The Best Shoes for Everyday Comfort

At OluKai, there’s nothing we understand more than the value of a walk on the beach. Our lives are dedicated to our work in, on, or near the water, which means we end up spending a lot of time with our feet in the sand.

The truth is, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We believe that wet sand is nature’s way of providing your feet the arch support and pain relief they really need. It's this belief that led us to create the Wet Sand Principle. Put simply, the Wet Sand Principle™ is designed to infuse each step you take in a pair of OluKai shoes with the comfort you find from a walk on the beach. Picture this… your bare feet sink slowly into wet sand, immediately cupping the heels, filling the arches, and splaying the toes all at once. It’s this sensation of support and relief that inspires our anatomically contoured footbeds. Designed to provide the perfect balance of instant comfort and lasting support, our wet sand-inspired footbeds are found in every single product we make. From water-friendly sandals to beach-town sneakers to upcountry boots, the Wet Sand Principle™ is the “common thread” that ties all OluKai footwear together. So no matter what pair of OluKai shoes you choose to take with you, you’ll feel supported, all day long.

What are the best shoes for walking on the beach?

Walks on the beach are our favorite pastime at OluKai, which means we completely understand the importance of a beach-friendly shoe. The ideal shoe for a beach walk should be flexible yet durable, breathable yet snug, and stable yet light on the toes. Rather than spending all day looking for shoes that check all those boxes at once, we went ahead and selected three styles sure to make any beach walk better.

How does walking on the beach improve fitness?

Sometimes a beach walk might be a bit more about staying in shape than it is about taking in the sunset, and one of the most prevalent benefits of walking on the beach comes from the natural resistance of sand. Walking through sand is known to be a low-impact workout that strengthens your feet and ankles, which is why it’s so important to wear shoes that won’t slow you down with unnecessarily dense materials.

If you’re looking for an on-the-go sneaker that can keep up with your pace, the Mio Lī is easily one of our most lightweight styles. Maximum breathability provided by an airy mesh construction and an integrated lacing system ensures a secure and stable fit for all-day wear without any concerns of losing your grip. If that wasn’t enough to earn Mio Lī its reputation as an ideal beach shoe, check out the cushioned Polyurethane (PU) footbed. If you’re looking for weather-resistant material that is durable yet lightweight enough that you won’t get weighed down in the sand, the PU footbed provides all the versatility you need.

How can I make walks on the beach more comfortable?

Sometimes a walk on the beach takes you a bit further than just “to the boardwalk and back”. For those walks that take you to the beach and beyond, check out the Wailuku. Inspired by strolls along the river in Hilo, Hawai’i, the Wailuku sneaker is designed for those with a sense of adventure, who don’t want to miss out on maximum comfortability. The Wailuku offers cloud-like cushioning that provides unmatched comfort and support for all-day wear, and a quick-drying drying breathable mesh keeps your feet dry and cozy no matter where your walk takes you. Plus, the Wailuku has an enhanced grip to ensure slip-free steps, so you can walk over any terrain without breaking a sweat.

And just to prove we’re serious about comfort, check out what these OluKai reviewers have to say about the Wailuku.

“Most comfortable shoes ever! Usually, the first thing I do when I get home is kick the shoes off. I actually put these on to just wear around the house! I have had several compliments on them too.” - Sheryl, ★★★★★

“The most comfortable yet stylish shoe I have ever purchased! Highly recommend.” - Jan, ★★★★★

“Absolutely love them. No socks, no blisters” - Lucille, ★★★★★

What are the best practices for beach walking?

For those whose walks on the beach might be interrupted by a game of frisbee or a spontaneous dip in the water, it’s important to have a shoe that offers hassle-free wear. A lightweight sneaker that can be slipped off just as easily as you slipped them on can make all the difference when walking by the water. Inspired by the ancient surfing locale of Hilo, Hawai’i, the Huia is the most versatile shoe available for walking on the beach. With a breezy engineered mesh and a comfortable underfoot bounce, the Huia is the perfect lightweight trainer for activewear, anywhere.

When it comes to walking on the beach, you can never take your choice of footwear too seriously. This is why we can say we’re serious when we recommend these beach-walk-ready picks. Combined with the Wet Sand Principle™, these styles are easy winners when it comes to our top beach-walk-ready styles.

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