11 Best Fisherman Sandals to Wear in 2024 That’ll Easily Reel You In
Nope, not clickbait (heh). These shoes are seriously cute.
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I know you've long flung your fave fuzzy socks and perhaps, even your shoes into the wind (or closet—that works, too). This summer and even early fall, we're freeing our feet by way of fisherman sandals—ya know, the woven shoes your 'rents used to wear...oh, and actual fishermen, too.
I get it! You either love 'em or hate 'em. But however you feel about this trend, what's undeniable is that they're making a strong comeback thanks to the unique twists from runway designers like Tory Burch, Loewe, Miu Miu, Versace, and Prada. Take a quick scroll on Insta and I'm pretty sure you'll also find your fave influencer in a pair!
Sure, these sandals are having a major moment rn, but they're actually a classic—globally and in terms of fashion. I even remember seeing old photos of my parents in Haiti wearing their brown leather braided fisherman sandals (aka "batas" in Creole). You'll also find renditions that originated in European and Spanish cultures. Obvi, there's just something about the fisherman sandal that's effortlessly timeless—and this season, it's got a big fashion upgrade, so you can try out this style, too. Coming right up, 11 of the best fisherman sandals from Zara, Steve Madden, JW PEI, and many more to add to cart ASAP!
Our top picks for the best fisherman sandals in 2024:
These fab finds were maybe not made for fishing—rather for strutting, closing deals, hitting the pavement, and whatever else you wanna do! You should totally style 'em with denim or summer shorts and a breezy top, BTW! Also, here are some travel sandals that I'm pretty sure you'll need on those vacays comin' up.
Pros
- Under $15
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge
- Reviewers say these highlight pedicures well!
Cons
- The plastic material may irritate after awhile, as per review
Flatform babes, these are for you. This elevated look consists of cork material and clear straps so you can have ease and versatility. YAY.
| Sizes: | 4-12 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Clear/Cork |
| Material: | Synthetic |
Pros
- Made with genuine leather
- Reviewers mention this pair is comfortable to wear for hours at a time
- Available in three colors
Cons
- A few reviewers say these fit a bit narrow
No one likes to be slippin' and slidin' anywhere and this slip-resistant pair that's handmade with leather will ensure you've got a solid grip on life no matter where you're heading. The one inch heel is ideal for those days where you have to be on your feet for long hours!
| Sizes: | 5.5-11 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | White, Brown, Black |
| Material: | Leather outer, Rubber soles |
Pros
- Lug sole is sturdy
- Two colorways to choose from
- Reviewers rave that they are lightweight
Cons
- Some reviewers say these run small
Steve Madden has given us all the reason to rave about this rocker-aesthetic fisherman style. With a stark black coat, silver hardware, 2-inch heel height, and heavy-duty platform sole, you'll be looking like the toughest on the block in no time.
| Sizes: | 5-12 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Black, Natural Raffia |
| Material: | Raffia upper, synthetic lining and sole |
Pros
- Made of genuine leather
- Can be easily cleaned with a soft brush or stiff sponge
- Comfy block heel
Cons
- Only available in one colorway
How about this chic approach on the fisherman sandal? Everyone is going to be asking where you found this pair that has a thick leather cage design and a heel height of 2.2 inches. I know I would!
| Sizes: | 5-11 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Ivory |
| Material: | Leather, Rubber insole |
Pros
- More flexible than PVC styles
- 4 colorways available
- Secure hardware
- Comfortable platform height
Cons
- No flatform rendition available
Sure, you know about JW Pei for all the cute viral bags and the puffy sandal that's everywhere these days but allow me to put you onto this platform sandal.
| Sizes: | 5-10 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Brown, Beige & Orange, Yellow, and Pink |
| Material: | TPU, Vegan Leather, Rubber |
Pros
- A slip-on style
- Vegan- and eco-friendly
- It's scented!
Cons
- The images aren't true to color (but reviewers obsess over 'em anyway).
Did you really think we were gonna do a roundup without an OG jelly sandal?! This '90s shoe was such a staple and still lives on today and in tons of colorways *gently wipes away tear*.
| Sizes: | 5-12 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Brown, Purple |
| Material: | PVC |
Sam Edelman Dawn Sandal in Modern Ivory
Pros
- True-to-size
- Has secure buckles
- Available in four colorways
- Reviewers have worn for long periods without discomfort
Cons
- A reviewer shared a heads up to break them in
Good news: you can wear these ALL DAY. These stylish (hello, raffia), highly recommended shoes give your feet room to swell on those hot, sweaty days. Plus, the soles are well made and comfy.
| Sizes: | 5-11 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Black, Saddle Se, Bleeched Beechwood, and more. |
| Material: | Synthetic |
Pros
- There are two adjustable buckles
Cons
- Reviewer said it runs large
Yes, Dr. Martens—the brand known for combat boots—has it's own hybrid fisherman sandal! Like, how cool is this? The smooth leather in this pretty hue (you should see the periwinkle one, too) and matte finish is enough to convince me I absolutely need these.
| Sizes: | 5-11 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Coral, Black, Blue, White, and more. |
| Material: | Leather |
Pros
- Croc design
- Cushioned footbed
- Made with leather
- A reviewer wore while running errands and didn't want to take 'em off!
Cons
- One reviewer spotted paint peeling off of leather
Bring the sunshine in every situation with these bright and cushy platform fisherman sandals that feature a croc-embossed design. This pair is a lil heavier but it makes up for it with how cute they are, right?!
| Sizes: | 5-12 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Yellow Ray, Black, Chalk, and more. |
| Material: | Leather |
Pros
- Under $40
- True-to-size
- Reviewers are obsessed with the comfort
Cons
- Reviewers say it's not ideal for wide feet
Compliments are comin' your way with these on your feet. If you're looking for a cute, affordable, and maybe even a last-minute shoe (hi, Prime shipping!), your search is over.
| Sizes: | 6-11 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Off-White, Black |
| Material: | Rubber |
Pros
- Padded sole
- Leather lining
- Made with crochet raffia
Cons
- Over $400
Okay, these sandals are giving picnic vibes, right? This chill approach on the fisherman style also has comfy leather padding, so you can wear just about anything with this and go everywhere in it. BRB, working on my charcuterie board skills...
| Sizes: | 5-11 |
|---|---|
| Color(s): | Natural raffia |
| Material: | Crochet raffia, leather |
What are fisherman sandals?
Let's go waaay back. As you may have figured out, today's fisherman lewk is inspired by the shoes fishermen and women have worn for hundreds of years! The trend draws major inspo from ancient forms of footwear, with illustrations revealing that variations of these sandals were worn around the world since as far back as the Roman Empire and ancient Egypt. We're talkin' style that stemmed from the thick-sole sandals of historic Roman soldiers.
These days, fisherman sandals come in a variety of styles: jellies, gladiator, and even a hint of the huarache sandal. The modern fisherman sandal typically has an open design that allows air to flow and stops water from pooling in (so instead, water drains out). Talk about ventilation!
These shoes usually protect your precious feet pretty well because of the interwoven straps, and there's often some sort of buckle fastening. Plus, the enclosed toe makes for a functional fashion win. Many designers stay true to the fisherman's classic form (it's all about the leather, bb) but it's been refreshing seeing the new editions like the colorful choices we curated above!
How do you style fisherman sandals?
Pretty much any which way! Before all the hype, these sandals were worn in super casual settings and would have never been considered an option anywhere else. But things have changed! While fisherman sandals are still a great practical choice if you're into boating and fishing, you can dress them up with a luxe jumpsuit or a gorge summer dress for work, brunch, errands, or some fun with your besties.
How we chose the best fisherman sandals
We have a good feeling we'll be seeing more fashionable takes on the fisherman sandal real soon, but in the meantime, reel in our faves before they sell out!
Cosmo’s team of fashion experts—which includes fashion director Cassie Anderson and fashion features director Rachel Torgerson, senior accessories editor Andrea Zendejas, and fashion editors Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien and Danielle Flum—have decades of experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore Page and conduct research across retailers of all kinds to bring you the best clothing and accessory picks for every season. Basically, we've curated a chic little corner of the internet for you like it’s our job (because it is, heh).
We have pretty high standards when it comes to clothing and accessory recommendations. Each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge and includes products for all sizes. And you better believe we read those product reviews (and test many of the brands IRL) so you don't have to. You're welcome!
Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien is the fashion editor at Cosmopolitan, writing weighty and witty stories that run the gamut of gushing over Zendaya to convincing you of everything you need in your closet! She began her journey in the industry with a fashion and faith blog and an internship at Elle about 10 years ago. Since then, she's also served as the style editor at The Haitian Times. The Haitian-American pageant queen is Miss Supranational Haiti 2024, a Syracuse Masters graduate, and the author of three books, including: Claim Your Crown. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @iamtarahlynn.
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