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Sandals

In town a footbed will do; on gravel you need a heel strap and tread.

Guide

Sandals

Where you walk decides which sandal you need. For town and holidays, a footbed with two straps will do; for gravel and trails you need a hiking sandal with a heel strap and a treaded sole.

Key points

Leave about 10 mm at the front and 5 mm at the back.
Keep cork and leather dry; EVA can get wet.
Off-road, only with a heel strap and treaded sole.

Which sandal for which activity?

Use	Choice	Limit
Trails, gravel, travel, stream crossings	ChoiceHiking sandal	LimitToes and ankles stay unprotected. For mountain paths with a pack, wear hiking boots.
Everyday, town, holidays	ChoiceFootbed sandal (cork-latex)	LimitLeather and cork should not get wet. Without a heel strap, no hold off-road.
Beach, pool, shower, after sport	ChoicePool slide (EVA)	LimitLittle support, too loose for longer walks
Playground, stream, family hikes	ChoiceKids' sandal	LimitChildren's feet grow fast, so check the length regularly

Types compared

Hiking sandal
For trails, gravel and travel.
- Advantage: Heel strap holds the foot
- Drawback: Toes are left unprotected
Example: Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal Womens ›
Footbed sandal (cork-latex)
For everyday wear, town and holidays.
- Advantage: Anatomically shaped footbed
- Drawback: Cork and leather don't like water
Example: Birkenstock Arizona Birko-flor Unisex ›
Pool slide (EVA)
For beach, pool and after sport.
- Advantage: Waterproof
- Drawback: Little support when walking
Example: Birkenstock Madrid Essentials EVA Unisex ›

What to check before you buy

Question	In short	Why
How much room does your foot need?	In shortAbout 10 mm at the front	WhyBirkenstock advises about 10 mm between toes and the edge of the footbed and about 5 mm behind the heel. If your toes touch or hang over the edge, the sandal is too small.
Regular or narrow?	In shortTwo widths	WhyBirkenstock makes its footbed in "regular" for normal to wide feet and "narrow" for slim feet.
How tight should the straps be?	In short5 to 10 mm of space	WhyAccording to Birkenstock, leave about 5 mm under the lower strap and about 10 mm under the upper strap above the top of your foot. Hiking sandals adjust with Velcro straps.
Can the sandal get wet?	In shortEVA yes, cork barely	WhySandals made of EVA, a light foam, are waterproof. Leather and cork models should not get wet. Polyester webbing straps dry quickly.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I check my child's size?

According to superfit, between 3 and 6 years children's feet grow two to three shoe sizes a year, about 1 mm a month. So measure before every summer and in between.

Can I hike in sandals?

On well-made paths, yes, in a hiking sandal with a heel strap and treaded sole.

What should I do if the cork footbed got wet?

Let the sandal dry completely before wearing it again. Leather and cork models should be fully dry again as quickly as possible.

How can I tell the sandal is too big?

According to Birkenstock, if there is clearly more room than about 10 mm at the toes and 5 mm at the heel, it is too big.

Last updated: October 2026