I typically start every spring the same way: scouring the internet for fisherman sandals. It’s my unofficial marker of the season. For me, they’re the ideal transitional shoe. They still cover parts of your feet when it’s chilly, keeping the toes warm, but they invite spring with their sandal-like airiness and versatility. They can last well into the fall, too (especially when paired with socks). With their cute buckles, caged silhouette, and padded soles, they feel like a European vacation on foot. Or at least my ideal ones would. Try as I might, I haven’t quite unlocked a pair that fits my criteria (comfy, style-forward, and packable).
Last year I purchased a pair that, while I loved them in theory, ended up being too chunky and were impossible to toss in a suitcase without them taking up valuable real estate. The year before, I purchased a pair so uncomfortable that I couldn’t wear them to my local park without resting every few minutes. This year, things will be different. I’m determined to find a pair I can travel with, walk distances in, and wear during the day and for a night out. Also, I don’t want it to be just another minimalist shoe in my mix — they should make a little bit of a statement. I tried out nine pairs, from chunky to classic to printed to jellies, and finally landed on some winning ones.
