Hiking sandals are utilitarian. They are as great for casual wear around town and walking on the beach as for technical day hikes. This wide array of applications made testing these sandals an enjoyable challenge. To comprehensively assess each model, we wore them for various activities: hiking, trail running, kayaking and rafting, fishing, skateboarding, bike rides, beach walks, and more. We wore them through dry, dusty spring conditions in the Southwest, into the wet, mossy, and muddy summer of the Southeast, and across California's sandy and rocky beaches. Our breadth of experience inspires our understanding of how these sandals compare relative to one another.
Comfort
To evaluate each model's comfort, we observed how the footbeds felt and how the straps embraced our feet. We compared the fit and feel straight out of the box and after a reasonable break-in period. We noted if we detected any friction spots or blisters and how the materials felt against our skin. Finally, we examined any design features that might be influenced by different foot shapes or sizes.
Traction
We determined our traction scores by hiking and running on various surfaces, including loose, dusty trails, mossy creek beds, steep granite scrambles, stream crossings, and sandy beaches. This year, we also subjected part of our lineup to our “Slime Test,” a slick, mossy set of beach steps that, in our opinion, is as slippery as anything you'll encounter. We observed how the sole material interacted with the ground and how our feet felt against the footbed. From wet and dry conditions, uphill, downhill, and sidehill slopes, to carrying a pack or handling a puppy, we put these shoes through the wringer.
Stability
For our stability scores, we observed how sturdy, balanced, and secure our feet felt across the same terrain. We paid close attention to the sole thickness and stiffness, footbed shape, and the security of the strap system. We tested how stable each model felt across various slopes, surfaces, and weather conditions.
Adjustability
Adjustability was scored based on how efficiently and effectively we could fine-tune each model to fit our feet. We noted how simple and intuitive or complex the adjustment system was and if there were any areas where we couldn't achieve our desired fit. We also noted how well each sandal maintained its proper adjustment after movement or exposure to different conditions and if re-adjustment on the go was easy or necessary.
Versatility
High scores in this category were awarded to products that didn't exhibit significant functional weaknesses and featured a style that we weren't hesitant to showcase around town. We looked for models that could hold their own in any of our outdoor pursuits, from creek bed hikes, craggy ascents, and stream crossings, to neighborhood and beach walks, cruising to the beach, or attending happy hour.
