A few years ago, trawling the web for the best fisherman sandals money can buy would’ve been a tough, thankless task. The strappy leather silhouette, which originated on the Mediterranean coast, simply couldn’t get near the dominance of clogs, Birkenstock sandals, or slip-on loafers. But then, all of that changed.
Fisherman sandals—hallmarked by a closed-toe design and cage-like strap, to help sea water drain from those fishermen’s feet quickly—started cropping 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 newfangled 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 full toes before they look their late-summer best.
Nowadays, sourcing the best of the style requires casting a wide net (sorry, again). So I did the hard work for you—below, 14 pairs to keep your feet breezy but steezy.
The Best Fisherman Sandals, According to GQ
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Best Fisherman Sandals Overall: Camper Pelotas Flota Fisherman Sandal
Camper—known for quality, comfortable footwear—has a knack for tweaking familiar footwear styles just enough, improving the classics without reinventing the wheel. Its fisherman sandal—a sibling of the brand’s iconic Pelotas shoe—takes the DNA of fisherman sandals, but ups the comfort, and brings the aesthetic more in-line with sneaker-adjacent outdoor styles from the likes of Keen. In short, this is a comfortable fisherman sandal your grandpa would wear with joy, but also a fashion statement to those in the know, should you wish to make it.
Best Foam-Cushioned Fisherman Sandals: Mephisto Sam Fisherman Sandal
Fellow comfort and quality purveyors Mephisto relied on more traditional styling for their fisherman sandal, but not without utilising more contemporary tech—a foam-cushioned footbed—when it comes to comfort. The grippy sole will also make for sure footing whether landlocked or otherwise, and the high quality, soft leather upper means this pair is by no means a single season sandal selection.
Best Outdoorsy Fisherman Sandals: Todd Snyder x Gardenheir Leather Fisherman Sandal
It’s no surprise that Todd Snyder, a man whose brand is steeped in classic menswear, would make a killer pair of heritage-feeling fisherman sandals. Made in collaboration with gardening savants Gardenheir, and cut from a supple Italian, vegetable tanned leather, these sandals cut no corners. The comfortable crepe sole evokes a summery espadrille, and even the way the leather weaves into the sandal’s vamp is that much more intentional and detailed.
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.
Best Splurge-Worthy Fisherman Sandals: Loro Piana Maxime Walk Suede Sandal
Don’t go fishing in these. 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.
Loro Piana, of course, is one of the names in luxury. The quality of its products is second to none, so it stands to reason that their iteration of this style would also hit that upper echelon of expertise. Made from a soft suede, they may not stand up to much actual sea-faring, but they’ll more than do for ensuring your feet feel the most elegant they have all year.
Best Fashion-Guy Fisherman Sandals: Studio Nicholson Cassius Sandal
For the last few years, Studio Nicholson has been one of few London brands truly making waves in global style. Confidently, the brand has made its case for oversized and minimal garments, and followed in the footsteps of the likes of Jil Sander when it comes to pared-down design.