Many people love wearing their sandals into the outdoors, but are you aware that not all sandals can handle the abuse camping entails? This is one camping gear that doesn't get enough attention, but you'll find that selecting the right footwear can go a long way towards making sure that your camping experience is a pleasant one. Take some time to think about what you need to get out of your sandals and you'll be well-prepared the next time you are thinking of wandering out into the woods. Good outdoor sandals or sports sandals all have a few basic properties that you should lookout for.
1. Is it comfortable over extended periods?
Chances are, you have run into sandals that look great but end up with uneven soles - or worse, holes - if you wear them too long. When you go camping you'll be taking on everything from rocky paths to muddy trails, and you don't want to be dealing with blisters on top of this. Take a look to make sure that the bottom is padded and that the straps fit comfortably and firmly across your feet. Make extra sure that the strap across your Achilles tendon will not abrade that area. If you tend to have wider feet, look for sandals with foot bed that is wide enough to accommodate your foot.
2. Is it Durable?
Camping sandals take a lot of abuse. It gets beaten up by rain water, mud, prolonged heat exposure, rough terrain. This is where the cheaper look-alike sandals become exposed. The bottom pry apart, or the soles get worn and uneven... I do recommend going with the proven brands, you'll also often find customer reviews about the major outdoor footwear brands. My Tevas for example, as plain looking as they are have lasted me for years.
3. Does it Stay on Your Feet?
While there are definitely worse fates, you'll find that losing a sandal is definitely no walk in the park. This is easier to do than you might think; if you go canoing, or if you are planning to wade across a fast-moving body of water, you'll find that quick current can tug your sandals off your feet more quickly than you think, and if these are the only shoes that you brought, this can make for a very unpleasant walk. Make sure that your sandals fit snugly and make sure that you cannot kick them off. Look for sandals that fasten securely, and if you decide to go with Velcro, make sure that the straps bend through a buckle before fastening. There's a new hybrid cropping up, the Shoe-Sandal which has the secure stability of a shoe but the lightness and comfort of a sandal.
4. Are the sandals Light and Nimble?
How far are you going to be walking? You'll find that a good pair of camping sandals will feel as though you are not carrying any weight at all; you will certainly feel the difference if you switch them out for hiking boots. You'll also find that good camping sandals will be lightweight even in the water, when other footwear will get very heavy.
Buying the right sandals can be instrumental towards enjoying your camping experience. The ideal camping sandals must be nimble, yet durable and tough against outdoor elements. There are many popular lines of sandals that meet these criteria, but they can get expensive. You can settle for cheaper, low-cost look-alikes, for me, I'd rather stick with the proven manufacturers - Merell, Teva, Chaco and Keen sandals [http://www.joyofcamping.com/camping-gear/footwear/keen-newport-h2-sandals] BUT pay discounted prices at outlet stores.
Don't forget online outlet stores such as AltrecOutlet.com for example, you will find the popular Chaco Sandals at 40% discounts or more. BackCountryOutlet.com also has a Clearance Bin where you can save 50% or more. Finally, there's CampSaver.com where they claim to have everyday lower prices.
