The Ultimate Breathable Footwear

I’m very unacquainted with the options in footwear, so I want to ask simply “what’s the most breathable, yet well-fitting and comfortable hiking footwear?” Somehow I’ve never found a sandal I can stand. Even Birkenstocks hurt like HELL.
I have small very sweaty feet with wide toes and a high arch.

While my foot shape doesn't match yours, I love my Chacos for the vast majority of my hiking needs (mostly approaches and steep 'climber's trails').

I know they make them in wide sizes and they have great arch support. Hopefully you can find somewhere to try them on.

+1 for Chacos!

I also have small and sweaty feet. I wear a men's 7.5 street shoe and a men's 8 Chaco fits me perfectly. I have had problems with plantar fasciitis in the past because shoes just don't fit my feet well. I now own 4 pairs of Chacos and recommend them to everyone I meet. For hiking, usually on the Superior Hiking Trail and in th Boundry Waters, I prefer the Z2 model because the toe loop adds a bit of stability.

Cha Cha Cha Chacos!

I picked up a pair of $8 water shoes from Walmart. They have a thin soft rubber sole and an elastic mesh top. I wear them everywhere. The soles don't breath but everything else about them breathes very well.

How long a hike?
My feet get hot easily, so I avoid any waterproof/gortex shoes for day hikes and backpacking. I found the Merril Moab ventilator (non-gortex version) to keep my feet cool and also fit perfectly. They come in a low and mid and were way more comfortable for me than other brands.

seriously......

amazon.com/crocs-Classic-Sa…

+1 for chacos

I also have high arches and chacos have good support.

NB MT 101

Here at Amazon

I find my chacos just as suppportive (or more so) as my Solomon hiking shoes but way more comfortable, because they're much cooler. If the price tag scares you try eBay - you can usually find a good deal.