I’ve been touring with flat pedals for about a year and a half now, and during that time I’ve tested a handful of different sandals to see what works best.
I started out with my Shimano SH-SD5 clip-in sandals, using a little plastic insert to cover the cleat area. Since they have stiffer soles than most sandals, I figured they’d do the trick. Unfortunately, the rubber compound wasn’t grippy enough on my Deity Deftrap pedals (which I highly recommend), and my feet would slide around more than I liked. On smooth roads, I simply couldn’t generate the same secure, efficient feel as riding clip-ins, so I looked into more options.
Next, I tried my old Tevas. I’d already had them for about a decade, and they’re great for walking comfort and handling mixed terrain hikes. But again, the soles felt a bit too plasticky compared to a proper flat pedal shoe like a Five Ten. That said, they have more grip than the Shimano sandals.
After that, I borrowed some Chacos. They’re popular with hikers, and I can see why – the thicker sole offers good arch support and shock absorption. The downside is that they’re bulky and heavy, and while the grip was slightly better than the Tevas, my feet still moved around more than I wanted. Laura, my partner, likes using Chacos thanks to the arch support, even if they’re not the grippiest.
Finally, I tried Bedrock Cairns. These have been the best so far. From the moment I felt the sole, I could tell the rubber compound was stickier. And once on the bike, I found that these had the most grip of any sandal I’d tested. Some riders may not like the minimal shaping underfoot, but I found that wasn’t a problem.
At first, I was a little concerned about how exposed my feet felt, but it hasn’t been a major issue. The only time it’s really caught me out has been scrambling over rocky trails, where I’ve occasionally scraped the sides of my feet (or tops of my toes) should I slide off the side of a rock or lose my footing to a hole. When I’ve dropped something on them, it definitely hurts more than usual too!
Durability has been excellent. After 18 months of touring, the soles still have plenty of life left, and when they eventually wear out, I can replace them for about US $65 direct through Bedrock. The only weak point has been the Velcro strap, which doesn’t hold up well to sand anymore. Bedrock sells replacements for US $10, but until I can send mine in, I might have to try a local repair here in Madagascar.