Best Sandals for Orthotics UK: Summer Footwear That Works

Sandals present a fundamental challenge for orthotic wearers: most designs lack any mechanism to hold the foot securely over the orthotic. Without a closed upper, lacing system, or heel counter, the foot simply slides around on top of the device, negating its corrective function and often causing blisters or skin irritation.

Thin, flat footbeds compound the problem. Many fashion sandals have little more than a few millimetres of material between the foot and the ground, leaving no space for an orthotic and no inherent support.

But good options do exist. A growing number of sandal brands now design specifically for foot health, incorporating features that make orthotic use practical and comfortable throughout the summer months.

When assessing a sandal for orthotic use, look for these essential features:

• Contoured removable footbed: The factory footbed should lift out cleanly, leaving a flat surface for your orthotic to sit on. A contoured footbed that cannot be removed will conflict with the shape of your orthotic.
• Heel strap: A strap around the back of the heel prevents the foot from sliding backward off the orthotic. Without this, the orthotic cannot maintain its intended position under the arch and heel.
• Adjustable fastenings at multiple points: Ideally, the sandal should have adjustable straps across the forefoot, midfoot, and heel. This allows you to fine-tune the fit to accommodate the additional height of the orthotic.
• 10-15mm of depth: The footbed area needs sufficient depth to house the orthotic without the foot sitting too high and spilling over the edges of the sole.
• Firm heel cup: Even in an open sandal, a moulded heel cup helps centre the heel on the orthotic and prevents lateral movement.

These sandals have been selected for their genuine orthotic compatibility, build quality, and availability in the UK:

• Vionic Shore (~£90): Purpose-built for orthotic-level support. The Shore features a contoured removable footbed with a deep heel cup, adjustable hook-and-loop straps, and a firm midsole. Carries the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance. One of the most reliably orthotic-compatible sandals on the market.
• Birkenstock Arizona (~£90-120): The classic cork footbed provides excellent arch support out of the box, and it can be removed to accommodate a custom orthotic. Choose the two-strap Arizona over toe-post styles; toe-post sandals force the toes to grip, which counteracts orthotic function. Available in regular and narrow widths.
• Cosyfeet Tender (~£60): Designed specifically for wide feet and problem feet. The Tender features extra-wide fitting, adjustable straps with generous overlap, and a removable insole. Particularly good for feet with swelling, bunions, or diabetic complications.
• Hotter Solstice (~£65): A comfortable walking sandal with a removable cushioned insole and adjustable straps. Hotter's consistent sizing makes it easy to order online with confidence. Good for everyday summer wear.
• Ecco Yucatan (~£100): A robust outdoor sandal with a removable insole, three-point adjustability, and a durable rubber outsole. Excellent for walking holidays and active use. The nubuck leather upper is hard-wearing and moulds to the foot over time.

If you do not wear custom orthotics but want sandals with built-in biomechanical support, several brands offer sandals with integrated orthotic-grade footbeds:

• Vionic range: Every Vionic sandal includes their proprietary orthotic footbed with a deep heel cup and arch support. These are designed by podiatrists and provide a level of support that rivals many off-the-shelf orthotic insoles. The footbed is removable in most styles, so you can swap in a custom orthotic if needed.
• HOKA Ora Recovery Slide: Originally designed as a post-run recovery sandal, the Ora slide features HOKA's signature oversized midsole with a cradling footbed. It provides excellent cushioning and arch support in a simple slide format. Note that slides lack a heel strap, so they are best suited for short-duration wear rather than extended walking.
• Skechers Arch Fit Sandal: Skechers' Arch Fit technology uses podiatrist-certified arch support in a removable insole. Their sandal range includes styles with heel straps and adjustable fastenings, making them more functional for orthotic wearers than many competitors at this price point.

Flip-flops are not compatible with orthotics, regardless of how thick or contoured their footbed may be. The fundamental problem is biomechanical: flip-flops rely on the toes gripping the toe post to keep the sandal on the foot. This forced toe gripping activates the wrong muscle groups, alters gait mechanics, and places excessive strain on the plantar fascia.

Even "supportive" flip-flops with arch contours and cushioned footbeds cannot overcome this basic design limitation. The lack of a heel strap means there is no way to secure the foot over an orthotic, and the flat, flexible sole provides no torsional stability.

If you need very casual summer footwear, opt for a slide with a heel strap or a simple sandal with adjustable fastenings instead.