Buying guide for Best Nike sandals for men
Nike is best known for its iconic sneakers, such as Air Jordans, Air Max, and Air Force 1, but did you know the famous footwear brand also makes sandals? It does, and Nike’s sandals borrow some of the best features it’s brought to the market with other footwear.
While there aren’t too many different types of Nike sandals — they’re limited to slides and flip-flops — each design is full of character, style, and comfort. Many designs have a cushioned or contoured footbed to provide comfort and shock absorption, and others have seamless stitching to minimize friction. Nike’s sandals also display the brand’s Swoosh, Air Jordan, or Air Max logo.
Are you ready to put your best foot forward in a pair of Nike sandals? Of course you are, which is why we’ve put together this buying guide to introduce you to popular designs and features. Keep reading to find the right pair of Nike sandals to suit your style, and take a look at some of our favorites.
Key considerations
Popular styles
Slides: Slides reign supreme as the most popular style of Nike men’s sandals. These designs feature a single wide strap that wraps over the instep. In some slides, the strap is adjustable by way of a Velcro closure.
Besides obvious design differences, Nike slides offer more in the way of a shoe-like fit than flip-flops do. In many styles, the slides are contoured to keep the feet in the optimal position while walking and standing. Some slides also have a cushioned footbed for added shock absorption, especially those with Air Max technology. Nike slides are generally more supportive than flip-flops, especially since many have contouring at the arch and ball of the foot.
Flip-flops: While there aren’t as many Nike flip-flops as there are slides, they remain a solid choice for a well-made sandal. Unlike flip-flops made by competitors, Nike’s are made with superior materials that exponentially extend their overall lifespan.
Nike flip-flops have relatively simple designs, and more often than not they’re monochromatic or feature neutral colors. The sole, however, features unique construction, with a textured footbed to grip feet better and an outsole with treads to boost traction. The footbed usually features cushioning or memory foam to provide a softer step as well.
Did You Know?
Just like shoes and sneakers, Nike sandals need to be broken in properly before you wear them for extended periods of time.
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Features
Materials
All Nike sandals feature lightweight construction due to synthetic materials such as nylon, vinyl, foam, and rubber. Nylon and vinyl make up the vast majority of straps, though thongs occasionally have cotton detail. The soles of Nike sandals are typically a combination of foam and rubber, and depending on the style, they may have plastic or silicone detail as well.
Colors and colorways
If you’re a loyal Nike consumer, you’re familiar with the term “colorways,” which refers to the unique color palette of each design. While the term is typically used to discuss sneakers, it can also be applied to Nike sandals.
The simplest colorways of Nike sandals are monochromatic, and in these styles the only additional colors are accent colors of the Swoosh or emblem. Some slide sandals are a bit more stylish and feature bold colorways with neons, pastels, metallics, or on-trend colors.
Components
Footbed: The footbed on Nike sandals should be one of the first areas you examine, as it can make or break your wear experience. Some footbeds, particularly those in Nike flip-flops, are relatively flat and smooth. While they’re rarely contoured, they often have cushioning for shock absorption, especially styles with Solarsoft technology. Slides offer a more custom fit with their footbed designs, some of which feature reactive cushioning to achieve a softer step.
Outsole: Unlike sandals manufactured by competitors, Nike styles feature outsoles made with durable materials, namely rubber and foam. Most slides and flip-flops are well textured to enhance traction, and some styles even feature unique patterns that leave impressions on sand or dirt.
Another feature that stands out about the outsoles of Nike sandals is the platform, as most styles have a modest one of 1/2 inch to 7/8 inch. Not only does it provide ample space for Nike to infuse the sole with cushioning technology, but it also gives the feet a decent amount of clearance from sand, dirt, or wet ground.
If you’re a fan of the socks-and-slides look, you can coordinate pieces easily by wearing complementary colors.
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Accessories
Socks: Nike Men’s Soft-Dry Moisture Wicking Crew Socks
It’s easy to pull off the socks-and-slides look when you wear these Nike crew socks. They’re versatile in black with a white Swoosh, plus they keep your feet dry, too.
Shorts: Nike Dry Training Shorts
Stay comfortable and dry with a pair of Nike Dri-Fit shorts. They’re replete with sweat management technology, including wick-away material, well-placed ventilation holes, and breathable mesh pockets.
Shirt: Nike Men’s Dri-Fit Swoosh Tee
Rock Nike head to toe by wearing this classic Swoosh tee with your sandals and shorts. This tee has a cotton-polyester blend with Dri-Fit technology to pull sweat and moisture away from the body. It’s also available in eight popular colors.
Nike men’s sandal prices
Nike sandals for men range in price from $22 to $75, which mostly depends on the complexity of the design. Generally speaking, the better the materials, the more expensive the sandals.
Inexpensive: Budget-friendly Nike sandals cost $22 to $30 and include basic flip-flops as well as simple slides. Strap materials in these styles are typically synthetic.
Mid-range: When you enter the $30 to $50 range, you’ll find Nike slides that feature some of the company’s signature technology, such as Solarsoft footbeds or Air Max cushioning. These slides often include bold colorways and on-trend colors.
Expensive: The most expensive Nike sandals for men cost $55 to $75 and include slides with major design and comfort features. Occasionally, you’ll also find fashion or water-sport sandals in this range.
Caution
While most Nike sandals are made with water-repellent materials, they’re not waterproof. If they become saturated, they may warp or sustain long-term damage.
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Tips
- Look for your team colors. If you intend to wear Nike sandals to training before switching into your sport’s official footwear, you may wish to choose a style manufactured in your team’s colors.
- Store your sandals in a box. While it’s tempting to recycle the shoebox for your Nike sandals, it’s a good idea to save it. Rather than tossing your sandals in the closet during the off-season, store them in the original box so the straps won’t get crushed or creased.
- Try sneaker wipes. If you’re not crazy about using detergent or dish soap to clean your Nike sandals, consider using sneaker wipes on them. These products are specially formulated to clean popular footwear materials, including the synthetics on Nike sandals.
FAQ
Q. Do all Nike men’s slides have the same type of contoured footbed?
A. No, and if anything, this is the part of the sandal that gets the most attention with design improvements. In less-expensive slides, you’ll find only simple contouring, though in newer styles, the footbed is ergonomically shaped to better accommodate your foot.
Q. How do I clean Nike sandals without damaging the materials?
A. To get started on the right track, it’s a good idea to find out exactly which materials are used in your Nike sandals. Soles can be made of rubber or foam, however, these materials require completely differently cleaning products and processes. As for the straps, which are often made of synthetic materials, your best option is to spot clean them with a diluted mixture of mild soap and water.
Q. Are Nike men’s sandals available in half sizes?
A. Unfortunately, no. If your normal shoe or sneaker size is a half size, especially in other Nike footwear, it’s a good idea to try on the sizes above and below it. Some consumers feel Nike sandals run small and tend to be shorter than expected, and others say the footbeds are significantly wider. Regardless, be prepared to try on multiple sizes, if not multiple styles.
Q. Will Nike sandals provide adequate support for my foot?
A. Yes and no. In terms of other slides and flip-flops on the market, Nike sandals usually offer more in the way of ergonomic design and targeted support. Unfortunately, that’s the extent of it. If you experience podiatric issues such as low arches, bursitis, or plantar fasciitis, you may need to invest in more supportive footwear instead.
