The Best Hiking Sandals of 2024: Tested

“These are my dream hiking sandals!” That’s exactly what our testers said after putting their Cairn Evo Hiking Sandals from Montana sandal-maker Bedrock to the test. We sent out pairs of the Cairn Evo, Cairn Evo 3D and Cairn Evo C, and the feedback was universal: Where have these shoes been all our outdoor lives? They scored the highest marks where it counts most for trail shoes: comfort and support, traction, and durability.  

Despite their relatively flat, minimalist footbed, even testers with chronic foot pain or injuries found them exceptionally forgiving. Our Michigan tester compares the Evo 3D's softer, more flexible footbed with other brands’ saying, “I can’t believe how comfortable these sandals are!” (Note: The primary difference among the three versions is footbed cushiness and, subsequently, weight; structurally, the unisex Cairn Evo, Cairn Evo 3D and Cairn Evo C are identical.) The same tester noted it took her a few days to break in the toe straps (and she found she preferred to wear split-toe socks for extra comfort), while other testers were surprised how easy they were to wear right out of the box. “I was also nervous about the Y-strap because I've historically gotten wicked blisters from shoes like that, but these didn't even whisper at a hot spot,” another says.  

Grippy Vibram® nonmarking outsoles help these stay put wherever you place them. Testers took them on trail runs, dog walks, dry hikes on dirt trails, wet hikes on gravel and grass, rocky water crossings, kayaking trips, even climbing. Out of all of these outings, just one slip-up was reported while trying to cross over a fallen tree. Bonus: They’re eligible for resoling through the Bedrock Re-Soul & Repair program. With three adjustment point—including the Velcro® heel strap—testers found these provided a snug and customizable fit. Our California tester says, “These are the first pair of sandals that I’ve hiked in that felt like a supportive hiking shoe/boot.” 

Perhaps the feedback that matters the most? When a tester loves their shoes so much, they have to share them immediately: “I am such a fan of the Bedrock Cairn Evo 3Ds I bought my sister a pair. (I also ordered more of the split-toe socks.)” Buy Cairn Evo Sandals. Buy Cairn Evo 3D Sandals. Buy Carin Evo C Sandals. 

Puddle jumping, canoeing, kayaking, rainforest hikes, waterfall chasing and even rainy-day dog walks are no match for the super lightweight and supportive Hyperport H2 Sandals from Keen.  

“These sandals are legit,” says one lake-loving tester from Minnesota, who wore them hiking, wading, canoeing and exercising her dog. “I love the rubber toe bumper for extra protection for my feet out on the trail, in water, or in my boat. You never know when you're going to hit a rock or stub your toe so it's super that these are so rubbery. There aren’t many sandals I’d feel confident in waring for bike riding, hiking, watersports or beachcombing besides these.” 

Injected EVA foam midsoles provide lightweight spring for your step while cradling your foot so comfortably that it’s “like walking with pillows strapped to your feet,” one tester says. A generous toe box allows toes to splay comfortably, which can increase balance and stability on  

uneven surfaces. You’ll feel like you have grippy webbed feet with the nonmarking rubber outsoles, which are designed to hold tight to wet rock and other damn surfaces. Multidirectional lugs bump up the traction, so you can even stroll through mud with confidence.  

The mesh uppers felt comfortably snug for our testers, and cinchable bungee laces let you adjust the fit based on your activity: Wear them tighter for more active pursuits, or loosen them up for a more casual, slip-on-like feel. Nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) coating helps liquid bead right off the polyester material. Several testers expressed surprise at how easy the uppers were on their skin: “I'm honestly shocked that I haven't gotten any blisters, considering how many potential hot spots there are,” says one hiker who reports that they always suffer from friction points at the ankle and along their first and fifth metatarsals.  

Caveat: one tester who wore these on a hike on Washington’s Bainbridge Island said they felt like they were wearing sneakers without socks and developed blisters on their heels even after breaking in the Hyperport H2s first. With socks, however, that tester reported no flare-ups and says they felt as comfortable as a wider running shoe. “I felt as supported as I would in the Altras I hike in,” they said, adding that it’s “the most support I’ve ever felt in a sandal.” Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

When you’re looking for the ultimate comfort in a hiking sandal, wear the same kicks as your favorite camp counselors: strappy, secure and stylish Z/Cloud 2 sandals from Chaco. The classic 360-degree jacquard webbing straps with cozy-yet-nonrestrictive toe loop are perfect for lounging at a picnic lunch, sprinting for an errant disc or scrambling over trail-blocking boulders. While adjusting Chaco straps is notoriously divisive, one California tester assures it’s worth the work: “Once you set up the straps to your size and liking, it’s very easy to strap in and always get the comfortable fit—but the process of threading the strap can be tedious.” While they loved the security the toe strap provides, they offer a handy (toey?) tip: “If you don’t like or need the toe strap, you can easily just step over it and wear the shoes without it.”  

Contoured proprietary footbeds made from durable polyurethane compounds resist breaking down and compressing after long use. One tester suffers from a neuroma in their left foot and needs to be especially careful with picking footwear. They found the Chacos to be supportive and springy:  “If I didn't look down, I'd think I was wearing trail runners!” They wore their Z/Cloud 2s on several day hikes through Pennsylvania state parks and felt supported on a wide variety of terrain. “My testing included pretty solid inclines and declines and the Chacos provided impeccable traction, giving me peace of mind as I trekked. More impressive was how they handled on very rocky terrain in the Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park,” they said. “I was walking across boulders as far as the eye could see and I never once lost faith in these sandals' ability to keep me upright and stable.”

Nonmarking proprietary rubber outsoles feature deep and grippy 3.5 mm lugs for outstanding traction on dirt, gravel, rocks and pavement—and they comprise 25% recycled rubber. In California, our tide-pool-exploring tester says the thick, durable treads have just enough weight to feel like they could handle wear and tear caused by sandy beaches, wet rock and salt water. “I would feel safe wearing these shoes in precipitation and technical terrain,” they said. Of course we love a sandal that’s made to last, and the Z/Cloud 2s are eligible for resoling at the brand’s factory in Michigan, through the ReChaco program. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

With roughly 75% less weight and material than standard sport sandals, these minimalist, open-toe sandals are ideal for gram counters and folks who have a hankering for zero-drop or barefoot shoes.   

Despite their incredible thinness, the Z-Trails’ foam midsoles and footbeds allow your feet to respond more naturally and instantly with ground surfaces while also providing a comfortable underfoot layer of protection. Gentle heel cups encourage stable foot placement and block some debris, but one tester found that they had a hard time keeping out smaller twigs and pebbles and would prefer to walk on grass in them. “No matter how tightly I cinched the straps, this made every hike an exercise in frustration between my foot and the debris on the trail,” they say. 

The upper webbing is made from recycled plastic water bottles and provides soft but snug support on the top of your foot. Multiple adjustment points mean you can customize the perfect fit. One tester raved at how well these worked in a variety of environments (including beach, dirt trails, concrete and grass), but found the straps uncomfortable as their feet swelled with activity. “The straps are stiff, so it was hard to adjust perfectly, and I had to keep fussing with them throughout the day. As a result, my foot slid forward as I walk so my toes start to dangle off the front.” Other testers found that when they got the straps dialed in, the fit was extremely comfortable and true to size even over long days on trail.  

One tester reported, “Best overall grip of the sandals I tested! This was partially due to the strength of the tread and lugs on the sole but also the security of the straps around all parts of my foot including the toe, ankle and heel, which drastically improved traction results,” after three long day hikes in Washington state. Flexible soles contribute to the sandals’ barely-there feel; If it weren’t for the traction provided by dual-chevron-treaded rubber soles, you might forget you were wearing them. And when you’re not? Roll ‘em up and stick ‘em in a pocket: They pack down about the size of a softball.  

You might not be able to walk on water, but your Z-Trail EVs can. They float and are fully water-resistant, making them perfect as a lightweight shoe for paddleboarding or other watersports, or as protection against rocky lake or ocean bottoms. Some testers love the minimal barrier between foot and floor, while others said they would opt for burlier footwear on more technical hikes. “I do plan on using these as my camp shoes, though,” said one tester. “They are so light and serve that purpose really well. (Note that transitioning to barefoot and zero-drop shoes should be done gradually to avoid injury. Related reading: Minimalist/Barefoot Running Basics) Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

When many people imagine sandals, the classic double-strapped, open-toe profile of Birkenstock come to mind. The Arizona Rugged is a sportier sibling to the iconic slides that have been part of the “crunchy” wardrobe since 1973, and we put them through their paces with treks on steep dirt trails, flat gravel paths, rolling technical terrain, wet grass—even hardwood floors. (Shh, don’t tell mom we wore shoes in the house.)  

Durable oiled nubuck leather upper straps allow wearers to tighten the top grip for faster action or loosen them for a sandal that feels more like a burly slipper. Many testers loved the less restrictive straps and appreciated not having a contact point at the blister-prone heel, while others found it harder to get accustomed to the slides and longed for a toe or back strap. “Even though there still wasn't a heel strap, the heel cup on these felt more secure and that added to my comfort both physically and psychologically,” says one tester who tried several different sandals on trail.  

Of course, no sandals would be Birkenstocks without a molded cork-latex footbed, which wears in to be as soft as any foam. But the wearing-in part is key: These sandals are not the slip-on-and-go type straight out of the box but will gradually welcome your foot shape over the course of repeated use. “Once you get past those first few weeks of wearing them indoors and letting them mold to your foot, I don’t think you’ll ever break up with them,” assures one Minnesota tester. (They recommend wearing them with light socks at first to prevent blisters in those early days—also an iconic look.) 

Durable direct-injection polyurethane soles are light and flexible, but they don’t mess around when it comes to traction. “The grip on the sole was more assertive than I’m used to with regular athletic shoes, so I did have to get accustomed to a slightly tackier grip on the ground,” says one tester who wore them on wooded hikes in Washington state. “I found the added grip on the sole really helpful—there seemed to be more flex in this shoe, which gave it an edge on rocky, more technical terrain where a less flexible shoe can be a nuisance.” Unfortunately, none of our testers tried playing footbag while wearing Arizona Ruggeds, so you’ll have to report back about that field test on your own. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.