When you're headed to the great outdoors, you need the right footwear. But when it's hot and sticky out, those boots just don't seem to be the right fit. Shoe companies and outdoor retailers have answered your calls for comfortable and practical footwear by introducing sandals for the outdoor enthusiast. While also being comfortable and sturdy, these sandals look as good as they feel.

What are You Doing Outdoors?

The first thing you need to do when shopping for sandals is to figure out just what you plan to do when you are outside. If you're only walking around a few trails from time to time, you may not need to invest in anything more complicated than your favorite sandals. But if you want to do something a little bit farther off the beaten path, you need specialty footwear that can keep up with you. Here are a few examples of sandals that are available on the market today - maybe you can find yourself in these choices.

Sandals for Hikers

If you plan to head out to the trails of your favorite metro park or national park, you need to make sure your feet can keep up with you. To make sure of this, you will want to find sandals that have a solid base that's cushioned with things like Vibram. This will make each step more comfortable, as though you were wearing traditional boots for the hike. You can also look for sandals that have closed toes to make sure your feet aren't going to become sunburned or injured as you are walking along. There are also sandals available that are waterproof and that slip onto your foot without ties or clasps.

Sandals for Runners

One of the newest innovations in sandals is running sandals. These are perfect for the runner that likes to train in the heat of the day. These sandals provide the same cushioning and support that running shoes do, but the outer sole allows more air to reach the foot. This can help especially in warmer climates, but they can also be helpful if you are running longer distances as they will allow your foot to expand slightly as you run. You might also enjoy these sandals if you are competing in runs that include water obstacles along the way as you will be able to dry your feet more quickly.

Sandals for Water Sports

Of course, if you just want to head into the water, there are sandals that can fit your needs too. These kinds of sandals are made with materials that can dry easily after getting wet. They are also made to move through the water with as little resistance as possible, helping those that like to run in the water or who like to play other sports when submerged in the water. Some are even designed more like socks to help protect the foot from unseen obstacles that might be on the floor of the water source.

How to Find the Right Fit

Since you will be wearing these sandals when you are outside and away from your home, it's imperative that you find the right fit. To do so, you will want to shop for these kinds of sandals at the end of the day when your foot is the biggest. This will help you to find a fit that will be comfortable during your entire set of activities. You might also want to choose a store that has a generous return policy if you find that they aren't working as well as you would like.

You might also want to try on shoes from the same brand name to see what works best for your foot. This can often give you a better idea of the size that will work for your foot without having to try out the sandals in outdoor conditions.

You might also want to choose a slightly larger size for the sandal as this will give your feet plenty of room to move around and readjust.

Taking Care of Your Sandals

Since these pieces of footwear are going to be used in more strenuous environments, it might be a good idea to learn how to take care of them so that they least a long time. The first thing that you need to do is to make sure they are always cleaned after you wear them. This means that you need to remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated as well as remove any sticks or stones from the bottom. If these items are left in place, they can cause the sandal to wear unevenly.

You will also want to keep track of the miles you have put on the sandals so that you replace them before the stability and the cushioning wear out.

About Author:

Grant Eckert is a writer for Footwear Etc. Footwear Etc is a leading provider of MBT Shoes