Bedrock vs. Luna vs. Xero vs. Earth Runners: Which Brand is Best for Outdoor Sandals?

• Bedrock

History and Origin

Bedrock Sandals, based in Missoula, Montana, USA, was founded  by two adventurers with a vision to create the best sandals for a variety of outdoor activities and a dream to wear them all over the planet, walking and getting to know every place on earth.  In 2011, the company's founders, Nick and Dan, handmade the first Bedrock Sandals for themselves and friends while working on river restoration in Northern California. They needed lightweight liberating sandals for both outdoor and everyday activities. Bedrock Sandals started out as a minimalist shape made by a mountain tribe called the Wallachians, have evolved through repeated field tests and feedback from many users, culminating in the best product they have ever aimed for: the Cairn Adventure Sandals. 

Over the past twelve years Bedrock have been busy making their footwear more durable, adjustable, and capable. In 2016, they launched our innovative and award-winning Cairn model that is now the flagship of our sandal line. In 2020, Bedrock launches the innovative Pro II Sandal Line. In 2023, they released their first closed toed shoe built on the Cairn strap system - their adventure ready Mountain Clog. In 2024, Bedrock launches the Evo line - a full overhaul of their popular Cairn sandal line - improving the fit, sizing, and adding a new more cushioned model.

Prices: Cairn Evo Sandals: $115; Cairn Evo PRO Sandals: $130;Cairn Evo 3D Sandals: $125; Cairn Evo 3D PRO Sandals: $140; Cairn Evo C Sandals: $135; Classic LT Sandals: $70; Mountain Clog : $160 - $175.

Design & Style

Designed with a focus on durability, flexibility, and easy repair, Bedrock sandals are ready for hiking, wandering through forests, or wading streams. Their sandals are designed with patented premium webbing, three adjustment zones, and sole-hugger wings for locked-in stability to perform in wet and slippery conditions, and they’re highly adjustable while still being fairly light, packable and minimalist.

The toe triangle makes all the difference because it’s specifically built for those seeking extra support or looking to log big miles. Another fantastic feature is the Vibram® XS Trek EVO non-marking outsole that’s added to improve traction across varied terrains.  All Bedrock sandals are zero drop. The “3D” models have a little bit of arch support, and the rest are totally flat. From their award-winning Cairn to their ultra grippy Pro, Bedrock Sandals are freedom footwear built for the great outdoors.

Quality (Mateiral & Comfort)

Bedrock sandals are based on the traditional leather strap and sole sandals used by the hill tribes, and are very simple, substituting nylon straps and plastic buckles for the traditional materials. From daily life to running and trekking, or as a companion for camping touring, Bedrock sandals are comfortable to wear which definitely fit your lifestyle.

Bedrock offers a Rock Solid warranty that lasts for the life of the soles and a repair program so you can fix your kicks instead of buying brand new ones. Yup, the shoes are re-soleable and the straps are replaceable.

Sizing & Fit Type

Bedrock Sandals run true to size.  They  fit an average to wide foot type. The secure strapping makes them adaptable to both low and high volume feet.

Where to Buy Bedrock Sandals for the Cheapest?

bedrocksandals.com

wilderoben.com

ebay.com（4-4.6% cashback）

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• Luna
  

History and Origin

Luna Sandals is a footwear brand that specializes in minimalist sandals designed for outdoor activities and casual wear. Their sandals are known for their high-quality materials, comfort, and versatility. The brand emphasizes a minimalist approach to footwear, focusing on simplicity and natural movement. Luna Sandals was founded in 2010 by Barefoot Ted McDonald. The brand was inspired by the traditional running sandals used by the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico. Barefoot Ted McDonald became interested in minimalist footwear and started making his own sandals using tire tread as the sole.

After gaining popularity among the running community, Luna Sandals was officially launched as a brand.The brand has since expanded its product line to include various styles and designs of minimalist sandals for different outdoor activities.The Luna Mono is a minimalist sandal with a single-layer sole for a barefoot feel. It features adjustable straps and is suitable for hiking, running, and everyday wear. The Luna Leadville Pacer is a trail running sandal designed for rugged terrain. It offers a thicker sole for added protection and a secure fit. The Luna Origen 2.0 is a durable and versatile sandal suitable for hiking and outdoor activities. It features a rugged sole and adjustable straps.

Prices: Luna Mono: $71.50 - $130; Luna Leadville Pacer: $120; Luna Origen: $125.

Design & Style

Luna Sandals are hand designed and crafted in Seattle, USA under the direction of Barefoot Ted. Luna sandals are completely flat from heel to toe, which provides a very stable support base upon which your foot can function.Plus,  Luna sandals have an extremely flexible sole, and this helps improve your ground feel and helps wake up the muscles that act in and on your foot. I like being able to feel the ground when I walk or run, and Luna sandals allow me to do this (without the same level of sensitivity that comes with barefooting). 

Every Luna sandal has rock climbing-strength tubular nylon strapping that’s comfortable on the foot and between the toes and minimizes friction along contact points. These sandals also have an adjustable buckle for maximum personalized comfort and fit, as well a comfortable elasticized heel strap for easy slip-on and slip-off. The comfortable and adjustable strapping system that doesn’t dig into my skin or cause friction burns (and that keeps my foot solidly in place on the footbed) .

Quality (Mateiral & Comfort)

Luna sandals are ultra lightweight minimalist sandals for running, walking, and trekking. In my experience, I've found Luna sandals to be durable, comfortable. These sandals have durable Vibram neoprene soles that work well on all kinds of terrain. The soles provide plenty of grip on slippery surfaces and make it easy to find footing on rocks, logs, and other trail features.

The overall sole thickness ensures adequate protection from roots, rocks, branches, and other trail debris. Each Luna sandal weighs about 6 oz. and combines the healthy design features you need to support natural foot health with the comfort you want. The straps also are very high quality and don’t fall apart. I recommend using the Tech Strap option for a secure fit.

Sizing & Fit Type

Luna sandals run a little bit small compared to other outdoor sandal brands, and they are narrower in the toe box than the other options mentioned in this article. I’d classify them as medium width. If you use the tech strap, Luna fits both a low and high volume foot.

Where to Buy Luna Sandals for the Cheapest?

lunasandals.com

amazon.com

backcountry.com （3-4% cashback）

• Xero

History and Origin

Xero Shoes was founded by Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, a married couple who started the company in 2009. Sashen had suffered running injuries and, inspired partly by the book Born To Run by Christopher McDougall, he created the company's first designs for minimalist footwear using sheets of rubber he ordered in bulk and laces from The Home Depot.These original sandals were DIY assembled by the user and were called "Invisible Shoes", but the company later introduced ready-made sandals and closed-toed shoes. 

Xero Shoes was featured on ABC's Shark Tank and gained success after the appearance in February 2013. With a rich history rooted in the desire to unleash the full potential of human movement, Xero Shoescontinues to empower athletes and enthusiasts of all ages to embrace their natural stride while enjoying the comfort and performance of thoughtfully crafted footwear. Whether it´s running, trail running, or everyday adventures, Xero Shoes provides a platform for wearers to connect with their surroundings through their feet. You can go for a very minimal sandals with no cushion (Z Trek), or a thicker option (Z Trail) for tougher trails, longer milage, or comfort.

Prices: Genesis: $44.99; Aqua Cloud: $49.99; Z-Trek: $59.99; Z-Trail EV: $79.99; Jessie: $44.99

Design & Style

Xero Shoes makes a variety of practical barefoot sandals at low prices in different strap styles and different thicknesses.Xero Shoes began with their Do-It-Yourself sandal kits (the Classic kit with Vibram rubber soles). Then they improved upon the Vibram rubber when they developed their FeelTrue® rubber. Next, they started making ready-to-wear huarache style sandals, like the Cloud and Venture. Then, they added their sport sandals, the Z-Trek and Z-Trail.

Xero Shoes believes that "Your feet are meant to bend, to move, to flex, to Feel The World". Their patented FeelTrue sole protects your foot while allowing you to “Feel The World.”  Your feet are your foundation and Xero Shoes are designed to allow them to remain strong and function naturally by providing protection, but not artificial support. They offer wide toe boxes to allow your toes room to spread, a zero drop design to encourage proper posture, and super flexible outsoles to allow natural foot movement. Plus, thanks to the patent-pending tension adjustment system, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit in seconds.

Quality (Mateiral & Comfort)

Xero Shoes sandals are made of soft, tubular quick-dry webbing, and nylon made from recycled water bottles. The brand is so certain about the quality of its zero-drop running shoes that it offers a 5,000-mile sole warranty. Xero Shoes sandals is comfortable  which let your feet move naturally, let your body move naturally, and give you just the right amount of protection for whatever you want to be doing.

Their 4-millimeter, do-it-yourself, Connect sandal sole with their  FeelTrue® rubber that just gives you some protection if you’re running on roads, for example, just enough so that you don’t have to worry about the sole of your foot so much. The 6-millimeter sole is 50% thicker. So it’s a little more trail-friendly. If you want a little extra comfort though, you can use their Cloud, which added just a little bit of BareFoam™ in the forefoot so it just gives you some extra comfort.

Sizing & Fit Type

Xero sandals come in an average width that should fit narrow to wide feet well. The women’s are narrower than the men’s and come in different colors, otherwise they’re the same.Each model fits a little differently. They tend to work best for high volume feet, but low volume feet can have success in the Z Trek, Z Trail, and Jessie.

Where to Buy Xero Sandals for the Cheapest?

xeroshoes.com

rei.com

zappos.com（9.5-11.5% cashback）

• Earth Runners

History and Origin

One day founder Mike Dally found himself on a far-out adventure with miles of rugged trails between him and his car. On his feet were flip-flops, pretty weak footwear to run with on the rough terrain! As an engineer and creative tinkerer, he emptied his pack to search for the tools to strengthen his sandals. Nothing seemed to work until he found an old roll of athletic tape that had been banging around in his bag for years. After some experimentation, he came up with a design he liked and took off at top speed. Not only did his impromptu sandals (or, makeshift footwear) allow him to run with great stability–they also took his performance to the next level! 

Mike became passionate about trail running in sandals and soon came across the world-renowned Tarahumara Natives of the Copper Canyons who wear huarache sandals with a simple, time-tested design for trail running. Inspired by this tribe of barefoot running legends, Mike decided to make barefoot adventure sandals that maintain our connection to the earth, while allowing us to operate and explore even on the wildest landscape this planet has to offer. In 2012, Earth Runners launches on Kickstarter.com! Their original sandals consisted of contoured footbeds featuring six copper grounding rivets.

Prices: Primal Sandals: $68; Chronos Sandals: $79; Circadian Sandals: $89; Alpha Sandals: $89

Design & Style

The sustainable brand Earth Runners offers an array of barefoot sandals for men and women – all designed specifically for outdoor activities like running, hiking, and walking.  Earth Runners Utilize minimalist Vibram soles, Earth Grip footbed & their grounded conductive lacing system™ to offer the ultimate minimalist sandal experience. Plus, inspired by the ancient Tarahumara huarache sandals, Earth Runners combine the barefoot benefits of a No Toe Box™ earthing shoe and active toe spacers with the functionality of minimalist running sandals to offer the closest thing to truly barefoot running in their one of a kind earthing adventure sandals.

Currently, there are 3 different lifestyle lace constructions available: The ergonomic, the classic, and the performance lacing system. For challenging activities like hiking or running, I’d recommend choosing the most secure lace construction – a.k.a “performance.” Once you get the strap adjusted to your liking, you can slip them on and off your heel. They are really secure over the arch of the foot, and your toes are left completely free to spread out.

Quality (Mateiral & Comfort)

Earth Runners allow you to traverse all of Earth's geologic and hydrologic conditions while keeping you secure and free. All their sandals are made from moisture-wicking canvas and GOTS-certified small-batch dye.Earth Runners sandals offer ample ground feel, and feature their grounded conductive laces™ which mimic the primal experience of being barefoot. This technology enables the feet to engage in earthing, or grounding, which is considered to be one of the most foundational health practices. 

Earthing supports healthy circadian biology through its normalizing action (or 'normalizing effect') on cortisol hormone secretion and blood flow, helping lower inflammation, improve sleep, and speed recovery. Keep in mind that these minimalist sandals are EXTREMELY hard to get used to, but once you do, you won't want to take them off!

Sizing & Fit Type

Earth Runners have a moderately wide toe box shape, fit all foot volumes, and run true to size. They advise getting a close fit without much excess length, but some people go against that and order a half size up. This can make them more comfortable between the toes (because the toe post is a little farther away).

Where to Buy Earth Runners Sandals for the Cheapest?

earthrunners.com

ebay.com（4-4.6% cashback）

Bottom Line

Bedrock vs. Luna vs. Xero vs. Earth Runners: Which Brand is Best for Outdoor Sandals?

With no doubt all the four outdoor sandal brands performances are excellent which are ready fortrail running, thru-hiking, wandering through forests, or wading streams. However, it is a matter of opinion as to which of them is better.

Bedrock is a phenomenal adventure sandal brand built for extreme activity. Their sandals are available multiple thicknesses, but lightweight, and designed to be very secure on your foot. They are flexible enough to bend. Plus, all Bedrock sandals are zero drop. From big adventures to easy-livin’, Bedrock Sandals are built to free your outdoor soul. Their industry-leading designs and unparalleled field testing let you tread light and secure, from mountain tops to river bottoms. If you are looking for the best barefoot sandals for hiking, Bedrock Sandals’ industry-leading designs are definitely for you. 

Luna Sandals feature a unique and infinite adjustable lacing system that follows the webbing it goes from your toes all the way around to the top of your foot  to keep your fit secure during your outdoor activities. They are inspired by age-old designs with modern upgrades for optimal, sustainable foot health and performance.  Luna Sandals also have really durable outsoles that last a looong time. They are great for hiking, walking, trail running, marathoning, and just about any other adventure you can imagine. They are also just awesome to wear every day.

Xero Shoes makes a variety of practical barefoot sandals at low prices in different strap styles and different thicknesses. They focus on natural movement, lightweight materials, and customizable straps for a personalized fit. Plus, Xero Shoes sandals often weigh less than 1/3 what traditional sandals weigh… making them perfect for travel. And they have a 5,000 mile warranty to boot, so you can expect them to last! If you have an affinity for flexible soles that let your foot bend and flex naturally like me, you’ll love your Xero outdoor sandals! 

Earth Runners promote physical health by putting feet back in connection with the earth. Inspired by ancient huarache running sandals, Earth Runners' grounded conductive lacing system combines the benefits of earthing with the functionality of minimalist adventure sandals to offer the closest thing to barefoot. You can wear them for just about everything – they’re perfect for hiking, camping, water activities, and they even look stylish with everyday outfits.

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