![]() Not only can it support tired feet much like a traditional boot, but it can withstand miles of abuse under a heavy load without breaking down. The Z/Cloud has a cushioned footbed, contoured arch and dual-density polyurethane (PU) midsole-the same sort of formula used in your favorite hiking boots. Test Results: Hiking sandals and backpacking have a reputation like oil and water, but Chaco Nation likely has something to say on the matter. But for folks who are accustomed to the more natural, midfoot gait required of minimalist shoes, there is no better vehicle for freeing your feet. Note that the minimalist design (0mm heel-to-toe drop) of the Cairn Adventure doesn’t offer any support (Bedrock Sandals doesn’t claim as much), so if you plan on backpacking in your sandals you may want to look for a more traditional ride. (Typically, the stickier the rubber, the quicker it breaks down.) The Cairn Adventure held fine during river crossings and gripped well on dry-and-steep terrain. The XS Trek rubber outsole isn’t the stickiest in the Vibram® lineup, but it offers a great blend of traction and durability. Once those are set to your liking, use the buckle on the outside of the Y to loosen and tighten the sandal for everyday wear thereafter.Īt just a pound for a pair, the Cairn Adventure likely weighs less than your trail lunch, and it showed: “I don’t ever want my feet to feel weighed down while crossing a sketchy river, and I never felt burdened,” said our Montana-based tester. To fit the Cairn Adventure initially, slide your first and second toes around the nylon webbing “toe post,” then adjust the hook strap on the inside of the Y and the Velcro heel strap. Credit the geometrically patterned footbed for its noticeable skin traction and purchase: “I could almost feel the soft patterning holding my foot in place during river crossings,” said one tester after a 4-mile hike in Colorado’s Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Sanitas in Boulder, Colorado, and the slog up to Spade Lake in Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness while wearing Bedrocks. Our testers ticked off a handful of StairMaster hikes like Mt. With a three-point adjustment system, the Cairn Adventure is plenty secure for more technical hiking. We'd forgive you for thinking that the airy design of the Cairn Adventure might make it loosey-goosey, but that's simply not the case. We did persuade a couple of holdouts that the sandal way of life has potential, however. In fact, we were so chuffed that we began distributing our testing samples to any and all parties who'd try them on, even if the numerical size wasn't perfect-not one negative comment. Our five testers unanimously praised this REI Editors' Choice Awared Winner's comfort both out of the box and after long trail days when grime or foot swell can make other shoes fit differently. (Think of it like a flip-flop with a heel strap-providing the airiest feel in the test.) The design ensures that there are no points of contact on your forefoot or across your toes. A flip-flop-style Y-strap crosses the forefoot, and an adjustable band wraps around the back to keep tootsies secure. The not-so-secret sauce is in the unique harness system. Every strap and buckle needs to hit your foot just so, and if a contour in the footbed is an iota off, you’re in for a world of hurt. ![]() Test Results: The pluses of hiking sandals-chiefly breathability, low weight, simpler water crossings, sweet tan lines-only register if the fit is perfect.
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