These Hiking Sandals Take Minimalist to the Max: Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D Pro Review

I’m no stranger to hiking in adventure sandals. If it’s warmer than 60 degrees, you can be reasonably sure I’ll be hiking, kayaking, and yes, even trail running, in open-toe shoes.

But not all sandals, not even those built for adventure, are created equal. Some are heavy and clunky (looking at you, Chaco). Others don’t feature secure enough straps or durable enough soles for all-terrain adventures.

Enter the Bedrock Cairn Evo Pro 3D. This zero-drop adventure sandal has a wide toe box and secure strap system with aggressive and sticky Vibram tread. The sole is dense enough to protect my feet from wrapping around every rock on the trail. This sandal was designed to hit that Goldilocks sweet spot between trail minimalism and maximalism.

The Cairn Evo Pro 3D came with me on miles-long hikes up Utah peaks, in dusty and extremely rocky terrain, while kayaking and paddleboarding. I tested them on a steep canyon waterfall trail that leads you through rocky creeks, over boulders, and down sketchy descents. I also wore them to bike around town, and even threw them on for daily wear and errands because they were so easy to slip on and off.

And they tackled it all without breaking a sweat.

In short: The Bedrock Cairn Evo Pro 3D ($140) is a true do-it-all sandal for those who want less weight on their feet and a more minimal footbed. It still has grip and stability like burlier hiking footwear. The soles are dense enough to protect feet from rocks and fatigue on long hikes while still offering moderate flexibility, secure tread, and straps that keep feet securely in place. For hikers, paddlers, and open-toe footwear fans, these sandals rock.

Looking for a new pair of sandals to get down the trail with? Check out how the Cairn Evo 3D Pros compare to other options in GearJunkie’s Best Hiking Sandals Buyer’s Guide.

Bedrock Sandals Cairn Evo 3D Pro Review

Performance

I tested the Pro version of the Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D. They have the same tread pattern and depth as the original Cairn. However, the pros are less flexible thanks to a denser compound designed to be grippier on wet rock.

Indeed, on packed dirt trails and gravel paths, they felt secure. I stayed upright on all but the sheerest wet or dust-covered stone. On loose scree and gravel, the tread felt deep enough to offer solid footing. I traversed slick rock and granite boulders easily and confidently.

When walking along rocky creeks with a kayak or meandering upstream to pick creekside thimbleberries, I didn’t slip once. Not only did the soles feel secure on wet, uneven surfaces, but when walking with my feet underwater, the Bedrocks didn’t ever feel like they were in danger of getting pulled off, nor did they create excessive drag.

I was simply able to move naturally and freely with just enough sole flexibility to let my feet mold around larger rocks (which can help prevent rolled ankles).

Fit & Feel

The Y-strap system on these sandals was easy to adjust. There are three adjustment points: a G-hook strap on the heel, a G-hook strap on the outside of the instep, and a quick-adjust webbing strap on the inside of the instep.

The dual G-hook straps are unique to the Pro line. The classic line has a hook-and-loop strap on the heel. That additional G-hook is especially beneficial for water-based adventures like rafting, where Velcro can get waterlogged and come unfastened.

As suspected, on land and in water, none of the straps loosened or came undone. On long hikes and when moving in and out of water, they stayed in place. Even the quick-adjust strap, which is just a self-locking buckle, didn’t budge.

Dialing the Straps

It did take a bit of trial and error to get all three straps adjusted to the best configuration for my feet. But once I did, the sandals were essentially set it and forget it. All I had to do was loosen the webbing strap for micro-adjustments. That made the sandals supremely easy to kick on and off with just a quick upward tug of the buckle. 

Once loosened, the straps themselves are made of a dense and stiff enough material to hold their shape. I could just slide my foot in and out hands-free. The cord-toe plug was perfectly positioned and never caused any irritation. However, if you’re sensitive to straps between your toes, you may not find them as comfy as I did.

Because it took a few wears to dial in the right strap setting, I did accumulate a few small blisters during testing. Even after dozens of miles hiked, the stiffness of the straps didn’t allow them to conform to my feet. Because my feet are so narrow, rubbing was still an issue in spots.

But once I got them situated to my liking, I appreciated the snug fit and footbed simplicity (though the 3D footbed is the least minimalist of Bedrock’s offerings).

What does “3D” stand for? While the brand’s classic sandals are little more than a lightly textured but level footbed, this version has a pebble texture and a slight rise under the toe joints, Birkenstock-style, plus low arch support. 

This is presumably to provide a bit more stability and support. However, I couldn’t feel the toe supports at all, and the arch support was so minimal it might as well have been absent. That was fine for me because I have strong arches and don’t want or need the extra support. But that might be more of a downside for those who do prefer it.

The textured footbed felt nice under my feet, but the pebble texture didn’t seem to provide any extra grip when my feet got sweaty after long hikes. I could feel them sliding side to side a touch, which, again, is likely due to the narrowness of my feet.

The footbed isn’t cushioned (check out the Cairn Evo C for a thicker, slightly squishier experience). So if you’re used to sandals like Tevas or other footwear with more padded footbeds, these will be a departure. But for those used to or welcoming of a more solid, robust footbed, these are sure to please.

Weight

As for weight, in true Bedrock style, they strike a happy medium. They’re significantly lighter than other popular hiking sandals. A single size 9 weighs 8.8 ounces (compared to a size 9 Chaco Z/1 that weighs 15 ounces). But they’re not as light as truly minimalist sandals like those from Xero Shoes or less robust options like the Teva Universal sandal.

Room for Improvement

Bedrocks aren’t designed for narrow feet like mine. I had to set most of the hooks to the tightest setting to get them to feel secure. Even then, there was enough room between the side support posts for my feet to slide laterally, indicating these may be best suited for average to wide feet. I’d like to see a narrow version with strap posts located closer together. Likewise, a wide option would round out the number of adventurers who could comfortably strut down trails and brave rapids in their Cairn Evo 3D Pros.

Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D Pro: Conclusion

Everything about the Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D Pro hits the sweet spot. They’re not too light or too heavy, and the soles aren’t too thin or dense. The straps are highly adjustable but not complicated. The tread and traction are grippy but not clunky. Overall, the whole sandal is tolerably minimalist without going so far as to be barefoot. To me, that means it’s a highly wearable performance sandal that will appeal to a wide range of people.

Plus, they’re durable. It will be years before I have to send my sandals back to Bedrock to get them resoled (a service the brand offers). That’s a good thing because they aren’t exactly budget-friendly at $140.

But if you’re after a trusty, Goldilocks pair of adventure sandals that expertly toe the line between too much and too little, the Cairn Evo 3D Pro is a grippy, easy-to-adjust, comfortable, tolerably lightweight, do-it-all sandal you’ll appreciate.