Wearing sandals to hike can keep your feet cool and allow you to indulge in that stream crossing that would otherwise soak your hiking shoes and socks. Sandals also provide more wiggle room for your toes, relieving cramped feet. Sandals are not meant for strenuous or technical hikes, however, as you can injure your feet on rocks and branches. For casual strolls around town and summer hikes on groomed trails and through small streams, sandals can be a welcome option.
The Right Fit
Similar to the way you would shop for a regular hiking shoe, finding the right hiking or walking sandal is about what is right for you. You want a sandal that is comfortable, supportive and durable, bearing in mind the type of hiking you do. Sandals can have open or closed toes, that latter of which will provide more protection. You can also choose from nylon webbing and rubber or leather sandals. If your jaunts will take you through water, the former type may be your best option. Regardless of the type you choose, they should fit well and not cause you pain.
Chaco Sandals
Chaco sandals come with a BioCentric foot bed that was developed by a foot specialist to control pronation, or inward rolling, of the foot and ankle. It was awarded a seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association for its ability to support your stride in any exercise. Chaco sandals are all open toe, with straps that travel through the foot-bed to prevent sandal wear. The high quality comes with a price; as of 2011 these sandals cost around $100. Available for both men and women, these shoes are backed by a lifetime warranty, which may make up for the cost.
Keen Sandals
Keen makes multi-functional walking and hiking sandals for both men and women. Available in a variety of colors and styles, the company offers an array of shoes for any type of activity. You can choose from flip-flops with toe protectors, feminine yet durable sandals and closed-toe, super grippy water sandals. Glacier National Park's website highly recommends Keen's Newport H2 sandal for its comfort and support as well as its reflective webbing for visibility in low light situations.
Teva Sandals
Another company with a wide variety of sandals is Teva. With sandals for casual, hiking, multi-sport and water activities, this company has a shoe for everyone. Both men and women can find open- and closed-toe shoes with comfortable foot-beds with DrainFrame that help you avoid the squishy feeling you get when your shoes encounter water. As of 2011, Teva sandals ranged in price from $50 to approximately $100.
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