Sandals

Recent Sandal Reviews

Keen Solr Sandal

People who canoe, kayak, raft, stand up paddle board, boat, or hike in and out of the water will like Keen’s water-dedicated Solr. A gasket-style ankle, close fit, and smaller openings mean less sand/grit/stones get in, and a sole made of grippy rubber that is both textured and razor-siped maximizes traction. Plus, they are just plain comfortable for walking too, and the webbing is made from recycled plastic that dries quickly for a partially enclosed sandal. Photo above shows the top of the shoe,… Full review

Chaco Lowdown Sandal

The Lowdown Sandal is a lightweight take on the familiar Chaco design. It's very comfortable, though the strap system could be improved. The Lowdown is great for all-day wear, and a very serviceable camp shoe. I have long been a fan of Chaco sandals. I have a couple of pair of Classic Z-1 and Z-2 sandals, which have served me well for some years. However, I don’t usually take them into the backcountry, because they are so heavy and bulky. So, I have usually relied on an ancient pair of Teva sandals,… Full review

Scott Hawaii Makaha

Sturdy, good-fitting flip flop that is relatively inexpensive and comfortable for extended wear. Solid sole/midsole with a more forgiving top layer, bomb-proof nylon straps that will never pull out. These have decent traction, a looser fit, and are extremely durable. Scott has been making flip-flops for eighty years in Hawaii—they’re clearly doing something right. Scott’s website tells an interesting story about a shoemaker who relocated to Hawaii and opened a factory in 1932; World War II… Full review

OluKai Hokua

Comfortable, beefy, pricy flip-flop. They have solid arch support, a thick, grippy sole, soft footbed, and reasonably wide straps that make them comfortable to wear "around" or walking on most surfaces and trails. I found these benefit from a little break-in. Though the price is steep, they should last a long time and are a comfortable, good-looking option. I am providing my initial impressions of my new flip-flops, the OluKai Hokua, having worn them for a few weeks and walked several miles in them. Full review

Keen Newport H2

Not what they used to be. Very poor quality control. I have been wearing Keen Newports since shortly after they were introduced in the early 2000s. I'm probably on my sixth or seventh pair at this point. The original pair of sandals lasted for at least five summers before I retired them due to the soles being worn out. The tops were still very functional. Since Keen decided to offshore their production the quality is now nonexistent. My latest pair, which was made in Mexico, started off last summer… Full review

Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D

The Bedrock Cairn 3D sandal puts the company's unique and very stable strap design on a thicker and somewhat more contoured midsole than Bedrock's original Cairn. As a result, the Cairn 3D does a better job protecting your feet and is more comfortable for hiking and walking than the related model—and also heavier. With straps that do an outstanding job keeping your feet secure, great traction, and awesome durability, the Cairn 3D rivals and arguably exceeds many of its well-known competitors INTRODUCTION… Full review

Teva Tirra

Lightweight sandal with three points of adjustment. Perfect for walking, hiking, or kayaking. I've worn these sandals for five years and am about to purchase my third pair. These are quite possibly the perfect hiking sandal out there. They are super adjustable, very comfortable, have great traction, have a rubber bottom (cloth underfoot will eventually wear away!), will stay on your foot no matter what, and are fairly good looking for such an industrial shoe.  I've worn this style from Teva for… Full review

OOFOS OOlala Sandal

These are the most comfortable shoes I own. I wear them every chance I get, even now that the rainy season has started in Portland. I was worried that they wouldn't hold up since they're essentially foam, but they still look brand-new after months of hiking through rocks and water, on pavement, and in the desert. The other day I was having some leg/foot pain from a pair of "barefoot" shoes I'd been trying out and remembered that OOFOS are sometimes called "recovery" shoes, so I put these on even… Full review

Keen Uneek

I had similar issues with these sandals last summer. I've barely worn them since. My biggest issue is the blisters caused by the cordage that makes contact with the skin. Fashion faux pas or not...the only way that I can wear these things now is with socks, then, they are "Okay". Seemed like a good idea when I saw them online. The "shock-cordage" that makes up the 'body' is brutal on bare skin. Full review