The subject of man sandals, a.k.a. mandals, is one of menswear’s greatest debates. Some say they’re emasculating, unsightly, unprofessional and even unhygienic in urban terrain.

Sure, open-toed shoes on men can be all of these things. But sandals can also be incredibly stylish, not to mention practical in the heat, and judging by their abundance and variety on the spring 2015 runways, they won’t be exiting fashion anytime soon.

To ace the al fresco-foot look, we suggest being mindful of the setting, splurging on quality, avoiding socks and keeping toenails in check. It’s time to give man’s oldest form of footwear a little breathing room.