Many backpackers carry camp shoes to help their feet recover after a hot day of hiking or to change into for stream crossings to keep their socks and hiking footwear dry. They’re also indispensable for showering in hostels and at campgrounds to avoid contracting athlete’s foot from others. Sandals, water shoes, slides, clogs, and minimalist footwear are all popular choices but it’s worth giving some thought to their strength and weaknesses in different environments and climate conditions. Check out our Camp Shoe Selection Guide below for a full discussion of the factors you should consider.
Here are the 10 Best Camp Shoes that we recommend.
| Make / Model | Best For | Weight (Pair) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sockwa G4 Water Shoes | Camp | Water | 6 oz | $50 |
| Crocs Classic Clogs | Camp | Water | 13 oz | $30 |
| Hoka One One Ora Recovery Slides | Camp | 12.8 oz | $50 |
| OOFOS OOriginal Sandals | Camp | 11 oz | $50 |
| Sockwa G Hi Water Shoes | Camp | Water | 7.5 oz | $65 |
| Speedo Surf Knit Pro | Camp | Water | 9 oz | $36 |
| Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D Sandals | Camp | Water | 17 oz | $115 |
| Vibram FiveFingers V-Aqua | Camp | Water | 12 oz | $90 |
| The North Face Base Camp Slides III | Camp | 8.7 oz | $35 |
| Sea-to-Summit Ultra Flex Water Booties | Camp | Water | 9 oz | $45 |
1. Sockwa G4 Water Shoes
2. Crocs Classic Clogs
3. Hoka One One ORA Recovery Slides
Check for the latest price (Men’s)
REI | Amazon
Check for the latest price (Women’s)
REI | Amazon
4. OOFOS OOriginal Sandals
5. Sockwa G Hi Water Shoes
6. Speedo Surf Knit Pro
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Zappos
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Zappos
7. Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D Sandals
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REI
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REI
8. Vibram Five Fingers V-Aqua Water Shoes
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Amazon | Zappos
Check for the latest price (Women’s)
Amazon | Zappos
9. The North Face Base Camp Slide III
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REI | Amazon
Check for the latest price (Women’s)
REI | Amazon
10. Sea-to-Summit Ultra Flex Booties
Check for the latest price (Unisex)
Sea-to-Summit | Amazon
Camp Shoes 101: Selection Guide
There are a wide range of factors that make good camp shoes or water shoes for stream crossings. While almost all stream crossing shoes make acceptable camp shoes, many camp shoes lack the protection or traction needed for more challenging stream crossings, where you can’t see your feet or the bottom. Packability, stream crossing protection, weight, warmth, and insect protection are also important factors to consider when choosing a camp shoe or one that can serve double duty for stream crossings.
If you hike in well-drained hiking boots, shoes, or trail runners, it’s worth asking yourself if you even need camp shoes or stream crossing shoes or whether you’d rather not carry them and use your existing shoes as camp shoes and stream crossing shoes instead. There’s no right or wrong answer; it all depends on what your priorities are. There are times when it’s really nice to slip on a warm and dry pair of camp shoes while cooking dinner in camp.
Packability
If you plan on backpacking, it’s best to get a camp shoe or water shoe that’s easily packable with an upper that folds flat against the sole. Shoes with folding uppers are easily packed in pockets, and if they’re wet, in the front stretch mesh pocket of many backpacks. While you can hang bulky camp shoes on the outside of a pack, they can get torn off by passing vegetation or simply fall off because you didn’t secure them well.
Protection While Crossing Streams
Shallow streams are usually easy to cross because you can see your feet and the streambed bottom. But you’ll want camp shoes or water shoes that provide more foot protection if you have to cross deeper streams where you can’t see the streambed or sunken obstructions like sticks and logs. Water shoes that provide more protection around the toes and sides of your feet have a firmer sole, and better ankle support are advantageous in such circumstances. We never recommend crossing barefoot.
Athlete’s Foot Prevention
There’s nothing worse than picking up a case of Athlete’s Foot in public showers in hiker hostels, bunkhouses, or public campgrounds. Protect yourself by wearing camp shoes in the shower and allowing your feet to dry thoroughly after hiking all day in hot and sweaty hiking boots or trail runners. It takes forever to get rid of, especially if you’re day-to-day footwear doesn’t have a chance to dry out at night.
Weight
Many backpackers are obsessed with the weight of their backpacking gear and leave comfort items behind because they’re not strictly necessary or carry lighter weight alternatives. In general, shoes that can only be used in camp tend to be lighter weight than those that are designed to be water shoes.
Warmth
If you’re camping or crossing streams in cold weather, you may want to opt for camp shoes or water shoes that encase your foot and your ankle more like a wetsuit bootie rather than sandals or slides. Don’t underestimate how cold mountain streams can get even in summer, especially if you have to ford wide streams. The same holds for standing around camp in colder weather. Camp shoes/water shoes with fewer ventilation ports will be warmer.
Insect Protection
If you’ve ever gotten a mosquito bite on your foot, you know how itchy and unpleasant they can be. Unfortunately, insects become more prevalent in the evening, just as you’re cooking dinner in camp. Water shoes with neoprene or lycra uppers are generally more insect proof than sandals, slides, and clogs. Wearing a sock with a relatively open shoe my still not provide enough insect protection for your needs, something to consider.
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Ed Stafford walked the length of the Amazon with a mixture of jungle boots and crocs. He found at certain times the crocs were more suitable.
I’m loving the Merrell Hydro Moc. They weigh 11 oz. Size way down. I wear a women’s 8.5 and I’m a 7 in these. I’m a little concerned about sole durability. The inner footbed is very ergonomic like Crocs or Keens. I’ve worn them with a thin liner sock and even did a few sandy non-technical hikes in them.
https://www.merrell.com/US/en/hydro-moc/36350W.html
Fitkicks are also nice since they collaspe down to being flat, unlike other water shoes. typically in the 6-8 oz range.
Little heavier than that. I have a pair too!
$5 slides from Wal-Mart. If you lose them so what.
I agree.
A few years ago, I discovered cross country racing flats for camp/water shoes. They are light weight (my New Balance ones are about 11 oz (size 12) ) have a solid sole that protect my feet both in camp and while crossing streams. Lace up like regular sneakers, dry quickly and even have a removable foot bed to allow me to save a little more weight and accept my orthotics as well. They provide enough protection and support that I can even hike in them if needed. Buying last years models/colors bring the price down to about $50
Cool.
I’ve gone back and forth on camp shoes, sometimes thinking they’re useless weight, other trips calling them essential gear. At present, and until I change my mind again, I’m trying Xero Shoes Z-trek sandals. They’re relatively small, flexible and light weight, and fit my extra wide Fred Flintstone feet. Be warned: they have no cushion and are zero drop, so might not be appropriate for some people.
Although Crocs are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned, I don’t try stream crossings with them because my feet slide all over the place.
About ten years ago, I bought some Easy Comforts white mesh shower slippers to be my stream crossing and camp shoes. I’m such a tenderfoot that I can barely walk across carpet barefoot and found the 1/8″ (3mm) thick soles to be too thin for my comfort for stream crossings, so I cut out pieces of Gossamer Gear Nightlight sleeping pads and glued them to the soles. That helped, however the mesh wasn’t strong enough to handle my feet sliding and flexing during stream crossings and I holed that pair. I then switched to mesh trail runners and now just wade the streams and walk the shoes dry. If the weather is cold, I wear some waterproof socks.
My AT hiking buddy and I tried the shower slippers as camp shoes about a year and a half ago and really liked them for that use. Even though the sole is thin, it offers great insulation from frozen ground. The mesh shower slippers weigh under 2 oz. (50g) a pair and cost less than ten dollars. I’m no longer looking for anything else.
I also think of my camp shoes as “emergency hikers”. I’ve had to wear Crocs for 10 miles back to a trail head when the sole blew off a pair of lightweight hikers. Also a friend recently had issues with feet and found that Crocs and some tape to hold them in place allowed her to continue hiking when her foot swelled up too much to fit the hiking shoe. I know people who have melted their boots at the campfire and had to hike out in their camp loungers. I like Crocs because you can use the holes to attche a figure-8 binding made of P-cord to really secure them for stream crossings and extended emergency wear.
I’ve tried the Sockwas: No can do with my stupidly sensitive feet. Every rock and twig had me hopping around like I was on hot coals. The Fitkicks are nice and compact and have a burlier sole, but I seem to recall they are a bit “heavy.” I haven’t worn cross country racing flats in, oh, say 45 years. That idea never occurred to me, and a quick search turns up various makes listed at 4.5 or so ounces. That can’t be per pair, can it? Hard to tell from manufacturer web sites.
I’m surprised there was no mention of Tevas. I don’t know about the weight but they offer good sole protection and can be worn with socks. One weekend while camping it absolutely poured. It was in October and very chilly. I decided wet hiking boots were not going to be much fun since there was no way they would dry. I wore Tevas with polar fleece socks and left the boots to wear once the rain stopped. Tevas are pretty secure for stream crossings. You can wear them with water proof, wool or polar fleece socks for added protection. They work well in the shower and be secured to a pack with their velcro straps.
On their website, it appears their Hurricane sandal is about 20 oz/pair in a women’s mid size.
Heavy.
+1 for Tevas. My pair of Original rafters weigh in around 13oz, and are no heavier than the crocs we have. They strike a good balance between utility, weight and comfort. They don’t cost a fortune and are easy to find. Plus I can wear them around town without looking ridiculous.
Of all my gear, i think I have obsessed over my camp/water shoes more than any other piece of gear. I want them to breathe and be comfortable at camp, and sturdy enough for stream crossing and for a bonus I’d like to be able to hike at least in an emergency. I’m going to try on some Xero’s and see if they could work.
I love the Sockwa G4’s. I keep my trail runners on if I have to cross a stream. Once my tent is up, it’s so nice to put on dry footwear that’s even more comfy then the trail runners. The soles are very thin though, so if you want to do any serious walking on rough terrain, it’s nice to add a thin insole or some 3mm foam padding (or the insoles of your trail runners). Another reason to always bring them along is that in Europe in mountain huts you have to leave your shoes at the entrance, so it’s nice to have an extra pair of footwear for indoor use.
Whatever happened to “Hounds” or “Dawgs”?
Lightweight slip-ons from a few years ago but I can’t find them anywhere.
I’d buy several more if they were available.
For those that like sandals as camp shoes, check out Shamma Warriors. While they are on the high end of the cost spectrum, they are easy to pack, super light at 6oz and do double duty both as my camp shoe and as my everyday footwear of choice in hot weather.
You think there’d be something lighter, say 4 oz, available somewhere.
So now I’ve tried water shoes & found them light but lacking in the substance I want. Almost feel barefoot & I’d prefer more structure & protection. Croc knock-offs ($5 Aldi) work great. Certainly heavier though. So my solution now is either take the crocs or don’t take anything. My 2 cents on what works for me.