Sandals - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

futboller · 04-10-2006, 06:17 AM

I'm looking at getting a good pair of walking sandals that I can wear +90% of the time in Europe this summer, and then bringing my Adidas Sambas for clubs/bars (or playing footy in the street). What do you think of these:

Teva Spoiler 4
Merrell Mandini

Anyone ever wear them? Got any other suggestions?

**beergal** · 04-10-2006, 07:48 AM

in a lot of the bars over here you cant get in unless you wear a pair of shoes/loafers just to let you know also no shorts!

**bluepea** · 04-10-2006, 08:28 AM

They both look great futboller. I'm not sure which I'd go with - the Teva gives a bit more information. Just remember to wear them around before you go. I bought some nice, expensive sport sandals and didn't break them in before I left. I only wore them one day in Europe because I wasn't wasting a few more breaking them in (blisters). Sierra Trading Post has some good brands for really decent prices as well.

**kingcrazylegs** · 04-10-2006, 10:43 AM

They are both good brands. I take my teva's as back up, especially when hiking.

futboller · 04-10-2006, 01:30 PM

Thanks Bri, I'm bringing real shoes (the sambas) just for stuff like that.
And thanks for the link Jamie!

Cheers all!

**TheJake** · 04-10-2006, 02:54 PM

NO TEVAS!

Seriously man as a guy who lives in the desert of teva worship do not buy teva.

Buy Chaco. I've had my pair of chaco flipflops now for a year and a half (since july 04) and worn them seriously 5 days a week. They are barely showing signs of wear. Go with chaco and I guarantee you won't regret it.

www.chacousa.com

**LostFarmboy** · 04-10-2006, 03:30 PM

I don't think it will matter which one you get, they both look good. With the Teva's at $60 and the Merrell's at $90 i would probably go the Tevas just to save a few dollars.

**TheJake** · 04-10-2006, 03:40 PM

im tellin ya man. Chaco. Chaco. Chaco.

futboller · 04-10-2006, 07:17 PM

Sorry Jake! The Chacos look nice but I'm looking for something with a little more padding and I have a hard time spending the extra $$$. ($30 that can't be spent on beer later.

)

I think I'm gonna order something off Sierra. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank's for all the input!

**tumblezweedz** · 04-11-2006, 12:06 AM

Decent sandals are a great option for touring - not for serious hiking, but the kind of walking you'll do visiting cities. My Bamas have wandered eastern and central Europe, Wisconsin, Vancouver and are about to be turned loose on Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy. Had em three years now, and they're still as sturdy as anything.

uninspired · 04-11-2006, 01:52 AM

I'll ditto the Chaco recommendation.

On a crazy seven-day backpack in Utah last year, it became painfully obvious that my hiking boots (which I had replaced after I lost a pair moving, but hadn't worn much until the trip, because I'm just brilliant like that) weren't going to work out. Lucky for me, I had my Chacos--I wore them for seven days straight with a forty-lb pack and hardly noticed the difference. So I'm a convert.

Also, if you do much river walking or anything near the water, Chacos tend to stay on better since they use pull-through fasteners instead of velcro. Also more durable; footbeds tend to be more molded to the foot and provide better support. Plus you get street cred with gearhead ex-REI employees like me

Oh, and the new women's Chacos with double straps are cute, but the fit is kinda funny and they're a pain in the ass to adjust. Just thought I'd warn ya'll.

Chocolaty Claire · 04-11-2006, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by uninspired@Apr 11 2006, 12:52 AM
I'll ditto the Chaco recommendation.

On a crazy seven-day backpack in Utah last year, it became painfully obvious that my hiking boots (which I had replaced after I lost a pair moving, but hadn't worn much until the trip, because I'm just brilliant like that) weren't going to work out. Lucky for me, I had my Chacos--I wore them for seven days straight with a forty-lb pack and hardly noticed the difference. So I'm a convert.

Also, if you do much river walking or anything near the water, Chacos tend to stay on better since they use pull-through fasteners instead of velcro. Also more durable; footbeds tend to be more molded to the foot and provide better support. Plus you get street cred with gearhead ex-REI employees like me

Oh, and the new women's Chacos with double straps are cute, but the fit is kinda funny and they're a pain in the ass to adjust. Just thought I'd warn ya'll.

[snapback]111695[/snapback]

What make and model sandals have you got Uninspired? pic would be good :D

I'm trying to get an idea of what Sandals i should get.. Ive heard that Chacos have good arch support and velcro ones can come undone if they get wet.

**TheJake** · 04-11-2006, 08:29 AM

I am stating right here and now that if you wear Chaco. Anyone who knows anything about outdoor gear will think you are amazing. Mostly because Chaco is like the only sandal company that gives a damn about how the footbeds are molded. And they do an AWESOME job of it.

**agriadam** · 04-11-2006, 08:36 AM

I prefer my good old havaianas The most comfortable sandle/flip flop/thong ever

**kingcrazylegs** · 04-11-2006, 09:31 AM

so I checked out www.chacousa.com, and the sandals look good, but I don't see a HUGE deal here...I don't think I would convert from teva's just yet. Teva's footbeds are great as far as I'm concerned.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 04-11-2006, 09:55 AM

My only recommendation is not to buy any sandal that has a hard plastic strap connector that comes in direct contact with your foot (usually on the side of your foot near the front - usually connects the top/front strap to the rest of the sandal and is triangular shaped - many Teva models use this, or used to). Those styles can really rub your foot raw. I prefer models that have a wider piece of leather that wraps around the front top/side of your foot and the connector for the front strap is built onto the top of the piece of leather so it doesn't come into contact with your foot. The front of your foot is essentially wrapped and cushioned in a wider leather shell, versus just a strap.

Did any of that make any sense? Not sure my technical descriptions are very good!

uninspired · 04-11-2006, 10:35 AM

Claire, I've got the Chaco Z/2. The toe strap really bugs some people and makes it impossible to wear socks, but I think it provides extra stability if you're doing any intense hiking. They're not cheap, but the old colors go on sale in January or February and a lot of outdoor stores will liquidate their stock of sandals around September or October, if you don't need them immediately. Otherwise you could try Sierra Trading Post or REIoutlet.com for a better deal.

**TheJake** · 04-11-2006, 11:18 AM

i'm telling ya anthon. Go to REI and try a pair on, walk around the store for awhile. You will LOVE them.

They moved the arch back on em so they are where the arch is supposed to be. Also they have ONE strap all the through so there is no tearing apart. And the are AMAZING. seriously.

futboller · 04-11-2006, 08:00 PM

I went with the Teva Spoiler IIIs. They have buckles on the top, not in direct content with the skin, and I've heard a lot of good things about them. Maybe someday I'll go to Chacos. With STP I can trade or return them if I need to.

Thanks for the recs everyone!

**space virgin** · 04-11-2006, 08:24 PM

I tried on several pairs of Chacos and Teva's at REI and liked them, but they weren't amazing for my small, high-arched, high-instep feet. If I was to pick between the two, I'd probably go with Chaco, but they still weren't my Holy Grail sandals or anything. *shrug*

I ended up getting a pair of Keen Newport H2's. In red, of course.

They're fantastic.