We Stopped 39 New Yorkers to Ask About Their Summer Sandals
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Wearing open-toed footwear in the city can be a controversial choice, but in this heat, many of us feel forced to make it. So which sandals can actually hold their own against a wet hot New York City summer? During the stickiest days of early July, three Strategist staffers took to the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn on a mission to find out the exact pairs that New Yorkers around town are letting their feet breathe in. We peered at the toes of strangers riding the subway, eating lunch on the benches of Washington and Madison Square Parks, and pounding the pavement in Midtown. We hailed down random people in comfortable-looking shoes and tried to explain our journalistic interest in their footwear. We allayed concerns about foot pics, sympathetically swapped stories about blisters and plantar fasciitis, and agreed with many ardent fans that a classic pair of Birkenstock Arizonas can be hard to beat.
Some sandal-wearers we spoke with said that the inherent chicness of their minimalist leather slip-ons was worth side-stepping a few suspicious street rodents and puddles for. Others had invested in more practical velcro sandals with traction and height that protected them from summer city sludge. Whichever sandals they wore, everybody looked great. Thank you to all of the New Yorkers (and stylish tourists) who shared their strappy footwear stories. You’ll find them below.
Flip-flops and heeled thongs
Brianna, Jersey City
“I got them at the Goodwill here in the West Village a few months ago for three bucks and I’ve worn them every single day since. I walk miles in these. They’re so comfortable. And they have a little heel, too. I thought they would break by now from all the walking, but they just haven’t.”
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Madeline, West Village
“They’re from Brazil. And for me, they are incredibly comfortable. They’re completely waterproof, and they look really nice when they’re not dirty. I have another pair with a smaller heel.”
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Sydney, Tribeca
“These are Dolce Vita. They’re just flat sandals with a little bit of a raffia heel that makes them nice and professional but still easy to walk around the city. I typically go for a kitten heel, but I needed something for daytime meetings and whatnot in the summer. I wore these on a day that I walked almost 25,000 steps and they were still pretty comfy.”
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Georgina, Savannah
“I’m traveling, so I have limited space. I brought three pairs of shoes: two sandals and one pair of sneakers to New York. These are from Target. I like a little clunk heel. I was just walking down some marble steps and they didn’t make too much noise, which is great. I work in retail, so I’m on my feet eight hours a day. I’m sure I’d be fine the whole day in these.”
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Claire, Midtown
“I love a flip-flop, and these are so good for going out to dinner with a cute top. I’ve worn them every day since I bought them without blisters.”
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Kayinoluwa, Kipps Bay
“I bought these back in March while I was on a trip to Costa Rica. I walk in them everywhere now. They’re a fun everyday sandal.”
[Editor’s note: Kayinoluwa’s exact pair has sold out, so we have linked to a similarly styled available pair.]
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Diane, Court Square
“I have Morton’s neuroma and a bunion, so I try to wear flip flops all the time. I’ve had these in multiple colors for years. They’re platformy and New York City streets are grimy, so you get a quarter-inch of insurance.”
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Emily S., Fort Greene
“I got them at the beginning of summer because all of the men in my life love theleather Rainbows, but when I looked the brand up these seemed up my alley. I really think it’s primary-color summer. Before 2024, I feel like it was really taboo to wear flip-flops in the city because everyone’s like, ‘The rats will touch your feet.’ Since The Row made flip-flops acceptable for the girlies, we’re all kind of back in flip-flops now, which I like. And these ones are the comfiest pair I’ve ever had because of their arch support. I wear them every time I run an errand, to the beach, to the office — they’ve been a hit.”
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Emily M., Fort Greene
“I’ve had iterations of these for six years, but I just got this pair. They’re super-comfortable and there was hardly any break-in. I think they’re so easy to walk in and live in in New York. I prefer them to a similar pair by Sodas.”
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Denise, Fort Greene
“I got these specifically as a walking sandal. I push a stroller around in them all day and walk all over Brooklyn in them. No breaking in and they’re so comfortable.”
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Margaret, Fort Greene
“I really like them. I specifically wanted sandals with no hardware. They give art teacher, but in a chic way — I’m trying to channel my 70-year-old art-teacher vibe. There was a slight blister on the first day and they’re pretty new, but so far so good.Thefashionguitarposted about them.”
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Slides and ones with straps
Maria, Bay Ridge
“I’m wearing Rothy’s crisscross sandals. They’re kind of like my go-to summer sandals because you can throw them in the wash. I love them and I think my kids find them acceptable.”
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Theejuta, Cyprus
“These are Birkenstocks, the ones that you can walk through water in. I actually brought another pair of sneakers on this trip, but then they hurt my feet. So today I decided to wear these. I live in Cyprus and I came here for the Bon Jovi concert yesterday. I have another pair of Birkenstocks, but when you wear them for some time they get dirty and I don’t really know how to clean them. So these are much better.”
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Katie, Midtown
“I got these off of Amazon. They’re very comfortable and I can walk at least like 5,000 steps in them every day.”
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Noga, Los Angeles
“These are like the cheapest sandals you can get. At first they weren’t so comfortable, but I got used to them. It took like two months. I really like the gold buckles because I wear mostly gold jewelry, so I was looking for something with gold. They’re more elegant and they don’t look as cheap as they are.”
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Izhak, Tel Aviv
“I’m from Tel Aviv. I’ve been wearing Birkenstocks for years now. I currently have about four pairs in different colors and I really like to work in them. I don’t know how I feel about going out in socks and Birkenstocks. I mean, you almost never get a situation in Tel Aviv where it’s cold enough to need socks, but still, I don’t know.”
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Aicha, Washington Heights
“The sole is hard, but it’s still comfortable. I went up half a size for a better fit. I’ve only had them a couple of weeks — I like that you can’t tell they’re Birkenstocks.”
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Kara, Fort Greene
“I needed a shoe that I could wear all the time, and while they’re more casual than I thought, I love the color and they’re a great city shoe.”
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Haley, Fort Greene
“I’ve had them for around a month and they didn’t require any breaking in. Whatever the sole is made out of is very squishy. I wanted something that was Birkenstock-y but cuter, and comfort-wise I have no complaints. They also don’t get super-sweaty even though they’re leather.”
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Nicole, Michigan
“I’m actually from Michigan but I’m here for work. Our company is ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. These sandals are just from Target. They’re my comfy sandals, my go-to when I’m walking around or going to weddings, whatever it might be. The heel is thick so they just don’t hurt my feet at all. I’ve been walking in them all day and it’s been good.”
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Caroline, Park Slope
“They’re Camper! They make the best shoes. I’ve had them for two years, since summer 2024. You can trek for miles in them. They rub a little, but my skin is very sensitive. What are you gonna do, babe? Carry some Band-Aids.”
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Rose, West Village
“I’ve had these since November and I’ve worn the shit out of them since then. They’re my main summer shoes.”
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Gladiators and fisherman sandals
Tess, Washington Heights
“I’ve had them for six years. They’re my main summer shoe. There was a bit of wear-in, as with all Docs, and sometimes I get heel blisters if I haven’t worn them in a while — but they’re very supportive.”
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Shirlin, Flatiron
“I’m a graphic designer for children’s apparel. My sandals are from Melissa’s shoes. They’re famous for jelly shoes like this, and they have a lot of colors. I wear a lot of yellow because yellow makes people happy. It makes me feel happy too.”
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Mercy, Spanish Harlem
“These are from the brand Melissa; I also have a pair of mules and a pair of heels from the same brand. I got my first pair about two years ago. They are so comfortable and they don’t feel sweaty. A lot of people say there can be some blistering from the rubber, which I’ve definitely felt before, but it’s never actually inflicted any injuries on me. I’m a big fan of the fisherman style, and when I saw the ones with studs I was like,They’re just so different.Like, nobody’s going to have these, you know what I mean?”
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Elizabeth, East Village
“This is my new pair for the summer. I have some from last year that I still wear, but I work at a pottery studio, so they got clay on them. I also have another pair in beige, but I prefer the black — it matches everything. I have plantar fasciitis, so I have to wear shoes with a lot of support.”
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Alison, Gowanus
“I have at least four-to-five iterations of this sandal. They do a different version every year, and all of their salespeople wear them. I just came from my home in Gowanus, and now I’m trekking back and I could go out to dinner in them. I do not need to take them off. They don’t take long to break in. They’re Marni, so they’re made really well and you can wear them with socks or tights in the fall and they look really good.”
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Taylor, Fort Greene
“I’ve had them for about a year and a half and I wear them almost every day. I got these on sale and I’m so mad I didn’t buy them in another color. I walk everywhere in them. I live in L.A. and there’s an Intentionally Blank boutique down the street, and I’ve been waiting to see when the owner is in to see if he has any backstock on an olive green especially. And I get lots of compliments on them.”
[Editor’s note: Taylor’s exact pair is unavailable, so we have linked to a similarly styled available pair.]
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Selma, West Village
“They were cheap, and I’ve had them for three years. I’ve seen the same style of leather sandal for a much more expensive price, but I would never pay that.”
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Alexa, Soho
“I’m wearing ATP. They do very unique shapes and they’re known for their toe caps. They have no support. They’re completely flat, but beauty is king. I will do whatever for fashion. I live in Soho and I’m a fashion buyer and that’s how I discovered the brand.”
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Carla, West Village
“I have extra-wide feet, and I found these through a woman, Anya, who writesbarefoot shoe reviews. She recommends shoes from all these random stores, mainly in Europe, with a wide fit that keeps all of your toes straight. These are from Greece and they’re literally more comfortable than wearing sneakers. And you can send your foot measurements and get a completely custom sandal.”
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Sadie, Charleston
“I’m visiting my dad here for the summer and have worn these for 15 days in a row already. They are so comfy — the best shoes, literally. They were my mom’s. She’s had them since the ’90s, so a good 30 years. The open toes are the only con, but they’re perfect for cobblestone streets and everything.”
[Editor’s note: We couldn’t find Sadie’s mom’s exact shoes, so have linked to a similar vintage pair.]
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Sporty, gorp-y, and orthopedic sandals
Janet, Chicago
“These are the Teva Tirra. I got them for Mother’s Day a year ago. They are wonderful and so comfortable. I have walked countless miles since we got here from Chicago three days ago. I only have this one pair of the closed toe, but I have multiples of the open toe. I have them in plain black. I have black and gray. I have a two-tone tan. I love the brand and I have other shoes that are by Teva too.”
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Clara, Flatbush
“I’ve had these for two months now, and I just ordered a second pair in a different color. They’re the most comfortable shoes that I have ever owned.”
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Rhea, Chelsea
“These are probably my third pair of Tevas, and I will likely wear them until they get destroyed. I prefer wearing them without socks, but New York is so disgusting and it’s been rainy recently, so, you know, I’m trying to not be disgusting. I’m a stand-up comedian and I pretty much exclusively wear them onstage. I feel like they ruin every outfit, but I’m still going to wear them because they are just so comfortable.”
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Jamie, West Village
“I’ve had these since 2006. I was going on a trip to Spain and needed comfortable shoes that were also nice enough to wear with a dress. They strap nice and tight — I’ve never found a replacement as good as these, so I keep gluing them back together. The newer ones don’t seem so great, so I’ve considered buying another pair secondhand.”
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Yesenia, Highbridge
“I got them today. I have plantar fasciitis and so far I’m not tired. I did my research because of the pain I deal with. I’ve tried Birkenstocks, too, but I just can’t anymore. These are so comfortable, and they have arch support. You could hike in them.”
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Alecia, Carroll Gardens
“I have been wearing Sorel shoes for years and realized how comfortable they were a couple of years ago, and I think this is the same style. They just keep coming out with them in different colors and, like, a different stripe of fabric on them. I think the mold on the bottom is probably the same mold over and over and over again. They’re shockingly comfortable, like a sneaker sandal.”
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Alice, Fort Greene
“I used to live in the Bay Area and I got these in downtown Berkeley. They’re over a year old and they have velcro. I’ve done a lot of walking in them without issue, and they were my main shoes in Taiwan. This brand makes models for people with bunions.”
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Wolky Medusa
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