Footwear hybrids are a component of modern fashion and have trended for a while. For example, mainstream sandal booties are part sandal and part bootie. Sock booties are part sock and part boot, and shooties are part loafer/oxford, and part bootie. You get the idea.
Since sneakers are the shoe of our fashion era, it makes sense that shoe styles are combined with sneaker detailing to create a new look hybrid. For Spring and Summer, sandals are being combined with sporty sneaker details like: chunky rubber platform heels, velcro fastenings, spongy perforations, gauzy insets, chunky laces, plastic vamps, rubbery wedges, elastic straps, lug soles, eyelets, and canvas straps. The collection shows examples of the vibe.
Eileen Fisher's Sport Platform Sandal was one of the first versions to go mainstream, and I have many, many happy clients in the style. A repeat top pick and fab find for years with good reason because it's an extremely comfortable, breezy and on-trend walking shoe. Trendier clients though, have moved on to the next more dramatic level of the sporty sandal.
quirky-chunky–sporty integrity of their brand. Tevas and Chacos – which are authentic "gear" shoes – have been elevated to make a fashion statement. With the way fashion is going, their fashion moment was bound to happen and it doesn't surprise me.
The idea is to wear sporty sandals with just about anything, much like you would wear sneakers these days. Sporty sandals are simply the breezier version of sneakers. The more jarring the combination and irregular the juxtaposition, the more fashion-forward and trend-setting the outfit. For example, here are sporty sandals worn with a dressier shorts suit.
Personally, I'm a refined footwear gal with very low-volume feet, so even if sporty sandals were my thing – they wouldn't fit or suit the shape of my feet. Too wide and heavy, and too casual for my sartorial preferences. I don't wear sandals that frequently, but when I do, I stick to narrow, lightweight, flat, dainty, dressy and classic designs because they go the distance for my urban walking lifestyle, and suit my style. But of course, I'm thrilled that the trends are supporting our needs for comfortable and happy feet by making items like sporty sandals a fashion statement, AND that you can wear them however you want to. Almost anything goes these days if you wear something with verve, intention and confidence – and that is empowering. I like the sporty sandal trend for others. How about you?
I'm usually more of a refined footwear person, myself. I do have the white Geox sandals you collected above, and have found them very comfortable without that unbalanced "bigfoot" feeling that some others give off. And it took me years to come around to Birkenstocks at all, but I wear them now for gardening or dog walking and not as a true style element.
I am a sports sandal fan. I am devoted to my Keen's and Teva's during the summer. They are the perfect shoe for a busy, active, outdoor summer. I have not typically worn them as a "fashion shoe" with a more dressed up vibe but am looking forward to incorporating this look into my summer style.
I have the plastic Arizona Birks in turquoise that I bought years ago. Very cute for casual wear. But I only do casual wear. I like the look of some of these sporty sandals and I might actually be able to wear them.
Those Fly Londons in the "Jeans Blue/Green" colorway are to die for. But I've sworn off heels and open toes.
Probably not ok to buy them just to look at them.
I love chunky sandals although not the true gear ones as much. My nieces in high school/middle school have been wearing Chacos for several years so I knew they were trending but I am just not a gear person. Some of these are fun and I would definitely be on board with this trend.
Team refined footwear checking in! As much as I love sandals, these are just too maximal and casual for my preference.
I have about 9 pairs of Eileen Fisher Sport Sandals in different iterations. I just bought a blue pair from Nordstrom this week & I'm waiting on delivery… I've never been able to wear Birks comfortably as they are just too sloppy on my feet, but the Eileen Fisher Sport Sandals are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. They are snug enough and have enough coverage on the foot that they provide excellent stability, critical to me because I apparently walk with an altered gait, and can be very unstable on my feet as the result of a coccyx fracture in my 20's.
I'm in for this look. It suits my need to be comfortable, cool, and active in the summer, and also to add a bit of edge to summer outfits.
However, I've had a hard time finding the right sandal for me. Some brands that work for me in boots because I wear thick socks with them (Fly London for example) are not an easy fit in sandals. If I size down for a little less volume in the foot, the shoe is too short. And it seems a lot of these sportier styles are cut medium to slightly wide, and I've gotten pickier about too much gapping in sandal straps around my feet (many of them have a portion that's not adjustable).
I like the more refined versions of this style — the ones that don't look overtly like gear. And I'm a bit wary of a super high platform since spraining my ankle two years ago. I really love the Clergerie Anae but don't think I can justify that price point right now.
I still have my old EF sandals and they are useful if not the trendiest. My old Gentle Souls Lavern sandals have a bit of this vibe too, with the thick white sole. But after trying a bunch of options in recent weeks, I still haven't committed to anything new — I have two pairs in the boxes under consideration, but I am feeling very picky.
Rachylou, stubbed toes were probably the least of the ancient Greeks' and Romans' problems.
True to my old-school self, I love a Birkenstock and all variations and nods to the classic Adidas pool slide, and I love the elegance of the Eileen Fisher-style wedge, but all the versions that spin off things like Tevas are where my poison eye kicks in (having a 2-decade poison eye for Tevas to begin with…) But then, I am not outdoorsy, so take that loathing with a grain of salt.
Not for me, but happy that others have the choice. I really like the looks of what I would call the modified sporty Fly London pair that does not have a white sole. If I can size down enough, I usually can make Fly London work, and I love the feeling of walking on that rubber sole.
Finally a fashion moment for those of us who need near orthopedic- level support! I wear sandals more than half the year and walk a lot, and love a chunky look with wide straps, Velcro and thick, cushy soles. These range from cute to comical, and I would wear the more subdued ones and enjoy the more exaggerated ones on others. The requirement would be that the comfort and support behind the visuals be real.
A qualified thumbs-up from me. I love my Chacos for everyday summer wear (find the straps more comfortable than Tevas), but I think the trendy platform versions cropping up this year are ridiculous. No good for canoe/kayak/trail use. I'll take the real deal.
I also love the look of a classic pool slide, and bought a dressier navy leather slide from Everlane a couple summers ago; they feel a bit insouciant, which I like.
I've always loved the look of Birks (growing up, pretty much all the adults in my family lived in them, so I never had to adjust my eye!) but I consider them more crunchy than sporty. And the EF sport sandals are a modern classic, IMO. They're so sleek for a chunky sandal.
I quite like to see the more extreme versions here with an avant garde / architectural style. So cool.
Big sandal lover here. I do not like extremely sporty sandals but I could like something in between. The Eileen Fisher sandals seem to me a good compromise .
Wow, I gotta admit I'm pretty excited my Tevas are trending!! (Angie, they actually work for my low volume feet b/c they're so adjustable.) I wore them all the time in the early '90's but only recently bought them again to take to Hawaii 2 years ago.
Unfortunately, I can't see myself wearing them with anything besides shorts or cropped jeans.
Glad to see I've got some comfy options for travel, though!
I like the look but will enjoy it on others. If I could, I would get the metallic Fly London version.
Very sporty sandals don't fit my style. (The only exception would be flipflops for the beach etc., just in order to save my nicer sandals …) My most sporty sandals are Birkenstock styles, and even the Birks need to be a little elegant, say in patent or metallic.
I think the Sport Platform Sandals you have shown here look less sporty than Birks, and I would like to try that style, as they look more covered and possibly provide more support for my feet.
There are a few pairs here, without a platform and with somewhat thinner straps, that I would consider, but I have a question: we are all familiar with the phrase "old lady" as a pejorative, and the associations with that term. One of those associations is the need for special footwear. Young girls can wear these sandals without bringing such images to mind, but how do you suggest women of a certain age style them to say "I'm not wearing these because I have to; I'm wearing them to be fashionable"?
Most of these are quite interesting to me. Some are a bit too clompy or bulky. I especially like the metallic Stella slides.
Does anyone have experience with the plastic (rubber) Birkenstock style? I'd wonder how they would hold up. Better than decent rubber flip flops? Thanks if anyone has reviews.
These types of shoes really work for me, with my slightly wide/high volume feet. And, I like the balance of a chunkier sole with my legs. I'm in for the slightly more refined versions- the EF sandals, or some of the Fly London ones. But, also finding myself gravitating to shoes that are close-toed, but open over the arch or back, so considering the Fly Yand or Yven styles to add this summer.
I love sneakers, sturdy but stylish walking sandals and clunkier shoes in general, but I have poison eye for many of these styles. Looking at your collection I realized it's because they remind me of the styles my kids wore as toddlers/young kids! Aside from the style reference I'm also reminded of how horribly stinky the man-made material footbeds and ribbed strap materials would get. I don't think I would have the same issues, but I still don't love the styles – aside from the Birkenstock Evas, which I've had my eye on from last year. I'm considering the Freedom Moses brand knock-offs as they have so many colours and patterns to choose from.
To be totally honest, I really dislike these! Not my cup of tea at all! So I won't be wearing them. But the variety of shapes and designs is astounding. I'm glad so many of are glad for these.
Love – right up my alley. Not sure I can find anything as comfortable as my Birkenstock Arizonas however. Did you know that they breed in the closet? They must because at last count I have 4 pair.
Most of these do not appeal to me. The Eileen Fischer look more refined then most of the others. But I will let others enjoy this trend.
I love the Tory Sport Mosaic sandals. I'm attracted to that company's offerings. I ordered a very cool skirt of theirs that unfortunately didn't fit. To me, a sandal like that one is far different from my Tevas which are utilitarian. I did get some FitFlop slides that have a similar vibe to the Mosaics. They have ikat fabric straps. I'm looking forward to wearing them.
I'm into this. And I admit I sighed in relief at your comment about how your trendier clients have moved on from the EF sandal shown above. It is a beautiful shoe, most definitely, and I've been tempted each summer to order a pair, but they now look 2 years ago to me. Which sounds completely obnoxious – I know. I'm saying it with a bit of tongue in cheek and with awareness of the eye-rolling potential of that phrase. I'm not a trendy shopper, but I do like to keep on top of new footwear trends – and this one appeals to me. I'll be trying a few on as soon as I find time to get to a store . I have "dainty" feet though, so who knows how this will look…..
I have medium volume feet so these types of shoes feel really comfortable to me. I have the Fly London Piat Wedgies, and two pairs of Cole Han Zero Grand sandals that I wear often. When I lived in the desert, these shoes were practical. I do prefer the leather versions over the plastic and gear types.
Lisa, I'm feeling the same about the EFs. They are useful for me but don't excite me anymore. I'm keeping them but I found I didn't wear them as much last year as the year before.
I also have somewhat "dainty" feet, so a lot of these styles simply don't work. But I like a slightly sturdier looking shoe because my legs are not so dainty and I feel like a little volume on the foot can help balance my look. These styles definitely seem to favor the more high-volume foot, so there's a lot of trial and error in fit, and there is also a fine balance between a look being JFE on a smaller foot and really not being flattering at all.
The Naturalizer Emmalina worked well for me last year and has a streamlined sporty vibe. They will see another season this summer. I was hoping to add a more delicate huarache style sandal this summer, but I may be out of luck.
I prefer a more refined sandal. Not my cup of tea.
I love practical, supportive footwear, but I'd probably give these a pass unless I found a specific pair that appealed.
I've liked shower slides and flip flops for casual sandal choice for a while. I just jumped on the Birkenstock Arizona bandwagon. Anything stompier or chunkier I think would look awkward on me.
Too wide, too heavy , too casual .
I love sport sandals, and have a few of the ones pictured.
I really love the Melissa Papete + Rider jellies in neon and white! I just bought them a couple of weeks ago. Great for the boat, Lower Manhattan or the Hamptons.
I think these sandals look like a ton of fun! However, I doubt they would work well in my wardrobe. As others have said I lean more feminine and refined in my looks and particularly shoes. I will enjoy the trend on others.
BTW my DD loves berks and I have tried them on and they are very comfortable, but I have never purchased a pair for myself. That's how i know this trend would not work for me even though I like it.
Glad to hear love for the look. Glad to hear that those who won't wear the look, like them for others. Go Team VERY Happy Feet!
FashIntern, that's an interesting question. Happy to thrash it out on the forum when I'm back. Visiting my Dad in the Netherlands at the moment.
I adore a good sporty sandal and still cherish the memory of a pair from Giraudon I wore to death in the 90s!
I like a lot of these. I kind of like chunky sandals to offset my wide calves and medium-to-high volume feet.
Oh, yuck. Those of you who like, you go for it. I like a daintier sandal. For gardening or the beach, my rose gold jandals will do fine. They are as refined as a flip-flop can be.
More refined sandals suit my low volume, slender feet, as well as my style. I don't care for the jarring look, either.
This is why I like YLF — I never would have guessed sporty sandals was a thing until it was over, and then I'd probably have an outdated trend on my hands. I don't know if I can manage these, since I have large feet, but I walk a lot, and with summer coming, it might be worth a try. I like the Eileen Fisher and the Dr. Scholl's sandals.
I am always cheering for Team Happy Feet, so it is great to see so many options if sporty sandals are for you. I like the smaller scale versions. My little feet and scrawny ankles look ridiculous in wide clunky looking footwear.
Is there such a thing as too many footwear options? I applaud all shoe choices, particularly when they encourage wearing non-damaging ones. Some of the sneaker sandals could function for me as gear. I usually straddle a hybrid line of a more streamlined, refined sandal, with a discretely cushioned sole that works for a low volume foot. At the same time, part of me cheers for the sandals and shoes that just shout "these are delightful on my feet and that's what counts". I usually luck out finding some pairs that work for annual updating, because sandals can take a beating somehow. I love to see the examples here. Very encouraging!
One of my most worn sandals are fisherman style sandals with a white lug sole by Senso. But I generally go for a more refined style. Almost every person in Israel (or so it seems) owns a version of the Teva sandal although they are made by Source/Shoresh because Teva (which means nature in Hebrew) has long since gone on to bigger things. Regardless, I would not say no to the lilac Birkenstocks.
No I am not doing this! I like pretty sandals too much. Also I find the thick platforms kind of hard to walk in. I also never liked the regular sport sandals for actual sport either.
I'm sticking with my EF's, even if they're not so trendy, because unlike most of the other similar styles here, they work for my feet and in silver feel a bit lighter. I am not crazy about most of the other styles shown here and/or know they don't provide a good fit for me.
Mules were last year's hot seller, Angie — but what about this year? Is it "anything goes as long as it is chunky and we haven't already been wearing for two years?" (Tongue in cheek).
Yesssss! I have narrow, low volume feet, so not sure how many of these would actually work for me. However, they look like shoes that I could happily wear while comfortably striding around the city on a muggy day so two enthusiastic thumbs up.