Bottom Line
With a background in insole design, Tread Labs knows a thing or two about comfort. That comes across clearly in the Salinas sandals – one of the most thoughtfully supportive designs we’ve tested.
The Salinas’ defining characteristic is its molded footbed, which is contoured to provide maximum arch support. Our high-arched tester found the fit to be extremely comfortable and supportive. A microfiber suede footbed and woven straps add to the overall softness, making these sandals ready to wear right out of the box – no break-in period required.
The Salinas are also impressively lightweight considering their larger profile. Comparable in weight to many minimalist options, they were easy to wear on high-mileage days. We experienced no fatigue and never felt burdened by the sandals.
Similar in design to the Chaco Z/1 Classic, the Salinas are less durable and better suited for mellower terrain. The shallower lugs don’t inspire as much confidence, and we encountered more slippage when navigating steeper grades. For more technical hiking, we’d point you to the Chacos or other options in our women’s hiking sandals gear guide.
How We Tested
Gear analyst Marion Tucker covered dozens of miles in these sandals through the high-desert landscapes of California’s Eastern Sierra. From hiking to scrambling, she put the shoes through their paces on all sorts of terrain. With years of hiking and backpacking under her belt, she applied her extensive knowledge of outdoor gear to gauge the sandals’ comfort, traction, durability, and more.
Quick Specs
Women’s Tread Labs Salinas
Most Comfortable Arch Support
CleverHiker Rating: 4.3/5.0
Price: $130
Weight (Pair): 15.4 oz.
Adjustment Points: 2
Closure Mechanism: Double bar buckle
Pros
- Lightweight
- Soft, comfortable footbed and straps
- Contoured footbed provides good arch support
Cons
- Straps loosen while hiking
- Traction isn’t anything to write home about
- Footbed may be uncomfortable for those with lower arches
Comfort
Tread Labs is best known for their insoles, which is apparent when wearing the Salinas sandals. Made to fit like an insole, the footbed of the sandals features deep contouring that cradles the arch. Having high arches, our tester found this design incredibly well suited for her feet and loved the support. The shape may not work for everyone, but the increased structure did a good job minimizing fatigue on high-mileage or strenuous hikes.
Tread Labs’ material choices also help maximize comfort. The knitted polyester upper straps were smooth and free from uncomfortable rubbing. The microfiber suede footbed was also extremely soft and gentle underfoot.
Our biggest complaint with the Salinas was that the footbed got a bit sweaty on hot days. It doesn’t have the textured surface that many other sandals employ, which makes it more challenging for air to pass below the foot. Our feet became quite damp after hiking for several miles in the desert.
Stability
The Salinas sandals have a structured base that maximizes foot stability when hiking. The sole is firm, acting as a rigid platform that offers solid support, even on uneven terrain. The thickness of the sole limits ground feel, so those looking for greater flexibility and connection to the earth may find the Salinas overkill. However, we found it provided optimal protection against rough ground. When we encountered protruding objects on the trail, the sole kept our feet well protected and nicely isolated.
The strap layout on the Salinas targets each area of the foot for a secure, connected feel. We did have some issues with the straps loosening as we hiked, requiring regular adjustments. However, when initially secured, the sandals felt comfortably snug around our feet. The forefoot strap helped prevent sliding around on steeper declines, although we did experience more forward movement compared to sandals with a toe thong.
Traction
The Salinas have middle-of-the-road traction that promoted reliable footing on most terrain. The outsole features arrowhead-shaped lugs that cover the entire bottom, promoting grip even on off-camber terrain. We wore the Salinas scrambling and found they managed rocky environments with relative ease and minimal slippage.
The lugs are shallower than some alternatives, which make it more challenging for the Salinas to grip softer surfaces like loose gravel. The outsole rubber is also less sticky than other options, so on sharper inclines, the sandals didn’t fully keep us glued to the terrain. Overall, the Salinas fare better on more moderate grades.
Durability
Tread Labs used quality materials to give the Salinas a lasting build. Aluminium buckles eliminate the potential for cracks or breakage common among plastic designs. The microfiber suede footbed has an anti-microbial treatment for freshness and odor mitigation. The sandals are also machine-washable, which is especially handy after muddy adventures. Keeping the sandals clean should help extend their lifespan.
Despite being lightweight, the Salinas sandals are still very sturdy. The polyurethane midsole nicely balances weight and longevity, holding up well to our testing with no signs of packing out. We wore the Salinas across a variety of terrain, including prickly desert underbrush and granite boulder fields. Despite the abuse, the sandals showed no signs of structural degradation.
Weight & Packability
For us, one of the most surprising aspects of the Salinas was their weight. At just 15.4 ounces per pair, these sandals are competitively light considering their design. Higher-profile sandals with thicker soles are typically heavier due to the extra material. However, the Salinas’ polyurethane midsole does a good job keeping things light. These sandals were hardly noticeable underfoot and led to no fatigue on longer outings.
Although lightweight, the Salinas are still bulkier than many minimalist sandals. With their thicker sole, they don’t slide as easily into the tight corners of a pack. Once stowed away, however, they’re not too much of an extra burden.
Ease of Use
When it comes to getting the Salinas on and ready to hike, it’s a very straightforward process. The sandals feature two straps: one over the forefoot and one around the ankle, both with a double bar buckle for tweaking the tightness.
Initially, we found the design less intuitive than other buckled sandals. The double-backed aspect of the straps was somewhat confusing to tighten. However, once we were familiar with it, adjusting the sandals became a simple task. We found the ankle strap pliable enough to slide around our foot, allowing us to don and doff the shoes without needing to mess with the buckles.
Should You Buy the Tread Labs Salinas?
If you normally wear insoles or have high arches, the Tread Labs Salinas is a sandal that prioritizes a supportive, orthopedic fit. The intentionally contoured footbed is molded to cradle the arch, and the thick sole serves as a stable base that minimizes fatigue. With a weight rivaling minimalist options, these sandals keep ounces to a minimum while still maintaining a supportive fit.
For those with flatter feet or who want greater foot freedom, the structured support of the Salinas may be overkill. The primary focus of these sandals is to provide an insole-like fit, which won’t work for everyone. The sole is also a little underbuilt for truly technical terrain. However, if your foot fits the mold (literally) and you stick to mellower hikes, the Salinas is an incredibly comfortable and high-quality option.
What Other Women’s Hiking Sandals Should You Consider?
Check out our guide to the best women’s hiking sandals to see how the Tread Labs Salinas stacks up in the market. Here are a few standout alternatives from our testing:
Chaco Z/1 Classic Review: Featuring a comparably molded footbed, the Z/1 Classic is another great option for those looking for a supportive, high arch-friendly sandal. Similar in appearance and build, the Z/1 Classic is heavier-duty, more capable on technical terrain, and offers greater long-term durability.
Danner Wallowa Review: One of the burliest sandals available, the Wallowas are a great choice for rough terrain. The footbed isn’t as contoured as the Salinas’, but its rigid build provides a firm platform for stable support.
Teva Hurricane XLT2 Review: With a cupped heel and thick midsole that offers sneaker-like support, the Hurricanes are very comfortable and stable. They feature three points of adjustment for a more fine-tuned fit, although the Salinas are the more specialized option for those with high arches.
