Trekking sandals. Are they any good?

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Not exactly stylish I know.

But looking to get some for going to Italy this summer. But if you're actually hiking in them rather than just walking round a city do you not just get grit/gravel in them all the time?

[RaisingSteam]

I have Teva Tirra's, I have worn them all day every day on holidays before. I might have had to shake out the odd bit of grit but wouldn't say it's a major problem, worth it for the comfort. For walking on paths, beach etc they are great. I understand Keen are very good sandals for a bit more "hiking" performance.

[originalmavis]

I have Merrells and they are good. The odd stone is a nuisance but still better than having steaming boots.

Also rather nice if it's hot and starts raining.

[WorriedOrStressed]

I've had my faithful pair of Teva's (similar to Terra's) for 15 plus years - taken me hiking in Nepal's foothills, across rivers, through Ghana's jungles and still going strong. I've not had a problem with them picking up grit unless they been wet, but they dry out very quickly. They always come with me on holiday and are first choice footwear if walking involved.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

That's good to know. Ive been looking at the Merrells which look like Keen ones. I want enclosed toe ones so I don't have to worry about stubbing my toe.

[pieceofpurplesky]

I had some Ecco ones years that were amazing. I now have metric ones that I love but as much

[WorriedOrStressed]

Only problem with enclosed toe ones Simon is that they can 'jam' your toes when doing lots of downhill walking (from experience!)

[originalmavis]

You can lose a toenail like that (or several). If they have the little lip around the edge you should be ok.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Oh no, ive just ordered Merrells! From sports direct as well and they don't do refunds. Oh well, I think I will mainly be using them on the flat so will see how I get on.

[expatinscotland]

I love my Keens for walking in hot climates.

[RomComPhooey]

I bought some Tevas off the back of a recommendation on here & cracked the box open earlier this week. They are proving to be very comfortable. Mine are the Cabrillo Crossover, so have a suede lining and leather upper. Despite being very new, they are not rubbing at all.

[originalmavis]

Sports direct will change in store so you should be OK. I bought mine in a trekking store (big discount) and wore them to death.

I like my comfort so do get blisters but these were fine - remember to run Vaseline on the part of the shoe that rubs (heel or straps) and that really stops them. Failing that those blister plasters - I forget the name but they also do the cold sore patches - are very good.

We are going on a walking holiday - in less sunny Scotland - so I am wearing in my boots just now. Hope I dont lose as many toe nails this time!

[originalmavis]

Don't forget to get a telescopic walking pole. Very useful for lots of things, including poking your hiking mates when they get annoying.

[pieceofpurplesky]

I do love my merrells op -
I just had a long relationship with my eccos and I miss them!

[FankEweVeryMuch]

ASOS and urban outfitters are selling teva sandals now, they're entering fashionable territory. Are they comfortable?

[EBearhug]

I am on my second pair of Tevas. I practically live in them in the summer, and have done for the last 18 years or so (yes, they last that long). They've been round half the world with me, including travelling across Africa and SE Asia. Jungles, rivers, gravel tracks, all sorts of terrain. I thought they were very expensive when I first got them (I was on a pretty low income at the time), but given how many years they've lasted and how often they get worn, they turn out to be very good value.

Never had any blisters from the Tevas, but when I have had blisters from walking boots, I use Compeed (hydrocolloid plasters.)

[RomComPhooey]

Are they comfortable?

Yes!

[lavendersun]

I have keens, we all do, DH is American and introduced me to them years ago - really good shoes/sandals which go on and on - my first pair are still going 14 years later.

I find the leather ones a bit hard but the webbing ones are brill and you can wash them in the washing machine. We wear them in our canoe and for all sorts of stuff.

Less likely to get gravel in closed toes than some others but you do when you are walking properly in them. I confess to wearing trainer socks in mine, I know, I know but it is about comfort not style or I wouldn't be wearing them in the first place.

[auracole]

Here is one example you can try it, something deferent but very nice and useful.
climbingreviewed.com/best-rock-climbing-shoes/