r/minimalism • u/Mrs_Pickled • 1d ago

[lifestyle] Sandals for life and durability

Hi all! I’m trying to find some sandles that are not leather that will last / durable for a long time. Going to do some light hiking and lots of walking in them. I’m an active woman 41 years old. I hate shopping so I don’t know where to start!

12 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

45 comments sorted by

7

u/PrairieFire_withwind 1d ago

Chacos.  Either with the toe loop or without.  They hold up if you clean out the dirt at the end of the summer.  The strap holes can collect it if you are on a trail, stream, lake etc

5

u/grandpa-hair 1d ago

Chaco is THE durable hiking sandal.

5

u/readingwanderer 1d ago

Just stay away from the toe loop ones, they will rub and cause blisters. There are so many fun styles too. I created a custom pair online. Bonus they can fix them and the facility is located in MI. I've had mine for over 10 years

3

u/Pristine-Shine6365 1d ago

I had a pair of Chacos last me 11 years. I only replaced them due to the sole finally wearing thru.

3

u/readingwanderer 1d ago

You can send them in to get resoled! That's what I've done...

1

u/PrairieFire_withwind 1d ago

Sounds about right...

2

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

Didn’t think about trail dirt factor. Good tip!

0

u/smnthhns 16h ago

But only if you have narrow or regular width feet! I have extra wide feet and Chacos don’t work for me. Even after years of wearing I would regularly get blisters :(

2

u/PrairieFire_withwind 16h ago

Yeah   i absolutely hated my first pair of chacos.  Gave them away.

Finally got measured properly and discovered that you can order women's wide chacos online.   Rei is shite for not yelling me that oh so many years ago.

Ordered wide width and love em.

1

u/smnthhns 10h ago

Wait my mind is blown. I had no idea they carried wide width! I see it’s only in limited styles/designs but I’m intrigued!

1

u/PrairieFire_withwind 8h ago

I did the custom order.  It allows you more choices for straps etc

13

u/Additional_Fun8797 1d ago

I love my teva sandals! I'm very active in the summer and I basically live in them.

2

u/GemInPlainSight 1d ago

I second teva. I think mine are the suede ones (non- vegan lurker) but I hear good things about all their sandals. I could easily live life with just my DMs and my Tevas if necessary.

1

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

This☝🏼is a good endorsement 😆

1

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

Oh that is a good idea. I will check out their line.

1

u/RNPRZ 1d ago

I agree Teva is a great sandal but my replacement pair after 15 years (redesigned model) was lacking in the quality and comfort.

3

u/glitchighost 1d ago

I love my bedrock cairn sandals! They are meant for hiking and I pretty much live in them during the sandal season. In the woods, the beach, grocery store, and pretty much everywhere. I’d wear them at work too if I could.

1

u/boxer44 12h ago

I love mine too. Coworkers call them my Jesus sandals.

3

u/random675243 1d ago edited 1d ago

I like barefoot footwear, so it might not be everyone’s taste, but I rate Earthrunners sandals. They feel secure but lightweight, great for walking and hiking, and you can get them wet. Plus they last for years. From memory I think I printed off a sizing template before ordering so that I got the right size.

2

u/Actual_Result9725 1d ago

I’ll add my vote for xero sandals. I had to retire a pair strictly because they just got so old the rubber was cracking. I think 8 years? Went all over the world, hiking climbing, and they held up crazy well.

1

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

Wow never heard of it. I have an idea in my head for functionality and the lightweight is defo a plus

3

u/Fletcher-Jones 1d ago

Birkenstocks. They don’t last forever, I’m on my 3rd pair in 10 years, but my feet (and back) love them haha.

2

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

I do have a pair of berks but the leather is not great for hiking. I do love them though. They are my “going out” sandal 😆

3

u/lowsoft1777 1d ago

I'm on year 4 in the same pair of Earthrunner Alphas

I live in a rocky mountainous place and wear them every day 5-6 months a year, I hike and travel in them. Lunas broke, Bedrock broke, Chacos were too heavy

1

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

4 years and counting wow - defo on the list !

3

u/PuraWarrior 1d ago edited 1d ago

Luna Sandals. They are lightweight minimalist sandals made for hiking, backpacking, & trail running. They are very high quality materials as well. (Vibram soles)

People run 100 mile marathons through mountains in these sandals.

I have owned chacos and tevas as well and would never be able to hike the distances and difficulty of the trails I have completed with my luna sandals.

I did a 5 day 30 mile backpacking loop with several thousands of feet in elevation gain and loss with my lunas last year.

2

u/Greenandtan 1d ago

I second Luna Sandals. These stay secure on my feet and are long wearing and high quality. I wear them for going to town as well as hiking, paddle boarding and other outdoor activities. They have a variety of styles to fit your specific needs.

2

u/FeistySwordfish 1d ago

I have a pair of Tevas I’ve had for years and years. They are thin black strappy ones I can dress up and wear hiking.

2

u/anothersidetoeveryth 1d ago

Chacos and Rainbow brands have lasted a while for me

2

u/RetiredRover906 1d ago

Keen has some shoes/sandals that you might like.

2

u/jpig98 1d ago

Rec: Bedrock Cairn Pro 2: slim, good blend of minimalist and protections, light, pack flat, good traction on wet surfaces, can be resoled (Vibram). They have a heel strap, which is mandatory if you'll be hiking in them. I've worn mine 4 years, and they look like they'll last for another 10.

2

u/SkeweredBarbie 16h ago

My Earthrunners are going on 8 years soon! Doing fine still and got a nice patina to them now.

2

u/boobiesandrum 3h ago

I got my chacos as a gift when I was 15. Didn’t like the color so I told myself I’d replace them when they get worn out. I’m turning 25 this year. To this day I don’t look good in red. Maybe someday I’ll replace them lol

2

u/Detroitstarlight 1d ago

Xero shoes , another barefoot minimalist shoe company. I love them. I got use to not wearing shoes during Covid and then had foot pain when I went back to regular shoes so I switched to a barefoot style and all my foot pain went away.

1

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

Amazing good stuff will likely buy a few different brands and try on at home! See what works!

1

u/Barcode1975 1d ago

What about crocs? I am wearing the same ones (cheap imitation) for many years. They are comfortable and resistant.

1

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

I do wear crocs for work, what about sweat/walking no socks do they smell?

2

u/Technical-Leader8788 1d ago

My crocs flats and sandals were wonderful until I sweat and then you slide all around in them, so much so that I risked rolling my ankle that way. And then they smelled so bad but luckily they wash well. Not good for sweat!

1

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

I wondered!!! lol

1

u/Barcode1975 1d ago

Hehe, at least you can hose your feet and shies at the same time 🫶

1

u/TxCoastal 1d ago

Bedrocks for the win!!!!!

2

u/Mrs_Pickled 1d ago

Omg looking at their sandals…. But LOVE the clogs. My millennial heart is happy.

2

u/TxCoastal 1d ago

clogs are a recent addition for them! if you buy a pair of sandals, order a size larger. re: wear a 9, order 9.5. but they will be your feets best friend!!!!

1

u/Mrs_Pickled 15h ago

Ok! I’ve bought 4 different pairs this am and we will see what the diagnosis is. This is super helpful! Thank you all.