. This pair from Charlotte Stone absolutely delivers on that front. The added height is a plus, and despite the wooden heft, the lug sole gives them solid traction, making them easier to walk in than you’d expect.

I covered at least seven blocks in them, carrying around my 4-year-old son when he refused to walk any further — so they passed the test in my book. I love that these are black but also offer contrast with the wooden sole. That said, they’re more substantial than the others I tried. Great for making a statement; less ideal if you’re trying to pack light, as they’ll take up real estate in your suitcase.

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Before I even slid my feet into these, I was struck by the deep burgundy color. It’s a bit more interesting than your standard tan leather and appears to be well made. Structurally, they stay true to the classic fisherman silhouette and are a little more on the slender side versus chunkier iterations.

I love the strap that wraps across the front of the foot and thought it was a sweet little detail. My only issue, and it’s really more of a personal preference, is that they felt a little too subtle for my personal style. I was craving more flash. The padded insoles make a noticeable difference, though, and they felt supportive instantly. I wore them to see The Devil Wears Prada 2, which involved a long walk to the train and back, and felt stable enough. Still, for $92, these are a solid, quality option that seem like an easy-enough pair to throw into the rotation.

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I took these sandals out on a day that had about a 60 percent chance of rain. Risky, I know. But thank goodness the sun held, because I loved every moment in them. The padded insole is by far the hero of this style. Immediately after putting them on I noticed just how light and cushy they were, which is no small feat when it comes to fisherman sandals, which can often be on the clunky side.

I wore them to meet a friend for drinks near the Bay, took the train, and ended up walking quite a few blocks. I never would have guessed I was wearing brand-new shoes. While some fisherman sandals have straps that dig into your feet and need ample time to break in, these felt broken-in even on the first wear. I also like how the toe was mostly closed, so if I didn’t have a pedicure, it wouldn’t matter too much. I tried both the black and the cowhide and ended up going with the cowhide to mix things up aesthetically, but the black pair is beautiful and would work well for everyday wear. They also are very slim, so I imagine they’d be pretty easy to pack. I take a size 39, and they were slightly roomy on the sides for me, though I should note that I have a narrow foot. I wore them with a red silk pair of Roucha pants and a chunky knit, and the whole look just felt very me. Again, I can’t reiterate enough just how comfortable these were.

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I was drawn to the classic silhouette of these sandals, and if I’m being honest, the Instagram ads really got me. I tried on a few options from the Los Angeles–based brand (like this one and this one), but these were the clear winners in my book. I actually gasped a bit when I opened the box. Everything felt right, from the heel height to the quality of the leather and the metallic shine of the silver. I paired them with some fun ruffle pants.

I love the square toe, which gives them a slightly more modern feel than other pairs I tried. They did have a short break-in period, but once I wore them around my block, they were pretty comfortable. The insole has enough padding that I didn’t feel like I was walking on blocks or nothing at all, and the caged front provides solid coverage. For one of the more structured pairs I tried, these really delivered.

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I’ve heard all the praise about how comfortable Rothy’s are, so I was curious to see if its fisherman sandals lived up to the hype. First impression: They’re incredibly lightweight. They’re the kind of shoe you could easily toss into a suitcase for a summer trip without thinking twice.

They’re made from a flexible knit, which sets them apart from the others I tried. No stiff leather to break in, which is great. That softness makes them immediately comfortable. I chose them in red, which felt like a fun departure from the average fisherman — again, I lean toward a functional statement shoe and wanted my fisherman sandals to reflect this. I walked about a mile to my kids’ school, and they felt nice and supportive. They fit my narrow foot well and felt true to size. My only hesitation is that they definitely felt like the most casual out of the group — great for daytime, but styling for an evening outing could be a little trickier.

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