When we think to go for camping one of the essential things to consider is our comfort during the adventure, if we make wrong choices in the selection of items, it affects us and makes our tour full of difficulties that result in mental depression.
When we plan camping near a beautiful blue beach or in the desert; hiking on the sand with a family member and friends is the most worthy activity to enjoy. But walking in soft sand is steep (like climbing a hill) than walking on a smooth solid surface that results in muscle and feet pain. Our range of motion extended than usual. In our path, there is an uphill and downhill movement of feet. So we should select the best shoes for walking in the sand that will support and guide our feet.
Most of us don’t know when we walk, run or doing exercise our foot volume increase from 2% to 4% because of fluid circulation. Now the question arises, should we consider this factor when we choose our shoes? For not considering this, most of us feel uncomfortable with our shoes.
It’s more comfortable and romantic to walk barefooted on the sand. But sometimes on beach hidden broken glass and sharp rock pieces are sticking out, which build up gradually with time and if barefooted then bring you close to some hazards like
- Hot sand can burn our feet (in summer, sand hot enough; can cause 3rd-degree burn)
- Insect like Flea, Anition, Tiger beetle, spider can bite us
- Sharp rocks and glass pieces can cut our feet.
These points make clear to us, that only shoes can protect us from such hazards. Now the question is, can all shoes completely protect us with comfort, from these hazards or not. To select the best shoes for walking in the sand, the following points are essential to consider:
What we like in shoes for walking in sand
- Comfortable & durable
- The flexible lightweight, the roomy, supportive sole has traction with sand
- Have breath-ability to keep feet dry
- Highly elastic & strong enough to protect against sharp edges
- Lightweight & waterproof
- Not allow sand to get in and stuck between foot and shoes
- Have a strong grip
- Flexible for all movement
- Easy to wash
- Easy to take off and put on
Now we need to consider available shoes in the market and try to choose the best option according to the situation by considering the above-mentioned points.
Flip flop (Not recommended)
We see some people using flip-flops on the beach. A flip flop is comfortable to short distance only. During the walk-in sand, our feet get tired because every time we press down on sand we make an extra effort because sand moves away from our feet. Flip flop has a loose grip with our feet, so it’s become challenging to cover long distances by using flip flops. Sand can quickly get in between our feet and shoes, which sometimes become irritating. The flip flop is not the right choice as the best shoes for walking in sand, and maybe it can protect us from hot sand in summer but not from insects and cut also.
The flip flop is quite comfortable inside the house on even floor because it is lightweight, waterproof, easily washable, easy to take off and put on and flexible
Water sandals (right option)
Water sandal is a good choice when you want your feet to feel comfortable in hot weather vacation. It’s lightweight and flexible for all movements. Water sandals will not weight our feet down when wading through water on the beach. The sandal has a secure grip with your foot, and safer than a flip flop. It has Flexible, lightweight, supportive roomy sole having traction with sand. But allow pebbles and sand to get in and stuck between foot and shoes. It does not fully cover our feet so the risk of insect bite and sharp rocks cut cannot eliminate.
Water shoes (recommended)
We need shoes like feet of camel to walk on sand because “Mother Nature is our best teacher”. Water shoes have flexible, lightweight, supportive and roomy sole and also have exceptional traction with sand. Water shoes fully cover our feet, so the risk of getting hurt by insect bite and cut by sharp edges minimize. Water shoes are flexible, lightweight and porous. The holes allow water to come out easily, so our feet quickly dry in case of sweating. You can go to seawater with them. It’s easily washable and waterproof. Easily take off and put on. I recommend you following water shoes as the best shoes for walking in sand.
1. Dreamcity Men Water Shoes
Specification
Available size: 7, 8, 8.5, 9.5 , 10, 10.5, 11, 12, 13, 14
Available color: Grey, black, blue, dark grey, black-white, light grey
Features
Dreamcity men’s water shoes have all the functionality that a man mind can think best for beach and desert sand activities like playing Frisbee, hiking, fishing, play on the boardwalk, bonfire party, building a sandcastle, etc.
Its durable rubber sole is flexible, lightweight, supportive, roomy and has exceptional traction with sand. Its provide exceptional traction in the wet and slippery muddy ground at the beach
It’s made of 90% fabric which is strong enough to protect against sharp edges and insect bite.
The upper part which covers our feet is made of mesh which makes this product breathable, to keep cooler, drier and healthy shoe environment. Mesh does not become heavy either in or out of water. Mesh also does not allow to sand get in and stuck between foot and shoes. We can select Dreamcity as the best shoes for walking in sand.
2. Aleader men’s mesh slip on water shoes
Specification
Available size: 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14
Available color: Army Green, Grey, Blue, Overcast grey, Navy-grey, Dark grey, Black, Black-white
Features
Best sand shoes will help to support our feet, no matter which kind of activity we are doing. Aleader water shoes have all features to give a healthy shoe environment either we are on the beach or desert.
Its lightweight rubber sole provides excellent bounce back as well as drain-able water out-sole has exceptional traction with the slippery muddy surface. Water drain-able out-sole is not suitable on the rocky beach because pebbles kick up into sole.
The breath-ability of the upper mesh made of the fabric allows our foot to breathe which creates a more refreshing, drier and healthy shoe environment. Upper mesh and water drain-able sole provide super breath-ability and quick drying. These features make it very special to use in the beach and desert. I believe you will enjoy the benefit of it after purchasing.
3. SIMARI women men’s water shoes
Specification
Available size: 4-5 women∕3-4 men, 5.5-6 women∕4.5-5 men, 7-8 women∕6-7 men, 8.5-9 women∕7.5-8 men, 9.5-10 women∕ 8.5-9 men, 11-12 women∕10-11 men, 12.5-13.5 women∕11.5-12.5 men,
Available color: Almost every color available
Features
If we want a cheap and most comfortable alternative to other water shoes, than SIMARI is the best option. It’s too light and comfortable. Sometimes you forget you are wearing shoes. It’s not for hiking. But for the beach it is perfect.
Its sole is made of TPR material. TPR is a plastic material that has good abrasion. It can protect us from sharp edges like glass objects in the sand and keep our feet safe from hot, cold and rocky surfaces. Sole also provide exceptional traction on a wet surface.
Its upper material has excellent breath-ability to keep feet dry. The smooth stretch upper fabric is flexible and comfortable like socks. It allows free movement of feet and is comfortable in wearing. Easy to take off and put on. There is a variety of beautiful colors and styles available. SIMARI offers a 30-day money-back guarantee also. It’s one of the best shoes for walking in sand.
It’s perfect for beach activities like swimming surfing, beach volleyball, walking, fishing, car-washing.
4. Voovix water shoes for men and women
specifications
Available size: 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9, 9.5, 10, 10,5, 11, 12
Available color: Green, Blue, Purple, Black, Rose
Features
Voovix Water shoes are equally suited for males & females. It’s one of the most suitable shoe pairs for outdoor activities like swimming, cycling, jogging, weight training, fishing, walking, and beach volleyball, etc.
It’s designed to resolve the water drainage issue to keep feet dry. Seven holes in shoe sole make sure water and sweat flow out properly to keep a healthy shoe environment. Soft rubber sole has properties of breath-ability and slight sock absorption. With proper ventilation sole also provide essential traction on the wet, muddy, slippery surface.
Soft, flexible, durable and lightweight fabric with reliable quality, protect our feet against sharp edges and ensure free movement, as well as the fabric does not allow sand to get in and stuck between foot and shoes.
Voovix Water shoes are also easily washable. Easy to take off and put on. Lightweight and flexible sole make it easy to pack and carry. So voovix can be the best shoes for walking in sand.
5. Crocs men Swiftwater mesh sandals
Specification
Available size: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Available color: Black, Blue jeans∕ slate grey
Feature
Crocs men Swiftwater mesh sandals are a good choice when you want your feet to feel comfortable in hot weather. Crocs sandal is comfortable, breathable and has exceptional traction with sand. Its design allows us free movement. It’s great for rocky beaches, boating, and fishing.
Its lightweight synthetic sole has massaging balls located all across the foot-bed. These massaging balls comfort our feet by reducing stress off underfoot. It’s supportive roomy sole also have good traction with sand.
Soft, lightweight, 100% textile mesh is water-friendly and design to channel out water away to keep a healthy shoe environment. Mesh does not add weight to our feet by absorbing water. Mesh upper offer adjustable magic strip for best fitting. But it allows sand to get in and stuck between foot and shoes.
6. Speedo men’s surfwalker 3.0 water shoes
Specification
Available size: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Available color: black, blue-black, grey-yellow, navy, grey-blue, navy-blue
Feature
Speedo surfwalker is mostly used by professional swimmers because it’s one of the best water-friendly shoes. It has good underfoot protection with flexible and lightness sole. These features make speedo surfwalker best shoes for rocky beaches. We can also use it on boat and pool.
The synthetic out-sole of speedo has drainage ports underneath the foot. They are small, so they only allow water to escape and not let pebble to kick up into the shoes. S-tac out-sole provides a slip-free grip. The breath-ability of the sole helps your feet to dry quickly.
Upper stretch mesh gives a comfortable fit. The flexible mesh allows free movement inside, as well as outside of water. It does not allow sand to get in and stuck between feet and shoes. It also protects us against sharp edges. But speedo is difficult to put on due to the small opening.
Conclusion
After research, experience, and taking reviews from the public, I am able to shortlist six best shoes for walking in sand. All these products are with critical features which the best shoe for sand should have. But our demands from the shoe are different, when we plan walking, running and swimming near a beautiful blue sand beach than to hiking in the rocky sand beach or in a desert, so after going through it you are able to choose the best pair according to your requirements.