View Full Version : Lighter sandals than Tevas needed
English Stu
05-25-2012, 07:23
Anyone know a lighter sandal similar to Tevas. I think this is a difficult task and the reason I am struggling to find the answer myself. On long walks I have not taken sandals but twice bought cheap sandals as I found them needed.
I like a camp shoe, my Teva sandals are great but they are heavy item in my pack weight. I like to have them for in camp to reduce the time in shoes, great for walking in if hot, in water, for the walk around town,in hostels.
I don't like flip flops though may have to go there. The Teva Zilch only saves an ounce or so. I do have Crocs but they only save a couple of ounces and are not as versatile as Tevas. I have made a camp shoe out of an insole and cord but they are only to shuffle about in.
Miami Joe
05-25-2012, 10:59
Do Chacos weigh more or less than Tevas. I was thinking about just backpacking I Chacos I. The summer months. Thoughts? They have more support that Tevas. A lighter alternative to Tevas might be flip flops. Of course, you can't really cross a stream in those. Haha. I've seen pictures on WB of homemade "shelter sandals" and those looked pretty cool.
I've been using a shoe almost identical to these for years:
http://www.allswim.com/product-p/125500.htm
I haven't used these exact shoes, but since the place I normally get mine from no longer sells them, I'll be buying from here next time I need new ones.
Anyway, these things are great. Extremely light weight, maybe 1-1.5 ounces a pair (yes, that's for both shoes). They let your feet air out, while still protecting them from sharp things on the ground. No, they aren't meant for long distance walking, but I've used them for river crossings and they work great. They really grip well when wet, better than my boots.
I use a slip on by Addidas, I don't know if they even make them anymore, but they are simular to the shower shoes in the link below.
http://www.lnt.com/product/shower-shoes-slippers/615698-4525/space-living-sport-shower-sandals-black.html
Here is another link for the Addidas brand, I have know idea how much they weigh.
http://www.adidas.com/us/product/originals-adilette-slides/34725?cid=280647&breadcrumb=svZ1z13ybj
pervy_sage
05-25-2012, 19:36
Luna Sandals (http://www.lunasandals.com) makes a huarache style sandal. The guy that started the company does ultra marathons either barefoot, in the huaraches, or in vibram five fingers. They have videos on foot tracing, lacing, and their DIY kit that you can noodle out your own DIY sandals. If you aren't the crafty type, then buy a pair.
I've already made my own. Here is a list of parts and suppliers and last know prices.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ahinjmg8jFrTdHBySWNjMmhLemJJUklJZEtUVUNFS UE
Check out my blog (link below) for a short article I did on them, and a photo of my finished product.
I am working on a newer version that adds lace points for better trail stability. Will post when I get around to it.
http://www.invisibleshoe.com/
You can't get much lighter than those.
http://www.invisibleshoe.com/store/product_images/k/872/lacedpair-grass500__02825_zoom.png
For $30, why not? You know what, I'm going to go ahead and purchase a pair of these right now.
These things are da bomb! http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens/ultra-pure-mens.html Best camp shoe I have ever found. They are kinda like crocs but much lighter, lower profile and they lace up snug for any possible sream crossings. They can be folded in half and put in the side pocket of your pack...in a word....awesome!
Cat in the Hat
Live_for_hiking
05-26-2012, 15:39
I have the vivobarefoot shoes, invisible shoes, and croc flip-flops. Yea ... I know ....
Anyway, They all have their good and bad points.
Vivobarefoot: bulky (super light and good for stream crossing).
Invisible shoes: Take time to get the right fit, compact and light (I'd choose the lighter tread).
croc flip flops: middle of the road between the two.
I intend on bringing the Vivobarefoots for the start and end of my AT attempt (colder weather and stream crossings). I'll bring the croc flip flops for warm weather hiking.
Then again, I also will be swapping out my quilt, clothing, and even backpack (still debating this portion) at the same time.
I saw these on another thread a while back. Neoprene slippers for $9 a pair. 3oz for a size Extra large.
http://www.warmstuff.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=218
http://www.sprintaquatics.com/prodinfo.asp?number=900
I have the vivobarefoot shoes, invisible shoes, and croc flip-flops. Yea ... I know ....
Anyway, They all have their good and bad points.
Vivobarefoot: bulky (super light and good for stream crossing).
Invisible shoes: Take time to get the right fit, compact and light (I'd choose the lighter tread).
croc flip flops: middle of the road between the two.
I intend on bringing the Vivobarefoots for the start and end of my AT attempt (colder weather and stream crossings). I'll bring the croc flip flops for warm weather hiking.
Then again, I also will be swapping out my quilt, clothing, and even backpack (still debating this portion) at the same time.
Why would you go for the thinner/lighter Invisibleshoe treads? I went with the thicker tread because this will be by far the most minimal shoe I've worn, and I want to give my feet some transition before trying to go thinner. I got these mostly for use on city trail hikes where there the trail is nicely trimmed and I don't need to worry about ticks.
I think I can also understand why you might not want to bring these on the trail. I'm sure my feet would get decimated by brush if I used these as my primary footwear on the PCT. If I were to bring any sort of secondary footwear though, I'd want some sort of flip flops. Currently I use a pair of flip flops that I made out of a sleeping pad. They are sized so I can use them an super fluffy insoles too.
plurpimpin
05-27-2012, 22:20
These things are da bomb! http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens/ultra-pure-mens.html Best camp shoe I have ever found. They are kinda like crocs but much lighter, lower profile and they lace up snug for any possible sream crossings. They can be folded in half and put in the side pocket of your pack...in a word....awesome!
Cat in the Hat
I'm bringing a pair of vivobarefoot ultra pures on my sobo I'm starting next week. They are the lightest shoes I've found (weigh half as much as normal crocs) and they're also some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. Flip flops are the only thing you can find lighter but I can't stand flip flops, hate having things between my toes.
When I weighed someone elses Crocs and found that they weighed half as much as my Tevas, that's when I stopped hiking with Tevas.
English Stu
05-28-2012, 10:46
Thanks for all the ideas ,the Vivobarefoots are attracting me if I can find some to try on, though I do have some Crocs but have not tried them on the trail.
Wild Cat
05-30-2012, 13:49
Those vivobarefoot shoes look really cool. I wish I could find a place to try them on, I have terrible luck with buying shoes online. They've got a little tool on their website to help determine what fit you need, but I can't figure it out. I put in 10.5 (US) and it told me I needed a size 45 Euro, which according to their chart is a size 12 in US measurements. Looks like its mixing it up with the UK measurements. Anybody with 10.5 size get these? If so, what size should I go with?
Order from Zappos. They have a great return/exchange program.
Sacchoromyces
06-03-2012, 00:03
I was a devotee of Crocs until I saw that link to Invisible Shoes. Looks like I replace my worn out Nike sandals and blown out Crocs with a Huarache kit...
I used my Invisible Shoes the first time a couple days ago. It was a short walk on a familiar trail, but I quickly got blisters. I think it's because I didn't really pay attention to the directions. It says that you should try to make the knot at the ball of the foot as small as possible, and even melt it to make it smaller and flatter. Other than that, my impressions were good. I thought getting it to fit right would be a challenge, but it took minimal adjustments while at home to make it fit well.
+1 on Zappos for buying shoes. They will pay for shipping both ways, and will ship to you overnight.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Amazon has the Vivos for $50 with free returns. May have to try a pair.
Wise Old Owl
06-03-2012, 08:37
Nice find lefteye - that beats inserts and rubber bands!
dornstar
06-06-2012, 21:55
What about Zems (http://shop.zemgear.com/) at 2.5 ounces or Vivo Achilles (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/catalog/product/view/id/8193/s/achilles-yellow/category/3/) M at 4.2?
What about Zems (http://shop.zemgear.com/) at 2.5 ounces or Vivo Achilles (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/catalog/product/view/id/8193/s/achilles-yellow/category/3/) M at 4.2?
Just got my pair of Zems today. Actual weight for size 9 = 6.25oz so I assume their 2.5oz number is based on one shoe. Might send them back...
I purchased the Vivo Pures. 8.4 oz. for the pair in size 10.5-11, and comfortable for me. I like them.
UltraRunner
06-07-2012, 12:02
Moszkito Waterbug sandals for me. Lightweight sandal with arch support.
Chacos weigh a ton but if you hike in them and don't bring any other shoes, they work great. I backpack in Chacos all the time. I even did a section of the JMT over Muir and Bishop Passes in them and many sections of the PCT including Fuller Ridge in the snow twice.
Invisible shoes are heavier than they appear. They are also really slippery after creek crossings. I can barely walk in them when they are wet. Same goes for Luna sandals with or without the suede top (the suede top is worse, actually.)
If you really want light Teva-like sandals, go to some cheap place like Big-5 and see what they have. I bought some super cheap crappy Teva imitations for $10. They are really light. They are basically flip-flop soles with Teva straps. Pieces of junk but hey if they are camp shoes or creek crossing shoes they'll work great.
Lightweight, but don't put light on the quality needed for your sandals if you are going to rely on them for your travel journey. I recommend Waylong brand, from Australia. Lightweight - 0.8kg, comfort footbed - no more blisters for long walks, durable (long lasting), use them for raftings, skydiving, trekking, hiking, and it last more than 1year for moderate usage. It has unique bags, can attach it somewhere outside your bag, good for when it's wet and let it expose under sunshine while you're backpacking.
I don't know what is Teva's weight, but from experience it gives blisters!!
Http://waylong.com.au/products.php or if u want to buy, it's only available through their fan page https://facebook.com/Waylong.Travel.Australia , there is winter sale now, 2 for 40$ (Australian $)
Those Waylong sandals look awesome, actually.
Got my Vivo Pures. 223g (7.875 oz) for size 41 so the 104g (3.7oz) listed on their website is "per shoe" . Taking the tongue out would save another 11g per shoe. They do run a bit large but since I have wide feet with a high arch they fit fine. These are the same shoes as the Ultra but they do not include the sock liner (all documentation that comes with the shoe is for the ultra). Perhaps they run large due to the missing liner and do not adjust size to compensate for the missing liner?
cabbagehead
06-15-2012, 16:25
An alternative to sandals might be synthetic moccasins (water shoes). When it is dry and not too rocky, I do all my hiking in these.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwvK-Bl4AJE
Those Waylong sandals look awesome, actually.
Yes they are...comfy and durable are what i like from them.
The styles are already simple, if someone want to get lighter than these ones, the quality must be crap. Any crappy light outsoles are not made from decent rubber and the sandals are not suppose to be used for travel.. as u know it like flip flops. Just my 2cents..
Check these out, they are simple, inexpensive, effective and very light! Foam Flops camp shoes. More one dimensional camp shoe as they are not made for more than sore feet relief in camp and are much better than going barefoot. They have a padded/protected toe to protect against stumps, roots, etc. My size, Mens 14, weighs only 2 ounces for the pair!! My crocs are about 13 ounces. One of THE best moments of my hiking day is when I hit camp and trade my hiking boots in for these. They are not made for extended wear, but for $18.00 a pair, they are easily replaced.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Foam-Flops-Camping-Shoes-Slippers-lite-light-weight-/160826776569?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item257205dbf9
AllTheWayToMordor
06-22-2012, 11:14
Not exactly sandals, but you might want to check out cross country flats. You can usually get them under 8oz some down to 5. They will dry out very quickly and be pretty versatile.
Zippy Morocco
06-23-2012, 13:01
++ on invisible shoes. You have to spend some time letting your foot get use to this shoe but once they do they are great. I wear mine quite a bit and have made a lighter version to take into the woods.
You could see it here. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=61917.
mateozzz
06-23-2012, 13:20
I saw these on another thread a while back. Neoprene slippers for $9 a pair. 3oz for a size Extra large.
http://www.warmstuff.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=218
I had a pair of these and did not like them because they didn't breathe.
++ on invisible shoes. You have to spend some time letting your foot get use to this shoe but once they do they are great. I wear mine quite a bit and have made a lighter version to take into the woods.
You could see it here. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=61917.
Maybe you have some tips on these. I still get blisters, or maybe hotspots, if I wear them on short walks. They're usually on the very front of the ball of my foot just behind the toes, and also on the outsider rear of my heel. This is where I might get blisters in my regular hiking shoes if I walk hard, fast and long without enough breaks. At first I had problems because the knot in the front was too big, but I made mine virtually invisible by eliminating the knot by melting the end into a small ball, then squishing it flat.
Even if I continue to get hot spots, I think these shoes will still be great for training since it'll build up the skin in the right places without having to walk all that much. I was just hoping that I could use these for thru hiking distance walks too.
hikerboy57
06-25-2012, 11:51
Those vivobarefoot shoes look really cool. I wish I could find a place to try them on, I have terrible luck with buying shoes online. They've got a little tool on their website to help determine what fit you need, but I can't figure it out. I put in 10.5 (US) and it told me I needed a size 45 Euro, which according to their chart is a size 12 in US measurements. Looks like its mixing it up with the UK measurements. Anybody with 10.5 size get these? If so, what size should I go with? i bought them yesterday in EMS for $50.i wear a 10.5 keen targhee , the 10s were a bit too snug, 11s did the trick. theyre great!!!