For men, sandals take the spot between casual and professional footwear. Whether you are hanging out with friends, taking a stroll on the beach, or going to the office on a rainy day, you can choose from a variety of sandals for comfortably protecting your feet.
Almost all popular footwear brands like Adidas, Nike, and Hush Puppies have their range of sandals that you can shop for depending on your style choice and occasions. Read through to find out more about the factors that come into play while shopping for sandals.
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Buying any type of footwear requires considering the material used for making them and the style of it. Sandals come in various styles for men—floaters, flats, thong, and more. Let's take a look at which one suits a particular occasion and the benefits of choosing one over the other.
The materials used for making shoes and sandals are the same; it could be leather, rubber, or any type of synthetic material. Most sandals will have three layers—insole, midsole, and outsole. We will go through the benefits of choosing particular materials used for making these layers, and you can decide depending on your needs.
We are going to talk about the material used for making the upper part of your sandals, which is the part that holds the sandal's sole to your foot. The most popular synthetic materials used for making them are textile, faux leather, PVC, etc. Textile has a different texture that suits casual wear while also being gentle on your skin.
Faux leather gives the sandals the look of actual leather, is easier to care for, and doesn't get damaged from humidity. Synthetic materials also dry out quickly, which is why it is a popular footwear choice for rainy seasons and because of their many advantages, like water resistance, stretchability, and strain resistance.
When considering the outsole, you can go for rubber, thermoplastic rubber, or any other synthetic material. Rubber is known for superior gripping strength but is more susceptible to wear and tear, while thermoplastic rubber is known for its elasticity and toughness comparable to vulcanized rubber.
Leather is a popular choice for sandals but requires more care. If you are planning to buy leather sandals, make sure that you don't wear them during the rainy season or store it in a humid place since leather is a natural material known to rot when exposed to moisture.
But leather remains a popular choice because it lasts longer if properly cared for and is considered a luxury. Compared to synthetic materials, leather has more breathability because of its porous nature, which is favorable for wearing during hot weather but makes it a poor choice for beachwear or trekking in humid weather.
Leather sandals also go well with traditional and ethnic wear, mainly because of the various brown shades they usually come in and also due to the unique texture.
There several types of sandals you can choose based on your style choice and the type of clothing that suits them. Floaters are open-toe sandals made of leather with no thong going between your toes. They are usually preferred as casual wear and can be identified by their thick and cushioned outsoles.
Flats are a type of sandals with much less thickness to the outsole and will have a flat insole that does not contour to your foot's shape. They are usually made of original leather or faux leather and preferred to be worn with traditional attire.
Flip flops also come under the category of sandals and are a popular choice as casual wear because of the breathability, ease of wearing, and the materials mostly used for making them are water-resistant and long-lasting. You can even make your choice depending on the strap style, texture, and colors.
Sandals typically have three layers to them—insole, midsole, and outsole. But that doesn't apply to all the sandals available in the market. Some sandals are made entirely of one material, while others will have different materials for the insole and outsole.
The insoles are usually made of synthetic materials that may or may not be cushioned for comfort. If you want sandals for use on all terrains and weathers, opt for insoles made of waterproof material. But if comfort is your preference, you can go for textile-type outsole covering, which stays damp for a long time if it gets wet.
Memory foam is the latest trend in the footwear market, which has found its way into sandals too. Insoles or footbeds made of memory foam material provides an even better cushioning effect that amplifies the comfort level that already comes with wearing well-ventilated sandals.
Sandals can also come open-toed or closed-toed. Both can be chosen based on your style choice or the level of safety you are looking for. Open-toed sandals are known for their casual looks and ventilation.
Closed-toed sandals offer protection to your toes but don't go well with casual clothing. You can use them with traditional wear like dhotis, kurtas, and sherwanis. This type of sandals is also becoming popular as office wear for men looking for comfort while working in a stressful environment.
Hush Puppies New Track Fisherman Sandals are made of leather and perfect for casual and office wear. The closed-toe style also protects your toes from any potential injuries, and the fisherman style is apt for wearing it with traditional styles like dhotis and kurtas.
The footbed and the ankle straps are cushioned to provide optimal comfort while walking and prevent any soreness from friction. Customer reviews show that the leather part of these sandals have cushioning under it that feels soft and comfortable against the skin, and the outsole is tough and resilient to wear and tear.
Lee Cooper Men's Sandals are made of leather and have borrowed some elements from sports sandals, making them suitable for wearing with casual and traditional attire. The soles are stitched on the sides that make them long-lasting and resistant to water contact or external shocks.
There is extra cushioning on the ankle straps that give comfort, which is similar to that of shoes, and the footbed has soft textile material with cushioning under it. Customer reviews mostly talk about their good build quality and the value for money the sandals offer for that price.
Red Tape's Sports Sandals for men has soles made of EVA, which makes them extremely lightweight. The upper part is made of textile that feels soft against the skin and doesn't cause any bruises from friction. You can buy these for daily use, hiking, cycling, and trekking.
The EVA outsole also gives the sandals a cushioning effect that absorbs the external impacts, giving you a comfortable experience while walking on rocking terrains. Customers who bought this product are impressed by these lightweight sporty looking sandals that provide value for money.
The camouflage is rightly used to give them the tag of casual wear. Sparx floater sandals are made of thermoplastic rubber that has the strength and elasticity of vulcanized rubber, making them apt for hiking and trekking on difficult terrains.
The upper material is lycra, known for its elasticity and faster drying capability than other textile materials. The textured PVC insole grips to your feet and also dries out quickly as it doesn't absorb water. Customer reviews show that people really like the attractive design and the durability of these sandals.
Clarks Trek Part Floaters have the upper material made of leather and the sole made of lightweight EVA material. The leather's texture gives it a unique look, and the buckle closure makes taking off the sandals easier.
The insole is cushioned with a soft fabric-type material covering. When combined with the shock-absorbent EVA outsole, it gives the wearer a comfortable walking experience. Customer reviews mostly talk about the durability of the product and its classic looks.
Crocs Swiftwater River Men Sandals are made of the proprietary Croslite material known for its excellent shock absorbing and water resisting properties. The design of these sandals makes it look like it is carved out of a single piece of material that allows water to pass through without collecting between the feet and the insole.
The footbed is shaped to fit the contour of the feet, which makes trekking on rocky terrains comfortable and easier. Customers who bought this product found it fit for wearing it to pools and beaches, and the Croslite material makes these sandals easier to clean and deodorizes quickly.
FLITE Thong Sandals are made of faux leather that gives them the texture and looks of real leather. The thong that goes between the toes helps you keep these sandals to your feet since there are no backstraps. The closure type is a buckle that can be adjusted to fit the size of your feet.
The outsole is made of tough synthetic material but doesn't absorb any external shocks, making it unfit for frequent walking. Customer reviews show that these sandals are lightweight, durable, and comfortable to wear.
WalkaroO by VKC outdoor sandals for men are made of synthetic leather but have the texture and looks of real leather. The design of these sandals allows maximum airflow, making them comfortable to wear. Since the build material is synthetic leather, you don't have to worry about damage using it during the rainy season.
The footbed is almost flat, and the tough outsole is resistant to wear and tear. Since there is no extra layer of soft material under the synthetic leather, you may find the feeling of it on your skin to be unpleasant. Customers who bought this product found it matching to wear with ethnic attire.
Woodland has a reputation for making tough footwear, and these sandals are no exception. These traditional-looking sandals have a leather upper material and outsoles made of tough synthetic material.
The footbed is cushioned for comfortable walking while wearing these sandals. Both the outsole and the insole are flat, which makes it comfortable for occasional use but could become tiring if used frequently.
Adidas Fassar sandals have a synthetic upper, a midsole made of lightweight, shock-absorbent EVA, and an outsole made of abrasion-resistant rubber. The textured footbed makes it easier for gripping, and the footbed is shaped to fit the arch of your feet.
Customer reviews show that these sandals are comfortable to wear, and some of them have been buying these sandals repeatedly because of the stylish looks and the durable build.
Now that you have made your choice of sandals, we have a few more articles to help you make better decisions while shopping for flip flops, sneakers, and backpacks. They serve not only as just footwear and accessories but as a sign of your sense of style too. Find out the materials used for making, the benefits of choosing one material over the other, and the various types of each of them.
Sandals have always been popular as a comfortable casual footwear choice. But now that it is getting trendy as office wear, more and more men are trying them out with different styles. Make sure that you choose the material depending on the wear and tear, weather conditions, and the terrains you are going to use them on. You can even buy different sandals for various occasions like weddings, daily office use, hiking, and casual hangouts.
Author - Arun F Xaviour
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