How to choose your sandals or ventilated shoes for hiking?

We are talking about sandals designed specifically for walking, we don’t advise you to go into the mountains in flip-flops or poolside sliders. Hiking requires an adapted type of sandal with a sole that offers cushioning and grip. This will prevent you from falling and injuring yourself on trails.

Are you going hiking on a trail when it's hot and dry? Sandals will surely be recommended to enjoy your walk without weighing you down and will always keep your feet cool.

Their anti-slip soles are designed to provide great comfort but also a lot of grip on the paths. And of course, you can cross a small stream or two without worrying as your shoes will dry quickly.

That said, if your sandals are made of leather, they won’t appreciate the passage through water. So be sure to check that the sandals are suitable for your route.

If you hike regularly or go backpacking to explore new countries, go for a comfortable sandal with good cushioning and spikes to ensure optimum grip.

If you're looking for sandals for occasional use or to rest after an intense day of sport, you can opt for a light and compact model that will be perfect for bivouacs or camping, for example.

Do you want to go hiking regularly and walk off the beaten track (within the permitted limits)? We advise you to choose well-ventilated hiking shoes. In hot, dry weather they are comfortable because the moisture generated is easily wicked away, and the occasional ford won’t scare you. Your feet will be protected from stones, vegetation, etc. and at the same time you won't feel like you have locked them in a sauna. All the better, as moisture in shoes can cause blisters!

If you have opted for ventilated walking shoes, your aim is to wick away as much perspiration as possible from your feet when you are walking. But be aware, If you put on your favourite cotton terry socks (or ankle socks), you'll sort of negate the effect of the shoes. You will actually need a lightweight sock that wicks away perspiration. 

So we recommend ultra-breathable polyamide socks to complement the action of the shoes. And because they dry quickly, you won't even have to worry about crossing water.

No! If they were waterproof they wouldn’t be as breathable. If you look at your ventilated shoes, you’ll see that they are usually made of mesh. This type of material knit creates tiny holes all over the instep (obviously the sole is not ventilated). These holes are necessary to let moisture from your feet escape as you walk. It’s also thanks to them that your shoes dry quickly if you walk through a stream.

For your shoes to be waterproof, all the holes in them must be filled. The seams of waterproof shoes, for example, are sealed with a tape that prevents water from seeping through the holes created by the needles during sewing. 

This also explains why applying a waterproofing spray to a shoe (or product) that is not waterproof in the first place will not make it waterproof.