Many hikers and 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. 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. They’re also indispensable for showering in hostels and at campgrounds to avoid contracting athlete’s foot from others. 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 | Gender | Avg Weight (Pair) |
|---|---|---|
| Crocs Classic Clogs | Unisex | 12 oz |
| Merrell Hydro Mocs | Mens | Womens | 11 oz |
| Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport | Mens | Womens | 12.4 oz |
| Hoka One One Ora Recovery Slides | Mens | Womens | 12.8 oz |
| OOFOS OOriginal Sandals | Unisex | 12 oz |
| The North Face Base Camp Slides III | Mens | Womens | 8.7 oz |
| Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV Sandals | Mens | Womens | 10.8 oz |
| Crocs Crocband Flips | Unisex | 8 oz |
| Mayfly Ultralight Imago Camp Shoes | Unisex | 1.8 oz |
| Bedrock Sandals Cairn Adventure Sandals | Mens | Womens | 17 oz |
1. Crocs Classic Clogs
2. Merrell Hydro Mocs
Check for the latest price (Men’s)
REI | Merrell | Amazon
Check for the latest price (Women’s)
REI | Merrell | Amazon
3. Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport
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REI | Xero Shoes | Amazon
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REI | Xero Shoes | Amazon
4. Hoka One One ORA Recovery Slides
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REI | Hoka One One | Amazon
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REI | Hoka One One | Amazon
5. OOFOS OOriginal Sandals
6. The North Face Base Camp Slide III
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REI | The North Face | Amazon
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REI | The North Face | Amazon
7. Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV Sandals
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REI | Xero Shoes
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REI | Xero Shoes
8. Crocs Crocband Flips
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Amazon
9. Mayfly Ultralight Equipment Imago Camp Shoes
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Mayfly
10. Bedrock Sandals Carin Adventure Sandals
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REI | Bedrock Sandals
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REI | Bedrock Sandals
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 may still not provide enough insect protection for your needs, something to consider.
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I’ve been using Barefoot Sock Shoes, light(ish) and compact
I need to have my feet cool off at night to reduce the swelling. Covering them up doesn’t work for me. They need air – but everyone has different preferences.
See, and I need something to keep my feet warm, since they are cold if the temps are less than 70 degrees. So I need camp shoes with which I can wear socks. No flip flops for me! (Crocs until recently, then last summer I bought a pair of lightweight clogs that are slightly heavier but a lot smaller and they work great so far.)
The Xero Shoes Z Trails are one of the most disappointing gear purchase I have made. I got them as a camp shoe for my AT thru hike. For me, they were unwearable if they got wet at all. The tread on the bottom was fine, but the foot bed would get so slick that going up or down any incline on them was a nightmare because my foot would slide all around the sandal. I tried them in every configuration of tightness or as loose as possible and it was all the same. Also poor for stream crossing not just because of that but because the sole is so thin that when you try to take a step, the toe portion would fold in half from the drag and would have to constantly try to reposition before you put your foot down on the folded sandal and slip even more or stub your toe. They were nice on dry ground at least and a little less horrible if wearing socks with them.
Also hated them as a camp shoe. When in camp, I would like the ability to quickly slip into my footwear. These are very fussy as if you try to quickly put your foot in, you twist the webbing and have to mess with it to get everything situated so nothing is digging into your feet and it is comfortable. It was frustrating when you need to get up and go having to sit there fiddling with these sandals trying to get them on.
Currently wearing Saloman Cross-Amphibians as a water/camp shoe. Good for hiking, and are a decent camp shoe but still not my favorite. I will find it one day. Think I will be happiest with a pair of slides like the ones you have above.
The most difficult thing about camp shoes is trying to figure out what you like and what you need, since it can vary so much between trips and locales. I’m not a fan of anything that fits between my toes, so I happen to like these EV sandals although I understand the fiddly problems you’ve experienced. Slides are great if you just need them for padding around in camp. Super convenient too for getting in and out of your insulation and going to the privy at night.
I also hate something between my toes. The North Face slides look like a winner.
I used those slides all last season. I think the $$ they charge for them is ridiculous (same for Croc’s) which are just some molded foam/plastic but they are SUPER comfortable around camp, they nest together easily to be relatively flat and are relatively light.
I would not try to cross a river in them though.
I also have similar issues with the Xero Z Trail, a disappointing purchase for sure. I’ve owned a pair for 4 years. I didn’t intend to purchase them as trail sandals, they were for camp or long city walks. They are alright around camp, but you hit the nail on the head with speed getting sandals on and off. The Z Trail require far too much effort to get on your feet. Even tougher when wearing socks. I only bring them backpacking when I know I’ll be in camp a while moving around for firewood and whatnot. Otherwise I prefer sticking to Rainbows, Adidas slides, or Totes slippers with a rubber outsole. Even though the Z Trail are more secure than those options, they don’t have great grip on the topsole or outsole. My foot slides around far too much for how tight I secure the straps, and they’re not good on the ground or rocks. I would like them more if they were very lightweight, but they’re not. There is not a big difference compared to my Rainbows or Adidas, and they weigh more than the cheap Totes sandals that I’ve been wearing for 10+ years backpacking. I wouldn’t recommend anyone buying them, you can match the performance with cheaper sandals or get much better premium sandals.
I have been using Salomon Crossphobians for a while. Good for water work, works well in camp. The quick laces make for easy on and off. The loop pn the heel lends itself to clipping on to my pack with a small carabiner.
Great post. One other use is a backup shoe. Last summer the sole of a friend’s boot came apart several miles in on day 1. It was nice boot, looked new, but the sole came unglued. Attempts to fix it with duct tape we’re unsuccessful. She put the insoles from her boot into her water shoes and she was able to continue, albeit on a shorter route. That got me thinking about redundancy. I now use the Xero Z Trail for a water and camp shoe. If I had to, I could hike out with them, especially if I put a pair of socks on.
Ive been using the Xero Z-Trail EV model thid year which i think is different than what Zach and Nate orobably used. So far no issues for me. They fit me great even when hiking on vrry muddy trails. While I do wish the straps were slightly softer, they dont slip anywhere near the other trsil sandals Ive tried. Great list of options here!
If you’re using a camp shoe or sandal with a strap between the big toe & the next toe over, tabi socks are an option if you’ve had issues with Injini’s durability. I bought a pair of cashmere tabi socks for campsite wear. So warm & cozy! (they were on sale)
Walmart has lightweight, resin mocs, similar to Crocs, for around $12 / pair. Models are a bit different each year. They are great camp shoes, but not good for stream crossings.
Another option is a running road or cross country racing shoe. They are fine for walking on smoother trails, rough trails in a pinch, have good traction for stream crossings and dry reasonably fast. I use Nike Zoom Streak LT3 (discontinued, 11.7oz/332g measured (M 11.5)). Current models include the Nike Zoom Rival Waffle 5 ($65, 6.5oz/184g claimed) and Brooks Mach 19 Spikeless ($90, 4.5oz/128g claimed).
The claimed weights, I’m discovering, are probably per shoe. So per pair: Nike Waffle at 13oz and Brooks Mach 19 9.0 oz.
I found these FitKicks fold flat moccasin slippers with a hard rubber sole, stretch cloth upper and synth swede toe box at (of all places) my pharmacy which has a small gift shop attached. They weigh in at 8.2 oz for the pair of men’s large. What I appreciate is the fact that they are flat, reasonably light, comfortable, offer acceptable foot protection and easily slip into the outside mesh pocket of my pack making them readily available to pull out and slip on to give my dogs a chance to cool off when taking a pack drop or reaching camp. Here is a link to their website https://fitkicks.com/collections/fitkicks-for-men/products/fitkicks-mens-green if anyone is interested.
These are also available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/FitKicks-Lifestyle-Running-Workouts-Everyday/dp/B07FFCXPPR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3F4UPS8AFZJWX&keywords=fitkicks&qid=1647211620&refinements=p_89%3AFITKICKS&rnid=7141123011&s=apparel&sprefix=fitkicks%2Caps%2C122&sr=1-2&th=1&psc=1
I picked up a pair of these on a whim at OfficeMax back in 2020! Somehow ended up using them for about 6 miles of an 11 mile dayhike in an Arizona desert canyon, and though I had to be super careful with foot placement they managed to get me through some minor bouldering/stream crossings/flat sections of the trail. But the soles are VERY thin and flexible so I don’t really recommend them for that purpose. (And I had to re-glue the fabric to the sole in several spots afterwards.) I’ve been using them as camp shoes ever since just because I have them and like that they pack flat, but I did end up waxing the exterior because my feet would get soaked from dewy vegetation around camp. I also put my insoles from my hiking boots into the FitKicks so I don’t hurt the arch of my foot if I misstep on a rock around camp.
Good gear topic. Thanks for the selection.
Honestly at my geezer age the only ones of the lot that I’d carry are the Mayfly “sandals”. I’m likely ordering them soon so thanks for the info.
I purchased a pair of $8 water shoes at Walmart and have used them for about four years and they are still going strong. I use them mainly for stream crossings and around camp if it is dry. They have a good sole.
Thanks for the Mayfly sandals tip. I never would have found out about them!
I would add the Birkenstock Arizona EVA sandals. They are the most lightweight slip ons I have found that have an articulated foot bed–great for people who need orthotics. Don’t soak up water, pack down reasonably well, great for camp and showers, but not enough support for stream crossings. My size 11s weigh 267 gr or 9.24 oz.
I use “MyShoeCovers Premium Reusable Shoe and Boot Covers for Contractors – 1 Pair, Black, Small” from Amazon.
https://amzn.to/38HpNtZ
They weigh 4.2oz for a pair. They are durable. Buy smaller than what works over your shoes. The size small fit my size 11 feet fine and I wear socks with them. They roll up and fit conveniently in my pack or in a side pocket on my pack. Not perfectly waterproof on the seams (I keep meaning to seam seal them) but the material on the bottom is waterproof so damp ground does not seep through.