I’m going to be real for a second: sometimes in the summer I get home and find the soles of my feet are completely covered in city grime. Eurgh, gross, I know.
Honestly, every time it disgusts me, but I’ve always held the assumption that sandals can’t possibly have a closed toe, or they’ll look ugly.
After finally getting sick of my own dirty feet, and realising probably everyone else who lives in a city has the same issues during summer, I’ve decided to get a grip and grow up.
Turns out, there are plenty of closed toe sandals out there that look chic and stylish.
To protect your feet (and mine), I’ve rounded up the best men’s and women’s closed toe sandals to shop now. Say goodbye to dirty feet!
The best men’s and women’s closed toe sandals to shop now
No matter the terrain, these Keen sandals will have your back (literally). They not only come in a ton of colours for both men and women, but the sole contours to the shape of your foot, so you’ll be comfortable on longer walks. You can also adjust the toggle for as snug a fit as you like.
And most importantly, they’re breathable, so you won’t suffer from SFS (stinky feet syndrome) at the end of the day.
I’ve made my love of jelly shoes abundantly clear; these sandals from Melissa are the OG. They smell like bubblegum (!!) and are made of sustainably recycled materials.
They might not be completely closed-toe, but they’re bang on trend, and they’ll at least stop them from touching anything that might crawl past you on the tube.
There’s something about rocking up to the function in sandals that isn’t giving chic. If you want your feet to stay cool but also look professional and put together, these Dr Martens square toe mules give you all the stylishness of a shoe, but with an open heel so your foot isn’t sweating to death. That square heel is also mighty impressive, and I’ve always loved that DMs double as a weapon if you need them – in weight, that is.
There’s no shortage of ways to wear these men’s slide on suede mules: with shorts or jeans; with socks or without. You name it, and it’ll go. Not only will they cover your toes in summer, but they’ll make great casual shoes for winter if you give that suede a protective spray.
If you want something with a little more stability (read: won’t slide out from under your foot if you accidentally trip on the train platform, for a random example…) this pair of men’s mules is a great strapped alternative to the M&S mules.
We see this colour going with anything, and in case you don’t already know, Dr Martens create possibly the most durable shoe around, so you won’t have to repurchase any time soon. And at that discount, anything goes…
Fisherman sandals are a classic, and this pair from Scholl is ideal for when you want to add a little more edge to your outfit. Silver jewellery fans rejoice: finally a pair of sandals you can match your bling to.
These also have plenty of a heel, which will create plenty of distance between you and the floor – no more icky city feet.
Yes, espadrilles are back in fashion! I’ve spared you the wedge so you can actually walk, but won’t these Penelope Chilvers sandals make the perfect Aperol hour companion? All pinks and reds and oranges, we can just see it now. Sweet.
I won’t force you to get sparkly jibbitz to add to these (unless you want to…) but Crocs has made a model that technically counts as a sandal thanks to having a strong and adjustable ‘turbo heel strap’.
If you’re wondering what the hell that means, it’s essentially that these can be worn on a variety of terrains. Add to that the rugged lug soles, and you’ll barely notice you’re scaling the side of a steep heel. Under foot, at least.
Good news for explorers: gorpcore is kinda in, so you can get plenty of use out of these outdoor sandals no matter where you are. The base is light for springy step, while the heel is adjustable so you can get as much support as you need depending on what kind of activity you’re doing. They also look pretty cool – like a walking shoe, but make it breathable.
Made in a small town in Puglia, these Italian leather sandals come straight from a family business. The wide buckle straps will keep your feet plenty secure, while the gaps leave plenty of room for your feet to breathe.
These come in men’s and women’s sizes, and also come in an oyster grey colour, if you prefer a lighter leather.
Now here’s a shoe you can wear year-round: yes it’s closed-toe and leather, but without socks these clogs will make great walking shoes. Add fluffy socks, though, and you have the perfect winter shoe for walking the dog and plodding around the office.
Regular Timberlands might be known for being the heaviest shoe ever, but that doesn’t mean their sole doesn’t easily translate into a sandal.
These shoes are all business in the front: a combination of that rugged sole and a buckled leather upper makes for a mighty durable shoe. But go to the back, and it’s all party: completely open, for breathability, and an all-round stylish shoe.
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