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9 best women’s cycling sandals, from cleated to open-toed designs
For a shoe that can take you from your city commute to off-road adventures, turn to brands like Shimano, Keen and Teva
Liz Dodd
Friday 06 November 2020 18:01 GMT
Our Top Picks
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Supportive, sturdy sandals are the shoes of choice for long-distance cycle tourers and, increasingly, lightweight bikepackers. They handle rain, puddles and the occasional stream crossing better than closed shoes, dry without filling your tent or hotel room with a funky smell, and keep your feet blissfully cool on warm days. But they’re also ideal for commuting: in nice weather, you can wear them straight off the bike and into the office.
We tested some of these sandals on the hardest bike rides in the world: off-road in the foothills of the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan and on the Baja Divide in Mexico. Others we tested with long city commutes and short rides to the park.
We looked first for a secure fit – testing confirmed to us that flip flops don’t feel safe, and for a really stable ride you need an ankle strap. We also looked for a stiff sole – this helps you transfer power into the pedal – that had enough flex to let you walk around, or push your bike, when needed.
We also looked for sandals with enclosed fastenings – elastic laces with a toggle, for example, or a Velcro strap. Shoelaces seem to have a magnetic attraction to pedals, and it can be difficult to unravel them when you’re on the move.
We also preferred open-toed shoes, with a couple of exceptions, because the motion of pedalling can run your foot forward on the shoe unless you have excellent form or cleats and a tight fit.
Ultimately the kind of sandal you need will depend on your riding style. If you clip in, Shimano makes the best cleat sandals available. For touring, look for a brand that promises durability: Keen and Teva are our top picks, renowned for hiking sandals.
Once you’re converted to cycling in sandals, you won’t want to go back into full shoes. But luckily you don’t have to: socks with sandals are definitely acceptable in the long-distance cycling world, and if you pair yours with a set of waterproof socks or an overshoe you have a set-up that will carry you through any weather imaginable.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
1Keen rose sandals
Our reviewer cycled around the world – 10,000 kilometres over 18 months – in these sandals, and still commutes in them now. They are comfortable, they grip both your foot and pedal in the right places and are the perfect thickness for cycling. The sole is firm but not rigid, with good flex and support. They are brilliant activewear that dry fast if you get caught in a shower or have to ford a river, but also look smart enough to wear out and about. Worn on our round-the-world adventure, these passed muster at an ambassadorial reception in Serbia and a yacht club in LA, between the deserts and Himalayan foothills – a versatile shoe indeed.
2Shimano SD5 SPD shoes
A legendary cleat sandal, and for good reason. These transfer power just as well as regular cleated shoes: the sole is stiff but not ridiculously so, and the structure means it has a secure, firm fit without being too tight and risking chafing, even when wet. Cleat caps are included and they are surprisingly comfortable to walk in. While you wouldn’t want to hike in them, they are fine for a quick shopping trip. Compatible with most two-bolt cleats.
3Crocs women’s swiftwater expedition sandal
Featuring a generously supportive, cushy sole, and perfectly fitting straps, these are a comfortable and attractive pair of sandals, and our reviewer’s favourites for short rides and cycling holidays. We found that they had just the right amount of flex for riding, particularly around the mid-sole, and even when wet, these had really excellent grip, probably because they are designed with water sports in mind. The ventilation and water-resistant materials also meant they dried quickly.
4Keen whisper sandals
Perfect for autumn, these smart, supportive sandals are ideal for off-roading or any kind of cycling where you need a slightly snugger fit. They fit really well – you can tweak the tightness with the toggle on the front – and the lace system is completely enclosed, so there’s no risk of anything winding around your pedals. Fast drying and fantastically easy to wash, these have just the right balance of support and sole thickness for biking. An ideal shoe if you feel a bit nervous about cycling in sandals –the web of straps feel very secure.
5Jack Wolfskin lakewood cruise sandal
A lightweight, fast-drying but supportive pair of sandals that are great for long cycle tours or trips with a changeable weather forecast: the straps compress down to take up almost no space or weight in your pack. We loved the three adjustment points – if you’re unsure about cycling in sandals, you can cinch them tighter over the toes, behind and in front of the ankle for a really secure fit.
6Sorel women’s out ‘n about plus sandal
A really luxurious adventure sandal – the matorral rubber and supple leather mean these handle bad weather brilliantly. The grip on your pedal stays good even in the rain, and the straps don’t chafe when damp. If you’re not usually a fan of cycling in thong fitting sandals, the adjustable back and the soft leather on this pair mean they fit comfortably and securely. They also look smart, and transition well to the beach or alfresco dinner out.
7Quechua women’s walking sandals
The best entry-level sandals on test, these are ideal for anyone who isn’t convinced by cycling in open shoes. Features here include a decent grip – good for light showers and nicer weather – and a secure feeling strap with two adjustable Velcro fasteners. The sole is on the firmer side, with a bit of flex, which we prefer, particularly over longer distances.
8Merrell Belize convertible
A beautiful pair of sandals that are comfortable for commutes and shorter rides. Owing to a slightly thicker sole than your average cycling shoe, you might need to raise your saddle to make sure your knees aren’t under strain, but that also means great support and stability under your feet. The chunky, Velcro straps are ideal for riding – no risk of them coming undone and getting tangled up – and the leather coating meant they stayed comfortable and didn’t rub when wet.
9Teva terra FI 5 universal
These are a pair of our favourite hiking sandals, that thankfully transition particularly well to cycling. Features include an unparalleled grip that didn’t fail us on any of the pedals we tried, even when wet, and a comfortable, ergonomic fastening system. Both the fabric straps and the sole dried really quickly. These were also some of the most rugged and stable sandals we’ve ever hiked in, making them a good choice for off-road touring or gravel riding – anywhere you might find yourself having to hike your bike in tricky conditions.
The verdict: Women’s cycling sandals
Keen’s rose sandals are a classic and have stood up to a huge amount of wear and tear while staying comfortable. But we understand why Shimano’s SPD sandal is a cult favourite – these are the shoes that will convert serious cyclists to the wonders of riding in sandals.
Keep warm on your rides with our round-up of the best women’s cycling jackets