Okay, here’s the thing: I’ve never been much of a sandals guy. Whether I’m out in the wilderness or aboard a boat, my go-to active footwear has always been a trainer. If I wanted to relax then I’d don my trusty Flip-flops.

Sandals? Not so much.

Naturally, I was pretty apprehensive when I recently set off on a 200-mile walk across the UK having ditched my usual pack-slung flip-flops for a pair of Vivobarefoot Tracker Ora Sandals.

It’s hard to say exactly what won me over. It could be the super-comfortable, neoprene lined straps that made rubbing a non-issue. It could be the thin, flexible soles that allow just the right amount of ground-feel. Or maybe I’m just no firmly in my early 40s, the prime ‘sandal age.’

Strapped on my pack, these lightweight sandals are easy to carry and are light on foot.

Whatever the reason, these bad boys suddenly made sandals make complete sense to me.

Despite The Guardian insisting that flip-flops are making a comeback in 2026, I’ve tried my beloved pair again recently and they just feel unwieldy and loose in comparison.

Now, this is a sailing publication and so far I’ve mostly talked about hiking and not told you how these work as a boat shoe. But the reason I bring up that 200-mile trek is because these sandals made me feel so surefooted (even under a heavy pack with all my camping gear) that I ended up hiking entire multi-mile stretches in them. Normally, I wouldn’t dream of doing that in anything other than a proper *hiking shoe usually.

*actually trailrunners are my preference, but let’s not get into that here.

Comfy shoes at camp, but I was surprised that they were suitable for (some) hiking too.

Naturally, I’ve taken the Oras out on the water, too. They’ve been immensely impressive on deck while under sail and super stable when paddleboarding, thanks to top-tier grip underfoot. That soft neoprene lining continues to prevent chafing even when wet, and the multi-strap adjustability lets you lock your foot down securely when conditions get active.

When reviewing gear, it always feels a bit risky to give a glowing report—I often find myself scrabbling around for minor faults just to humanise the copy. But honestly, I find these very difficult to criticise.

Some brighter colourways would be my preference

The minimalist, zero-cushion sole won’t be for everyone; if you want plush, pillowy arch support, Vivobarefoot’s bare-bones philosophy isn’t for you. They’re also a serious investment for a summer sandal, and I’d personally love to see some brighter colorways beyond the muted earth tones (though not everyone shares my passion for neon pink).

But if you want a rugged, reliable crossover sandal for life on and off the water? They’re hard to beat.