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It’s not a surprise Australia is home to some of the best sandals brands in the world. From handcrafted leather goods to designer flip-flops, there is a great selection of local and international brands available to shop from our very own shores.
Some of our homegrown labels are even beloved by Kendall Jenner, Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez, who have been spotted in some of the most popular brands on this list.
The most popular styles of spring summer 2026-27 are undeniably thongs (or flip flops). However, each of the following brands also does an array of slides, slingbacks, ankle-strap and other styles of sandals. (Yes, you can even find a fisherman sandal still in the mix.)
So, which womenswear or dedicated footwear brands offer some of the best sandals? We at marie claire consider the best to be the perfect combination of comfort, style and quality.
So, when you’re trying to beat the heat with a new pair of summer sandals, you simply can’t go past these marie claire-approved sandals brands.
Maria Farro
Maria Farro is an Australian footwear brand hand-crafting Greek leather sandals for stylish summer wear. The label, founded in 2018, is a favourite of Kylie Jenner’s bestie Stassie Karanikolaou, who has been trotting around Europe this year in multiple thong styles from the brand. The shoes are handmade in Greece by local leather artisans, and showcase a relaxed but effortlessly cool urban-beach Aussie style.
MARIA FARRO
Mila Flip Flop
MARIA FARRO
Sappho Flip Flops
MARIA FARRO
Alexa Flip Flop
MARIA FARRO
Winona Slide
Nelson Made
Nelson Made is a Melbourne-based brand, founded by Kiwi Jamie Nelson in 2018, so the newest on this list. All pieces are made in small quantities, using low-impact materials, including recycled rubber for soles. The brand’s range includes flats, heels and sandals, all in timeless styles. Available via the Nelson Made website, The Iconic and David Jones.
NELSON MADE
Otto Sandal
NELSON MADE
Drew Sandal
NELSON MADE
Petra Sandal
NELSON MADE
Sonni Sandal
Christopher Esber
Though Christopher Esber launched in 2010, the eponymous label only started offering shoes in 2019. Their shoe range includes mesh flats, strappy leather heels and jelly flip flops, similar to those you might find from The Row.
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Jo Flip Flop
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Memento Charm Flip Flop
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Jo Flip Flop
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Doma Stoned Flat Sandals
A.Emery
For a sandals brand beloved by Hailey Bieber, Taylor Swift, Elsa Hosk and Kate Moss, look to A.Emery. Even though the brand is arguably best-known for its ready-to-wear clothing (its elastic-waist Myrna Pants are often sold out), when Anna McLaren launched the brand in 2017, it only sold sandals. And it struck worldwide fame. The leather sandals are minimalist, made with high-quality leather and in timeless designs. Also available at David Jones and Net-A-Porter.
A.EMERY
The Raslo Sandal
A.EMERY
The Kasper Sandal
A.EMERY
Kinto Sandal
A.EMERY
The Sawyer Sandal
Tony Bianco
Eponymous brand Tony Bianco was founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1972. Today, the brand sells a wide range of shoes at mid-range prices, including some sandals in the latest trending styles and colourways. If they’re stylish enough for Selena Gomez — who once wore Tony Bianco’s Tropic sandals — they’re good enough for us. Also available at The Iconic and David Jones.
TONY BIANCO
Blaire Espresso Suede
TONY BIANCO
Kimba
TONY BIANCO
Isabel Black Magic
TONY BIANCO
Lucie Tan Nappa
Alias Mae
Alias Mae’s founder Tom Kirkhope worked as the range builder for shoe brand Siren for six years before deciding to launch his own brand in 2011. He said in an interview once that he likes to travel and get inspiration from cities like London and Paris before builds new ranges. The brand’s known for offering trendy styles at affordable prices.
ALIAS MAE
Tullie Sandals
ALIAS MAE
Hector Sandal
ALIAS MAE
Tulsa Sandal
ALIAS MAE
Akiko Platform
St. Agni
Byron-based St. Agni launched with accessories and footwear in 2014, but has since expanded into ready-to-wear and swim, worn by Kendall Jenner, Emma Stone and Gigi Hadid. The brand is led by husband-and-wife team Lara and Matt Fells and adopts a ‘less is more’ ethos for its designs and range.
ST. AGNI
Suede Opanka Slide
ST. AGNI
Suede Tie Up Sandal
ST. AGNI
Suede Soft Strap Slide
ST. AGNI
Beaded Detail Sandal
Betts
Founded in Perth in 1892, Betts (formerly Betts & Betts) is one of Australia’s longest-running footwear brands. It began as a small boot repair shop and to this day is still family-owned. The brand offers classic and trendy shoe styles at ultra-affordable prices.
BETTS
Travis Thong Sandals
BETTS
Saltwater Leather Multi Beaded Thong Sandals
BETTS
Bobbie Leather Woven Slides
BETTS
Holly Woven Block Heel Mules
Bared
Bared is undeniably the most comfortable and stylish sandals brand in Australia. The Australian shoe label was designed to cater to fashion-forward folks who require a bit more foot support. Their Podiatrist-designed sandals feature padded footbeds and ankle support to ensure your feet remain comfy. Bared sandals are perfect for most urban adventures, including work and shopping, where you may need to be on your feet for a little bit. They’re a favourite of Kylie Minogue, who has even worn Bared shoes on stage.
BARED
Syma
BARED
Raven
BARED
Wrentit
BARED
Nicator
Anonymous Copenhagen
Anonymous Copenhagen is a footwear brand beloved by the Scandi fashion set. If you’re ever at Copenhagen Fashion Week, look down and you’ll find a sea of Anonymous Copenhagen-clad feet. The Danish brand offers a playful minimalism — occasionally loud colours and textures, paired with timeless silhouettes. The shoes are made by artisan shoemakers in Portugal with LWG-certified leather, contributing to the brand’s B Corp status. A great brand to browse if you want to avoid the pervasive thongs trend this summer.
ANONYMOUS COPENHAGEN
Carminho 10
ANONYMOUS COPENHAGEN
Etna 10
ANONYMOUS COPENHAGEN
Lain Flats
ANONYMOUS COPENHAGEN
Vichi 10
Birkenstock
Birkenstock is the most established brand on this list, launched in 1774 in Germany, and the gold standard for supportive footwear still today. Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber and Margot Robbie have all been spotted in popular style Birkenstock Arizona sandals in recent years.
BIRKENSTOCK
Arizona Suede Leather Narrow Sandals
BIRKENSTOCK
Madrid BirkiBuc Sandals in Mocca
BIRKENSTOCK
Madrid EVA Narrow Slides
BIRKENSTOCK
Unisex Gizeh Birko-Flor Regular Sandals
Since your feet expand strike the ground differently in sandals than in closed shoes, there are a few features to look out for when choosing your “best” sandal: midsole stability, anatomical contouring, three-point adjustment, outsole traction and proper sizing. Many don’t know that sandals often require different sizing than sneakers. There should be about one centimetre of space between your longest toe and the front edge of the sandal. If your toes hang over the edge, you risk injury. But if there’s too much space, the arch support will hit your foot in the wrong place, causing more pain than comfort.
When prioritising arch support in a walking sandal, look for an anatomically contoured footbed that mirrors the natural curve of a human foot rather than lying flat. A high-quality supportive sandal will feature a firm midsole that resists twisting, ensuring the arch doesn’t collapse under your body weight during the gait cycle. Ideally, the material should be firm enough to maintain its shape over time—such as high-density polyurethane or moulded cork—rather than a soft memory foam that provides an initial “cloud-like” feel but offers very little structural integrity for long-distance stability.
The ‘best’ travel sandal strikes a balance between durability and aesthetic versatility, letting you seamlessly go from a morning walk to a casual dinner. For a trip involving various terrain, prioritise a pair with a robust, slip-resistant outsole and a secure multi-point strap system that keeps your foot locked in place on uneven cobblestones or dirt paths. \\Ultimately, the best choice features a neutral design that works with different outfits while offering the anatomical arch support necessary to prevent foot fatigue during long days of exploration.
Choosing the best walking sandal depends on the type of strolling you intend to do it. Will you be walking in a city, or trekking through nature? And will you be going at it all day, or just for an hour or two. If you’re navigating urban environments, you’ll want to find sandals that focus on shock absorption, while if you’re trekking through nature, you’ll want to prioritise traction and stability.
Finally, you’ll want to think about moisture. Synesthetic webbing is ideal for walking in an area where it might rain or for slipping into after you’ve had a dip because it dries quickly and won’t stretch out. For city travel in dry heat, high-quality leather or suede offers better breathability and will eventually mold to the unique shape of your foot for a custom-feeling fit.
