After wrapping up a weekend of guiding mountaineering in Joshua Tree this spring, my coworker and I had some private time to discover the Nationwide Park. We determined to attempt to discover a little-known cave system known as the Mojave Wunderground. The hike to the Wunderground is sort of solely off-trail; we scrambled over boulders, trudged by means of moist sand, and smeared our means up lengthy granite slabs for a few hours.
Strategy sneakers would have been the apparent footwear selection for the journey. With sticky rubber much like climbing sneakers, they carry out nicely in uneven, rocky terrain. However after squeezing my toes into tight sneakers all weekend whereas guiding, my ft had been begging for a break.
I hesitantly strapped on my new Bedrock Cairn Evo C Sandals, uncertain in the event that they had been as much as the duty. To my shock, the sandals clung to the granite slabs and stayed safe whereas boulder hopping. And one of the best half? My sore ft stayed comfortable the entire time.
Briefly: For the adventurous scrambler seeking to free their toes, the Cairn Evo C Sandals are a extremely succesful, comfy selection. They’re constructed with a thicker, softer footbed than the unique Cairn Evos, however they maintain the efficiency of the Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole. I used to be impressed with how nicely the rubber caught to the granite, and I liked the additional cushion.
As a climbing skilled, no sandal might fully exchange an strategy shoe, however I used to be pleasantly shocked with how nicely the Cairn Evo C sandals carried out throughout many private adventurous days exploring the desert. To see how the Bedrocks stack up towards different hiking-capable sandals, try GearJunkie’s Greatest Climbing Sandals for Ladies Purchaser’s Information.
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Weight (per pair)
1 lb., 3.2 oz. -
Adjustment zones
Three -
Closure
Strap (buckle) -
Arch profile
Delicate (1/4″ proud) -
Outsole
3/4″ thick Vibram XS Trek EVO with 3 mm lugs -
Greatest for
Climbing, biking, and sidewalk cruising
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Spectacular traction from the Vibram outsole -
Good quantity of cushioning with thicker ‘C’ sole -
Three adjustment factors -
Soles will be changed
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Y-strap design takes some getting used to, will not be for everybody -
On the pricier facet
Bedrock Cairn Evo C Sandals: Assessment
Because the Cairn Evo C Sandals arrived at my doorstep, I’ve just about been residing in them. They got here simply in time for my spring season of guiding mountaineering within the desert. Whereas working, I spend all day on my ft — climbing to crags, scrambling or climbing to place ropes up, and standing whereas belaying. After a protracted day with my toes squeezed into strategy sneakers and climbing sneakers, slipping on the ultra-cushioned Cairn Evo Cs has grow to be an actual deal with.
In recent times, I’ve watched Bedrocks rise in recognition in my group of out of doors educators and guides. Buddies have praised their light-weight footbed and nice efficiency in variable terrain.
I had been itching to attempt a pair of Bedrocks for some time, however I couldn’t justify the excessive price ticket once I nonetheless had a wonderfully useful pair of Chacos. Lastly, after years of use, my Chacos have fallen into disrepair, and I nabbed a pair of Bedrocks.
As a Joshua Tree native, I had loads of alternatives to place my new footwear to the take a look at. Along with the Mojave Wunderground journey described above, I wore them on a number of different climbing approaches in Joshua Tree and Pink Rock Canyon. I additionally took them to discover Joshua Tree’s Wonderland of Rocks, one other off-trail route that navigates sandy washes, granite slabs, boulder fields, and prickly pear patches.
Past climbing, I discovered myself sliding on the Bedrocks for nearly every little thing else — grocery purchasing, driving, tenting, and even going out for drinks.
All Grip, No Slip
I can’t stress sufficient the efficiency of the Bedrock Cairn Evo C Sandals. Because the scrambling up Rattlesnake Canyon received trickier, I anticipated the soles to slide on the granite slabs, however the Vibram XS Trek EVO outsoles all the time caught to the rock. I felt surprisingly safe the entire means, whilst we explored the water-polished caverns of the Wunderground.
As a climbing information, I ought to add that my consolation for tough scrambling is increased than common, however any hiker can take a look at their very own limits within the Bedrocks. I additionally primarily used them whereas scrambling on the coarse granite of Joshua Tree; they may not be fairly as grippy on sandstone or different rock sorts.
After a reasonably wet spring, there was fairly a little bit of working water in Rattlesnake Canyon and within the Wonderland of Rocks. In some spots, I couldn’t keep away from strolling by means of small streams or puddles, which was another excuse I used to be completely happy to be sporting sandals as a substitute of strategy sneakers. I confidently trudged by means of puddles and located that the Bedrocks dried out in simply an hour or two after ending the hike.
The one downside I encountered whereas climbing within the desert is that sand tended to get caught between my foot and the shoe. This was primarily a difficulty once I was touring by means of sandy washes; this wouldn’t be an issue on a hard-packed grime path or stable rock.
Match and Really feel
A part of the spectacular functionality of the Bedrock Cairn Evo C sandals is how securely they match. As quickly as I tighten the buckle into place, I can belief that my foot gained’t shift round on the footbed. There are adjustable hooks on the within of the sandal straps that assist dial in a extra comfy match, and the Velcro heel strap tightens all the way down to hold the foot in place.
Earlier than I ordered my pair, pals who’ve owned these sandals really useful that I dimension up. However beginning in 2024, Bedrock up to date its sizing to be extra true to U.S. sizing. I usually put on a ladies’s dimension 8, which I discovered to be the proper match.
At first, I used to be anxious that the Bedrocks’ Y-Strap design would trigger ache in between my toes. My Chacos don’t have a toe strap, and I did expertise a little bit of discomfort once I first began sporting the Bedrocks.
Nonetheless, after the primary or second put on, I didn’t discover any rubbing, and I by no means received any blisters, even when the canvas straps received moist throughout hikes. The one downside of the Y-Strap is that I can’t put on these with socks within the winter!
Consolation and Weight
After experiencing the plush cushion of the Cairn Evo Cs, I don’t know if I might return to the unique Bedrock Cairn Evos. I’m extra accustomed to the beefy footbed of Chacos, and my ft really feel higher with a bit extra help.
A number of years in the past, I attempted out a extra minimalist mannequin from Luna Sandals; I liked how light-weight the Lunas had been, however I skilled some foot ache once I tried to put on them for longer hikes or scrambles.
What actually units the Cairn Evo Cs aside is how they preserve consolation whereas lowering weight. I’ve been searching for a succesful sandal that’s lighter and fewer cumbersome than my previous pair of Chacos, and these completely match the invoice.
I even strapped them to the again of my climbing harness to put on whereas descending off of a climb; at 9.6 ounces per sandal, I barely observed the additional weight whereas climbing.
I’m additionally excited to deliver these alongside to make use of as in-camp sneakers on my subsequent journey into the mountains. They’re mild sufficient to strap onto the skin of my backpack, sturdy sufficient to put on round camp, and the added cushion will assist my ft get well after a protracted day of climbing.
Bedrock Cairn Evo C Sandals: Conclusion
For out of doors adventurers pushing the bounds of their open-toed sneakers, the Cairn Evo C Sandals from Bedrock are an apparent selection. The light-weight but supportive design is what in the end satisfied me to ditch my Chacos. As somebody whose ft admire a bit extra cushion, I used to be offered on the plush footbed of the Evo Cs.
One massive issue that I can’t converse to fairly but is how their sturdiness compares to Chacos over the lifetime of the sandal. I wore one pair of (hand-me-down!) Chacos nearly year-round for about 4 years, and solely then was the heel strap beginning to fray.
I’ll be curious to see how the Vibram XS Trek EVO outsoles maintain up season after season, particularly since Bedrock claims they’re “ultra-durable.” Much like Chacos, the sandals are additionally resolable, to increase their lifespan even after heavy use.
For now, the mixture of efficiency, consolation, and weight takes them up a notch from some other journey sandal I’ve owned. And whereas no open-toed shoe can really exchange an strategy shoe, I used to be blown away by simply how nicely they carried out on approaches and descents to climbs with reasonable scrambling. I’m trying ahead to letting my toes see the sunshine of day in my Bedrock Cairn Evo C Sandals.
