Read our guide to find out how to choose the best hiking sandals for men. Comfort and breathability for your adventures.
As our summers get hotter and hotter, we’re all looking for ways to keep cool. Hiking sandals meet this need – they provide good breathability, enabling air to pass over your feet with every step. Sandals are also popular because they are lightweight and comfortable (their airy design reduces the risk of blisters forming).
Your choice of men’s hiking sandals will mainly depend on your preferred activity. Hiking sandals are suitable for terrain that is easily accessible and not too rugged, but should be avoided for technical hikes at medium altitude. That's because they don't provide as much support and protection as hiking boots.
Here’s our advice on which sandals to choose for your activity:
Sandals for short hikes on flat trails
Leather or synthetic open-toe sandals.
If you’re walking on trails with small stones, choose sandals with a stone guard at the front.
Sandals for hikes in the mountains
Hikes with a gradual ascent of less than 300 metres: Open-toe sandals with good cushioning, grip and support.
Hikes with a gradual ascent of up to 500 metres: Closed-toe sandals or hiking shoe-sandals
Bivouacking sandals and Trekking sandals
Bivouacking sandals: Lightweight sandals for an evening of bivouacking in the mountains
Trekking sandals: Closed sandals that protect the front of the foot and provide good support
When you're out walking, whether for a few hours, a day or several days, your sandals need to be comfortable. But how do you know if a pair of hiking sandals are comfortable or not?
It’s easy to slip when you’re hiking. So, to reduce the risk of an injuring yourself, it’s essential your sandals have good grip. This will enable you to move with confidence over rough or slippery terrain, while good stability will help you maintain your balance, even on uneven surfaces.
On hard surfaces, like rocks or stones, grip is best achieved with a wide, shallow tread.
On soft surfaces, like mud or dirt, grip is generally provided by a deep, sculpted tread.
Open-toe sandals are characterised by their airy design, which maximises the circulation of air around your feet. This type of sandal is ideal for easy hikes in the summer or in warm regions. They are usually very lightweight, which makes walking less tiring over longer distances.
Closed-toe sandals (or "shoe-sandals") are an interesting alternative to open-toe models, particularly if you're looking for greater foot protection and if you're planning more technical hikes (ascents of up to 500 metres).
Closed-toe sandals are still relatively lightweight and comfortable to wear. Their design lets your feet breathe but also provides effective protection. Please note, however, that these sandals do not provide the same level of ankle support as high-top and mid-cut hiking boots.
Determining whether a pair of hiking sandals are the right size for you is easier than for a pair of hiking boots. First and foremost, this is because you can see your whole foot, and so you can easily tell if the size looks right.
As with any shoes, it's a good idea to go into a shop and try on several sizes and models so you can compare them.
A few tips to bear in mind when you’re trying on your hiking sandals:
Want to look more stylish while hiking? Why not wear socks with your sandals? Joking aside, wearing socks with your sandals can be practical in certain circumstances:
Hiking boots may be preferred to sandals because they provide better protection. Boots provide more support than sandals, and they are designed to withstand more difficult hiking conditions on more technical terrain.
So, for technical hikes with an elevation gain of over 500 metres, you should go for boots rather than sandals.
What's more, hiking sandals are not suitable for cold or rainy conditions.
In fact, yes, you can wear your hiking sandals for many different situations. However, it's important to bear two things in mind:
If you're still deciding between hiking sandals and hiking boots, here's a summary of the things you need to consider. If you're planning less technical hikes in hot weather, and you like to let your feet breathe, opt for hiking sandals. If you're planning a short or flat hike, opt for open-toe hiking sandals; if you're planning a hike with a greater elevation gain (up to 500 metres), opt for closed-toe hiking sandals.
