I’ve only fished a few times—most recently on Lake Taupo in New Zealand, where I caught and released a trout or two—but I find myself wearing fisherman sandals as my go-to summer shoe. I don’t wear them out to sea. I wear them on the streets of New York, where their semi-closed toe keeps out stray puddles and protects against stubbed toes on subway steps.
The fisherman style is more practical than the average summer sandal. Strips of leather weave over the toe so your foot stays secure while still getting air and allowing water to drain. Heels can be enclosed or held by a strap; the model I’ve invested in, the Sabah Porto, has a back strap so the heel can breathe as well. What sold me was the leather: thin, soft, and sock-like. They were comfortable almost immediately. I got a couple of blisters on days one and two, easily managed with a sock or a simple barrier, and by day three they had molded to my feet. They’re flat, so if you need structured support for long days of walking you might look for something else, but for everyday wear they’re wonderfully forgiving.
I’d planned to pick up a pair as a souvenir on a river cruise in Colombia, from Cartagena to Barranquilla. I imagined buying them early in the trip and drifting downstream with them on. The places I actually visited were better known for palm weaving, so I returned with bags and earrings instead. Katalina Mayorga of El Camino Travel suggested I try Sabah, and I’m glad I followed her advice.
How I wear them varies. They’ve been my go-to on sunny days all summer, and I even wear them when it’s raining. On weekends and evenings I’ll wear them barefoot; for work I pair them with socks — white, brown, green, or black if I want a sock-boot look. They can be dressed up, peeking out from slacks and Oxfords, or down at the beach. At Rockaway Beach I got several compliments, including a guy who chased me down to ask the brand name. When I told him Sabah he said, I thought so.
If you want a sandal that feels as at home on a dock as it does at dinner, consider a fisherman style like the Sabah Porto. It’s not the choice for heavy arch support, but it’s versatile, durable, and surprisingly elegant for something so built for practical use.
