Ultralight running sandals - hiking?

[Stew63]

Okay I'm about to start dabbling in Ultralight running sandals (Shamma Warriors or Luna Osos 2.0) in the slow transition to barefoot running.
Both sandals are marketed towards hiking, trailrunning and walking - although the Lunas have a more aggressive Vibram tread but they are almost 260gm/each!
The thinner Shammas only weigh about ~85gm each.

Has anyone here tried UltraLight Running Sandals for hiking - particularly in tough country? Experience? Other brands?

[Xastorm]

I have the Xero Umara Z-Trails. Bought them for bikepacking as I needed something I could swap into quickly without removing my socks (no divided toe-strap), provide enough tread for water crossings and day hikes and some stability to allow cycling short distances in them.

I ended up hiking Asahidake and Mt Oakan in Hokkaido in them, which are rougher trails (mud, rocks, tree roots, etc) than 90% of what I've done around Victoria have been. Certainly without a divided toe-strap I did find my feet slip forward in them once muddly/wet, especially on the downhills, so there's essentially a bit of winching your feet into them to provide more stability when required. And also more prone to catching the front of the sandal if you're not careful about lifting your feet high enough over obstacles, so more at risk of stubbing a toe or tripping by carelessness.

But I would absolutely hike nearly anything in them, knowing their limitations (maybe not snow.. hypothermia!). They are not my Salomon trail runners, but they fit my intended purpose perfectly and I take them away every hiking trip to use as camp sandals.

49C5FCDF-1A89-48F2-BD41-FAB0452C60D2.jpeg (148.04 KiB) Viewed 10877 times

[Stew63]

Xastorm - thanks for bringing the Xeros to my attention. I probably wouldn't use them as a barefoot running sandal though - as you said without the divided toe-strap my feet would be sliding all over the place!

Hey I too was up hiking at Asahidake last July! We started out from Soundkyo.

[Xastorm]

That's cool! I got about 1/2 way up Sounkyo but it was late in the day so turned back. I happened to be on Asahidake the night of the Sapporo earthquake which made for a very strange experience.. no phone signal, electricity or food, and no Japanese so no understanding of what had happened. The ropeway was closed so it is probably the only time you'd ever get to explore that volcano in summer without crowds of people. It would be awesome to do a through hike in the Daisetsuzan.. lucky you. Cycling through there was pretty special

Good luck finding the right sandals! I wouldn't want to run in the Xeros either.

[Stew63]

Xastorm - what was your cycling tour route whilst in Japan? I've been many times and have always dreamt of a long cycling tour - unfortunately kids got in the way.

[matagi]

Not running sandals, but hubby did a trip on the Overland Track in Five Fingers and they were totally trashed by the end.

[Xastorm]

This is the route I did Stew.. hindsight being a wonderful thing, I'd love to have ridden it slower, but my timeframe was tight. Have previously cycled in Shikoku, which was lovely, but Hokkaido is on another level (as you obviously understand if you're a repeat traveller!).
I am tossing around the idea of going back over with my bike, tent and a couple of extra weeks which would allow for more hiking

https://www.strava.com/activities/1829729155

[jdeks]

I run and hike in Xeros as well. Specifically their originals or maybe Amuri Clouds for running, and ztreks for hiking.

The originals are fantastic for running BUT on sharp rocky surfaces over distance, you can get a bit bruised if you're not some crazy ultramarathoner with iron soles. The Z treks have a thicker sole thats better for uncomfortable surfaces but I have issues with getting them tight enough and rub point with the straps when I run in them. Still, great walking sandal, I've done 30km + days no problem.

I've actually just gone over to a set of Bellevile TR103's because there are MANY situations where wanted full enclosure but a zero drop, low profile flexible sole for more natural foot movement. Best I've ever had. I'm using the ZTreks less now, just taking the original Xeros as a camp/track shoe.

Just one thing - personally, I'd avoid the thicker foam sole style sandles. If youre trying to build up foot condition, you want low thickness, high flex. And on that note - dont shy away from between-the-toes style straps. The ones complaining about it hurting between the toes are the ones who've not got the tension right. It is the more secure method, hands down.

[Stew63]

Thanks jdeks - I've just ordered a pair of Shamma Warriors with UltraGrip (they have the 'between the toe' straps) and also the power straps. The Warriors have a Vibram Newflex sole with a flexible 5mm thickness. Weight 85gm/each.
I'll stick to barefoot running on the bitumen and use the Shammas for trailrunning and packhiking.