In contrast to normal summer sandals, which are popular with adults and children alike, hiking sandals have a decisive advantage: they allow the skin to breathe and offer your feet the necessary protection they need on uneven surfaces. This is made possible by a special footbed that offers more stability and comfort than ordinary leisure sandals. But caution is also required here, because open-toe hiking sandals naturally do not offer the same grip as closed-toe hiking boots. In the following you will find out what you should pay attention to when buying – we also present four models in detail.
On warm summer or mild autumn days, wearing hiking sandals can be a real treat for your feet. Similar to closed hiking shoes, the sandals have a non-slip, cushioning sole that increases grip without sacrificing comfort. Nevertheless, there are different variants: If the footbed is made of synthetic materials, the hiking sandals can also be worn near water (e.g. on the beach) without any problems – feet will of course still get wet, even if the material can tolerate moisture. If you opt for hiking sandals with a footbed made of leather or microfiber instead, these are not waterproof, but they absorb sweat from your feet better. In addition, they should be particularly suitable for longer routes.
Whether with toe caps or without – there are a variety of different sandals that are ideal for long walks and short hikes. We will present four of them in detail as follows.
The Keen Newport hiking sandals made of water-repellent leather have a closed toe and thus offer the toes even more protection against sharp stones. According to the manufacturer, the anatomical EVA insole adapts perfectly to the foot, so that every step in it should feel more natural. The rubber outsole is thick enough to absorb light impacts.
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Ecco’s off-road outdoor sandals are made of the following materials: nubuck, textile and mesh. The shoes should get even more grip thanks to the integrated PU midsole and a profiled rubber outsole. In order to optimally adjust the sandals to the feet, they have three adjustable Velcro straps. What is special about this model is that you can choose between 17 different colors and designs.
The world-renowned manufacturer of outdoor clothing and shoes, Jack Wolfskin, also has hiking sandals in its range: the “Lakewood Ride” model is available in different colors for both men and women. Equipped with neoprene at important points, the shoes are characterized by a particularly light and non-slip sole. The Velcro closure increases the wearing comfort.
By far the cheapest hiking sandals in this round of introductions come from Decathlon. The model is available in two colors (burgundy red and black), has two Velcro fasteners and a buckle and, according to the manufacturer, is more suitable for occasional hikes on unpaved paths. The EVA midsole is designed to provide good cushioning for the feet, while the rubber sole ensures better grip on the ground.
And one last tip: as long as the hiking sandals have not yet broken in, it can be helpful to apply a protective film to sensitive skin areas. This reduces friction and thus also possible blistering.
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