I’ve been working on an article about the best sports sandals (coming soon!) when my Mom popped over for a visit. “Ooooo…” she said. “THESE look cute.” Sports sandals – especially cute sports sandals – have an appeal that spans generations. And for good reason! They’re the ultimate in practicality – grippy, nonslip bottoms with good traction, adjustable straps so they stay on your feet, and they can get wet without being ruined.
mom’s jeans (26) | similar tee | green sandals (don’t love) || sweater (s) | shorts (m) | black sandals (do love) | striped Stanley
And while sports sandals used to be limited to the hardcore sports companies (Merrell, Chaco, Teva, as examples), now we’re finding that some of the best sports sandals are coming from comfort shoe brands like FitFlop and Vivaia. Which, quite honestly, is a good combination.
If you are one of our Discord subscribers, you already know that I recruited Mom to help me shuffle through the (many) pairs that were cute enough and/or chic enough to consider. All in all, Mom & I tried on more than 22 pairs(!!) of sports sandals to find a few worth recommending. As I mentioned, my full article on the top 8-10 best pairs is still in work, but since my Mom had some very firm opinions on some very clear winners, I wanted to share her perspective as well!
The Best Sport Sandals For Women Over 60 (According To My Mom)
My Mom’s requirements for the best sports sandals include immediate comfort, 360 degrees, right out of the box. She want zero break-in time. It was also important that these sandals are easy to get on and off – she’s completely over complicated strap situations. She’s also looking for a grippy bottom and a supportive sole (but doesn’t want or need the really aggressive arch support that some of these companies were doing).
1. Vivaia Kiara Sport Sandals
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Vivaia | Amazon
- INSOLE/FOOTBED: Microwobbleboard midsole – triple-density cushioning + heel & forefoot ‘impact pillows’
- OUTSOLE: Slip-Resistant Rubber
- COLORS: wearing ‘Rich Gray’ (but available in 6 other colorways)
- FIT: TTS
- PRICE: $75
Mom says: These were the last sandals I tried, and when I put them on they immediately felt so comfortable, right out of the box. The fit is perfect – the straps aren’t scratchy, they’re not too tight – even the soles of these sandals felt really good against my bare feet. I also like the bit of height, too. These sandals are my top pick!
similar linen shell | jeans (26) | bag
2. Teva Original Universal Sandal (in ‘Modern Check Taupe’)
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Zappos | Free People | Anthro | Macy’s | Amazon
- INSOLE/FOOTBED: Cushioned EVA footbed
- OUTSOLE: Durable rubber
- COLORS: wearing ‘Modern Check Taupe’ (but available in 5 other colorways)
- FIT: TTS
- PRICE: $60
Mom Says: The straps are nice and narrow (which felt a little more feminine), and while this is a sport sandal, these Tevas had a little more personality and felt dressier than the rest. They’re really comfortable which surprised me, since the sole is so thin compared to the other styles I tried.
top (almost sold out) | top (similar) | jeans (27) | bag | shoes
3. Merrell Speed Fusion Web Rmx
Where To Buy: DSW | Zappos | Free People | Scheels | Amazon
- INSOLE/FOOTBED: FloatMax™ Foam integrated insole, cork-wrapped footbed
- OUTSOLE: Sticky rubber
- COLORS: wearing ‘Tan Rose’ (but available in 3 other colorways)
- FIT: TTS
- PRICE: $100
Mom says: I really like the bottom of this sandal – it feels like I could go hiking in these. The cork insoles are very comfortable, and I love the little pink ribbon detail – so feminine! These are really sporty, cute and definitely live up to what I’d expect in a “sports sandal”.
top (almost sold out) | top (similar) | jeans (27) | bag | shoes
4. FitFlops F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
Where To Buy: FitFlop
- INSOLE/FOOTBED: Microwobbleboard midsole – triple-density cushioning + heel & forefoot ‘impact pillows’
- OUTSOLE: Slip-Resistant Rubber
- COLORS: wearing ‘Red’ (also available in black)
- FIT: TTS
- PRICE: $75
Mom says: I LOVE the color!! And, of course, these are really comfortable. These sandals give me a couple of inches of height, and the straps are very easy to adjust – these were the quickest (and easiest) to adjust out of all the sandals we tried. They’re light on my feet, and the straps are smooth – not scratchy at all. The red is really fun, especially for someone who wears so many neutral colors.
top (almost sold out) | top (similar) | jeans (27) | shoes
That’s it! Thanks, Mom!
And, as I mentioned…more coming SOON.
xo,
S
ps. If you are enjoying our articles and would like to support our work, consider joining us on Discord. It’s where we answer styling questions one-on-one, share behind-the-scenes content, and swap recipes. We’ve also been talking a lot about Creatine + menopause lately, haha.
