The gear that gets you there.
Only the best. Nothing else makes the list.
Something that dries on a pack strap. Sandals, not a second pair of boots.
Three picks. Updated weekly. That is the whole list. If it is not here, it did not earn a place.
· Top three updated weekly. Listed prices and shop ratings stay live.
Surveys 40% · independent tests 30% · merchant ratings 15% · relative street price 15%. Sources & method
Listed prices and shop ratings stay live once a shop page loads. GEAR UP has the current figure.
Built from published thru-hiker surveys and independent testing — not commissions. Sources & method · Disclosure
Swipe — three picks side by side
Sandal · 13.6 oz / pair
Listed price
8.7 / 10 Thru Picks
A sole you can walk a road in. Straps that drain. The camp sandal testers still put first.
Sources: Treeline Review · CleverHiker · REI Co-op · Thru Picks method
GEAR UP →Affiliate link. We may earn a commission. Not a paid ranking.
Sandal · ~11 oz / pair
Listed price
8.4 / 10 Thru Picks
Cottage sandal, a thinner sole, sold next to the hammock crowd. Packs flatter than a clog.
Sources: Garage Grown Gear · CleverHiker · REI Co-op · Thru Picks method
GEAR UP →Affiliate link. We may earn a commission. Not a paid ranking.
Sandal · 11.2 oz / pair
Listed price
8.2 / 10 Thru Picks
Lighter and cheaper than a Cairn. Enough rubber for camp and a water crossing.
Sources: Treeline Review · CleverHiker · REI Co-op · Thru Picks method
GEAR UP →Affiliate link. We may earn a commission. Not a paid ranking.
This slot is not required in a Pack Shakedown kit. The ten loadouts still start from the same independent lists.
A camp shoe is for the water, the tent, and town. It should dry, pack flat, and not be a second boot. Most thru-hikers who carry one carry a sandal.
Bedrock Cairn is first: a sole you can walk a road in, straps that drain, testers still put it on top. Luna Mono is the Premium Pick — cottage, a thinner sole, sold next to the hammock crowd. Xero Z-Trail EV is Best Value: lighter, cheaper, enough rubber for camp. Women’s sizes are the same models.
Rankings and kits are based on published surveys and independent analysis. They are opinions for informational purposes only. Users are responsible for choosing and using gear appropriate to their conditions and experience. Thru Picks is not liable for outcomes related to product use. Terms