The same editor who backpacked in the Cairn typically prefers a lot of padding but found that the sandals offered enough structure for her average-shaped feet, while another reviewer with wider feet experienced considerable soreness and achiness after an 8-mile exploration around Mexico City. That said, not everyone will love the Bedrock Cairn’s thin, zero-drop design. One editor even backpacked in the sandals for multiple days after getting blisters from her hiking boots and came away impressed by their all-day comfort and sturdiness. All told, these sandals are top sellers year after year and a great all-around pick for everything from daily wear to light outdoor use. But the real highlight is the premium Vibram outsole, which is reminiscent of a hiking shoe and grips extremely well on everything from packed dirt to slick rocks and blowdowns along the trail. You also get good all-around adjustability via a buckle at the front and Velcro at the rear, making it relatively easy to fine-tune the fit around different parts of the foot. per pair) with a flexible and low-profile design that’s easy to move in. Bedrock Sandals’ Cairn Adventure checks all those boxes, combining a low weight (1 lb. What we don’t: Lacking in arch support and Y-shaped strap takes some getting used to.įor many summer adventurers, the ideal pair of sports sandals is light, grippy, and looks the part for wearing both outside and around town. What we like: Light, easy to adjust, and very grippy with a premium Vibram outsole. See the Men's Chaco Z/Cloud See the Women's Chaco Z/CloudĪ Close Second (That's Lighter and Grippier) 2. For a little added support, we also like Chaco’s popular Z/1 Classic, which boasts an extra 5 millimeters of PU cushioning for the same price as the Z/Cloud. And should you run into any issues, Chaco offers an in-house repair service (called ReChaco) to fix or swap key components including straps, buckles, and even the outsole, which can be upgraded to Vibram rubber. But in the end, if you like to hike in your sandals, the Z/Cloud is one of the most capable and hardwearing designs on the market. In other words, it wouldn’t be our first choice for strapping to the outside of a pack and lugging deep into the backcountry as a camp shoe, nor would we advise wearing it for long-distance day hikes (for reference, many hiking shoes weigh less). And a final bonus: Chacos look the part for wearing around town, too-we wear ours so frequently each summer that the straps leave distinctive tan marks (affectionately referred to as the “Chaco tan”).Īs we touched on above, the Chaco Z/Cloud is far from a weight leader and can feel fairly bulky underfoot as a result. In fact, we’ve had pairs withstand up to three full years of consistent use before needing to be resoled or replaced. It’s on the heavier and bulkier end at 1 pound 14 ounces per pair, but the tradeoff is great long-term durability and all-around support for most easy to moderate trails. Their Z/Cloud has been a favorite of ours for years thanks to its comfortable and well-cushioned midsole, deep lugs for digging into softer surfaces like mud and sand, and thick straps that effectively secure the heel and forefoot. What we don’t: A little heavy and bulky-feeling.Ĭhaco is one of the biggest names in adventure sandals, and their adjustable Z-strap models are legendary in the hiking and water sports markets. What we like: Excellent durability, support, and traction over a wide variety of surfaces.
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