Sandals, Slippers, Flip-Flops, and Thongs

[kgd]

Hey KGD, I do wish you might stomp on my toes, and we could have a nice discussion following. You'll know me by the day-glo orange nail polish

You afraid of loosing a toenail or something?

 

[SouthernCross]

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.

Kind regards
Mick

 

[Brokensj]

Not for hiking but I use a pair of north face base camp sandals for around camp/fishing/swimming...they are very comfortable and hug your feet so things dont get all in them or come off easily. Picked them up 50% off so like $14....good deal

for regular hiking i use the north face low top boots

 

[myright]

I wear flip-flops at the beach or around my yard. Otherwise I have shoes that cover my feet. I don't like having my feet exposed, not to mention your feet get pretty darn dirty walking around trails and want not with sandals. I like having support and comfort.

The best flip-flops ever made, IMO, are Reefs. They are a tad expensive, but wicked comfortable and have a bottle opener on them

 

[TreeChopper]

Those look awesome treechopper - great, now you put another thing on my must-have list

This Bikila model will be out in March --

Pertinent info -- http://www.fivefingers.co.nz/Bikila.html

 

[MustardMan]

Man, the Speed model looks awesome!

 

[Carolina River Rat]

All the Five Fingers recommendations about have me convinced. I suppose I'll have to find a local dealer and give them a try.

 

[TreeChopper]

Man, the Speed model looks awesome!

I think that is a European only model? Some ppl are disappointed that FiveFingers are becoming more shoe-like. No matter, I'm convinced enough about the benefits of barefooting to try it and I'll get some 5Fingers in March when smaller KSO trek sizes arrive. Hope I can wait that long.

If anybody owns the regular, smoother soled FiveFingers and wants to comment... are they slippery on wet surfaces? I've read a few comments about this hence my interest in the more treaded versions. I fell far too many times last year ... 2010 is the year of wipe-out reduction and joint protection.
TIA

 

[MustardMan]

They are slicker on smooth wet surfaces than a hiking boot, but less slippery than something like Sanuks. I've never fallen down through many miles of hiking in them, if that's any consolation.

I like the more shoe-like versions, as I like wearing my in places where there will be a lot of people, and I get tired of answering questions about them all day. Ideally I'd like to see a pair with some stretchy material covering up the toe splits on top so you can't tell that they are toe shoes.

 

[TreeChopper]

I like the more shoe-like versions, as I like wearing my in places where there will be a lot of people, and I get tired of answering questions about them all day. Ideally I'd like to see a pair with some stretchy material covering up the toe splits on top so you can't tell that they are toe shoes.

You might like the Nike Free then.... no toes but close to being barefoot.

 

[gaj999]

They are slicker on smooth wet surfaces than a hiking boot, but less slippery than something like Sanuks.

They are quite a lot stickier than bare feet.

Gordon

 

[gaj999]

You might like the Nike Free then.... no toes but close to being barefoot.

Compared to the fivefingers, the frees are hiking boots...

Gordon

 

[MustardMan]

Compared to the fivefingers, the frees are hiking boots...

Gordon

Yeah, I'd much rather wear my Sanuks or get a pair of Simple GumShoes than do the Nike Free's. I've tried them on and it felt like strapping blocks of styrofoam insulation to my feet. Very unnatural feel for walking.