Which Sandals to Pack for Your Adventure Travel

Itโ€™s no surprise that the term โ€œadventure travelโ€ can get tossed around pretty willy-nilly these days. If you ask us, however, we consider the term to be quite active. Weโ€™re talking day-hikes to waterfalls, island-hopping in jets, long walks back to the car over exposed low tide reef after a 3-hour surf session. You know: real adventure. But can a mere sandal handle activities like that? Absolutely. In fact, with some versatile sandals built for adventure like ours โ€” we encourage it. Here's a guide to the best ones that can handle them all.

ย 

Shop OluKai Adventure-Ready Sandals

ย 

For a Day on the Boat

ย 

The Scenario: Youโ€™re on and off a dock at the lake or at a marina, boarding a boat for a fishing or sailing trip โ€” or even just a fun time in the sun on the creek. Youโ€™re hanging your legs over the bow; you might even jump in for a refreshing swim. Whatever it is โ€” water is welcomeโ€ฆ

ย 

What You Should Look for in a Sandal: Traction and water-resistance. You definitely want a sandal thatโ€™s got some grip on both the dock and on board the boat. That, and a sandal thatโ€™s water-ready and, best case scenario: floats.

ย 

Our Picks for the Task:

Ulele: The ultimate sandal built with water-resistant materials, extra grip, and the support of a sneaker โ€” perfect for any boat-loving adventure.

Hila: Featuring water-repellent, puffy criss-cross straps that offer epic comfort and support on deck

ย 

Which Sandals to Pack for Your Adventure Travel

ย 

For the Trail

ย 

The Scenario: Weโ€™re not talking some multi-day, crazy gain in elevation kind of trek โ€” but one thatโ€™s got some hills and may take a few hours of your day. A trail with some character, unpaved, loose gravel, roots โ€” that kind of terrain โ€” with the possibility of crossing a stream or ending at a waterfall.

ย 

What You Should Look for in a Sandal: Support and traction. A sandal with a sturdy outsole that can handle a solid walk โ€” but keep your soles comfy the entire time. That, and an outsole that wonโ€™t slip on the loose terrain.

ย 

Our Pick for the Task:

Kลซkulu: A sturdy, sneakerized approach to our classic beach sandal with a trail-ready outsole

โ€˜Imaka: A sturdy, water-worthy sandal created in unison with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association.

ย ย 

For a Surfing Excursion

ย 

The Scenario: You just came in from a solid 2-hour surf session with your partner, slipped into your sandals still dripping wet, and are walking back to the car, leash and longboard under one arm.

ย 

What You Should Look for in a Sandal: Water-resistance, traction, quick-drying. A sandal that doesnโ€™t mind saltwater, the beach park shower after, and has got some great traction for dry reef or trail-to-car park walks.

ย 

Our Pick for the Task:

Hokua: A quick-drying beach sandal inspired by the kaula (rope) used on voyaging canoes.

Nuโ€˜a Piโ€˜o: A cushy beach sandal that can tackle a trail, with enough comfort and height to make you feel like youโ€™re walking on clouds.

ย 

Which Sandals to Pack for Your Adventure Travel

ย 

For a Day at the Beach

ย 

The Scenario: Itโ€™s the weekend, youโ€™ve loaded up the wagon with your shade and beverage essentials, youโ€™ve got the whole family: youโ€™re posting up on the sand until the sun goes down. Thereโ€™ll definitely be some sea to shore (and back again) transferring โ€” itโ€™s a beach day โ€” so youโ€™ll need some easy on-off, water-ready sandals.

ย 

What You Should Look for in a Sandal: Water-resistance, quick-drying, all-day support and comfort, traction. A sandal that doesnโ€™t mind getting hit by a wave or two in the shorebreak, and isnโ€™t slippery on the way back to the car.

ย 

Our Pick for the Task:

โ€˜Ohana (Menโ€™sย &ย Womenโ€™s): Our classic, water-ready beach sandal built for those long days between sand, sun and sea.

ย 

For In-Transit Adventure Travel

ย 

The Scenario: Youโ€™re en route. Like, literally, boarding a plane to the next adventure in another land after the whole airport song and dance known as โ€œHurry up and wait.โ€ You need a sandal thatโ€™s got some extra cushion for the steppinโ€™, a recovery sandal with sneaker-like traction.

ย 

What You Should Look for in a Sandal: Cushion. Some real, long-lasting comfort for the standing around in lines through security, for food in the terminal restaurants, and of course, for the queue to board the plane.

ย 

Our Pick for the Task:

Maha: Sandals with a little more cushion for the post-adventure recovery, perfect for travel transit

Puawe: Designed to be your go-to recovery sandal, built with puffy straps and squishy foam cushioning

ย 

Which Sandals to Pack for Your Adventure Travel

ย 

Shop Menโ€™s Adventure-Ready Sandals

ย 

Shop Womenโ€™s Adventure-Ready Sandalsย 

Shop The Story

Explore Similar Stories