It used to be, years ago, a pair or two of flip-flops was all you needed (shoe-wise) to see you through the summer. Now, summer is just as busy as any other season, maybe even more so with countless outdoor activities, trips, weddings, home projects, camps, etc. Add all of that up and, whatever shoes you find yourself wearing, will take a beating. For several years now, I’ve been on a mission to find the perfect all-around summer shoe. Something durable, a shoe I can run around in chasing kids on the playground, go for a walk after a rainstorm, and do a bit of light yard work. Versatile, something that I can wear for work, for errands, for weekends. And, of course, a shoe that’s easy to wear, I’m definitely in the market for a slip-on. With all of these requirements, I’m not opposed to investing a bit more for a quality shoe than the flip-flops I’d wear to the bone in days gone by. Here are my top brands and styles for the perfect summer shoe.

First up, Earth Origins and their “Edgewater Eleta” sandal. This year’s version comes in black or taupe and has all-around serious traction. The adjustable straps are also nice, as the summer wears on and Velcro tends to stretch out. Also, as with all of Earth Origins’ shoes, they feature the “powerpath” footbed design to support the entire sole, no matter your activity level. For a dressier option, I also like their “Ficus Gemini” wedge, which gives you a bit more coverage with a braided leather upper in a slip-on silhouette for easy on and off. Earth Origins can run between $60-$120 a pair. There are slightly cheaper models at DSW ranging from $40-$60.

Next up TEVA and their “Hurricane” sandals. The women’s XLT2 has a foam midsole and a durabrasion rubber sole, so it not only is rugged enough for the trail and the stream, but it also provides support on hard and hot pavement. The design is a bit more graphic with a geometric pattern on the straps, while the quick-dry polyester webbing, along with the nylon shank and traction, makes it flexible over uneven terrain. In a nutshell, this sandal is a high-end “crick” shoe at $100 a pair. For half that price, you could pick up Teva’s “Original Universal” water sandal that is just as durable and comes in a variety of patterns, making them a bit more stylish when you’re on the town, as well as on the river.

Another great outdoor shoe is TOMS’ “Ray” sandals. The rubber outsoles make them slip-resistant, while the molded arch provides all-day comfort. This sporty shoe comes in black and gold, but I prefer the black, as lighter toned shoes can start to look dirty after just one or two wears. Of course, TOMS is also known for its canvas slip shoes, which come in a variety of colors and patterns. These flats are not necessarily made for rough off-trail wear, but the suede footbed will keep your feet comfy at your work picnic. Both the sandal and slip-on are priced at $50, which includes a charitable donation to provide a pair of shoes to a needy child in a third world country.

Last up, Native Shoe and their “Miles” slip-on. This shoe should really be named the “Van Croc” because basically it looks like a mash-up of the classic VANS sneaker and a Crocs clog, which sounds odd, but is kind of cool. Made with an elasticized denim upper and EVA outsole, this is a great water shoe, but it looks like a sneaker you can wear for casual Fridays at work. At $45 a pair, this unisex waterproof slip-on can even be a “shared” shoe depending on the foot size of your pre-teen son.

For my money, it’s a toss-up between Native Shoe and the TEVA hurricane sandal. The latter because it’s super-techy and cool, while the former really fits into my daily functional needs. I also like the classic TOMS canvas slip-on, which is really cute, and something that can be dressed up or dressed down. At the end of the day, your quality summer shoe depends on your plans for this summer. Will you be on the river every weekend, camping, going on that dream vacation, or spending Saturdays in the garden? I think any of these brands and shoe styles will serve you for an active summer.