Minimal Sandals?

These are about as light as sandals get – just not that minimal in terms of straps.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/run/8/Inov-8_Recolite_190_Shoes/5360047092/

How minimal do you want to go? You can make your own sandal, like on here: http://www.trailquest.net/sandals.html

So your feet sweat too much? You want true minimal ? Forget straps! Get the strapless sandals instead!

Caveat: No actual experience with these whatsoever!

There you go with your fancy HTML again, Ben!!

Thanks for the quick help.

I should have mentioned.
I hate flip flops.
I'm looking for sandals that I could actually manage to hike in.
They don't need to have an enclosed toe or really secure attachment.

The mental image I have is Chacos but with just a thin foam sole like my Sanuks.

And weight isn't really a huge concern.

I like something that is sufficient to walk through airports with and offers a tiny bit of protection (more than sandals).

There are several varieties and brands of running shoes called racing flats, and some of these go 3.8 ounces to 7 ounces, which is roughly half of what a normal running shoe is (all measured as per-shoe). That works for me.

–B.G.–

http://barefootted.com/shop/

What about vibram five fingers?

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

edit: I didn't read the OP. Mea Culpa.

Go with Chacos, they beat Tevas all around (no velcro!).
Better yet, go with the Vibram Five Fingers. These are way light (I need to weigh my pair). Enough time with the five fingers and you could just drop them altogether and go barefoot. The strapless jobs someone suggested, do look way cool though — but not much ankle support.

Did you two read the OP ??? :o)

Those strapless sandals are great! I would love to try them as a gag – thank you for linking them.

Here is a link to Barefoot Ted’s, HUARACHE SANDALS.

Hope you find what you are looking for. Lots of good suggestions.

oh, by the way, has anyone mentioned trying Vibram Fivefingers? hehe. :P

I really want to get a hands-on at the Crocs Trailbreaks. I found one online forum source that listed the weight at 20oz for a size 9. Reviews are positive, reporting good traction. Sizes seem to run large.

http://www.crocs.com/crocs-trailbreak/10375,default,pd.html?cgid=men-footwear

I do like my Keen sandals, but I wouldn't call them lightweight.

Great feedback.
The huaraches look amazing and are probably as close as I'm going to get.
Thanks again.

Check out http://www.InvisibleShoe.com for free plans to make huaraches running sandals, as well as inexpensive sandal kits and custom-made huaraches

I know this thread is a little old, but you might want to take a look at these:

http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss11/shoes/men/trailhead/kreek

Keen – Kreek. They are pretty low drop / minimal as far as mass produced sandals are concerned, plus offer some toe protection while on trail.

15.9oz weight

12.3 oz.

http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss11/shoes/men/waterfront/kanyon

The website does not specify weight. Do you know the weight?

REI website says 11.6 oz. for the women's. (per pair, I assume)

Other sites report 7oz. each.

I'm hopeful about these, but the toe loop may be a deal-breaker. I'm looking forward to reports.

Not a sandal, but quite minimal. I'm loving my Merrill (True/Tough/Trail) Gloves more and more every day!

You might take a look at these. The weight listed is for a pair. They’re unisex (but run according to men’s sizes). Mine are size 7, and weighed 6 oz. on my digital scale Waldies Aruba

My husband hikes in huaraches similar to Barefoot Ted’s. We hike over some pretty rough terrain and they hold up fine for him. He really likes them. He uses a rubber soling that we got from a local leather shop and uses replacement shoelaces (WalMart) as the lacing. He tried straps and found it didn’t work very well. Paracord didn’t work well either.

Maybe I can get him to post some info about them. In the meantime, he’s documented some of it on his Flickr. Here’s a picture of them.