10 Sustainable Sandals To Slide Into Summer 2026
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Weโve worn and researched sustainable shoes for a decade โ these are 10 eco-friendly, ethical brands for comfortable and affordable sandals and slides that you’ll reach for all summer long.
Summerโs here, and we are ready. From sipping Aperol spritzes at outdoor happy hours, to hanging out at the beach, to visiting our local farmerโs market for the most delicious strawberries, we are embracing all of the warmer weather activities and the fashion that comes along with it. Weโve rounded up a few of our favorite brands that are bringing ethical and fair trade sandals to the masses. We love all the new recyclable styles and are partial to easy slides ourselves. Happy summer (and shopping)!
Why consider sustainable sandals?
Sustainable sandals are not only better for the environment, but also for your personal health. Some sandals, like the popular jelly sandals, are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and present significant environmental and health concerns. PVC is non-biodegradable and can release harmful chemicals like phthalates, which pose health risks and contribute to pollution throughout their lifecycle. (Donโt fret, as weโve listed some safer alternatives to the jelly sandal in our roundup below!) Opting to go for sustainable sandals made from eco-friendly materials like recycled plastics, organic cotton, and responsibly sourced leather helps reduce environmental impact, is often biodegradable, and is safer for our bodies.
Eco-friendly sandals are also produced using ethical labor practices, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for workers. Sustainable sandals are also designed for durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste. By opting for sustainable sandals, you support practices that protect the planet, reduce pollution, and promote social responsibility, making a positive impact with every step!
Our criteria:
We’ve worn, researched, and even corresponded with sustainable shoe brands over the years. Below, we’ve compiled our favorite sustainable sandals that are eco-friendly, ethically made, and are comfortable enough that you’ll want to slip them on all summer. We’ve included a variety of price points, too. We return to this list with regular updates as we find new options that meet the following criteria.
- ETHICAL PRACTICES | These sustainable shoe brands adhere to ethical commitments in all they do, including labor practices like fair wages and safe working environments. Weโve prioritized brands that give back to their communities.
- ECO-FRIENDLY/SUSTAINABLE | All of the brands below sustainably source materials and produce their footwear thoughtfully, with most using all natural materials and recycled/upcycled materials when possible.
- COMFORTABLE | Our editors have tried all of the brands on this list, and confirmed that they’re comfortable and supportive so you can avoid the dreaded summer blisters.
- AFFORDABLE | Sandals, and especially sustainable sandals, can be an investment. We’ve chosen brands at a variety of price points so there’s something for every budget.
Be sure to check out our guides on ethical handbags, eco friendly sunglasses, and sustainable swimwear for all your summer essentials!
Best Overall | Quince, $50+
Most Affordable | Native Shoes, $40
Best For Comfort | Rothy’s, $99+
1. Rothy’s
Best For | All day comfort
Sustainable Materials | rPET, hemp, RWS-certified Merino wool
Size Range | 5โ13
Price Range | $99โ$149
Cleaning sandals can be a pain โ thankfully, Rothy’s makes it easy. Crafted from ocean-bound plastic, with some styles including a blend of hemp or RWS-certified Merino wool, Rothy’s creates sustainable strappy sandals and slides that are easy to toss in the wash, so your prized footwear always looks good as new. Each pair of Rothyโs is designed for all-day comfort, featuring a contoured, cushioned footbed and flexible, breathable straps. To date, the brand has kept over 715,000+ lbs of marine plastic out of oceans.
Customer Review | “I wore these sandals every day on vacation in Italy and my feet felt great. Wonderful support and very comfortable even walking more than 7 miles a day in them.” – Emily S. (Read all reviews.)
2. Quince
Best For | Affordable luxury
Sustainable Materials | LWG-certified leather, natural cork, EVA
Size Range | 5โ12
Price Range | $50โ$98
Made with high quality materials at affordable prices, Quinceโs collection of comfy sandals will elevate your wardrobe this summer without breaking the bank. Produced in a BSCI-certified factory, these sandals are crafted from leather tanned in an LWG-certified tannery, promoting sustainable business practices. With no sandals exceeding $98 pre-tax, youโll be saving significantly compared to similar products from Birkenstock, Alohas, and M.Gemi. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day free returns!
Customer Review | โThese sandals feel way more comfortable than I expected. The insole is padded and the adjustable straps allow plenty of room for my wide feet, even when they swell in the summer heat. Love them!โ – Carlyn T. (Read all reviews.)
3. Reformation
Best For | Strappy sandals
Sustainable Materials | LWG-certified leather
Size Range | 5โ11
Price Range | $128โ$368
A leader in both trends and sustainability, Reformation has been climate neutral since 2015 and has also achieved its goal of becoming climate positive in 2025. They also track all their productsโ environmental impact with RefScale, publishing everything on their site for full transparency. We love their strappy sandals to instantly transform a casual summer fit into a sexy date night look, or to refresh our favorite wedding guest dress.
4. Native Shoes
Best For | Water-friendly sandals
Sustainable Materials | Sugarcane-based EVA, Wanderfoamโข
Size Range | 5โ12
Price | $40โ$50
Change happens one (literal) step at a time. Native Shoes wants us to feel better and lighter with their animal-free and eco-friendly sandals. Crafted with Wanderfoamโข (EVA material) blended with their signature Sugarliteโข (sugarcane-based material), these sandals are lightweight, flexible, and odor-resistant, which makes for the perfect sandal to strut on a hot summer day. These features, coupled with their washability and affordability, are why we’ve ranked these sustainable sandals as number one on our list. Wear to the shore, a waterfall, or anywhere in between.
Customer Review | “I loved how confortable these are!! They feel like they have enough support as not to be tripping easily and at the same time they feel soft and confortable. I also liked that they dont come off your feet easily. Looking forward to more opportunities in the summer to wear them!! They are very versatile for different styles.” – Yare V. (Read all reviews.)
5. Birkenstock
Best For | Classic footbed
Sustainable Materials | Natural cotton canvas, EVA, cork-latex, leather
Size Range | 4โ12.5
Price Range | $110โ$130
And now for the brand that won’t need an introduction: German-based Birkenstock has been making shoes since 1774, though it wasn’t until 1902 that it developed the first ever footbed with contoured arch support. While you are probably most familiar with their suede and leather models, the brand also touts a vegan line with sustainable cork and latex for the same iconic look. The sandals are made from Birko-Florยฎ synthetic leather, which is comfortable, easy to clean, and made to last for decades.
6. Alohas
Best For | Sandals for work
Sustainable Materials | Responsibly sourced leather, vegan leather
Size Range | 5โ14.5
Price Range | $195โ$225
Alohas makes eco-friendly, sustainable sandals handcrafted in Spain using an on-demand model that reduces carbon emissions, fights overproduction, and creates no waste. They handpick providers by working with the Leather Working Group to find ethically sourced leather from environmentally certified suppliers to craft their sandals, which, as our editor notes, require little to no break-in! Alohas also makes vegan options with plant-based material that is sleek and sophisticated enough to shake up your workwear on those sweltering summer days.
Our Editor’s Review | “These sandals are made with sustainable leather, rubber, and a ZAMAK ecological finishing for the hardware. They have a crossover slingback and a 3mm heel to add a little height and chunkiness. They are so comfortable and require no break-in. A few nights ago, I wore them for hours with a skirt and felt like I was walking on clouds. These will get a lot of use over the next few years.” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist [Read our full review.]
7. Sรฉzane
Best For | Vacation sandals
Sustainable Materials | LWG-certified leather (bovine & goat), rubber
Size Range | 4โ11
Price Range | $120โ$245
Sรฉzane truly has every sandal style you could want for a dreamy vacation, whether you’re unwinding at a tropical beach destination or exploring a charming city on foot. Their collection includes strappy sandals, mules, espadrilles, and low-heeled styles that make it easy to look chic while traveling without sacrificing comfort. Each handcrafted pair is made in their Portuguese workshop using sustainably sourced leather and textiles, then packaged in recycled materials. Our editor recently tried one of their gorgeous wooden mule styles and was seriously impressed by both the craftsmanship and how surprisingly lightweight they felt. Sรฉzane’s footwear collection will have you serving looks day to night!
Our Editor’s Review | “These are the first Sรฉzane shoes Iโve had the pleasure of trying, and they immediately felt special. The gorgeous mules feature a fully hand-carved wooden sole, suede leather exterior, and hand-assembled construction throughout. My first impression was how surprisingly lightweight they felt despite the wooden base. You can truly see the craftsmanship and care in every detail.” – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor [Read our full review.]
8. beek
Best For | Leather sandals
Sustainable Materials | LWG-certified leather
Size Range | 5โ12
Price Range | $139โ$320
beekโs commitment to sustainable feminine footwear thatโs comfortable and chic makes it easy to strut in style at all hours of the day. Youโll find quality leather sandals made with soft vegetable-tanned leather and toxin-free metallics โ in addition to each sandal having molded arch support so your feet donโt get exhausted. They also age well, the more you wear them! Our editor raves about beek’s clogs and mules, and we’re certain you’ll adore their sandals collection, too. With every purchase, three meals are provided to a child in need through partnered food banks. Consider us hooked โ weโll take every pair possible.
Customer Review | “I have never bought a pair of shoes that were so comfortable to wear, provide great arch support, are chic and tremendously easy to walk in for hours. Love them! Buying a second pair.” – Cheryl M. (Read all reviews.)
9. Melissa
Best For | Jelly sandals
Sustainable Materials | Recyclable plastic, USDA-certified biobased materials
Size Range | 5โ13
Price Range | $49โ$499
Melissa was founded in 1979 with a vision to transform plastic into extraordinary footwear. Committed to sustainability, Melissa focuses on designing, creating, and caring for shoes in eco-friendly ways. All Melissa shoes are made in Brazil by Grendene, one of the world’s largest footwear manufacturers, which owns its factories and ensures good working conditions, fair wages, and career development for over 16,000 employees. Melissa shoes are also vegan and cruelty-free, made from MelFlex, a durable PVC that can be recycled after years of use. The company also incorporates biobased materials from plants into their sandals, with each item designed for circularity.
Customer Review | โI love my new jellies! They are stylish and I love bringing back the 90s vibe. I chose the clear brown color which is perfect, it goes with everything in my opinion. The fit is perfect, true to size. I was nervous about the material rubbing and giving me blisters but I’ve had 0 blisters. The material is soft, the sole is comfy, and these are great everyday shoes for warm weather. I will definitely be interested in buying another pair next summer in a brighter color.โ – Emily P. (Read all reviews.)
10. Bombas
Best For | House sandals
Sustainable Materials | 100% EVA
Size Range | 5โ11
Price | $50
Everyone needs a pair of cute and cushy house sandals for those backyard bbq’s and quick errand runs, and Bombas‘ sandals are a great choice to keep on hand! The Friday Sandal is made of 100% EVA material (lightweight and supportive) and is easy to clean. If you’ve ever has issues with sandals slipping off as you walk or traction problems, these sandals are cleverly made with a slightly cupped footbed and a hexagonal pattern on the outsole, preventing both. And with the $50 price point and array of vibrant colors, Bombas has truly thought of it all. Psst there’s more: With each item purchased, Bombas donates one essential clothing item to one of their 4000+ giving partners.
Featured image is from Alohas
