Let us make two hiking sandals related presumptions at the very beginning. Since you are already here, we will presume you like hiking. Or at least, you are very interested in it. Secondly, it is free to say that many of us like shopping but do not like to buy unnecessary things. The official term would be discretionary or impulse purchase and that is something we are taught to avoid. Right? So, how does buying a pair of hiking sandals fit here? Are you being silly thinking you need them or are hiking sandals something that makes sense? Is it better to buy another pair of lighter hiking shoes instead? In this article, we will try to address some of these basic concerns with the aim to make it easier for you to decide whether you should treat yourself with a pair of these or not.
WHAT ARE HIKING SANDALS AND ARE THEY REALLY FOR HIKING?
The entire debate about this type of hiking footwear can generally be brought down to two questions:
- What are hiking sandals in the first place, and
- Are sandals any good for hiking
Let’s start.
Hiking sandals are an extremely lightweight version of hiking footwear. They are composed of flexible bands and mainly rubber soles. The bands are what keeps your feet attached to the sole. They are adjustable, cover the upper part of your feet and secure your heels. The soles of hiking sandals are very comfortable and, unlike hiking shoes or hiking boots, your skin does not have full and constant contact with the shoe.
Having a pair of these still sounds completely silly? If yes, let’s go back to ancient history for just a moment. Back then, there were no cars and no public transportation and people did not hike for sport but to get from one place to another. Did ancient Romans and Greeks wear heavy boots? No. They walked in sandals. And we can say for sure that this is not because they did not know any better. These guys did.
Now that we have explained what hiking sandals are, let’s get to the second question. Are sandals really for hiking? In order to give a comprehensive answer, we will break the matter into pros and cons.
HIKING SANDALS – PROS
Having a pair of hiking sandals carries many advantages. Some of them are listed and explained below. So, read carefully and with consideration. Engage all your critical thinking capacities as well. After all, you do not want another pair of shoes sitting in your closet and waiting for nothing to happen.
Sandals are highly breathable
Breathability is one of the most favored characteristics of hiking shoes. Hiking sandals are, logically, the most breathable hiking footwear. They are open and allow the air to move freely around your feet. This allows for fewer problems with:
- fungus
- bacterial infection
A combination of excessive foot sweating and poor ventilation leads to these problems. They happen when feet get wet but cannot dry off easily or quickly enough. However, if you wear sandals there is no reason to worry. Remember, dry feet are happy feet.
Low weight - a reason to love hiking sandals
Having low weight is what counts for hiking shoes in general. There are several reasons for this, but the most important one is the fact that any additional weight makes hiking more demanding, even more so if the weight is on your feet.
To be more precise, you are likely to spend 5 times more energy on carrying a specific weight on your feet compared to the energy it would take you to carry the same weight on your back. This is a thumb rule in hiking and backpacking. It was first established in a study named Energy Costs of Loads Carried on the Head, Hands or Feet performed in 1969 by R.G. Soule and R.F. Gouldman for the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine. Translated to what we are talking about now, this simply means that deciding to hike in 1 pound sandals instead of in 3 pound boots equals removing 10 pounds from your backpack. That is the science. So remember one more thing, light feet are happy feet.
Excellent for warm weather
We have established so far that hiking sandals are breathable and lightweight. But what makes them not good but perfect for summer hikes is the fact that you do not have to worry about stepping into a creek. Your feet will even be thankful if you do so, which is not the case with any other hiking shoe. Hiking sandals will dry off almost instantly; your feet will get refreshed and will not stay damp. Also, compared to hiking boots, water cannot under any scenario jeopardize the shape, performance, or durability of hiking sandals. What you should keep in mind is that fresh feet are happy feet.
Hiking sandals are time savers
We all agree that time is an important asset and that we do not like to waste it. What happens with hiking sandals is that wearing them will save you time. How you might ask? Well, the answer is simple – lacing. Hiking boots and shoes have laces. The longer the laces the more time it takes to do them. Sandals, however, have adjustable bands. This means that they are fast and easy to put both on and off. What makes an actual difference here is the fact that you might take your shoes on and off several times during a hike- problems with water crossings, pebbles, and stones. All the tying, lacing and fastening takes time. Hiking sandals do not. Remember this conclusion too- fast feet are happy feet.
Fewer blisters
Last but not least – wearing hiking sandals reduces the possibility of blisters. This is because your feet are not in constant contact with the fabric of the shoe. Less contact means less friction. Less friction means fewer blisters. It is that simple. Finally, healthy feet are happy feet.
HIKING SANDALS - CONS
A perfect shoe does not exist. So, wearing hiking sandals also has some disadvantages. Here they are.
Limited use
This disadvantage refers primarily to the weather. Hiking sandals can be used only when the weather is mild. No one in their right mind would recommend wearing hiking sandals when temperatures are low.
Less stability
When you wear hiking sandals your ankle does not get as much support as it does when you wear other types of hiking shoes. This means that you might be more prone to injuries, particularly if the flexibility of your joints is generally compromised by previous injuries.
Exposure
Much of your foot is exposed when you wear hiking sandals. Although it is nice to feel a breeze on your feet, it is not nice knowing that you might experience:
- Sunburns – unless you want to get in trouble you have to use your sunscreen every couple of hours
- Bites – more exposed foot means more space for bites. Remember, when we are hiking in nature we are walking through someone else’s home. The hosts are not hostile but refrain from the interaction. So, use insect repellents and do not approach wildlife.
- Rocks – kicking a stone with an open shoe is not fun. Bruises are almost imminent.
FINAL DECISION
To close the debate, we would say that hiking sandals are good for hiking. They offer high comfort and breathability. Experienced hikers love them. However, we admit that their use is highly limited by weather conditions, even though hikers sometimes compensate by wearing hiking socks with sandals. A big fashion no-no is a big hiking yes-yes. So, if money is not a too large concern and if the freedom of your tootsies overcomes your fear of bites, we recommend you go and find yourself a pair of hiking sandals. But first, check our review of Best Hiking Sandals for 2023. It might save you a lot of time.
