meixiang wu wrote (see)

 I am looking forward to receiving your letters and messages!! Thanks a lot.

I wouldn't hold your breath

I’m a proper gear freak & always spend wayyyyyy to much on boots, jackets & climbing swag. But went low budget on my last pair of sandals. Got a cheap pair of Karrimors two years ago. They have been abroad on holiday, camping trips & countless weekends away & still looking good.

As usual with footwear, try on before buying is much the best way to check for fit.  In some ways it's less crucial with sandals as there's less upper to be the wrong shape, but I find it still makes a difference.

Personally I like Tevas a lot, but find Merrels a bit too narrow in the firefoot.  Shame really, as they do some very good models and they're good value.  My wife prefers Merrels over Tevas, finding the Ts a bit on the wide side...  Like I said, try them on to be sure.

And all sandals by a single manufacturer are not created equal.  I use Terra-Fis mostly, finding they've a good combination of sticky outsole, comfortable, well draining topsole and comfortably lined strapping.  Other Teva models I've found okay but considerably less fun to walk all day in, so you do get more for your extra money.  I've tried their more upmarket Wraptor models but found them a two-edged sword: yes, more support and protection, but the very things that provide the extra support and protection (more of an upper and the Fusion Arch thingy) also make them much less comfortable than the "less is more" approach of the Terra Fi upper.

 You can also get sandals with a toe box, the Keens being the obvious example.  Some of those in my local TKMaxx right now, and I got some Newports for £30 last week for canoeing as I want toe protection for that, but for walking I've never found the open toe of  a conventional sandal to be a problem, and a toe box means something else to rub against and add weight.

Can't comment on the Sources you mention as I've not tried them on, but do try them on yourself before commiting to them. 

Pete. 

I'v got a pair of Merrell Chameleon II Convertibles and they are pretty good.

They have excellent arch support and a fairly stiff Vibram sole so fantastic traction.  I think that they are made out of 'synthetic leather' (God knows what that is) but they are very comfortable. 

For me, the most important factor in a sandal is how it handles sweat; you don't have a sock to soak it up (unless you're a geography teacher on holiday) and there's nothing worse than your foot skidding around on a sloppy footbed.  Add some trail dust to the mix and you have some serious misery.  The Merrells handle sweat really well and it never seems to be a problem.  I've worn them in 40C heat in Greece and my feet have been fine.  They are very adjustable so you can get a perfect fit. 

You can also convert them to a slip-on beach shoe by removing the heel strap.

Forget all the 'blurb' you've read so far. Check out Chaco sandals from Colorado. Available in the UK in a handful of shops.

I checked out some Chacos somewhere in Keswick a couple of years ago... wrong shape for me, so blurb aside I found them pretty uninteresting compared to my usual Tevas.  Those with different shaped feet may find differently, but there's no "magic bullet" sandal for everyone.

Pete. 

HI! I am now looking for some sandals too and for me someone that says 'I usually use Teva Terra fis' sounds strange! I started my adventure with sandals about 7 years ago, I have bought Karrimor sandals and after half of the year one of straps was torn ourt of the sole. I got my money back and did the shopping once more. This time my choice was Sources (one of the most hi-tech sandals on the world) I got almost most expensive one - Gobi-tech.

After two-three months the strap was torn out....

(I must say I use the sandals evryday, on the bike, in the car, hiking, swimming in the sea (rocks!, salt) going to the pool (chloride) in the city and on the sandy beach

Then I bought one of Lizards (one to be used in water) and I use them now for the 5th year - the sole is almost worn down, the straps are very 'curly' after all these years but all works well!

Now I know they will 'die' soon and I am thinking about Teva Terra Fi2 (high price, lots of places for dirt to build up, but very stable, not stinking!) and sources stream (in thi model the straps are 'all around' like in  my Lizards and Terra-fis, simple sole - no place for dirt, nice smell)

Have a nice sandals 

Maatzey     

Chacos, definitely. They are a bit heavier than Tevas and this can take some getting used to, but the adjustment system is better (no velcro to wear out). They have vibram replaceable soles. Not that you'd wear them out anytime soon though.

The model which has the big-toe strap rather than a strap across the top of the foot is better for prolonged walking--more stable.

I use Keen Newport and like them a lot.

Quite grippy, wide fitting and I find the cord lock laces work fine.

I like the enclosed toe as I walk a lot on beaches.

I was in my Newports walking up gravelly beaches after landing the sea kayak last week.  The sandal format means that the stuff gets in and under your foot, but it's damn hard to get it out again compared to an open design.  You're pretty much stuck with taking them off, washing them out and putting them back on, all of which is made more awkward by the semi-closed design.

It has it's benefits too, of course, but the point I'm making is that whatever degree of open/closed you select will have downsides as well as upsides.  Overall I prefer a more open design, though walking up a stoney beach with a heavy boat or canoeing rough stuff kneeling down with grit floating around the bottom of the boat is why I got the Newports.

Pete.