There’s no denying the fashion appeal of a waterproof hiking style sandal. Especially now our summer weather is in rainy mode, and we're not entirely sure what shoes to wear.
Superstar designers and A-list stars alike have been wearing them for years. Prada and Stella McCartney create their own versions, but I think I've just found the best affordable pair out there now in these £65 Z-Straps from Fitflop.
Because they are waterproof, these are sandals you can wear in rain or shine, or both, without hiding your pedicure. Because they’re technical they have grippy soles and supportive footbeds that mean you won’t slip in a puddle whether on errands, a 10,000 step walk, or even a hike.
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
Thanks to their minimal styling they have a sporty chic elegance which means they pair as well with a pretty summer dress, or a black summer dress, as they do with a pair of linen trousers, jeans or shorts.
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
Which brings me back, to give them their full name, to the “F Mode Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals” by Fitflop. As soon as I saw them, with their thick sole and simple criss-cross adjustable straps, I was reminded of a pair that costs £920 by the British designer Phoebe Philo.
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
As hiking sandals go, they don’t scream “technical”, even though they are very technical.
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
In fact, they're ergonomically engineered to help optimize your body's alignment, have arch support, and are designed to support the walking process.
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
F-MODE Go Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
They come in black, white or an animal print which allows them to work with any style. If you prefer pared back styling, these will also work with a black summer dress, a midi-skirt, or with petite dress styles. If your penchant is for more boho styling, these shoes, especially the animal print, will ground the look with a wink of fun and a dash of modernity.
F-MODE Go Leopard Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
F-MODE Go Leopard Adjustable Webbing Z-Strap Sandals
I already own a similar pair to these, bought last year, which I happily wear in the rain; they dry out quickly, and honestly, once I put them on, I don't give them a second thought.
If you’re looking for a chic everyday sandal that you don’t have to sideline at first sight of a raindrop, you’ve found a pair that will serve you for many summers to come.
