Note: This post contains affiliate links. You don’t want your feet to be falling off the edge, but you don’t want too much extra that it turns in to a tripping hazard. For closed-toed shoes, I usually aim for about 12mm of space but in sandals, you don’t need quite as much space as there is nothing for your toes to hit up against. This requires you getting an accurate measurement of both your feet (often one is slightly longer than the other) and comparing to the sole length measurement provided by the sandal company.
#BAREFOOT HIKING SANDALS FREE#
The main exception are the Xero Shoes Z-Trails, which I’ve seen in stock at REI stores in the US (or they have free shipping and free returns if you want to order online).Īs a generally rule, opt for sandals that are about 5mm to 10mm longer than your longest foot measurement. One of the hardest thing about finding the right barefoot or minimalist sandals is they typically aren’t carried in store. If you dislike straps between your toes, then there are over-the-toe minimalist sandal options as well. These in-between toe strap are usually made of soft nylon that shouldn’t irritate the skin. Some people are really bothered by in-between toe straps while others love them, you just have to decide which one you are. With a securely fitting minimalist sandal, you’re safe to run, hike, or do just about anything else without worry about losing your sandals. Plus, the in-between toe strap is adjustable, and goes up over your foot and connects behind the ankle, which again makes it much more securely strapped to your foot. Huarache style barefoot sandals have a heel strap. The main problem with flip flops is no heel strap, which means they can flip and flop all over the place. When I first thought of sandals with an in-between toe strap, I thought of flip flops, which generally aren’t considered great running shoes. The first question to ask yourself is if you want a huarache-style sandal (one with a strap between the toe), or a sandal with straps that cross over your foot. On my first hike in minimalist sandals, I realized just how much extra weight I’d been carrying around from my traditional hiking sandals.Ĭhoosing the Right Minimalist Sandal for You I think is one of the best benefits of barefoot and minimalist shoes. Thin soles will naturally lead to a lighter sandal. Many believe a raised heel can cause strain on our body from the unnatural position and make injury more likely. This raised heel alters the way we walk and stand compared to when we’re barefoot. You may not think of most of your sandals as having raised heel, but many add at least a few millimeters in thickness between the front and the back (like the Tevas I mentioned above, it was about a 13mm difference). This means no raised heel bed or added padding around the arch. Zero-drop sandals are the same thickness from front to back. I’ve hiked on rocky trails with 5 mm sandals and while I could feel the rocks, it didn’t hurt. Personally, I think around 10 mm provides optimum comfort without sacrificing weight or flexibility, and 5 mm is the sweet spot for providing enough cushion and durability while still giving you a good ground-feel. This extra padding means you’re compromising on flexibility and and adding unnecessary weight. To put that in context, Tevas are around 22mm at the front and 35 mm on the heel. I’d aim for anything 12mm or less for a minimalist sandal. The biggest differentiator between barefoot and minimalist sandals and traditional adventure sandals is the sole, and specifically how heavy and thick it is. Xero Shoes vs Chaco sandals – minimalist sandals are lightweight, flexible, and zero-drop What to look for in Barefoot and Minimalist Sandals
7 Best Barefoot Shoes for Kids (Great for Exploring the Outdoors).8 Best Barefoot Winter Boots: Waterproof, Warm and Zero-drop.9 Barefoot and Minimalist Hiking Shoes perfect for travel.If you want reviews on new barefoot shoes as they come out, check out my Instagram account just for barefoot shoes: in barefoot and minimalist shoes? You might also like these posts: I’d already switched out most of my shoes for barefoot or minimalist versions, so with summer coming up, hiking sandals were next on my list. Tired of strapping what felt like heavy rubber bricks to my feet, and realizing there had to better options out there, I started searching for the best minimalist hiking sandals out there. Whenever possible, I opt for hiking sandals over shoes, so I’ve spent a lot of trail miles in sandals. When it comes to hiking sandals, we’ve cycled through all the popular brands, including Chacos, Tevas, and Keens. These are the best minimalist and barefoot hiking sandals that protect your feet while still allowing ground feel. Get flexibility, traction and comfort with these lightweight minimalist hiking sandals.
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