Gear Review: Bedrock Sandals
Sizing: These shoes are unisex and made to fit pretty close to your natural foot shape. You should have about 1 cm in front of your toes and 1cm behind the heel. If you aren't sure what your size is, Bedrock has a printable size chart on their website you can use to determine your size. You can also email their customer service team a photo of your foot on the outline for a professional size recommendation!
Uses: If you are looking for a versatile outdoor sandal with enough traction to do anything from navigating slippery algae covered creek rocks, to protecting your tootsies from sharp coral in the tropics, to being a cute going out shoe while traveling...these sandals are for you! For years I've been a loyal Chaco user, enduring pinky toe and foot sole blisters thinking that was just part of life. Don't get me wrong, Chaco’s are a great option for a lot of people, but if you are looking for less arch support and sandal straps leave your toes with a desire to feel more free, then Bedrocks are for you. This brand offers both barefoot and arch supported sole options, making them even more versatile for all users!
I’ve taken these to Hawaii, Bali, & backpacking in the Columbia River Gorge, and they’ve become my preferred work shoes. The flip flop style front is comfortable (though I did wear socks in the beginning to allow my feet to get used to the friction) and the back strap adds security to each stride making these great for scrambling or navigating really muddy terrain. I never have to worry about them coming off in the ocean or rivers, and the toe attachment gives some added control and reduced drag while swimming (something I hated about my Chaco’s).
My overall rating for these bad boys is an 8/10! If you choose to go the barefoot route, you do need to be patient in the beginning to allow your feet to get used to the sensation. I think in the future the company could make the toe strap design slightly less bulky to cut down on blister risk as well. Otherwise, these are still the best sandals I've tried to date!
