
Chacos schmockos. Tevas schmevas. It’s Bedrocks our feet crave. There’s just something about the minimalist-ish (depending on style) Vibram soles and the toe thong strap that makes these things work. And look vaguely exotic. They’re not chunky, they don’t look like your aunt Gertrude’s sandals, they look like they mean business.
In warm weather, they’re my go-to day hikers. I’ve put 12 miles of rugged granite trail Sierra hiking on mine in single days before with zero complaints from my tootsies. They don’t break. They don’t seem to wear down. The straps get softer and more comfortable over the years. They’re easy on, easy off. Unlike other, bigger name sandal brands, you might, depending on where you live, get a little nod of the head or a wiggly foot wave from a fellow Bedrock enthusiast out on the trail or at the outdoor beer pub. Sandals mean summer, which means Bedrocks mean summer.
We’re partial to the Cairn, with the smooth footbed, but lotsa people swear by the Cairn 3Ds, with raised portions below your toes. Can’t go wrong with either.
– Justin Housman, he of the “Fine, I’ll Wear Sandals,” article.
Nope, Bedrock schmedrock. Chacos all the way. I did a ride a couple summers ago in Bedrocks (Cairns, which I actually managed to find in size 16) which halfway through turned into pushing the bike to the telephone at the nearest convenience store, four miles away, over flatland pavement. My feet let me know for days afterwards how passionately they hated them. A quick trip through th ewasher and they were up on the Craig Lists the next day.
Cute, yeah, but terribly impractical; I couldn’t imagine off-road hiking any distance with them. Chacos also don’t have that annoying thing between your toes, unless of course you get the ones that have that feature/bug.
Chacos drool, Bedrocks rule
Chacos drool, Bedrocks rule
I suppose, if you have small enough feet that can tolerate such unforgivingly flat footbeds. Same reason I can’t wear Chucks or old-skool Vanses without extra insoles.
We’ll just have to agree to disagree, yeah?