7 February 2020

8 of the Best Closed Toe Sandals for Women

By Marie Davis Clothes, Women

Published 7 February 2020

Last updated 20 April 2023

Whether you need closed-toe sandals for work or want some attractive options that will cover your less-than-perfect feet for the summer, there are a lot of great options available.

Closed-toe styles are great because they hide any non-pedicured nails that you may be self-conscious about while still keeping your feet fresh.

Here are reviews of some of the best-closed-toe women’s sandals for a variety of different situations that you may find yourself in during warm weather.

Comfortiva Tatianna – Soft Spots

SoftSpots Women’s Tatianna Ankle Strap Huarache Shoes are a great option if you are looking for a dressy shoe for work.

These are a great option if you have high arches and need something that won’t kill your feet at work or an event where you may be walking or standing a lot.

The support is outstanding in this design, partly because the heel is very stable, and there is a substantial amount of padding in the instep. They come in some beautiful summertime colors.

Available from Zappos

JBU by Jambu Women’s Deep Sea Encore Flat

Jambu has a few moderately priced, casual flats that work well as a sandal that can hide your toes. Two of their most popular styles are the Blossom Encore and the Deep Sea Encore (pictured above).

The Deep Sea Encore is a comfortable, versatile style that you can dress up or down, and it comes in some modern, beautiful colors. They are vegan, and the outer rubber sole is made from partially recycled rubber and has all terra traction. You won’t find yourself slipping in these babies.

They are known for keeping your feet cool and dry, and they have adjustable hook and loop straps so you can play around with the fit to make sure you are your most comfortable. The Deep Sea Encore runs a little small, so you may have to go up a size if you order it online.

Available from Amazon

Keen Rose Sandal

KEEN Women’s Rose Sandal uses Keen’s signature rubber toe bumper, which gives them a partial toe-covered look that is great for walking or sporty outdoor activities.

This design has washable polyester webbing and a multi-directional lug pattern if you are going to be wearing them for situations where you need a lot of traction.

The footbed is designed to provide the best kind of support for your feet, with an emphasis on the first metatarsal joint. If you have high arches, they may not be the best choice for you since they have low to moderate arch support.

This design has a relatively flat heel (1.25″), making them a great option if you are doing a lot of walking. These are not water shoes like some other Keen designs. If you are worried about odor control, they do have the AEGIS Microbe Shield lining that will cut down on any build-up of odor-causing bacteria.

Available from Amazon

Rockport Cobb Hill Collection Cobb Hill Aubrey

The versatile Rockport Cobb Hill Collection has a couple of great closed-toe options. The Aubrey (pictured above) is a beautiful style, particularly as a work option. If you prefer a flat, take a look at their Ireland Fisherman sandal, which is also very popular.

The Aubrey has excellent support if you are looking for a shoe that will work well if you are on your feet all day but still need to look dressy. They are burnished leather, they come in 8 different colors, and they have a slightly retro look to them because of the t-strap.

It has a comfortable 1.5″ mid-height heel that looks a little bulky but is pretty lightweight. The footbed is Eva foam which is effective padding to use shoes for comfort.

Available from Zappos.com

Aravon Clarissa

Aravon Women’s Clarissa Fisherman Sandal is a beautiful, simple style that is comfortable, flexible, and has excellent arch support. A lot of women find the Clarissa to be an excellent option if you are suffering from foot issues.

The Clarissa is a versatile design that can easily be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. Aravon shoes generally don’t need to be broken in and tend to be comfortable right from the start.

These are worth checking out if you have wide feet and have trouble finding sandals that fit well.

Available from Amazon

Teva Omnium

If you are looking for an outdoor toe-covered sandal for hiking, a good option is the Teva Omnium. This style is a shoe sandal cross. It has all of the support and traction of hiking or walking shoes, as well as openings on the sides to keep your feet fresh in the summer.

They have a quick-drying, breathable upper fabric, which is excellent because it makes them quite versatile for all kinds of different types of actives, including those where your feet may get wet.

This design has a quick-release buckle, so you don’t have to deal with a Velcro strap. It also has two other points of adjustability to help you get the best fit. If you are worried about comfort, the footbed has a molded EVA midsole and Shoc Pad heel, so this shoe can take some pretty rough treatment and still be comfortable.

Available from Amazon

Earth Origins Nellie

The Nellie from Earth Originals is a beautiful all-around style that can work well in many different situations. They are cute, lightweight, and very flexible.

The upper part of the shoe is soft leather, with a breathable closed-toe design that has an ankle strap with elastic goring. The midsole has a lightweight cushioned footbed that is made for comfort.

Available from Amazon

Sanuk Donna

If you are looking for a comfortable summer shoe that will hide your toes while also keeping your feet fresh, you could try these hemp slip-ons from Sanuk. They are made of hemp and are vegan and vegetarian.

They are super comfortable and look great, and the hemp works as a breathable fabric, so your feet shouldn’t get too hot. If your feet do end up sweating, you can machine wash this design, just don’t put them in the dryer because they will shrink.

If you need a lot of arch support, this is probably not the shoe for you. They may be a bit of a tight fit when you first put them on, but they stretch to fit your feet.

Available from Amazon

What to Look for in a Closed-Toe Sandal

Sizing – Unfortunately, the sizing for different brands can vary quite a bit, so if you want to get the most comfortable option, it is worth researching reviews to see if the design fits true to size. It is especially crucial if you are ordering online.

Cleaning– Sometimes, sandals can take a bit of a beating in the summer. You face things like sweat, dirt, and water getting into the inner part of the shoe, much more than you do with cold-weather footwear.

All of these things can lead to bacteria causing an odor that will shorten the life of your shoes. If you are buying an outdoor activity sandal like a Keen or Teva, check for instructions on how to clean it. Some designs can even be machine washed, which is helpful if the shoes have gotten wet and smelly.

The material of the Footbed– If you are looking for a style that is going to be comfortable, you will want to look for a footbed that is either cork or has EVA contained in it. Cork is excellent because it works well for shock absorption, while EVA is a dense foam that is also great for shock absorption. If your feet tend to sweat, you may want to look for a footbed that is moisture-wicking (such as suede).

Durability– Sandals can be the flimsiest of shoe styles. If you are looking for something that can last for years, look for thicker straps, top quality Velcro, rubber soles with traction, a cork footbed, leather or a washable material, and styles that have had an Aegis antimicrobial treatment.

Odor Control– Those who have problems with odor in their footwear may want to look for designs that feature antimicrobial treatments (Aegis is the most common). They will help minimize odor-causing bacteria and extend the life of your sandals.

Sole – A big problem with inexpensive styles is that they come with no grip or traction. If you find yourself caught in a summer rainstorm in a pair of cheap, no-traction sandals, you will know how slippery they can become. There are lots of styles that have rubber soles that have a type of grip rubber that will help with traction.

Waterproof– Depending on what type of activities you are wearing your footwear for, you may want to look for waterproof or water-resistant materials in case you get them wet in the rain or during water activities. Many designs are water-resistant, not waterproof.

Arch support– Generally, summer shoes aren’t known for having great arch support. Some of the designs that we have listed above that are good if you have high arches include the Comfortiva Tatianna, Arataki Dress Sandal, and the Rockport Aubrey.

Adjustable ankle strap –If you have difficulty finding a style that fits properly, a useful feature to look for is a design with an adjustable ankle strap. It will give you a little more ability to adjust the fit to the shape of your foot.