Whether you love it or fear it, change is inevitable in life and footwear. Luckily I can say that the evolution headed your way in the form of the Bedrock Cairn Evo Sandals is progress for the better.
Released today 13 February 2024, the beloved Bedrock Cairn line—which includes the Cairn, Cairn 3D, Cairn Pro, and Cairn 3D Pro—have received several substantial design updates. These highly anticipated changes include a new shape, updated sizing, Vibram XS Trek Evo sole for new and re-soled sandals, and a brand new, comfort-focused model in the Bedrock Cairn C sandal. I’ll dig into each new update in greater detail below.
I’ve been hiking, rafting, testing, and hyping Bedrock sandals since 2018 and I’ve put serious miles on just about every model (even the Bedrock Mountain Clog, which today also sees a new red clay colorway introduced). If you’re new to the Bedrock Sandals world, my guides to the best hiking sandals for women and men are a great place to start.
Bedrock has historically focused on creating the most durable and adventure-ready sandals in the market, with much success, especially among ultralight hikers, rafters, and even cyclists. But some felt the minimalist design ethos came at the expense of comfort. In the past decade, many consumers and brands alike have discarded “Born to Run” minimalism in favor of cloud-like maximalist footwear (Hoka’s rise is the ultimate example). Keeping up with this shift Bedrock’s introduction of the Cairn C sandals.
Comfort is king in the post-lockdown world and the Cairn C sandals deliver Bedrock’s 3D footbed with a softer, more cushioned midsole and higher stack. This is great news for everyday urban adventurers or even those who hike on the kind of paved trails you find in many National Parks. They may appeal to first time Bedrockers as well—switching from thicker sandals like a Chaco Z/1s to a more “hardcore” pair of Bedrocks isn’t always the easiest transition, and the Cairn Cs find the perfect middle ground.
That said, those who use their Bedrock sandals for more scrambly or slippery adventures may want to stick to the other Cairn models. The lower sole stack and Vibram Megagrip on the Cairn Pros, for example, may prove more stable on uneven terrain and more grippy on a wider range of surfaces.
The most substantial changes to the rest of the Cairn line come to the sandals’ shape and size, particularly in the smallest sizes. If you’re interested in the technical details, here’s the breakdown: Bedrock Sandals’ sizes were aligned closer to Japanese sizing, which increases incrementally by about1cm. American sizing grows by around .86cm, which means that a size 8 on the Japanese scale was smaller than expected. The new system will reflect the American standards going forward, so they will run more true to size.
Sizing tweaks may not sound like the most exciting stuff, but these changes are going to be more intuitive for online shoppers who don’t have a Bedrock dealer in their area. It will also make a difference for those who never quite fit into their typical size (like this writer). The curve of the new Evo soles is slightly less pronounced, giving the sandal a wider forefoot silhouette that fits more foot shapes. The weight and stack height will be comparable to the previous generation, so minimalist hikers need not worry about the changes.
The Evo updates also feature more durable sole hugger wings for increased durability and Vibram’s latest XS Trek Evo rubber. Vibram’s XS Trek has always been a great option for all-around performance and durability, and the new Evo rubber gets a boost in the grip department. The Cairn Pro models will still feature the extra tacky Vibram Megagrip, however, which is better for slicker surfaces like rafts and watery trails. While the Cairn Evo 3D and Evo 3D Pro also see an improved footbed design with a more mellow toe-triangle for increased comfort.
As for the Re-Soul program, Bedrock hasn’t set a date but they will start accepting sandals for Evo resoles in a few months. Current Cairn models will also be eligible for the Evo soles at the same price.
Published 02-13-2024
