Sandals, Slippers, Flip-Flops, and Thongs

The Government

The Government

Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
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Whatever you call them, are there any people here who are fans of this type of footwear when hiking, camping, or backpacking?

Sandals, Slippers, Flip-Flops, and Thongs seem to be the most popular names for most things that are less than a shoe; I am pretty sure you guys know what I am talking about. You can interpret them as having a simple split toe, or even a bunch of different straps that go around the feet.

I am interested to know what you all think about them, when you might use them, or when you would not.

Thanks.
 
The ones with straps that go around are okay to use for light hiking if you suffer from sweaty feet, they breathe! Thin socks help immensely with that setup.

as for thongs, they're nice and light, great for getting out of boots or shoes after a hike.

The other use is for water, avoid sharp rocks or shells or even broken glass while keeping your hiking footwear from getting wet & nasty.

There are swimmers shoes that are cheap and would work better for water, not so much for lounging around your camp.
 
Carolina River Rat said:
During the summer I usually barefoot it on the trail. If not barefooting, I like these.
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Props on barefootin it:thumbup:

I was looking at those about an hour ago in an REI store. If they had my size I would have tried them on. Vibram outsoles -they seem like a good option.

I was thinking something like that would be nice for tropical hikes that involve a lot of stream-walking.
 
Slippers are great for those summers - walking about the campsite is so much more comfortable than wearing shoes. Just beware of insects and sharp stones.

For hiking definitely shoes and boots for me though. Sandals may be used for wading in rivers or a short hike away from the camp site.
 
Anyone walking around in the Oz bush in anything less than a good pair of boots is likely to gain first hand knowledge of how snake poison works. :)
 
gajinoz said:
Anyone walking around in the Oz bush in anything less than a good pair of boots is likely to gain first hand knowledge of how snake poison works. :)
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in northern Guatemala the Indians would wear literally rawhide tied on their feet with yarn and they lived in the most heavily infested fer de lance areas with no problems
 
Well, I am one guy who won't even wear short in the outdoors.

I wear tennis shoes at the least, and that is when it is going to be easy...

My friend, oldpinecricker, wore a pair of Teva like things to a Kifaru rendezvous in the Douglas Wilderness, and he cursed them the whole way. He still recounts that trip with a grimace on his mug.

Marion
 
Ok its 4am I am in delirious rant mode: You get Jungle dwellers all the way from Peru to the Viet cong wearing sandals in hostile environments. They were born there and there feet wear like filson coats. You have US with nimbly feet ( I'll be the first to promote jungle boots) . So in theory you have to evaluate your SPECIFIC need for your footwear. Being an owner of jungle boots, keens, crocs, and chacos (praise the lord for REI garage sales) and have played a bit where thorns dwell, both in North America and South America (thorns on crack down there) I have made some casual observations. Personally I like a closed toe shoe for water. My keens blow my mind, as they have gone through 4 years of dousing in evil water, left in the car, and air drying and still yield miles to hike in. Chacos are cool cause they have a lifetime warranty, but I found myself missing the fore front of a toe banging on a rock. They are sturdy and have a form fitting feel to them after you break them in. Crocs. I love them. Yes, I know they are beyond ugly, perhaps satanic moon boots to some, but I don't care. I sat there and though about it. Approximately 40% of my time in camp, after backpacking, is in light weight crocs. I got used to them and watch my feet. Don't step on a fire ant mound, don't chop them with an axe/machete (just plan your cuts with a backstop if you do) and you will be good to go. Crocs in the woods? You are in the woods, you are ugly anyway! I got lined crocs for Christmas and find myself in them in the snow. Me likey. Just like any knife, axe, machete, or pack, most people use what they have and learn to live with it. US on the other hand, are blessed enough to have a plethora of options! Does that help you? Probably not! Will you totally smite all of us by wearing walmart sandals at the next outing, all the time? Please do! I love heavy boots, I love Keens! I love everything in betweens.
 
I have worn a pair of Keen H2 sandals on many miles of trails in and out of water and have never been disappointed in them.
 
I have a pair of keens that are open toed, but a lot like the H2's, I usually carry with them in my pack, and wear them often on the trail. They also make pretty great water shoes, so yes, I think sandals have their place on the trail.
 
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In the right kind of camp I'll bum about in those. I've got a thick felt pair on now that have been doing sterling service for a couple of years.

Can't do sports sandals or anything like that away from water. Psychological allergy.
 
I wear Crocs to town, beach, and around the yard.
I have my Marshalltown rubber boots in the car at all times and wear GTX Jungle boots the rest of the time.
There are too many different ants down here to go any other route.They all bite like hell.

You tube OTB Jungle light,. interesting boot for sure.
Anyone tried them ?
 
Hiking through the woods... no.

But I do take a pair of Nike ACG waterproof sandals with me to wear in the water if I know I'll be walking/swimming in rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, or whatever.

They stay on my feet realy well, super comfy, they float if they should somehow slip off, and protect my feet from sharp rocks and broken glass.

-been using the same pair for about ten years so they hold up pretty well!
 
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