The first thing you should consider before investing in a pair of summer footwear is how it feels on your feet. Considering the fact that our feet will often swell in heat, it’s crucial that you go with a style that’s not only comfortable, but that’ll also allow for easy adjustments in case you’ve spent the entire day walking and need a bit more room to soothe your aching feet.

The best way to ensure that a pair feels good is to go with materials that feel good to you. Some people will prefer natural leather which takes a bit more time to break in, but will mold to the feet perfectly, while others may opt for a synthetic material that’s easy to maintain and keep clean. If you’re athletically inclined and expect to walk a lot, then you may even want to go with a mesh model that’ll allow better air flow and will dry faster.

No matter what type of sandal you go with, it’s crucial that you choose the correct size and width, ensuring that your flat foot is supported, and securely held by the model. To increase the comfortability factor, you may want to consider getting something with a padded footbed, or even with a softer collar to ensure you can wear it without any socks on.

Another factor to consider is the closure system. While buckles are secure and durable, they may prove to be less than perfect when they start to cut into your foot. The best models will allow multiple points of adjustment, and may even feature hook and loop straps that are easier and faster to adjust, plus, are slightly softer than other systems, thus eliminating any pressure points.

If you have sensitive skin, tend to sweat a lot, or are expecting to be near water, then definitely consider investing in a pair with padded straps, as this should greatly improve your wearing experience. Preventing the straps of the sandals from cutting into your feet, causing rubbing or blistering, the padding will ensure that your feet are protected at all times.

You’d expect that an open summer style would be naturally breathable, but you’d be surprised how often this isn’t true. Manufacturers who use synthetic materials will often disregard the fact that they lock moisture in, which can prove to be a big mistake, especially with sandals with which you are likely to go sock-free.

In addition to a number of cutouts on your next pair of summer shoes, you should also consider how they are made in terms of breathability. Ideally, you want to purchase a pair that’ll allow fresh air to enter the shoe, and hot and wet air to escape, leaving you with dry feet that won’t become irritated or won’t start to slip inside the shoe. Additionally, you should keep in mind that wet feet often lead to the development of odors and fungal growth, which you definitely want to avoid.

A number of models listed above feature a mesh, suede or moisture wicking lining, and these are great options, especially for those who are more athletically inclined. These materials will help with temperature and moisture management, and should keep you dry throughout the day.

If, however, you go with a synthetic materials, such as that found in Crocs, you should make sure that there are plenty of ventilation ports so as to provide a breathable environment for your foot. You’ll also benefit from some sort of anti-bacterial or odor-resistant treatment, just to ensure that your summer footwear lasts longer, and doesn’t develop any smells.

Though summer footwear is often minimal, you should still consider how healthy it is for you to stand and walk in it for prolonged periods of time. If you’re after something you can wear on a daily basis, then it would be highly recommended to invest in a pair that provides adequate support, as well as a level of shock absorption.

Supportive sandals are becoming more and more easy to find, and you’ll find that a number of manufacturers have started to pay more and more attention to this aspect. To ensure proper support, you should stay away from completely flat models, and, instead, look for those that hug your arch, provide a deeper heel cup, and allow for your toes to splay.

Not only will this prevent pain at the end of the day, but it’ll actually help your foot with its natural shock absorption, stopping you from feeling fatigued, and allowing you to spend more time walking and enjoying the beautiful weather. This is especially important if you suffer from pronation issues (be it over or underpronation), as a supportive pair of footwear will help properly align your feet, stopping knee, hip and back pain from occurring.

In terms of shock absorption, how much you need will depend on how you plan on spending your time. If you plan on only wearing your new sandals for running around, then you’ll do just well with a regular EVA foam or rubber outsole, as these will do an adequate job of preventing shock from traveling up your legs. If, however, you’re an avid hiker, you’ll want to get as much as possible, in the entire sole, including the forefoot and heel.

Plenty of items listed above feature innovative shock absorption systems, including air bubbles, foam elements, as well as specially developed materials. These can often bring the price up, but you’ll find that they’re a good investment if you’re after something you’ll be able to wear for longer periods of time.

Summer activities often include time spent next to bodies of water - be it the pool, beach, lake, or just a surprise shower. If you know that you may happen to get wet, you definitely need to consider this aspect before purchasing. Some models will do extremely well with all other criteria listed, but will simply not be suitable for use near water, which would damage, warp, or negate their shock absorbing abilities.

If you need something you won’t have to worry about, you should consider purchasing a model that is either made with synthetic materials that are hydrophobic (don’t get wet), or those which dry quickly without retaining moisture.

Mesh is a popular choice with quick drying properties, bu there are plenty of alternatives, including woven nylon and newly developed knit materials.

You’ll find that a number of products will even feature drainage ports in the upper and sole, to ensure faster water elimination. These will often be suitable for walking through water, such as while hiking, when you need to cross a creek. These would be a great choice for beach holidays, so if you’re headed to the seaside or the pool, make sure to bring a models such as this.

The final consideration you should make before making a purchase is the part of the sandal which will be protecting the bottom of your feet. What will work best greatly depends on how you plan on using your newly purchased shoes, so make sure you’ve made that consideration before clicking on the checkout button.

First and foremost, you want the outsole of the sandals to be fairly flexible, allowing you to naturally move, without holding you back. Nonetheless, too much flexibility may prove to be counterproductive, as it may lower the level of protection you will receive from the surface underfoot, which can be especially important if you’re planning on walking over rugged terrain such as trails or rocks.

Secondly, you want your footwear to be able to grip the surface underfoot adequately, preventing any slips that would end up with you being injured. If you only plan on walking on pavement, regular rubber or foam will do just well. But, if you have to go over highly polished hardwood or tile floors, you’ll want something with a bit more grip - and a traction pattern should definitely be your choice.

For those who plan on being near water, a razor sieped or non-slip outsole is crucial, as wet surfaces require more aggressive traction patterns to prevent slippage. A number of the models listed above will do really well near water, but there are also those which will simply be inadequate for this type of use. If you’re unsure what would work best for you, it’s safer to go with a rubber outsole that’ll provide more grip, than to find that you’re feeling insecure in your newly purchased footwear.