If there’s one thing Milwaukee knows how to do, it’s throw a festival! No outfit is complete without the best festival shoes to look and feel good all day long.
When looking for festival shoes, here’s what to prioritize:
- Comfort: If you’re going to be on your feet all day, your shoes need to support your feet and leave you feeling good.
- Durability: Dancing, walking, jumping, standing: your shoes go through a lot during a festival! Look for durable materials that will keep them intact.
- Washability: Mud, spilled drinks, rain, and more are all things your shoes will carry you through. Pick ones that can recover more easily once you get home.
- Trendiness: It’s not a festival without pics! Choose shoes that will make you look great on the ‘gram.
We’ve picked out a few pairs that fit the bill below. Check out our picks or shop hundreds more styles in store or online today!
Best Festival Shoes for Women
Best Women’s Sandals for Festivals
Sandals don’t have to be unsupportive. In fact, sandals with cork footbeds are fantastic for your feet! Cork molds to the shape of your foot to provide support exactly where you need it, which increases comfort and reduces fatigue.
When it comes to festival style, we love Mephisto’s Hyacinta sandal. Three adjustable, multicolor straps work together seamlessly to make a statement as well as keep your foot locked in for all day movement. Plus, the SOFT-AIR midsole helps to absorb the shocks of walking so that you feel less tired at the end of the night.
Haflinger’s Andrea sandals feature colorful, patterned styles sure to catch the eye. It’s great for any festival location due to its lightweight rubber sole, which provides traction on a variety of surfaces. Soft suede footbeds and genuine leather uppers will make each step feel luxurious.
Shop our full collection of summer sandals, especially Mephisto and Haflinger, at stansshoes.com today!
Best Women’s Sneakers for Festivals
Sandals may be the obvious pick for hot summer days, but sneakers are a great alternative for cool nights, as well as a better chance of avoiding your toes getting stepped on.
One of our favorite sneakers for festival-wear is Keen’s KS86. Though originally a trail runner, a trendy colorblock design makes this just as attractive on the fairgrounds as it is the woods. This sneaker includes a foam midsole for lightweight cushioning, a high-traction rubber outsole, water repellent materials, and anti-odor properties.
When it comes to slip-ons, we recommend Spring Step’s Carraway. An abstract colorized face makes these shoes a treat to look at, plus a plush footbed supports your every step. Perforations along the top and sides increase breathability in this high-quality leather style.
Shop our full collection of summer sneakers and slip-ons, especially Keen and Spring Step, at stansshoes.com today!
Best Women’s Athletic Shoes for Festivals
Athletic shoes are the ultimate choice for all-day activity, and they’re trendier than ever!
On Running makes some of the most popular shoes on the market today. Known for their unique “Cloud” outsole, each style ensures cushioned and energetic steps. Their shoes are lightweight, sleek, and modern; plus, many are waterproof. We especially recommend the Cloud 5 and Cloud X 3 for your next festival.
You’ve seen them on TikTok: now shop HOKA’s Clifton and Bondi styles at Stan’s! HOKAs have maximum cushioning for the softest steps imaginable, in addition to breathable mesh uppers and extended rear crash pads for balance and stability. You’ll forget you’re wearing them, even after eight hours on your feet.
Shop our full collection of athletic shoes, especially On Running and HOKA, at stansshoes.com today!
Best Festival Shoes for Men
Best Men’s Sandal for Festivals
We said it above, and we’ll say it again: sandals with cork beds are the best pick for being on your feet all day! For men, we recommend the classic Birkenstock Arizona, which has two adjustable buckle straps for a customizable fit. The EVA outsole smooths out slight irregularities in the floor to cushion each step, especially useful on gravel festival grounds.
Best Men’s Sneaker for Festivals
If you’re looking for a closed-toe option that doesn’t veer all the way into athleticism, we highly recommend a Pikolinos style like the Cambil. The multicolored leather looks great on the outside, while a memory foam insole makes your foot feel good on the inside. Built in arch and heel support make these a comfortable option for all-day wear, or you can remove the insole to add your own inserts.
Best Men’s Athletic Shoe for Festivals
New Balance is a fantastic athletic shoe for all occasions, including festivals. We specifically like the Fresh Foam X 860v14, which was crafted for longevity. It combines New Balance’s patented Fresh Foam cushioning with Stability Plane technology to keep you solid for long days enjoying the summer.
Shop Festival Shoes at Stan’s!
No matter what you’re anticipating this summer, from festivals to vacations to beach days, Stan’s has the shoes to make it your best season yet! Visit our three Milwaukee area stores in Brookfield, Greenfield, or Glendale seven days a week, or shop our full collection online 24/7 at stansshoes.com
Since its inception in 1950, Midwest Shoe Merchants has reliably sourced stylish and comfortable footwear for the greater Milwaukee area. Today, under the stewardship of its third-generation family owners, Midwest Shoe Merchants is recognized as one of the nation’s top independent shoe retailers. With 7 Midwest brick-and-mortar locations under 4 distinct retail brands – Stan’s, Goodmiles Running Company, The Vionic Store Milwaukee, and Waxberg’s Walk Shoppe in Niles, IL, and a thriving, national e-commerce business, Midwest Shoe Merchants proudly serves a diverse clientele from all walks of life.