The sandal with interchangeable upper includes a sole portion and an instep enclosing section. The instep enclosing section is removably attached at first and second side edges adjacent the inner and outer edges of the sole portion, respectively. When the instep enclosing section is removed from the sole portion, a second section can be substituted for the first instep enclosing section. The instep enclosing section is attached to the sole portion using at least one pair of side hooks. These side hooks are sized and shaped to removably engage a pair of hook engagers located in the sole portion. The hook engagers are moved from a first, engaging position to a second disengaging position by at least one engager actuator. The side hooks and hook engagers may be vertically or horizontally oriented. An alternative instep enclosing has a toe-separating portion secured to the sides and front of the sole portion.