The Bedrock Cairn Evo is a minimalist strap sandal designed for adventure. A pair of women’s size 8 shoes weighs 14.1 ounces. They have polyester and nylon fabric straps, minimalist EVA footbeds, and Vibram XS Trek EVO rubber outsoles. They come in multiple colors, pretty much all of which are “Earth tones.”

Performance comparison

comfort

While earlier versions of the Cairn Evo We wanted more in terms of foot feel, this version has more attention to detail, making it a more comfortable pair to wear all day. The many seams sewn into the straps, which form all the fastening and adjustment points, are softer and less scratchy than before. Even when fully tightened, the Cairn Evo doesn’t scratch. However, these thick seams are less flexible than the seamless, soft straps of alternative sandals.

The updated size makes these sandals easier to wear.do it right” the first time, and they fit great even for wider feet. We had no problems with friction on many long hikes over rocky trails and through water, not even between the toes and on the back of the Velcro-adjustable heel. The flexibility of the soles allows for greater adjustability and functionality than most other rugged adventure sandals, while also providing solid foot protection for your soles. However, one thing that is noticeable over long distances is that these soles offer less grip than most sandals in the same style—and less support than their heftier cousins ​​from the same manufacturer. Our feet, accustomed to barefoot walking, were rather tired at the end of a multi-hour hike or after walking around town all day, but not so much that we don’t still feel like these are comfortable sandals that we’d happily wear again the next day.

Traction

While the different models of Bedrock sandals are made from different variants of Vibram rubber compounds, the profile remains the same. Cairn Evo impressed us with their excellent traction on any terrain. Slippery docks, steep gravel paths, and loose sand were no problem for these sandals, and we never felt like their outsole lacked traction.

The footbed of the Cairn Evo has a grid-like pattern that goes a long way in ensuring traction between your foot and the shoe itself, even when you are sweaty or wet. It is not quite as grippy as the more expensive version of these sandals, but still very good. If our feet ever slipped in these sandals, it was less due to a lack of traction and more due to the strap construction (which we’ll discuss in the stability section).

stability

With limited attachment points for the straps of the Cairn Evothese sandals are naturally a little less stable than models that fasten on either side of the forefoot. When crossing surfaces with a sideways slope – and especially with wet or sweaty feet – our feet slipped a little across the footbed. Not enough to fall off the edge, but we definitely felt less stable in our sideways movements.

This instability is especially noticeable in moving water. When we walk through rivers on kayak trips, the swirling water hits both sides of the forefoot area, pressing this sandal uncomfortably against our feet. Even when wading through the shallow waters of still lakes, the motion of each foot being pulled forward by the water creates a similar effect, affecting our sense of stability when wearing this sandal – no matter how tight we have tightened it. Nevertheless, these sandals with this strap configuration are among the the most stable. However, if you plan on walking through water a lot, this strap design is not recommended for a stable wearing experience.

adjustability

This special version from the Bedrock Cairn Evo Line offers three different adjustment methods depending on which part of the strap you want to change. The Velcro on the arch sides is easy to use and adjust – set it once and forget it. The back heel section is a long Velcro strip that runs the entire length of the strap. While we’re not always the biggest fans of Velcro (both because of its durability and its tendency to scratch our skin), this strip is well made.

Boasting that the Cairn Evo Velcro is “Whitewater quality,” we are inclined to agree. We wore these sandals on many kayaking adventures as well as long hikes through and along shrubs, and the heel straps did not show even the slightest hint of starting to come loose. In fact, adjusting these strong Velcro straps with a fold-over flat end was often a two-handed affair. We preferred to attach these straps and leave them there. The outsides of the top straps feature buckle adjustment for easy on and off or tightening as needed. The only section of the straps without of Each adjustment affects the part that extends forward and ends between your toes.

versatility

No matter what activity we did, the Cairn Evo has proven itself in just about any situation. We especially love these sandals for hiking or running errands around town. They are very versatile for most activities. While they are not our favorites for walking through the water, they still work in a pinch when you just need to push your paddleboard from the shore.

They’re not the lightest pair of sandals we’ve tested, nor are they the heaviest. Their low-profile design makes them easy to slide into your luggage when traveling to far-flung beaches or sunny cities. A handful of muted earth tones offer something for almost everyone and are easier to pair with a variety of outfits, from summer dresses to hiking shorts.

Should you buy the Bedrock Cairn Evo?

These sandals are not cheap, but they offer impressive performance for their price. If you love this style and want an adventure sandal that will stand up to long-term wear, then the Cairn Evo are worth the investment. If you need more support for your feet or plan to stay in the water longer, there are better options.

What other sandals should you consider?

If you like every aspect of this sandal but want a little more support for long days on your feet, upgrading to the 3D Pro version of the Cairn Evo is worth the extra cost. If you’re missing arch support or want a sandal that will give you serious stability even in raging rapids, the Chaco Z/Cloud 2 is our top recommendation (or the Z/Cloud if you don’t want a toe loop).