The $40 Olsen Tevas Check All the Boxes, But Does a Better Sandal Exist?
Three years ago, we crowned these strappy sandals — a.k.a. the Mary-Kate Olsen Teva Voyas — the shoes of the summer, and we still stand by them for how stylish and feel-like-nothing they are. They have a substantial footbed that you can actually walk in, adjustable infinity bungee-cord straps for a secure fit, and all-occasion versatility. As Strategist deputy editor Simone Kitchens first wrote, they work just as well for “trips to the pool, morning walks, puttering around in the garden, sudden downpours” as they do “on a canoe” and, of course, to dinner. But we’ve heard they don’t work for all feet, so we wanted to see if there was anything better out there in the “strappy sporty sandal” genre. (For more of a “real shoe,” we love the Keen Newports.) We found some even gorpier options, some a smidge more stylish — all with heel straps, all $50-ish — to consider as we approach the halfway point of summer. I’ve given each pair a score based on how they stack up to the Voyas.
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Teva Voya Infinity
Not only do these look good, they’re sturdy and comfortable, more so than Teva’s classic Hurricanes. That’s because they feel like nothing, according to Kitchens: “The foamy, non-slippery footbed is cushy yet supportive. And there’s no break-in time, no rubbing on your ankles or arches. Slip them on, and you’ll soon forget you’re even wearing shoes.”
Score: 10/10
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Xero Genesis
We’ve been seeing these barely-there rope-style sandals from Xero Shoes come up a bunch as a dupe for this Miu Miu cord-and-leather style. They’re not new — the company was founded in 2009 and was inspired by the barefoot-running trend sparked by Christopher McDougall’s book Born to Run, as were other zero-drop shoe companies like Bedrock Sandals. (This style was in turn based on Mexican huaraches.) But they’ve reemerged as a fashion favorite for their colorful cord colors and the fact that they cost just $50. (It’s more likely that the Italian brand was “inspired” by Xero.)
The Xeros may be great for barefoot running or hiking where the point is to feel like there’s nothing between you and the road, but for walking around the city, they’re just too thin. The Genesis’s sole is five millimeters thick, while the Cloud’s are three millimeters (with a grippier footbed, and they can float). I have the Clouds and felt like I was going to impale myself on a shard of glass or rusty nail any second. They also didn’t stay on my feet when I waded into the ocean at the beach: They’re much too flimsy to withstand the rush of a breaking wave (the toe part of the footbed bends back). But they’re undeniably attractive.
Score: 4/10
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The Montbell Lock-Ons are the upgraded version of the Sock-Ons Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao wrote about last year. (They have a velcro heel strap for additional security.) As Zhao wrote about the Sock-On, the shoe is “a sandal that combines the freedom of a flip-flop with the sock compatibility of slides.” And they actually feel good on your feet: “The soles are made of a slightly denser and stiffer material than most thong sandals of this genre. This gives me enough support to not wish for a ‘real’ shoe on short bike rides and longer walks.”
Score: 9/10
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Sadly, my favorite “Sexy Crocs” are no longer in production, but these skinny thongs have an ergonomic footbed and a square toe, making them a nice, comfy alternative. In fact, I just saw a woman wearing a neon-green pair with a sundress.
Score: 8/10
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These rubbery thongs from Zara are currently 60 percent off. They don’t have the support of the Crocs but are similarly dainty.
Score: 7/10
The first Havaianas above combine the classic thong flip-flop style with a slingback, but they’re a little hard to find in the States at the moment. These T-straps and this twisty take on the Sunny IIs are your best in-stock bet. Flip-flops are generally harder to wear than other sandals, but the heel strap should help.
Score: 6/10
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The Z-Treks look a little more promising than the cord sandals and have a Chaco-meets-Teva vibe.
Score: 5/10
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Shamma Cruzers
The Cruzers by Shamma, another minimalist running-sandal brand, also have more adjustability with a thicker sole (seven millimeters), but they’re on the higher end of our budget.
Score: 7/10
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For those committed to the look, you could make your own sandals with this DIY kit, which was actually Xero’s first product. It comes with a sheet of four-millimeter-thick Vibram Cherry outsole material, polyester laces available in over 20 colors, and a hole punch for the lacing holes.
Score: Dependent on your skill level
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