Friday 15 May 2009

Hiking Sandals

Readers, do any of you wear hiking sandals? It seems a strange phenomena... I mean, can a sandal really be suitable for hill or fell walking? And what happens when you walk through mud or it starts to rain?

I can see the appeal being lightweight and cool. Some have soles that provide good traction. Some have toe bumpers but surprisingly a lot don't. So how likely is one to stub a toe? (I suspect the way I walk it's very likely!) Can the straps provide adequate support? And are they soft enough to prevent chaffing even if your feet get wet?

If anyone of you have tried them, do let us know what you think.

4 comments:

Duxbury Ramblers said...

I often yearn for sandals on a long trek but I am not convinced they are for me. We have one regular walker who loves them and can be seen most the summer in a pair without socks, I would have to have a pair of socks on mainly to stop the tics etc. It's bad enough getting the blighters off the dogs :)
Who knows if I saw a pair that I thought were suitable I might be tempted.

Crafty Green Poet said...

For me no, I'm too clumsy and would feel they couldn't offer enough support for my ankles.

Mistlethrush said...

Thanks for you comments. Anyone any more to offer. I was thinking about buying some....

Mistlethrush said...

I've just received an email from another reader who says she has a pair of hiking sandals which she wears without socks. She thinks they're great: lightweight and no chaffing even when wet.

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