The Ideal Summer Shoe Isn’t a Sandal—Shop Stylish Footwear Made for City Living

City dwellers rejoice! There are a handful (footful?) of summer shoes—beyond your typical sneakers or sandals—that can withstand both metropolitan lifestyles and hot, sticky days. And you don’t have to give up your good style in exchange for a shoe that works as hard as you do! Look to this season’s selection of sling-back and cutout loafers, fisherman sandals, and breeze-through flats. We’re focused on footwear that truly goes the distance no matter your choice of transport: bike rides, subway rides, or long walks. In other words, these are shoes that, well, don’t expose your freshly pedicured toes to elements on sidewalks and subway stops.

We’re also recommending a truly flat sole—have you ever tried to catch a train wearing platforms or take the ferry in a wobbly kitten-heel mule? (We wouldn’t recommend it.) And extra support from sling-backs, ankle wraps, or Mary Janes straps is essential, especially if you’re running late. When you’re on the go, there’s no time to make bad shoe choices, and one shouldn’t avoid hopping on a bike share simply because you’re wearing the wrong shoes.

Women who prefer not to show their feet in the summer might enjoy these summertime versions of classic silhouettes, like Manolo Blahnik’s raffia loafers, Mari Giudicelli’s airy woven Mary Janes, or Etienne Aigner’s two-tone ballet-flat espadrilles. Meanwhile, unexpected summer storms, dog walks, and school drop-offs are no match for Bottega Veneta’s sling-back rubber clogs.

Here, 15 stylish summer shoes made for walking, biking, commuting, and everything else that comes along with city living.