Are sandals for men always naff?

[tobee]

I have a teen boy who just spends summer in socks and trainers. It seems hot and a massive fag to wear socks all the time. So I look for sandals every year for him but they always seem kind of awful selection wise.

I've tried giving espadrilles type shoes to wear without socks but "they rub". I think flip flops would be a similar no go because of toe posts even if they were the coolest ever pair.

Am I just looking in the wrong places?

Sorry had to post these guys

But does this guy pass?

Teenagers (both sexes) wear flip flops or trainers/vans/converse IME. Mostly the latter except on a beach.

What about Toms? www.toms.co.uk/women/black-multi-speckle-chambray-womens-classics?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI--bS0sq32wIVl4XVCh2kgAPmEAkYBSABEgIuPvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yes my ds would have to get past any rubbing issues with someone of these, sort of toughen up his feet! He's sensitive about them because he used to get eczema on them and it's only recently that he'd be happy to try sandals.

My kids quite like Timberland sandals.

DS has sports sandals (worn very rarely), plain white plimsolls, blue converse and leather flip flops for summer but his feet haven't grown for a few years so it's reasonable to spend a little more than when he went up a size every few weeks. He and DH now have the same size feet.

DS17 is very high fashion and wears Birkie Arizonas.

Thanks!

18yo DS wears Nike sliders, definitely the sandal of choice amongst his age group. DD1 (who is 17) has also got in on the act, and has just bought a Reebok pair. Not my choice of footwear, but better than sweaty trainers.

DH has a pair of Birkinstock-Arizona-alikes, with two brown leather straps. They look nice on him, but DS wouldn't wear anything like that.