Women’s Ecco Yucatan Hiking Sandal Review

Bottom Line

We value the Ecco Yucatan Offroad Hiking Sandals for their sturdy construction, soft yet secure straps, and three-point adjustability. They are ideal for hikers seeking ample support and stability, provided they suit your foot shape. Our tester experienced issues with the sandals’ narrowness, limiting their use to easy, short trails or around camp, where she could change them out if they became too uncomfortable. 

If you’re a hiker with narrow feet struggling to find sandals that aren’t heavy and awkward like wooden moccasins (we know you’re out there), the Yucatans may be a great option for you. While they can be expensive when not on sale, they’re worth the investment for the right foot. Besides being an excellent fit for narrow feet, they also offer essential support for hikers in need of extra ankle stability. The sidebar secures your feet, enabling comfort even when stepping at unusual angles, and the contoured footbeds provide a pleasant cradle for your foot feet. We have plenty of other options to consider in our hiking sandal gear guide.

How We Tested

We enjoyed a month-long crusade with the Ecco Yucatan, wearing them on various short hikes and around camps from Willamette National Forest, Oregon, to Los Padres National Forest, California. These sandals fit quite narrow, so our tester was limited in how long she could wear them on her neutral-width feet. However, we were still able to assess their performance on different types of terrain and in various trail situations.

Comfort

The Ecco Yucatan is ideal for hikers with narrow feet, high arches, and high insteps. Our tester has none of these traits, so she personally didn’t find the Yucatans very comfortable. It’s not a reflection on the shoes; they simply aren’t suitable for her feet or for anyone with wider feet (hers are medium/neutral). 

That said, we believe these hiking sandals are a boon for people with narrow feet, as we know it can be tough to find sandals—or any type of shoe for that matter—that provide a secure fit for slender feet. Even though these did not fit us well, we will give praise where praise is due: the upper of these sandals is so robust it feels almost like a sneaker, yet allows your toes to wiggle and breathe. The inside of the straps is so soft that, despite being tight on our tester, they didn’t cause any abrasions, blisters, or hot spots. 

They’re slightly padded, which enhances comfort. People who love cushioned hiking shoes will appreciate the Yucatan’s midsole. It’s plusher than most (a hard, rubbery midsole is typical of hiking sandals), and these offer a bit more give. Additionally, there’s an appealing contour in the footbed to prevent overpronation or over-supination and keep your heels in place.

Stability

These sandals are certainly not meant for the minimalist hiker. Their chunky design provides substantial support, but it does not offer much flexibility. Hikers, in particular, will notice (and either love or hate) the near-full-coverage upper, which features three independently adjustable Velcro straps. 

Unlike many other hiking sandals, the Yucatans cover much of the feet, creating a more secure fit than minimalist options. While some hikers may prefer an overlapping strap design for stability, we believe the exterior sidebar provides a locked-in feel. 

Additionally, the padded, contoured footbeds keep your feet secure even when stepping at odd angles. Regarding the midsole, it is plusher than many other options but not so soft that it compromises stability. We find it strikes a nice balance between shock absorption and energy return.

Traction

Of the dozens of pairs of hiking sandals we’ve tested, these have performed exceptionally well in terms of traction. Honestly, it makes our tester wish they fit her better because the tread is just that good. We’ve taken the Yucatans across several types of terrain, including talus/boulder fields, slickrock, pine straw-covered trails, slippery silt, packed dirt, and gravel. In no scenario has our tester felt unstable or anxious due to a lack of traction. 

The Yucatan is one of the very few hiking sandals about which we can truthfully say that. We were genuinely surprised about this because, upon examining the outsole, the lugs aren’t as deep as they are on some other options. 

So, visually, these don’t appear to be the strongest option, and they lack the coveted Vibram-branded outsoles found in some other choices. However, we believe the varied tread pattern and the security of the straps, which prevent our feet from sliding around, more than compensate for any shortcomings in that area.

Durability

The build quality of the Ecco Yucatan is impressive. With neoprene-lined adjustable straps, a molded EVA footbed with a microfiber lining, and leather components, it’s evident that a lot of thought went into the design of these hiking sandals. 

The components are high quality, and that’s obvious when you unbox the Yucatans and slip them on your feet. After several wears in various conditions, we haven’t seen any signs of wear and tear, except for some scuffing that is purely aesthetic. 

These also feature a durable stitching pattern on the straps, heel counter, and sidebar. Since the midsole is made from EVA foam, it will compress over time, much like running shoes do. Nevertheless, you should be able to get a solid 500 miles, at least, out of these sandals.

Weight & Packability

The Ecco Yucatan sandals are not packable in any hiking sense of the word. The pair weighs nearly 2 pounds, and the chunky design along with the thick midsole makes them nearly impossible—or, at the very least, highly inconvenient—to pack into any sort of hiking pack, whether for a day or an overnight trip. 

Our tester couldn’t find a suitable space for them in her Osprey Skarab 30-liter day pack; not even the stuff pocket in the front when it was full of gear, food, and water for a 14-miler. The sandals would have had to go in the bottom of the main compartment, which doesn’t make sense if the idea is to have them handy for water crossings. They’d make acceptable camp shoes, but there are more suitable and lightweight options available. However, if you prefer a single pair of shoes for the entire experience, including water crossings and camping, then the Yucatans could be a good option. We recommend considering a sneaker-like hybrid, such as the HOKA Hopara 2 or KEEN Newport H2.

Ease of Use

The Yucatans feature three independently adjustable Velcro straps, making them very easy to put on and take off—if your feet are on the narrow side, of course. With our tester’s neutral feet, she had to wiggle around to get into them and find a comfortable fit.

It wasn’t the worst experience, but we don’t recommend these for hikers with wide feet. They will be difficult (or impossible) to put on, and they won’t be comfortable even if you manage to wedge your feet into them.

Should You Buy the Ecco Yucatan Hiking Sandals?

The Ecco Yucatans are an ideal fit for hikers with narrow feet who seek sandals that provide considerable support. They’re not suitable for those with neutral feet, definitely not for wide feet, and they aren’t a good choice for minimalist hikers.

While they can be pricey when not on sale, we believe the Yucatans address a specific market gap and cater to individuals who often struggle to find well-fitting, quality hiking shoes.

What Other Women’s Hiking Sandals Should You Consider?

If the Ecco Yucatans don’t seem quite right for you, consider these options, which we think are some of the best hiking sandals overall.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Review: Similarly beefy, the Teva Hurricane XLT2s are better suited for wide feet. So, if you love the concept of the Yucatans but know they won’t fit your feet, the XLT2s are an excellent alternative. 

HOKA Hopara 2 Review: Arguably more shoe than sandal, the HOKA Hopara 2s function like sneakers while providing the same water drainage and breathability as sandals. The perforated mesh upper keeps your feet fresh and dry, and the toe bumper protects them from trail debris. 

KEEN Newport H2 Review: These are similar to the Hopara 2s in that they provide complete toe protection, excellent traction, and ample support. However, they are narrower, making them a better fit for hikers with slender feet.