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Hiking sandals are a great choice in summer if you're an active woman hiker looking for an alternative to hotter and heavier hiking boots. A lightweight pair of sandals are also a great choice if you'll be doing river crossings as this versatile hiking footwear can also be used as water shoes.
However, there's a huge selection. May your personal preference be closed-toe shoes or rugged sandals made out of synthetic materials, we've compiled the best 15 hiking sandals for women. If you're fashion conscious, this article is perfect for you too!
Advantages of Hiking Sandals
Hiking sandals are one of the latest trends in outdoor adventure gear. A true summer companion even, but you might feel skeptical about the idea of trekking in the mountains in sandals.
There are several advantages and disadvantages that you should consider when buying a pair of hiking sandals instead of traditional hiking footwear.
Choosing sandals as your hiking gear has the huge pro of comfort. With sandals, your feet will breathe - making your hiking experience more enjoyable and less painful.
Hiking in sandals reduces your chance of blisters. Hiking shoes can easily cause blisters if worn for a long time, while sandals have fewer points of contact with your feet, reducing the rubbing. Blisters are one of the things that wreck treks and make hikes memorable for all the wrong reasons. Having said that, it's still important that they fit correctly and that you break them in gradually before hiking in them.
Another advantage of hiking sandals is that many are water-safe. If you enjoy river crossings or hiking in wet environments, you'll have zero problems if wearing hiking sandals.
If you're doing a multi-day trip, carrying a heavy pack and want to reduce your load, hiking sandals also function as camp shoes. That way you don't need to carry another pair of shoes. I personally wouldn't hike in sandals for a multi-day trip as I like ankle support, especially if I'm carrying a heavy pack, but I know other hikers that swear by them.
Last but not least, many hiking sandals come with a stylish design and come in lots of colors, making them double as daily wear. That's perfect when you're travelling and want to pack less. Some even look good with a summer dress.
Disadvantages of Hiking in Sandals
Of course, as with all things, there are disadvantages to hiking in sandals. The main downside of hiking sandals is the lack of protection for your feet. It's easy to stub a toe, cut up a foot on a sharp rock, or be bitten by insects and snakes.
Besides, you need to be careful about sun exposition - you might get sunburned on your feet!
Hiking sandals are also less optimal for hiking on loose ground or rock climbing than hiking shoes or boots, which offer more ankle support and traction.
Best Women's Teva Hiking Sandals
Teva is one of the most popular sandals for outdoor adventure. Teva's sandals are super comfy and provide excellent traction for walking over rocky, slippery and mild terrains. A true footwear recommendation.
Best KEEN Hiking Sandals
Women hiking enthusiasts love Keen sandals for their protection, comfort, and support. All Keen sandals are machine washable on the gentle cycle, making them very easy and convenient to clean.
Best Chaco Hiking Sandals for Women
Chaco makes perfect hiking sandals for their adjustability, excellent traction, and underfoot support for the active women. Adventurous travelers choose Chaco sandals to hike even the most rugged terrain. The Chaco Z is a favorite choice for many hikers and minimal footwear aficionados.
Xero Shoes Z Hiking Sandals for Women
A pair of athleisure sandals that are lightweight and minimalist footwear designed for your feet to feel the earth when hiking.
ECCO Walking Sandals for Women
ECCO outdoor sandals feature the highest quality materials to provide the best comfort. ECCO sandals have extra room for the toes, and the ECCO Freedom Fit reduces foot fatigue.
Eddie Bauer Women's Hiking Sandals
A staple name in the outdoors business and one of the comfiest sandals out there. Eddie Bauer produces entry and mid-level outdoor adventure gear suitable for camping trips of all kinds.
Best Budget Women's Hiking Sandals
When you're on a tight budget or only an occasional hiker, then check out these budget women's hiking sandals. However, if you're a regular hiker, then it's worth investing in one of the sandals recommended above.
Tips for Women Hiking in Sandals for the First Time
If this is the first time you are buying hiking sandals, there are some tips you can find useful before purchasing.
The most important tip for first-time sandal hikers is to keep in mind that your hiking sandals need to be as comfortable as possible. It should be custom fit to you. You should look for the perfect fit for your foot and sandals with adjustable straps and arch support.
The second tip is to be mindful of the weight per pair. The weight per pair you carry on your feet zaps about 5 times more energy than the weight carried on the back. So a lightweight pair of hiking sandals is fundamental if you don't want to end up with muscle fatigue.
Last but not least, keep an eye out for the price. Whether this is your first pair of hiking sandals or not, you should consider investing a little bit more for high-quality footwear. Cheaper hiking sandals can make the work if you mostly do easy trails or long walks. But if you want to be ready for more intense hikes, the you need to wear quality shoes. Yes, they are pricier sandals but they do have stylish designs too.
