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Sometimes you just have to let the dogs breathe. No reason to constrain the feeling of freedom you get on the trail by wearing a pair of restraining hiking boots or hiking shoes. Hiking sandals are a great alternative to traditional hiking footwear to avoid stinky feet on those hot summer hikes or make creek crossings to be much more enjoy able and refreshing. Modern hiking sandals provide the same level of grip comfort and support as traditional shoes. Yes you will be giving up some protection but its well worth it for those cool breezes. Even if you don’t wear them for the entire hike sandals can be the perfect camp shoe. Below are our top hiking sandal picks.
1 Chaco z/cloud 2 Sandals
Chaco’s z 2 classic is the quintessential outdoor adventure sandal, and we’ll include the cloud version in here for those with soft feet. Don’t worry we wont hold your foot toughness or lack of against you. Chaco z strap sandals are good for any outdoor activity you’re brave enough to wear sandals for. Backpacking and hiking benefit from the supportive arch and thick soles even over rough and rocky trails. The quick drying straps allow the feet to dry out should you have a river crossing or forget a change of shoes after a day running the river.
2 Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals
When compared to the Chaco z/cloud 2 the Hurricane XLT2 allow for a more adjustable fit. And while they are first loser which is an accomplishment on this list they just couldn’t beat out the Chaco. Biggest draw back is the straps while being more adjustable are more bulky and have some plastic connections that some may find irritating. The hurricane is still as very strong runner up. Good supportive sole that will handle hours on the trail. A large selection of stylish colors and patterns that allows for expression in the outdoors and easy choices to match outfits around town.
3 Xero Z-Trail EV Sandals
If your looking for an incredibly light and minimalistic sandal for around camp the Z-trail is it. At only 10.3 oz even some ultralight backpackers may have enough weight budget to spend and bring these along. Xero know for their minimalist shoes carry that deign philosophy into these sandals. That does mean that the Z-Trail isn’t for everyone, and while we like it we cant put it any higher due to some that will hate it. The sole is incredibly thin without any cushion. This will let you get the feeling of being barefoot in nature but also feel any and every rock. The thin sole also guarantees wet feet even in the most shallow of puddles or even just wet surfaces. The straps are not bulky and provide a comfortable fit, similar to the chaco z straps.
4 Bedrock Cairn Evo Sandals
The Bedrock Cairn Evo is another option for a minimalistic hiking sandal. While the sole is slightly thicker than that of the xero option on this list. Its not by much and wont provide that much more protection. The biggest feature that sets the Cairn apart is the strap design. The Bedrock Cairn can be thought of as a flip flop with no flop. The strap design is similar to a flip flop with a thong that splits the toes between the big and second toe. This design can make the foot feel less confined but also doesn’t secure the sole to the foot as well. It can also cause some rubbing between the toes while descending a steeper trail. Overall we consider the bedrock cairn an acquired taste, perfectly capable of hiking backpacking or rafting but not for everyone.
5 Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
While not exactly a sandal that I would take on a long hike or backpacking trip. The Birkenstock Arizona is a main stay in most outdoor communities. Great for a short day hike to an overlook the Arizona will keep your feet comfortable with its cushioned foot bed. Adjustable straps do allow for a fairly snug fit, but limited tread will keep you off the rough stuff. Best used is as a recovery sandal after those real long days in more capable footwear. But they are capable (unlike other recovery sandals) of hiking to overlooks and waterfalls on the way put of the national park you’re visiting. Who wants to stuff swollen and beaten up feet back in boots for a half mile walk to a waterfall, not us. For that we’ll include them in our hiking sandal list, even if it is at the bottom.