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Updated October 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Born Joshua
Born
Joshua
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Bottom Line

With leather that's soft out of the box, the break-in time for these sturdy shoes is nil.

Pros

Fisherman-style sandal with a full-grain leather upper. Buckle closure. Opanka hand-crafted construction. Comes in cymball full grain leather, black full grain leather and brown distressed. leather and fabric lining, cushioned footbed, rubber outsole.

Cons

A bit heavy on the foot.

Best Bang for the Buck
Born Jared
Born
Jared
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Bottom Line

Easy to slip on, this style offers a head-turning alternative to the fisherman's sandal design.

Pros

Full grain leather upper. Opanka hand-crafted construction. Comes in black full grain leather, brown distressed and cymball full grain leather. Leather and fabric lining, cushioned footbed, rubber outsole.

Cons

No strap on back of shoe to hold it onto foot.

Born Cabot II
Born
Cabot II
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Bottom Line

Comfortable footbed, comfortable straps, comfortable shoe, as long as the straps hold.

Pros

Fisherman-style sandal in full grain leather. Opanka hand-crafted construction. Hook-and-loop strap. Leather and fabric lining. Lightly cushioned footbed, EVON outsole.

Cons

Elastic band that holds the shoe together can break.

Born Jonah
Born
Jonah
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Bottom Line

Another slip-on style, but not as supportive as other options.

Pros

Full grain leather upper. Opanka hand-crafted construction. Comes in black full grain leather, brown distressed and cymball full grain leather. Leather and fabric lining. Padded footbed, rubber outsole.

Cons

Toe connector pops out too easily. Not as supportive as other designs.

Born Hendryx
Born
Hendryx
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Bottom Line

Masculine straps make the difference in this laid-back spin on the fisherman sandal.

Pros

Full-grain leather upper. Opanka hand-crafted construction. Buckle closure. Leather lining. EVON outsole.

Cons

No color choices.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
196
Consumers
Consulted
10
Hours
Researched
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For casual sandals that look great with their full-grain leather uppers and simple designs, Born sandals are a great choice. Slip-on, flip-flop, and fisherman style sandals are available, and Born sandals are known for their comfort right out of the box and minimal break-in time.The Opanka handcrafted construction makes for sturdy designs and solid stitching. Though these sandals are great on the beach or on a boat, they’re dressy enough to wear to work. The durable cork or rubber outsoles mean they can handle light hikes as well as casual strolls. Born sandals have few color choices and limited designs, but their timeless style and durable construction mean they should last you for years.

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