The 7 Best Summer Sandals 2026 Has to Offer

The best summer sandals 2026 has to offer are softer, sturdier, and far more interesting than last year’s rotation, and that is very good news for anyone who spent last August wincing through a pair that did not hold up.

This article is about summer sandals 2026.

These are the sandals worth pulling out of the box early, breaking in on a Saturday walk, and wearing until the leaves start to turn. This seasons styles lean into texture (raffia, rope, jelly, suede) and have the kind of shapes you can wear from a morning walk through the farmers market straight into dinner without changing.

I have sorted them by the seven silhouettes worth your attention right now: jelly, raffia, strappy, slide, rope, thong, and square toe. Each one solves a slightly different problem, and you probably only need two or three to cover your whole summer wardrobe.

Keep scrolling for the summer sandals 2026 shoppers are loving, organized by silhouette so you can jump to whichever kind of day you are planning.

The Best Summer Sandals 2026 to Shop Now

1. Jelly Sandals

Jellies get written off as a beach-only situation, but the 2026 versions are too pretty to save for a pool day. Pair yours with a white linen dress or cropped jeans and trust that they will survive a sudden rain shower better than any suede you own.

2. Raffia Sandals

Raffia has easily become the sandal material worth your attention this year. The texture it adds to a simple white dress is the whole reason people keep buying them. Save these for a bridal shower, a long lunch outside, or anywhere you want to look like you just got off a boat.

3. Strappy Sandals

A strappy sandal is the one pair I’d add to my summer wardrobe if I could only pick one. They work with everything from a slip dress, a linen set, and that one pair of jean shorts you keep saying you are going to retire. The trick to a good pair is the feel of the straps (secure enough to stay on your feet, but smooth enough to not leave a blister).

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4. Slide Sandals

Slides get treated as the lazy option, but the 2026 versions come in leather, suede, jelly, and raffia, which means the lazy option is also the most versatile. Now you can match one to almost any outfit already hanging in your closet.

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5. Rope Sandals

Rope sandals have quietly become the trend every designer is running with this year, from Isabel Marant down to Old Navy, and they are exactly the pair you will wish you packed for any European summer trip on the calendar.

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6. Thong Sandals

Thong sandals get dismissed as flip flops with better branding, but a well-made leather pair is the closest thing to barefoot that still looks considered. Wear them to work or picnics in the park. Either way I recommend buying them in every color.

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7. Square Toe Sandals

A square toe changes the whole math of a sandal, because the flat front makes even the simplest pair feel more architectural. Reach for these when you want your sandals to carry the outfit (they look especially good with something slightly oversized up top, like a boyfriend button-down).

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The Must Have 2026 Summer Sandals

The most useful way to think about summer sandals is not by trend but by situation: what do your feet actually need to be wearing this weekend, next Tuesday, on a flight. Two or three pairs, honestly chosen, will carry you from the first warm Saturday to the last one.

At Currently Popular, we love any pair of sandals that can walk the dog at 8am and make it to a rooftop by 7pm without ever coming off your feet.