What sandals for low level hiking ?

:thumbup: for keens. 14 wk trip to europe with several hundred miles of walking/hiking thats the only shoes i took with. took some moleskin(just in case-a blister can ruin a trip) but never used any. have hiked glacier, yellowstone, all over the pnw. midwest, the south, upstate ny in keens with no issues nor regrets. prefer the newports also. love the toe protection.
 
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
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It doesn't seem to bother Cody Lundin, he doesn't even have the protection of sandals !:eek:
 
Love my Chacos - I'm lucky because my wife knits me tabi socks in whatever yarn I want. Knee-high wool tabi socks paired with Chacos are awesome! Most regular socks can be worn with the big toe loop as long as its a relatively loose-fitting sock.

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The issue with chacos is the straps rip off relatively easily-you can send em back to have them repaired but it costs like 40 bucks. They're probably the most common sandals used for whitewater sports here in Idaho but that may be something to take into consideration for hiking.
 
PayetteRucker said:
The issue with chacos is the straps rip off relatively easily-you can send em back to have them repaired but it costs like 40 bucks. They're probably the most common sandals used for whitewater sports here in Idaho but that may be something to take into consideration for hiking.
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Which part of the strap?
 
I've stuck with my Teva's for many years now. I've tried others, but they just didn't do it like my Teva's, exept for the Keen's. I have a pair of Keens, and in truth they are nice. But if I had to pick one pair of sandles to go with, I'm not going to hesitate picking Teva. I had a pair of Chaco's, and I had the problem that Mr. Rucker spoke of. I had a strap break loose after one summer. I tossed them and went back to Teva. I've had one pair of Tevea's last me a couple of summers of being used everyday. I start wearing sandles in April, and don't go back to shoes till early October.

My Keens are the only other ones that last like Teva's, and are as comfortable. To me at least. YMMV.
 
I'm disappointed in my Keens. As soon as I got into mud, not only did they have no traction, my foot slid around way too much on the inside. I cannot tighten the sandals enough to keep my foot from sliding around, so they don't work for me.

I'm not big on sandals anyways. There are too many things that bite down here to be running around with exposed feet, and crap in between my feet and the sandals drives me nuts. With that said, I keep returning to my my old Teva Jesus-looking sandals when I want to wear sandals.
 
Chaco's! Hands down the best option.


For something more eccentric, the Vibram Five Fingers kick butt.
 
Anybody remember the shaka sandels from late 80s early 90s best ones i ever had tried goggle but i dont think they make them anymore . Think i got mine from S.O.F. magazine and pretty sure they where made in s. africa would sure like a new pair of those
 
kage said:
I use sandals constantly and year around. Merrels are good, as are Teva, The North Face, La Sportiva and some others, but the ones that I have found to be the longest lasting and still good for hiking are the Chacos. They're pricey, but worth it and they have a great warranty (I cracked an old pair in half and they replaced them for free). Plus they can be resoled, rewebbed, etc. if you don't like to give up old comfortable shoes.

Typically I buy a new pair of sandals before each new spring climbing season (I usually get them at the end of the summer to save money on the closeouts) and wear them most of the year. My current Chacos are on their their 3rd year (of nearly daily wear) without being replaced and still look really good. They also don't get all stinky like my sandals from Teva, The North Face and Merrel do, and I don't have particularly offensive feet normally. They take a little time to break in, but then they fit like a glove and are good to go.
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My thoughts exactly I am currently on my second pair of Chaco's, due to me wearing out my first pair. My old Chaco's were resoled twice and lasted 6 and a half years before I finally cracked the footbed, which they can't replace. I have done everything in mine; Rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, swimming, skydiving, white water rafting, literally everything. I cannot recommend them enough. I do suggest getting the Z-2's due to the toe strap. The strap is a little annoying at first but it is worth it for the stability it gives you. Yes they are a little expensive but like I said these lasted longer then any other shoe I've ever owned. Just a great pair of sandals.
 
AeroNautiCal said:
When I first saw these over on the Packrafting forum, I was 'inspired' to make this...

motivator4e9123f98100b8ab997a84d26b0570992cf6123a.jpg
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That's funny, I don't care who you are. :D

Not sandles, but I just got these Keen trail shoes today. Very comfortable. :thumbup:

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Make your own!

http://www.invisibleshoe.com/

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I have VFFs, Tevas and others. i really like my invisible shoes. I didn't buy his kit, I actually just ordered the Vibram rubber off of Ebay and used paracord to make mine. I have enough Vibram rubber to make about 5 pairs.

To all those that hike with boots: hiking with minimal shoes is awesome! I've been hiking with VFFs and sandals for more than a year (and years in running shoes before that). You don't need heavy shoes!

VFFs are better for not getting stuff in them, though.
 
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LOVE my tevas for around the house, if I am in the woods, I prefer merrels and danners for the winter and good old fashioned altama jungle boots in the summer.

Sandals for the woods are an invitation for injury IMO, not to mention all the sand and twigs and crap that constantly gets in them. Chris
 
I've been dying to try out the five fingers. I just finished this review on these keen guide boots, they do an awesome job of keeping sand out from the top. I was rather surprised how much I found myself wearing them on the dry land too. I've got them on right now as a matter of fact. I know they aren't sandals, but something to consider for the aquatic pups out there.

http://www.backpacker.com/gear-zone-keen-hood-river-boot/slideshows/95
 
August West said:
Sandals for the woods are an invitation for injury IMO, not to mention all the sand and twigs and crap that constantly gets in them. Chris
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Logically, I agree with you, but the more I've used my Chaco's outdoors, the more I like them. I've done bouldering, hiking through swamps, central Texas hill country, thick brush and the like with them. I've never had any injuries and I understand your foot is more exposed, but I really enjoy wearing them. Even if I backpack with hiking boots, I'll have my Chaco's packed for when we get camp set up.

ROCK6
 
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