A few years ago, hunting down the best fisherman sandals money could buy felt like a tough, thankless task. The strappy leather silhouette, which originated on the Mediterranean coast, couldn’t compete with the chokehold of clogs, Birkenstock sandals, or slip-on loafers. But then, all of that changed.
Fisherman sandals—defined by their closed-toe design and cage-like strap, originally built to drain sea water drain from those fishermen’s feet fast—started showing up in a litany of unexpected places: on runways, in lookbooks, on guys in big shirts loitering outside small bars. The fisherman sandal had officially crossed the rubicon into fashion territory, buoyed (sorry) by fresh riffs from old-school cobblers and upstart brands alike.
Whether or not you care about capital-F fashion, this development remains great news! Because fisherman sandals aren’t just cool—they truly keep you cool, while sparing everyone around you from seeing your not-quite-summer-ready toes toes. Nowadays, sourcing the best of the style requires casting a wide net (sorry, again), so I did the hard work for you. Below, 13 pairs to keep your feet breezy but steezy.
The Best Fisherman Sandals, According to GQ
Best Classic Fisherman Sandals: G.H. Bass Reed Fisherman Sandal
The platonic ideal of a fisherman sandal today lives somewhere in the middle ground between practical and dressy. It’s rugged enough for the beach, but sleek enough to anchor your grown-up dinner fit. And that middle ground is exactly where you’ll find G.H. Bass’ Reed sandal. Whether you spring for it in the black shown or the contrast-stitched brown, you’ll receive a fisherman sandal with a cushioned footbed, adjustable ankle strap, and full-leather upper, all for an exceedingly reasonable price point compared with other good-looking leather shoes on the market today. The Weejun might be the brand’s most iconic style, but it’s nearly May—let your dogs out.
Best Grandpa-Coded Fisherman Sandals: Kleman Babord Fisherman Sandals
Originating from a post-WWII workshop established in 1945, Kleman initially built its reputation as the official footwear supplier of the French railway, Air France, and the French army. (As quality standards go, those groups have some pretty high ones.) And while the brand still sells the Padror derby that made it famous, it has since expanded into slightly more relaxed footwear, like these Babord sandals. We like them because they remind us of what fisherman sandals were before they got slimmed down by the fashion crowd: A strong, solid shoe, with a grippy sole, durable leather, and ventilation gaps to power you through the sweatiest summer workday.
Best Comfortable Fisherman Sandals: Mephisto Sam Fisherman Sandal
Fellow French quality purveyors Mephisto relied on similarly traditional styling for their fisherman sandal, but this time utilized more contemporary tech—a foam-cushioned footbed—to up the comfort quotient. Not that you’ll be bouncing around too much: The grippy sole will make for sure footing whether landlocked or otherwise. Yes, the price is high, but if you’ve ever run your hands across Mephisto’s trademark supple leather, you know the quality you’re paying for—and that you’re getting a shoe that’ll last for countless summers to come.
Best Dressy Fisherman Sandals: Vinny’s Fisherman Sandal
Copenhagen-based Vinny’s has become a bigger player in the men’s footwear space over the last five years, and the current collection might be the strongest yet. The brand continues to win hearts and shelf space by giving their footwear options a dash of color—just look at that green lining—while remaining rooted in staple silhouettes. Its powder pink boat shoes and textured leather loafers may be some of the more standout options Vinny’s has to offer, but these no-frills fisherman sandals go with even more fits. Consider them for your next summer wedding.
Best Suede Fisherman Sandals: Grenson Quinton Suede Fisherman Sandals
Please, don’t go fishing in these. More than perhaps any pair on this list, these aren’t for sloshing about in the sea or on a bellowing tug — these are yacht sandals. Beach-mode sandals. Sandals for sitting on a beautiful restaurant terrace and eating the catch of the day. Grenson, a 155-year-old British shoemaker, really did its thing here, delivering Loro Piana-levels of luxe suede in a sub-$300 package. Sure, suede is a touch more delicate than shiny leather—but if you’ve ever worn suede Birkenstocks, you know the payoff is worth it.