Worried about slipping on the hiking trail? While on a hiking adventure, you must always look out for good hiking boots or a fine pair of hiking shoes. However, have you ever wondered about the best hiking sandals? During warm weather, hiking with closed shoes becomes quite tricky. Moreover, the pain caused by closed hiking boots can be tragic. Therefore, looking for the best sandals becomes a necessity. This blog explores nine different pairs of hiking sandals that are quick-drying, especially on day hikes in hot weather.
Why Wear Sandals on a Hike?
Your hiking sandals, and you can embark on outdoor adventures with unmatched comfort and design and transform how you experience the natural world. These sandals promise to provide the ideal balance of comfort, grip, and durability on calm trails and rough terrain. These well-chosen collection guarantees that every stride, whether you’re a casual traveler or an enthusiastic hiker, is cushioned and supported. Prepare to discover the best hiking sandals available from well-known brands like Teva, Keen, Chaco, and more.
Types of Hiking Sandals
Find the ideal pair of hiking sandals now. We’ll look at the Chaco Bodhi and Z Cloud for women, the Zero Z Trail Ev for comfy hiking, the Teva Original Universal for adventures that suit men and women, the Keen Newport H2 for closed-toe protection, the Luna Middle Bear Camp for distinctive style, the Merrell Kahuna 4 for open-toe leather luxury, and the Lizard Super Hike with an ergonomic footbed in this extensive guide. However, before getting into that, we will dive into some basic types of sandals good for hiking.
- Closed-toe hiking sandals
- Open Toe hiking sandals
- Amphibious hiking sandals
- Trail hiking sandals
- Backpacking hiking sandals
- Minimalist hiking sandals
9 Classy Hiking Sandals for a Perfect Hike
Here is a look a the top rated options for hiking sandals to choose from.
Chaco Bodhi Best Women’s Hiking Sandals
The first one in our best hiking sandals is the impeccable Chaco bodhi strap design hiking sandals. As the best option for women’s hiking sandals, the Chaco Bodhi stands out because of its winning blend of tough performance, adjustable fit, and adaptable style. Compared to the Chaco Z/1 Classic, this relatively recent design adopts a more minimalist approach, streamlining the strap setup for an easy-to-use adjustment procedure. The lack of external foot straps guarantees comfort for both wide and thin feet.
Key Features
- Ladder lock buckle closure
- Toe strap
- Pros: Lightweight
- Cons: A little risk of foot blisters due to the straps
Chaco Z Cloud Hiking Adventure Sandals
Next up is the Chaco Z Cloud, another very popular hiking sandal. These minimalist sandals come with good arch support. The Chaco Z/Cloud 2 is a dependable and tough adventure sandal, earning praise for its outstanding traction on various surfaces. It has been field-tested for over 15 years in whitewater rafting and backpacking. Throughout that time, it has shown to be reliable and strong, offering security and stability in difficult settings. However, the sandal’s strong performance comes with a price, as its remarkable stability and traction make it one of the heaviest and bulkiest alternatives available. The Chaco Z/Cloud 2 is a great option for anyone looking for a reliable and durable adventure sandal because of its easy-to-adjust toe loop, which takes some time to get right but greatly increases stability.
Key Features
- Polyester jacquard webbing
- Ladder lock buckle closure
- Pros: Good arch support
- Cons: Longer break-in period.
Xero Z Trail Ev
Looking for the most comfortable hiking sandals? Look no further. The Xero Z-Trail EV sandals are designed to satisfy the needs of true barefoot fans. Their flexible and ultrathin construction offers a striking sensation similar to being barefoot. These sandals’ sturdy sole patterns, such as slick granite slopes and steep gravel routes, provide superior traction on surfaces. The outward-angled anchors on the Z-style straps provide a surprising amount of freedom in addition to their traditional appearance. They keep the tension without rubbing or blistering the wearer during prolonged use.
Key Features
- Velcro and ladder lock buckle closure
- Dual chevron lug pattern
- Pros: Great traction
- Cons: Limited colors
Teva Original Universal Unisex Sandals
Finding the best hiking sandals for men can sometimes be challenging. Hence, to your ease, are the Teva unisex hiking sandals. A traditional and affordable option that has shown its ability to last throughout time is the Teva Original Universal. At a fraction of the price of many competitors, these unisex hiking sandals provide decent security and a trustworthy grip for various trips. Sturdy Velcro straps are simple enough to modify to your ideal fit quickly and effectively. The Teva Original Universal, which comes in various colors and patterns to fit your style, is a great “just in case” addition to your holiday hiking daypacks, because it is thin, light, and packable.
Key Features
- Sturdy Velcro straps
- Thin and lightweight design
- Pros: Solid traction
- Cons: Not good for wide feet
Keen Newport H2 Closed Toe Sandals
Finding good camp shoes is one of the tasks when you set out on one of your hiking adventures. The Keen Newport H2 Closed Toe Hiking Sandals are made for maximum performance and perform exceptionally well in damp environments. Even on difficult terrain, you may feel confident in every step thanks to the outstanding grip and anti-slip properties of the soft rubber, deep lugs, and razor-siping outsole. Even though the Keen Newport H2 was named the “World’s Ugliest Sandal” by the company, its closed-toe style has useful advantages. Notably, the outsole’s incredibly small slits effectively direct water out from beneath the shoe, improving traction on damp surfaces. The sandals are a dependable option for various outdoor activities because of their broad fit and roomy toe box, adding stability.
Key Features
- Eva insole
- Lacelock Closure
- closure
- Pros: Toe protection
- Cons: Not an attractive design
Luna Middle Bear Camp Sandals
Another great hiking sandal is the Luna middle bear. The Luna Middle Bear Camp Sandals, with its thicker 9.4mm footbed and lugs that give up some ground feel in favor of protection, are a compromise between protection and ground sensation. This improves protection on rougher surfaces and trails but decreases awareness on softer trails and highways. With its rapid shape-molding ability, the MGT footbed adds comfort and a little sensation to the ground. Though it makes for a stiff ride, the 4.5mm Vibram outsole enhances running performance, particularly on difficult trails.
Key Features
- Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Monkey grip technology footbed
- Pros: Comfortable footbed
- Cons: The strap gets easily twisted.
Merrell Kahuna 4 Open Toe Leather Sandals
Finding the best open-toe leather hiking sandals is almost like a dream. This is because of the exceptional breathability of the open toe. Moreover, the sturdiness of leather. The Merrell Kahuna 4 Open Toe Leather Sandals expertly combine the best features of both worlds: a stylish suede top construction for dependable support and an open-toe design that allows for ventilation and comfort. The neoprene lining guarantees a velvety and comfy feel, harmonizing appearance and functionality. Merrell ensures a snug and comfortable fit even with the open-toe feature by utilizing an intelligently contoured footbed with a little point for enhanced front protection. These sandals offer confidence-boosting foot security on various terrains thanks to their strong suede strapping and superior side protection.
Key Features
- Velcro strap
- Leather upper
- Pros: Comfortable
- Cons: A bit too heavy
Bedrock Cairn Pro II Breathable Sandals
Fans of the Bedrock Cairn Pro II Adventure sandals are passionate about them and swear by their functionality. The reviewer notes a personal desire for additional padding during treks, even though they accept its quality. The Cairn Pro is positioned as barefoot shoes with a tiny platform and zero drop. It is comfortable, albeit with a strap that looks like a flip-flop between the toes, so not everyone may find it appealing. The sandal’s adaptability is further enhanced by the Vibram Megagrip outsole, which guarantees outstanding grip on various surfaces.
Key Features
- Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Resolable design
- Pros: Breathable
- Cons: Barefoot feel
Lizard Super Hike Ergonomic Footbed Sandals
The last and final one on our list is the Lizard Super Hike ergonomic, comfy hiking sandals. The Lizard Super Hike sandals, with their cushioned footbed and ergonomically shaped form that cradles the foot and provides arch support, offer a comfortable and supportive hiking experience on dry terrain. These sandals’ three-point adjustment system allows a secure and personalized fit, improving your hiking experience. For those who prefer a more natural stride, the zero-drop sole is accommodating; nevertheless, barefoot lovers may find that the thicker sole unit and curved footbed slightly lessen the barefoot feel.
Key Features
- Three Velcro straps
- Ergonomic footbed
- Pros: Comfortable
- Cons: The footbed can be slippery when wet.
Choosing the Perfect Hiking Sandals
It’s important to consider comfort, durability, practicality, and style when selecting the perfect pair of shoes. Let’s examine the crucial elements that will guarantee you locate the ideal footwear for your vacation loaded with wanderlust, from cutting-edge style to comfortable features
- Toe Protection: Shields from rocks and debris.
- Arch Support: Reduces foot strain.
- Sole Construction: Durable and stable.
- Ankle/Heel Support: Ensures stability and cushioning.
- Traction: Vibram soles, aggressive treads, and multidirectional lugs for grip.
- Breathability: Keeps feet cool on long hikes.
- Water Resistance: Essential for slippery and wet terrains.
- Lightweight: Easy to carry and reduces fatigue.
- Perfect Fit: Prevents slipping and blisters.
Final Word
Summing up, with the best hiking sandals, you can confidently take on outdoor excursions and enter a world of unmatched comfort and performance. These trail-evolving, quick-drying sandals have a dependable rubber outsole for excellent traction on slick areas, an arch support system, a minimalist design, and closed-toe protection.
In conclusion, these sandals are more than simply hiking sandals; from the sophisticated strap designs to the long-lasting durability of each pair, they are the pinnacle of style and functionality.
ENJOY A BREATHABLE HIKE!