Bedrock Cairn Adventure Review

Upon initial inspection, the Bedrock Cairn Adventure might seem like an odd flip flop unfit for extended trail use. Some might believe it's only for barefoot enthusiasts. While these impressions arise from the Cairn's unique design, a short hike on your favorite trail will prove that these sandals are up for any adventure. We were eager to see how the Cairn compared to both bulkier and more minimalist models. After extensive testing, our team concluded that the Cairn outshines both heavier and lighter models in nearly all scenarios.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Despite initial reservations, we were impressed by the ability of the Cairn to provide substantial comfort with its thin and lightweight structure. Its distinctive strap configuration ensures a tailored fit, allowing for on-the-go adjustments. With a plugless toe loop, 3/4-inch webbing, and a sturdy ankle strap, this sandal combines the breezy feel of a great flip flop with the secureness of a sport sandal. The minimalist design helps eliminate discomfort and ensures adjustability for most activities and foot shapes.

The straps, toe loops, quality footbed materials, and ergonomic design of the Cairn facilitate its comfort. This sandal has a durable, flat midsole material, which may deter those with high arches or those seeking more foot support. The paracord toe post can feel intense for some users as well, but overall, our testers feel this sandal offers great adaptability and comfort for various foot shapes and sizes. The firmness of the footbed also protects against rugged terrain. The charm of the Cairn lies in its slim yet firm footbed and midsole construction, which shapes to the foot's contours when properly adjusted.

Overall, the less-is-more approach and straightforward, efficient design of the Cairn wins us over. Sharp rocks and rough terrain are really only felt when compared to thicker-soled sandals. If we hadn't tested a slew of models side-by-side, we would never have noticed this. While not as cushioned as other sandals, the Cairn balances lightweight comfort, slender soles, and a tailored fit.

Traction

Right out of the box, the Vibram XS Trek outsole on the Cairn indicates its ruggedness. The tough rubber and aggressive tread pattern instill confidence for tackling challenging terrain. Whether climbing, descending, or navigating wet rocks, the athletic Regolith outsole offers excellent grip on even the toughest surfaces. This is a solid consideration if you're in the market for a water shoe.

Beyond the exceptional traction from the outsole, the footbed material of the Cairn also stands out. The midsole's soft yet durable rubber with a micro-diamond pattern secures the foot in damp or dusty conditions. This added grip is beneficial, especially since the thong-like toe strap occasionally causes the feet to slide forward on steep terrains compared to sandals with more robust strap systems.

Stability

This is where the Cairn scored a tad lower, but it still offers decent stability for such a lightweight sandal. That said, the wide-open feel of its thong design does slightly compromise stability. We more-or-less expected this from the zero-drop offerings in our review, not excluding the Cairn. However, Bedrock's thoughtful design elements compensate. The custom fit and sturdy sole offer stability but no more than walking barefoot on solid surfaces.

Though the Cairn lacks arch support, it features “wings” on each side of the foot, which work in conjunction with the ankle strap and over-the-foot webbing. These wings, extending from the rigid rubber sole, help keep the foot in place. While they don't replace arch support, they do add stability during challenging tasks. Combined with three separate adjustment points and a grippy footbed, the Cairn achieves commendable stability compared to other minimalist models.

Adjustability

The Cairn Adventure shines as one of our review's most customizable sandals. Its unique strap design requires some getting used to, but it's worth the effort. Each of the three adjustment points serves a distinct purpose, allowing for a tailored fit. While many sandals offer three adjustment points, none match the Cairn's security or flexibility. Once set, the fit remains consistent. Quick adjustments and removal are facilitated by the Velcro, hook points, and buckle strap.

Due to its unique strap design, our only qualm is the slight initial learning curve of dialing in the right fit. The heel strap is doubled-back and secures with Velcro, while the two straps running over the forefoot have independently adjustable securement straps. The inside of the foot features a hook and series of miniature webbing loops capable of varying the width or landing the toe strap in the most optimal position. The buckle strap that runs on the outside of the foot is used more frequently, which tightens the adjoined pieces of webbing for a snug fit.

Versatility

Boasting superb traction, secure webbing straps, and a compact profile suitable for packing, the Cairn is undeniably versatile. Whether jogging, scrambling, skating, or swimming, we felt right at home in these sandals.

However, the thong-style toe strap limits the socks-and-sandals look and is also not comfortable for everyone. If the ability to wear socks with your sandals is a must, Bedrock makes a specialized split-toe sock. If that setup isn't appealing to you, we suggest looking at other models with wrap or overlap style strap systems that will accommodate you wearing your regular woolies. Overall, the Caird is highly adaptable to various conditions and activities.

Should You Buy the Bedrock Cairn Adventure?

The Cairn Adventure quickly became a tester favorite. With its quality sole, innovative design, and customizable webbing, this sandal stands out. Earning top scores in nearly every category, we challenge you to find something it can't handle. Although not the cheapest, its value is evident, especially with its high-grade Vibram outsole. While not the most affordable, many costlier models offer far less.

What Other Sandals Should You Consider?

If the Cairn Adventure sounds great but seems a little more minimal than you would prefer, consider its sister model, the Bedrock Cairn 3D PRO II Adventure. This version has a thicker sole and strategic footbed contouring for those who want extra support or are planning to hike longer distances. Keep in mind that the 3D Pro II requires more break-in time because of this. If you want more toe protection or a more rugged sandal, theKeen Newport H2 is stable and comfortable. While it isn't as versatile and doesn't have good traction, it provides more all-around foot protection from rocks and other items you might encounter on the trails. However, it also doesn't allow for the easy passage of sand or pebbles. If you want to split the difference or need a budget sandal, the Teva Katavi 2 could be a good choice. It splits the difference between a bulky, close-toed shoe and the lightweight, unencumbered Cairn. It performed better than average in most metrics, is wallet-loving, and is of good quality. It doesn't offer the best traction but is comfortable and gets the job done.