Men's Sandals Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Pair

To choose men's sandals, start with where you will wear them, then check four things: the upper material, the straps, the footbed and the size. Leather suits work and dressier outfits, cork suits everyday outings, and EVA suits wet days. The examples below come from NoStrain's own men's range.

Key takeaway: pick the occasion first and the material second, because a sandal that suits the day but fits badly will still hurt.

.You may also like to read: How to prevent chafing when wearing sandals.

How do I choose men's sandals?

Work through five questions in order: where will you wear them, what is the upper made of, do the straps adjust, what is under your arch, and does your foot length match the size chart. The sections below take them one at a time.

Which sandals suit where you will wear them?

Match the sandal to the day. Leather sandals with buckles or parallel straps suit an office or a family function. Cork sandals suit everyday outings. Waterproof EVA sandals are for monsoon streets and wet floors. Slippers and sliders are for home and quick errands.

• Office and work days: leather sandals with a buckle or parallel straps. The range has a cupped heel and adjustable straps.
• Weddings, festivals and kurta outfits: NoStrain groups the cork sandals, leather styles and espadrilles it suggests with kurtas in its festive footwear collection.
• Everyday outings and weekends: cork thong or parallel strap sandals, or sugar sliders.
• Monsoon and wet floors: waterproof sandals. NoStrain's MS-06 to MS-10 are slip-on, parallel-strap sandals with a supportive sole, in black, grey, beige, white and brown.
• Home and quick errands: slippers and sliders.

Which material is right: leather, cork or EVA?

Leather gives a structured upper for dressier outfits, cork gives a casual look with a suede leather insole, and EVA is what you find on wet-weather footwear. Each has a limit: leather styles are better kept dry, and EVA styles look more casual.

Leather sandals

NoStrain's leather arch support sandals for men have a pure leather upper, a genuine suede insole and a PU outsole with a ZigZag pattern. They come in four strap styles (parallel, broad strap slider, buckle and back strap) and six colours, in UK sizes 6 to 11, and carry the ISI mark. On 28 October 2026 they were priced from ₹1,499 to ₹2,499.

Cork sandals

The cork sandals for men pair a cork footbed with leather, in thong, parallel strap, double-layer and mule and half-shoe styles. The collection lists a suede leather insole and adjustable straps, and comes in black, cookie brown, beige, cloudy grey and great white. On 28 October 2026 prices ran from ₹1,999 to ₹2,599.

EVA and rubber for wet days

EVA and rubber are the usual choices for wet weather, and they sit at the lower end of the price range. NoStrain's waterproof sandals for men were priced from ₹599 to ₹799 on 28 October 2026, and the brand also lists rubber slippers for men.

How should men's sandals fit?

A sandal should hold your heel without digging in, leave a little room ahead of your toes, and close without pinching the top of your foot. Measure your foot length in centimetres and compare it with the brand's size chart, since UK sizes differ between brands.

Measure your foot at home in four steps:

1. Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall.
2. Mark the tip of your longest toe.
3. Measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres.
4. Compare that length with the size chart on the product page.

NoStrain publishes a men's leather sandals size chart with UK, US, EU and centimetre sizes. The men's leather sandals run UK 6 to 11 and the cork range UK 6 to 12.

Wide feet and adjustable straps

Feet often swell a little by evening, and some feet simply run wide. Look for sandals with adjustable straps so you can open the strap up or take it in. NoStrain's cork sandals use adjustable straps, and the leather range uses hook-and-loop or buckle closures.

If the pair still does not fit, NoStrain accepts returns and exchanges within 7 days of delivery, in original condition and packaging. The full terms are on its return and exchange policy page.

What if I have flat feet or need arch support?

Look for a contoured footbed under the arch and a cupped heel. NoStrain's arch support footwear collection lists leather sandals, sliders and arch slippers for men and women, each with a built-in arch. They are everyday footwear and not a treatment, so painful flat feet need a doctor first.

According to the NHS, flat feet usually cause no problems. It advises seeing a GP if they hurt, feel stiff, weak or numb, or if you did not have them before.

What should I do if sandals rub or cause blisters?

Break new sandals in over a few short outings before a full day, and check that the strap sits flat instead of digging in. A rub can point to a strap or size problem. NoStrain's guide to preventing chafing when wearing sandals goes through the fixes.

How do I look after sandals?

For leather sandals, spot clean with a soft damp cloth and let them air dry away from direct sunlight. Skip bleach and abrasive cleaners, and do not machine wash. Other materials have their own care notes on the product page.

• Rotate pairs so each one can dry out between wears.
• Condition leather lightly from time to time.
• Store sandals flat, away from heat.

Which sandals should I buy first?

If you are unsure, start with the occasion. Choose leather for work and dressier outfits, cork for everyday casual wear, waterproof sandals for the monsoon, and arch support footwear if you want a contoured footbed. Then confirm your size before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Which sandals are good for daily wear? It depends on your day. For work, leather sandals with adjustable straps are the closer fit. For errands and weekends, cork sandals work. In the rain, choose waterproof sandals. Whichever you pick, wear a new pair for a few hours first, and check the size chart before you order.

Can I wear sandals to the office? That depends on your office dress code. If sandals are allowed, the leather buckle and parallel strap styles are the dressier end of NoStrain's men's range. Closed shoes remain the safer choice for formal settings, and some workplaces ban open footwear altogether.

Are cork sandals a good choice for men? NoStrain's cork sandals for men use a cork footbed with a suede leather insole and adjustable straps, in thong, parallel strap, double-layer and mule styles. They suit casual and festive outfits. The collection runs from UK 6 to 12, so it also covers larger sizes.

What size should I order in men's sandals? Measure your foot length in centimetres and compare it with the size chart on the product page. NoStrain's men's leather sandals run UK 6 to 11 and the cork range UK 6 to 12. If the pair does not fit, returns and exchanges are accepted within 7 days of delivery.