What sandals for low level hiking ?

I wear my Keens everywhere including hiking and fishing and have always been happy with them. The only downside is the strange tan lines I get on my feet.
 
I've been wearing Chaco Z2 for about four years. I've had them resoled once so far. Very comfortable. Great arch support. I love 'em.
 
I used to wear Chacos and really liked them. Keens are pretty nice too.

But I never wear sandals any more. Too many stubbed toes and stick stuck in my paws.
 
As I mentioned, I love my Chacos, but they do lack any sort of toe bumper. It's not been a problem for me, but it is for the above poster.

Also, there are REAL sandals like the Chacos, and then there are the sandals that enclose the whole foot. The latter are more like shoes with holes. One of the problems with hiking in sandals is the fairly regular annoying pebble or piece of bark that gets between the foot bed and your foot. Usually, it's just a matter of doing a little shaking foot dance and it's gone. With the closed in foot type of sandal, I'd think you might get less annoying pebbles, but the ones you did get would require stopping to remove the sandal.
 
I vote for Five Fingers also. I have a pair and love them. After breaking in my feet I love taking hikes in them. They make you feel like spider-man with how grippy you are on the rocks. As to how well they hold up I have had mine for 2 years and they are still in good condition. Plus it fun to weird people out by wearing them in the city.
 
I really want to try the Five Fingers one day, but for a tried and true sandal Chacos are tough to beat IMHO.
 
I must say I'm surprised at the number of people who hike wearing sandals. The question that occurs to me is, if you are careful about carrying a suitable knife, many ways to make fire, etc. in case of a survival type situation, why would you wear sandals?

Would this not be a weak point in a survival type situation? Just askin'.

The other thing I would never wear in the bush is shorts for obvious reasons, but I guess a lot of people do.

Once again, I guess, different strokes................

Doc
 
theamazingdrew said:
I know they look retarded but I really love mine!

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_footwear.cfm
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Click to expand...


wow those are wild looking might have to try a pair out:D
 
DOC-CANADA said:
I must say I'm surprised at the number of people who hike wearing sandals. The question that occurs to me is, if you are careful about carrying a suitable knife, many ways to make fire, etc. in case of a survival type situation, why would you wear sandals?

Would this not be a weak point in a survival type situation? Just askin'.

The other thing I would never wear in the bush is shorts for obvious reasons, but I guess a lot of people do.

Once again, I guess, different strokes................

Doc
Click to expand...

Hey Doc, a lot of it has to do with your activities. I usually wear hiking boots/shoes, but I've done some day hikes with my Chacos have had no issues. They are a lot of weight, but a great relieve around the camp (flip flops would do as well), just to let the "dogs" get a breather. Also, if you're hiking through some wet areas, it's nice to swap the boots for sandals and in colder weather if your boots get wet, you can still put some sandals (like Chacos) on with a good pair of wool socks...both protection and insulation.

Just like the issue with shorts...I like them for some acivities, but usually wear pants when backpacking or short hikes. Best combo are some type of convertible pants, but if you have swimming on the list of acivities, I'll pack a pair of cargo-type swimmin shorts.

ROCK6
 
Keens all the way. I am on my second pair (actually the first pair are still going strong). I find them very versatile. I'll even wear them with socks on cooler days or around town. Great in water, on the trail or an alternative to heavier shoes.
 
I hike in shorts and sandals and like Scott most hikes are only a few miles and normally close to town. I do feel very comfortable in my Keens and don't feel that they provide any less support than a pair of low-top hiking shoes.
 
Gonna throw in another vote for Keens. I have two pairs of Venice H2's - one pair that gets completely abused every weekend in the yard for the last 4 years or so. No cracks, rips or (perhaps most importantly) stinkiness. :thumbup:

The other pair I use for more everyday use and they have spent many days walking through Disney parks in the heat of the summer. Very comfortable and durable, in my experience.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
I must say I'm surprised at the number of people who hike wearing sandals. The question that occurs to me is, if you are careful about carrying a suitable knife, many ways to make fire, etc. in case of a survival type situation, why would you wear sandals?

Would this not be a weak point in a survival type situation? Just askin'.

The other thing I would never wear in the bush is shorts for obvious reasons, but I guess a lot of people do.

Once again, I guess, different strokes................

Doc
Click to expand...

The biggest weak point would be a puncture wound, but you would have to have on some good leather to prevent that anyway. After many years of wearing sandals, I have never had anything other than some good scratches.

I think the biggest plus is your feet get to breathe and the added freedom of walking through water and not having to deal with wet sock/boots, taking them on/off, and keeping all that clean. And again, I like them in steep terrain too.

It took me about a season, but if I keep my middle warm, my feet (with sandals insulating from ground) are good to the mid-30ths F in temperature.

Scary but true, I have carried many (including grown men) across creeks so thier boots wouldn't get wet. Don't be a wimp, wear some sandals. ;)
 
I would say go with Chaco or Keen. I like the Chaco's better because you can have them resoled. The velcro on the Tevas will trap dirt and other funk and wont work as well in the long run. Vibram Five Fingers are a whole other story, you really need to read up more on the website. Going barefoot is totally different, buts its awesome! I run a camping store in Louisiana and we sell all these brands.
 
I picked up a pair of open toe Keen Sao Paulo Sandals on closeout. I intended to use them as camp / water crossing shoes, but I ended up wearing them everywhere. Having said that, I think that the arch is a little low for me. If the arch was higher, they would be perfect.
 
Do NOT buy a pair of vibram fivefingers unless you try them on first... because if your toes don't fit those seams just perfectly, the first time you pull them out of your feet after a hike they will have rubbed your feet completely raw, I know rock climbers, hikers and whitewater rafters that use em and 1/2 times, first time users wind up destroying their feet because their toes don't fit perfectly.
 
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