The Best Women's Sandals in Australia for Summer

The best women's sandals in Australia for a comfortable summer

A good pair of summer sandals should disappear on your foot. You want the cushioning to hold up from the morning coffee run to a long afternoon on your feet, the straps to sit still without rubbing, and the whole thing to survive sand, chlorine and the odd rain shower without complaint. That is a lot to ask of an open shoe, which is why the arch support, the footbed material and the way the straps are adjusted matter far more than how a sandal looks in a product photo.

To narrow the field we leaned on the sandals that Australian shoppers actually buy and rate on Amazon Australia, then read closely for the comfort signals that decide whether a pair earns a spot by the front door or ends up at the back of the wardrobe. If you want the short version: the Crocs Women's Brooklyn Low Wedge is our all-round pick for its cushioned footbed and easy-to-dress-up low wedge, the GUESS Women's Avin Wedge is the one to reach for when you want height and a dressier look, and the Clarks Women's Brinkley Sea is the easiest pair to say yes to on a budget. The rest of this guide walks through six sandals across thongs, footbed styles and wedges so you can match a pair to how you actually spend your summer.

How the top sandals compare at a glance

Every pick below is a women's summer sandal you can order today, but they solve slightly different problems. Some lift you up for an event, some sit flat for the school run, and some are built to get wet and rinse clean. The table gives you the headline numbers at a glance, and the price column shows the starting figure, since live prices drift and colours are often priced differently on the same listing.

A quick word on the numbers before you read on. The star ratings and review counts are the global totals on each Amazon listing, not an Australia-only tally, and they sit at the parent product level, so they cover every colour and size of that sandal rather than the one shade in the photo. Treat them as a broad measure of how a design holds up in the real world, not a verdict on a single colourway.

How we evaluated these sandals

NestPath researches and studies products rather than lab-testing them, so this guide is built on the evidence a careful shopper would gather if they had the time. We started from the sandals with a deep, credible pool of ratings on Amazon Australia, since a design with thousands of ratings has been walked in by far more feet than a shiny new listing with a handful. From there we read for the details that decide comfort: the footbed material and how much it cushions, whether the straps adjust, how the toe-post or slingback holds the foot, and how owners describe the fit and break-in.

We paid particular attention to the recurring themes in owner feedback, because patterns are more reliable than any single glowing or furious review. When a lot of people mention that a sandal runs narrow, rubs at a particular strap, or feels slippery underfoot, that is a signal worth passing on. We also cross-checked the described features against each product listing so we are not repeating a spec the seller never actually claimed. Where a listing does not state something, we say so rather than inventing a number. Prices move constantly and each colour can carry its own price, so we talk in starting prices and let the comparison table and the product cards carry the live figure.

Crocs Women's Brooklyn Low Wedge: the all-rounder

If you only buy one pair this summer, this is the one we would point you to. The Brooklyn pairs a genuinely cushioned LiteRide foam footbed with a low wedge that lifts you just enough to feel dressed without turning the sandal into a project for your feet. It is comfortable enough for a long day walking around the shops and tidy enough to wear to a casual summer dinner, which is a rare combination. It is also the most-reviewed pair in this guide, so the cushioning and all-day comfort that owners keep mentioning are backed by a very large pool of feedback.

Australian owners return again and again to two things: they can walk in these all day, and they can rinse them clean. The water-friendly build means a splash at the beach or a spill at a barbecue is a wipe rather than a disaster, and the adjustable upper straps let you dial the fit across the top of the foot instead of hoping a fixed strap happens to suit your instep. The low wedge is stable underfoot, so you are not wobbling on a narrow heel, and the shape works with shorts, jeans or a sundress.

On fit, the sizing is fairly true, though the roomy footbed suits a medium to slightly wider foot better than a very narrow one. If you are between sizes and have a slim foot, the adjustable straps take up some of the slack. It is the priciest pick in this guide, and the wedge, while low, is still a wedge, so if you want a dead-flat sandal for pure errands this is not it.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This is the most expensive sandal here, so if budget is the deciding factor there are cheaper picks below that get you most of the way. The footbed runs generous, which is great for wider feet but means very narrow feet may want to size down and lean on the straps. And a wedge, even a low one, adds a little height you have to be happy with. None of these is a reason to skip it if all-round comfort is your priority.

GUESS Women's Avin Wedge: the dressy pick for events

When you want the height and the polish of a heel without the wobble, the Avin is the pick. It carries the highest star rating of anything we looked at, and it delivers real lift through a chunky platform wedge rather than a thin, ankle-turning heel. A platform keeps more of your foot closer to level, so you get the leg-lengthening look with a good deal more stability, which is exactly what you want when you are on your feet at a wedding, a dinner or a long lunch.

The adjustable logo straps are the other half of the story. They let you cinch the foot in place so it is not sliding forward on the platform, which is the usual culprit behind sore toes in a wedge. That security is why owners are comfortable wearing these for a full event rather than kicking them off halfway through. Style-wise it reads dressy but not fussy, so it will happily go with a summer dress for an occasion and then a pair of wide-leg trousers for a night out.

The listing does not state a precise heel height, so if the exact centimetres matter to you it is worth checking the current listing detail before buying. As with any platform, there is a break-in period while the straps settle and mould to your foot, and a stiffer strap can press until it softens. Give it a couple of shorter wears before committing to an all-day event.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

A platform wedge is not a barefoot-feel sandal, so if you dislike any height at all this is the wrong style for you. The straps can feel firm out of the box and need a short break-in before they soften, and because the listing does not state the exact heel height you may want to confirm it before ordering. For a dressy pair you can stand around in for hours, these trade-offs are easy to live with.

Clarks Women's Brinkley Sea: the easy budget pick

The Brinkley Sea is the easiest pair here to say yes to, and it is the cheapest pick in this guide. It brings Clarks' bouncy Cloudstepper moulded foam footbed to a simple thong shape, so you get a lightweight, springy feel underfoot at the lowest starting price of anything we picked. For a first sandal of the season, or a knock-about pair you are happy to wear to the pool and back, it is hard to argue with.

What makes it more than a basic thong is the adjustable strap, which lets you fine-tune the width across the foot rather than being stuck with a fixed opening. That adjustability, plus a soft textile toe-post, is why most owners find it needs very little breaking in. The dreaded between-toe rub that ruins the first week of a new thong is much milder here because the post is fabric rather than hard plastic.

It is a flat sandal, so there is no wedge lift if that is what you are after, and the thong shape and moulded foam sit at the casual end of the spectrum rather than the dressy one. The footbed is cushioned but firmer and thinner than the chunky foam beds on the Crocs picks, which is part of how it stays light. For the price, that is a very fair trade.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This is a flat, casual thong, so it will not dress up an outfit the way the wedges will, and the moulded footbed is firmer and thinner than the plusher foam beds elsewhere in this guide. The between-toe post, while soft, is still a post, so anyone who cannot get on with thongs at all should look at the toe-loop or slingback styles instead. At this price, for an easy everyday sandal, none of that is a dealbreaker.

Skechers BOBS Desert Kiss: the slip-on middle ground

The Desert Kiss sits comfortably between a flat and a heel. It is a low boho wedge built on a Skechers Memory Foam footbed, with an elastic Velcro slingback that means you can slip it on and off without redoing the fit every time. That combination makes it a genuinely practical everyday sandal: enough lift and detail to look considered, but soft and easy enough to wear on a busy day.

The slingback is the clever part. The elastic gives just enough to let your foot in, then holds the heel without the fiddle of a buckle, so you get the security of a strap with the convenience of a slide. Owners like that they can pull these on at the door and go. The Memory Foam footbed adds a cushioned, sink-in feel that flatters the low wedge and takes the edge off a hard footpath. There is also a feel-good angle: every BOBS purchase funds a donation to animals in need, which is baked into the brand rather than a one-off promotion.

Memory foam footbeds can feel firmer at first and soften as they warm and compress, so the first few wears are not the whole story on comfort. The boho styling leans casual to smart-casual rather than formal, and the elastic slingback, like any elastic, will relax over a long life of wear. For a do-most-things summer sandal, it earns its place.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The memory foam can feel firm until it beds in over the first few wears, so do not judge the comfort on day one. The elastic slingback will soften and relax over time, which most people find helps the fit before it ever becomes loose, and the boho look is casual rather than formal. For an easy slip-on you reach for without thinking, these are minor.

Crocs Women's Miami Toe Loop: the thong for people who hate thongs

If a standard flip-flop drives you mad because the post sits between your toes, the Miami is the fix. It swaps the between-toe post for a toe loop, so your foot is held securely at the front without anything wedged between the toes. It is built on the same soft Croslite foam Crocs is known for, so you get the cushioned, forgiving footbed in a shape that behaves more like a secure slide than a loose thong.

That security is the whole appeal. A toe loop stops the sandal flapping and sliding the way a plain flip-flop does, which makes it a better pick for actual walking rather than just shuffling from the towel to the kiosk. Owners who have given up on normal thongs tend to love this shape for beach-to-street summer wear, because it keeps the barefoot-easy feel while adding a bit of hold. The Croslite foam is light, water-friendly and rinses clean, so it shrugs off sand and salt water.

It is still an open, casual sandal, so it is a beach-and-errands shoe rather than an evening one, and a toe loop is its own acquired feel: most people adapt quickly, but if you have never worn a loop before, expect a short adjustment. The soft foam is comfortable but not a structured orthotic footbed, so if you need firm arch support this is not the pick for that.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

A toe loop is a specific feel that takes a wear or two to get used to if you have never had one, and this is a casual, water-ready sandal rather than a dressy one. The soft Croslite foam cushions well but is not a firm, structured arch support, so anyone with a strong orthotic need should look elsewhere. For easy summer wear from the beach to the street, these are small notes.

The other sandal we researched: Crocs Kadee

The Kadee is a classic Croslite flip-flop, and it earns a mention rather than a full recommendation. It has a large, established pool of ratings and does the core job well: it is light, water-friendly, and you can hose it off after the garden or the beach. But it carries the lowest rating of our six, at a still-respectable 4.2, and the reason is instructive rather than damning.

The recurring note from owners is that the smooth sole can feel slippery, particularly on wet tiles or a poolside. That is a handling quirk rather than a comfort failure, and plenty of people are perfectly happy with them, but it is enough to nudge the Kadee below the toe-loop Miami and the other picks. If you specifically want a simple, rinseable flip-flop from a brand you trust and the sole finish does not worry you, it remains a reasonable buy. For most people, though, the Miami toe-loop or the Clarks thong offers a more secure everyday feel.

What to look for in women's summer sandals

The single biggest comfort decision is the footbed. Chunky foam beds like Crocs' LiteRide and Croslite or Skechers' Memory Foam give a soft, cushioned feel that suits long days on hard surfaces, while a firmer moulded foam like Clarks' Cloudstepper is lighter and springier but sits closer to the ground. Neither is right or wrong; it depends on whether you want a plush sink-in feel or a light, low-profile one. If you spend a lot of time standing or walking on concrete and tile, lean towards the deeper cushioning.

Arch support is the next thing to weigh, and it is where expectations often get ahead of reality. A soft foam footbed cushions, but it is not the same as a firm, contoured orthotic that props up the arch. Footbed and orthotic sandals are popular in Australia for exactly this reason, so if you have a genuine arch-support need, prioritise a contoured, structured bed over a flat plush one, and be prepared that no open summer sandal fully replaces a dedicated orthotic.

Then there is the strap system, which decides both security and rub. Adjustable straps, like those on the Brooklyn, the GUESS wedge and the Clarks thong, let you tune the fit to your foot instead of hoping a fixed opening happens to suit you, and that adjustability is the best defence against a strap that sits too tight or too loose. Toe loops and slingbacks are worth considering if you dislike the between-toe post of a traditional thong. Whatever the style, the first place a new sandal rubs is usually a strap edge or a toe-post, so a short break-in of a couple of shorter wears is smart before an all-day outing.

Finally, match the height to the day. A low wedge or platform gives you a dressier look and a little lift with far more stability than a narrow heel, while a flat thong or toe loop is the easy pick for errands, the beach and the pool. Think about where the sandal will actually spend its time before you fall for a photo.

Caring for your sandals so they last

The best thing about most of these picks is how little care they need. The foam Crocs and the Skechers footbeds are water-friendly, so a rinse under the tap and a wipe with a damp cloth clears off sand, sunscreen and salt water. Let them air-dry away from direct heat rather than leaving them baking in a hot car or on a radiator, since concentrated heat can warp or harden foam over time.

For the fabric and strap details, a soft brush or cloth with a little mild soapy water lifts most marks. Avoid harsh solvents on foam and textile toe-posts, which can dry them out and make them stiffer or more prone to rub. If a slingback elastic or an adjustable strap starts to feel loose after a long life of wear, that is normal ageing rather than a fault, and it is usually the cue that the pair has had a good run.

Store them flat and dry between wears rather than crushed in the bottom of a beach bag, and rotate pairs if you can, since giving foam a day to fully decompress between wears helps it keep its bounce. A quick rinse after a beach or pool day is the single habit that adds the most life, because salt and chlorine left to dry in are what age a sandal fastest.

What else you'll want for summer

A good sandal is one piece of a comfortable summer kit. If you are pulling a pair together, these related NestPath guides cover the things that tend to go in the same beach bag or holiday suitcase, and they are worth a look while you shop.

• The best swimwear in Australia for the pool and beach days these sandals are made for.
• The best beach towels in Australia to pair with a rinseable foam sandal.
• The best beach umbrellas in Australia for shade on a long sand day.
• The best suitcases in Australia if your summer sandals are coming on holiday.
• The best merino socks in Australia for the cooler-weather footwear at the other end of the year.

Frequently asked questions

Are footbed sandals better for your feet than flat sandals?

Footbed and orthotic-style sandals add cushioning and, in structured versions, some arch contour, which many people find more comfortable for long days than a thin flat sandal. That said, a soft foam footbed cushions rather than firmly supports the arch, so if you have a genuine support need choose a contoured, structured bed and treat no open summer sandal as a full replacement for a dedicated orthotic.

How should women's sandals fit to avoid strap rub?

Aim for straps that hold the foot without pressing a hard edge into your skin, and favour adjustable straps so you can tune the fit to your own foot rather than hoping a fixed opening suits you. Break a new pair in over a couple of shorter wears before an all-day outing, because the first place a sandal rubs is usually a strap edge or a toe-post while it is still stiff.

Can you wear these sandals in water or at the beach?

The foam Crocs and Skechers picks in this guide are water-friendly, so a splash at the beach or the pool is fine and you can rinse them clean afterwards. Let them air-dry away from direct heat rather than baking them in a hot car, and give them a quick rinse after any salt water or chlorine, since that is the single habit that adds the most life to a foam sandal.

How do I stop new sandals from giving me blisters?

Break them in gradually with a couple of shorter wears before committing to a long day, so any stiff strap or toe-post softens before it can rub a blister. Adjustable straps help because you can loosen a spot that presses, and a soft textile toe-post like the one on the Clarks thong needs far less breaking in than a hard plastic post.

Are any of these sandals suitable for men or unisex wear?

These picks are chosen and sized as women's sandals, so the fit and styling are women-first, and men should check each listing's own size guidance before buying rather than assuming a straight crossover. The simplest, most neutral shapes here, the plain foam flip-flop and the toe-loop slide, read closest to unisex, but the wedges are firmly styled as women's footwear.

Related summer guides

If you are kitting out for the warmer months, these NestPath guides pair naturally with a new set of sandals, and there is a companion guide for when the weather turns.

• The best leggings in Australia for everyday warm-weather outfits.
• The best ugg boots in Australia for the cold-weather end of your footwear rotation.

About the author

Anish Puri founded NestPath in 2026 after going through the Australian first-home-buyer process himself. NestPath focuses on Australian first-home buyers because the existing review sites are American, generic, or both. Anish handles editorial selection across the homeowner hub. Reach out: hello@nestpath.com.au