1. KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Hiking Sandal
2. Teva Men’s Hurricane XLT Hiking Sandal
3. ECCO Men’s Yucatan Outdoor Offroad Hiking Sandal
4. KEEN Men’s UNEEK Hiking Sandal
5. Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Hiking Sandal
6. Sperry A/O 2-Eye Richtown
7. Teva Men’s M Terra Fi 4 Sandal
8. Teva Men’s Holliway Sandal
9. KEEN Men’s Arroyo II Sandal
10. CAMEL CROWN Sandals For Men
Hiking Sandal Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of Hiking Sandals
Reviews - Choosing good quality shoes is never easy, but for activates with the intensity, hiking has, you really need to be careful. That’s why we rely on customer reviews to separate the good from the bad. Customers can be brutally honest and will not hold back on criticism in their reviews. That’s why reviews are an excellent way to check the quality and performance of a product. We checked as many reviews as we possibly could, even the negative ones, and chose those hiking sandals that consumers found the most favorable.
Brand - Many of the brands in our selection have been making exceptional quality active footwear for decades. These brands have stood the test of time and many consumers continue to purchase the same brands specifically because they can be trusted to produce good quality footwear. It was also important for us to stick to brands that specialize in making shoes for hiking and other activities that really call for good footwear. Your feet are your greatest tool in hiking so you can’t put your trust in cheap imitation hiking sandals.
Price - Cheap and nasty shoes should be avoided at all costs as they can actually cost you more in the long term. Think about it. You purchase the cheapest pair of hiking sandals you can find and then replace them several times a year. After replacing a few pairs you could have purchased a better quality pair and really enjoyed wearing them. Of course, the most expensive pair doesn’t necessarily equate to you getting the best pair of hiking sandals so our selection includes prices in different ranges to ensure you can find the best quality hiking sandals for your budget.
Features To Look For In Hiking Sandals
Sole - Generally speaking, the sole of any type of hiking footwear needs to be pretty solid depending on the type of terrain you like hiking over. You definitely want something with grip to avoid falling over rocks and you don’t want to be slipping over piles of damp leaves either. The sole should be made from durable rubber that has a little bit of flexibility to allow for the natural movement of your feet but also have a multi-directional lug pattern to provide you with the grip that is so necessary to keep you upright and stable. Avoid anything too smooth as this could be a slippery recipe for disaster.
Strap - The straps of your hiking sandals should fit comfortably over the top of your feet and the lining of the straps should be in a material that is relatively soft so it won’t chafe your feet. They should also be adjustable. Hiking is a strenuous activity and as the day goes on, your feet may swell a little. The adjustable straps make it easy to accommodate the sandals to your puffy feet for extra comfort. Adjust the straps so that your feet are firmly and securely in place over the footbed, but not too tight as to cut off circulation. Loosen or tighten the straps as needed.
Waterproofness - If you have the option of getting waterproof hiking sandals you should always choose them. Summers can be quite hot and if you’re not planning on hiking near water, waterproofness may seem unnecessary. However, keep in mind that the climate in mountainous regions can be pretty unpredictable land a bright, sunny day can very quickly transform into a cloudy, rainy day. Then too, you may love hiking over creeks and streams. In either case, you want your hiking sandals to be able to repel as much water as possible, and you certainly want them to dry quickly at the end of a busy day of hiking. Even if you manage to avoid water, sweat is often inevitable, so again, you want your hiking sandals to dry as quickly as possible. Look for hiking shoes with a synthetic or waxed leather upper and rubber soles.
Grip - This is possibly the most important feature when it comes to hiking shoes. Trekking through mountains, valleys, and beaches can be tricky in dry conditions, but in wet ones, it can be downright treacherous. That’s where a good grip comes in. The better the grip, the less likely you are to slip. The lug pattern is crucial but so is the material the soles are made of. One of these features alone simply isn’t good enough for grip so look at the soles to ensure both are optimal to keep yourself upright and safe no matter where you like to hike.
Types Of Hiking Sandals
Hiking sandals will most likely come in one of two different designs … open design and closed design. Which one you prefer will usually come down to the places you like to hike so we’ll take a closer look at these two designs.
Open Design - This type of hiking sandal is very similar to a classic style surf sandal. The toes are generally exposed and the straps tend to be kept to a minimum. Open design hiking sandals tend to be more popular as an everyday summer shoe, for hiking along the water’s edge along a beach or river and can even be worn on well-established hiking trails.
Closed Design - For something a little more rugged, closed design hiking sandals may be the better choice. These tend to resemble hiking or running shoes, except for having vents along the midsole for breathability and to allow water to escape if you’ve gotten your feet wet. With closed design hiking sandals, the tops of the sandals usually feature toe caps to keep the toes from bumping into rocks, trees, etc. These are more suitable over rougher terrain suck as rocks at the beach or somewhat more rugged mountain trials.
It’s really handy to have both open and closed design hiking sandals, but if you must choose between the two, go for closed design hiking sandals just to be on the safe side.
Hiking Sandal FAQ
Q: How safe is it to hike in hiking sandals?
A: It is perfectly safe to hike with hiking sandals, however, it does come down to where you plan to hike. If you are hiking along open roads, shady beaches, and relatively tame hiking trails. They are also great for wearing around the campsite. Many hiking sandals could be mistaken for hiking shoes because they are so ruggedly made. They have closed toes and fit much like a pair of hiking shoes or sneakers. The only difference is that they have vents along the sides for breathability. Hiking sandals are generally preferred during the summer months.
If you plan on hiking over rocks or even off the beaten track, it’s probably wiser to bring along actual hiking shoes or boots. There are many obstacles along some of the hiking trails around the world and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Q: Should I wear socks when wearing hiking sandals?
A: The beauty of hiking sandals is that you can wear them with or without socks. Go without when you’re hiking on a hot sunny day or slip on a pair of hiking socks if you’re hiking in the late spring or early autumn. Just make sure that the socks don’t make the fit of the sandals too tight.
