Most people who spend time outdoors love when the weather changes to “sandal season”. In this post, I’m reviewing the minimalist, lightweight Switchback Sandals by Lem’s, which may become your favorite for most all outdoor activities.
By Leon Pantenburg
DISCLAIMER: Lem’s supplied the product for this review. I don’t work for the company, and no one had any input on this post. All we ever promise is a fair and unbiased review.
Some of the most fun I’ve had outdoors occurred as a canoe guide for Quapaw Canoe Company and Big River Wild Adventures. Based in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the company offers guided trips on the Mississippi River in handcrafted wooden freighter canoes.
For a hard core river rat like me, guiding on the river wasn’t really work – it was more like playing hard on one of the biggest river systems in the world.
The Quapaws work year round and a guide may be in and out of a canoe several times a day. The environment determines what is the correct gear and footwear.
In the fall and winter, the guides wear knee-high rubber boots to deal with the cold weather and water. In the summer, river shoes or sandals were the best choice. With summer coming on, I felt like it was time for me to review a pair of good river sandals.
Why I Chose Lem’s Sandals to Review
I have a history with Lem’s products and own three pairs of Lem’s shoes. I wear my Lem’s Boulder Boots the most. So when I needed a good pair of sturdy adventure sandals, I turned to Lem’s.
During hot weather, flip-flops are my standard footwear for casual coming and going. I’ve had a few other adventure sandals like Columbia and Teva. But with Lem’s Switchback Sandals I was ready for an upgrade.
The Switchbacks have that comfortable flip-flop toe thong between the big toe and the second, but after that, the hard core rigging is very different.
Here are the Switchback specs:
Fit: Lems WIDEST Natural-Shape™
Upper (Leather Straps): Mojave, Scorpion & Sandstorm
Upper (Nylon Straps): Cactus & Oasis
Lining: Neoprene & microfiber
Outsole: Full rubber
Barefoot Footbed™: Anatomically contoured
Stack Height: 14-17mm
Drop: 3.0mm
Weight: 8.8 oz (Men’s 10)
Vegan: Cactus & Oasis
Non-Vegan: Mojave, Scorpion & Sandstorm
According to Lems, their Switchback Sandals keep things simple with a single piece of webbing and one buckle, but don’t mistake that simplicity for limited adjustability. Its patented Slydr™ system lets the strap slide naturally through a webbing guide, automatically balancing tension across the heel and instep for a personalized fit that moves with your foot.
The result is a secure, slip-free sandal without the bulk of multiple straps. Underfoot, the contoured Barefoot Footbed™ features a textured surface designed to follow the natural shape of your foot, adding comfort and stability whether you’re on the trail or around camp.
The sandal features a full rubber outsole for durability and traction. On diverse surfaces, when paired with an EVA midsole it provides lightweight cushioning for all-day comfort. The midsole has a minimal drop platform for natural alignment.
My Switchback Sandal Review:
I got my Switchbacks the week before I left for Italy for two weeks in early June. The sandals are easy to pack and my plan was to do some hiking in the sandals in the Dolomite Mountains. The weather didn’t cooperate, however, with several days of cold and rain in the high country, so those trails found me bundled with rain gear and boots.
But I did find myself sporting these sandals around town in Ortisei and Bolzano on the uneven cobblestone paths and slippery steps. They worked great as an alternative to wet hikers and heavy boots. I felt sure footed with comfortable support and they are stylish. These sandals would have been just fine for hiking the developed paths of the Dolomites between the lifts and chalets in warmer weather, and I would have felt right at home wearing them in the mountain huttes. I do plan to use them in Oregon all summer long. In fact, I’m taking them to a music festival with me for July 4th.
Features of the Lem’s Switchback Sandals
Compact: The Switchbacks fold flat and are easy to pack. While they wouldn’t be my first choice as a primary hiking shoe, they are light and compact enough to be taken along as a backup. In fact, my wife prefers hiking in socks and sandals rather than heavy boots. To each their own! They can easily hang off the back of a pack and I learned the importance of backup footwear in Yellowstone back in the 70s!
Lightweight: Switchbacks are minimalist footwear. They only weigh 8.8 ounces, are very flexible, and easily stuffed into a suitcase or backpack. There would be no problem including them in a daypack for shorter trips should you want a change from your hikers.
Secures well: I really like the single-strap system. It is very easy to adjust for a perfect, secure fit. Unlike other sport sandals I have worn, there is no velcro to wear out or multiple straps to fool with.
Barefoot Footbed: For people into barefoot footwear, the Switchback provides excellent flexibility and connection to the ground. The difference in drop between the heel and toe is 3.0 mm – the exact height of two stacked U.S. pennies.
Natural Shape: The footbed mimics the natural shape of the foot, making it very comfortable. The footbed wraps around the bottom of the foot to enhance sensory feedback and keep your feet responsive to the terrain beneath you.
My General View About Sandals and Lem’s Switchbacks:
I don’t regularly hike in sandals and wouldn’t wear them as my only footwear on extended backpacking trips. I don’t like how a tiny rock always seems to get between my foot and the sandal footbed. Also, if your foot slides sideways on rocks, there is no boot or shoe upper to protect your foot from scraping or bruising. And finally, I don’t like how dirty and gritty my feet can get in sandals. That’s just me.
But…Lem’s Switchbacks would be a superb river sandal. The sand and dirt would get easily washed out, and there wouldn’t be mud accumulation. They would also be great for developed trail hikes (less grit and more pavement), and I’ve already mentioned how well they adapt to international travel. The Switchbacks are sturdy and will wear well against river adventures.
There’s also a convenience factor. The Switchbacks are easy to slip on for a trip to the grocery or hardware store, or to the library, or to pick up the kids at school. In fact, they’re the best looking sandal I own and I feel pretty sporty when I wear them to the food truck, the picnic, the casual festival. Unlike other well known adventure brands, not everyone has a pair of sandals like this. Lem’s Switchback Sandals are ready for anything, and you’ll be glad you have a pair. If you’re interested, you can order them here.
My Book: I’d really appreciate it if you would check out my book: “Bushcraft Basics: A Common Sense Wilderness Survival Handbook.” It is available on Amazon, at Barnes and Noble and your local independent bookstore
