Itโs no surprise that the term โadventure travelโ can get tossed around pretty willy-nilly these days. If you ask us, however, we consider the term to be quite active. Weโre 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.
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Shop OluKai Adventure-Ready Sandals
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For a Day on the Boat
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The Scenario: Youโre 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. Youโre hanging your legs over the bow; you might even jump in for a refreshing swim. Whatever it is โ water is welcomeโฆ
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What You Should Look for in a Sandal: Traction and water-resistance. You definitely want a sandal thatโs got some grip on both the dock and on board the boat. That, and a sandal thatโs water-ready and, best case scenario: floats.
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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
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For the Trail
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The Scenario: Weโre not talking some multi-day, crazy gain in elevation kind of trek โ but one thatโs 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.
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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 wonโt slip on the loose terrain.
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Our Pick for the Task:
Kลซkulu: A sturdy, sneakerized approach to our classic beach sandal with a trail-ready outsole
โImaka: A sturdy, water-worthy sandal created in unison with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association.
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For a Surfing Excursion
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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.
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What You Should Look for in a Sandal: Water-resistance, traction, quick-drying. A sandal that doesnโt mind saltwater, the beach park shower after, and has got some great traction for dry reef or trail-to-car park walks.
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Our Pick for the Task:
Hokua: A quick-drying beach sandal inspired by the kaula (rope) used on voyaging canoes.
Nuโa Piโo: A cushy beach sandal that can tackle a trail, with enough comfort and height to make you feel like youโre walking on clouds.
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For a Day at the Beach
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The Scenario: Itโs the weekend, youโve loaded up the wagon with your shade and beverage essentials, youโve got the whole family: youโre posting up on the sand until the sun goes down. Thereโll definitely be some sea to shore (and back again) transferring โ itโs a beach day โ so youโll need some easy on-off, water-ready sandals.
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What You Should Look for in a Sandal: Water-resistance, quick-drying, all-day support and comfort, traction. A sandal that doesnโt mind getting hit by a wave or two in the shorebreak, and isnโt slippery on the way back to the car.
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Our Pick for the Task:
โOhana (Menโsย &ย Womenโs): Our classic, water-ready beach sandal built for those long days between sand, sun and sea.
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For In-Transit Adventure Travel
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The Scenario: Youโre en route. Like, literally, boarding a plane to the next adventure in another land after the whole airport song and dance known as โHurry up and wait.โ You need a sandal thatโs got some extra cushion for the steppinโ, a recovery sandal with sneaker-like traction.
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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.
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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
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Shop Menโs Adventure-Ready Sandals
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