For many outdoor enthusiasts, Spring and Summer brings us face to face with one of the great dilemmas: You want to wear flip-flops but you also don’t want to give up a summer of hiking, climbing and adventuring. If this is your great outdoor quandary, then rest easy friend. With the Sierra Lite Canyon Thong, Hi-Tec may have just cut back on the hours you’d otherwise waste in your closet choosing between flips or hiking shoes.
I was recently reminded of the value of a trail munching sandal when on a Spring outing with my little gumption gurus. A last minute decision for a family hike on a neighborhood trail lent itself to a quick grab of standard flips on the way out the door.
Along the flat, even terrain, everything was fine until the end of our excursion where the path winding down to the car was a 40 degree slope of sand, loose dirt and grit. With left hand firmly attached to my four year old, and a right arm cradling my two year old we picked our way down. Sure enough, my standard beach flips slid out from under me introducing the entire family to the hardened path below.
Whether it’s a quick family outing around the cabin or a sketchy trek to the wading pool at the bottom of the falls, the Sierra Lite Canyon Thong is ready and willing to adventure with you.
On Fit and Performance…
Whether you call them flips, thongs or the more formal ‘flip-flop,’ each pair of sandals has their own unique personality. Some are made for strolling the beach, some are made for post-race recovery. The Hi-Tec Canyon Thong simply wants to help you crush your next adventure with sure-footed determination all while keeping your feet and body supported.
Like your favorite hunting dog that cuddles up at night and then attacks the trail with zeal in the morning, the PU midsole of the Canyon Thong offers long term cushioning while the Vibram outsole is ready to stalk any mountain trail. As a matter of fact, the Vibram outsole of the Canyon Thong actually outdoes some of the trail sneakers we’ve got stashed in our closet.
A raised toe lip on the front end offers additional protection against the rocky hazards of the woods and a recessed heel cup cradles the foot rewarding it for a hard days work.
The narrow (but not overly so) footbed promotes a more athletic fit when on the trail preventing the sandal from feeling sloppy when all you need is to keep upright on that treacherous little downhill to your secluded beach spot.
While the outsole of the Canyon Thong yearns for adventure, Hi-Tec has also given this adventure sandal a more compassionate side. Soft leather thong straps are soft, flexible and durable for lasting comfort and performance even when you’re spending your days hiking the local fire trails rather than lounging poolside.
To our surprise, the footbed and PU midsole not only gobbled up shock from the trail but offered more cushion than some premium flips we’ve tested in the past.
The Critique…
No doubt that the $90 price tag is steep for a flip. Hi-Tec has definitely designed this sandal with a particular consumer in mind. That being said it’s worth noting that Hi-Tec’s Sierra collection has yet to disappoint and we would argue that there are other flips we’ve tested that have less features for the same price tag.
Not so much a critique, but an informative note for our readers. This isn’t your standard flip-flop. While designed with comfort in mind, the Canyon Thong is built for comfort and adventure; as such it doesn’t have the traditional slender profile of a more casual slipper. Like a steak and potatoes dinner this thong is chunky. Ambling around in a thicker flip will take some adjustment for some and may not be the perfect fit for those just looking for a casual warm weather sandal.
Bottom Line…
All the freedom you love in a sandal with the rugged and adventure ready sole of your favorite trail hiker.
MSRP: $90
SIZES: Men’s 7-13
MANUFACTURER: Hi Tec USA (http://www.hi-tec.com/)
AVAILABILITY: Various online retailers including Amazon.com