The only women’s closed-toes sandal on test, Kirsty Pallas finds the Lizard Ultra Trek Sandal offers good protection – but may suit narrow feet.
The Lizard Ultra Trek sandal is designed with full days on mixed terrain in mind, and is the only closed toe sandal I tested. A lot of the features make it feel more like a shoe with just a few cut outs, and some mesh. The toe box and sides feel reinforced and stiffer, which offers protection and meant I didn’t stub my toe or get spiked by anything.
Kirsty Pallas’ verdict
While I did feel like there was more protection, it definitely came at the expense of comfort and natural movement for my feet.- Good protection
- Good coverage
- Hard to get on
- Long for size
| Quick Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: $173 / £130 Weight: 470g (UK size 5) Materials: Upper – thermoplastic polyurethane, Midsole – ethylene vinyl acetate, Outsole – Vibram ECO step, Footbed – recycled moulded EVA Features: Original lug design, cord lock webbing closure, mesh upper, moulded footbed Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm Lug depth: 3mm Waterproof: No Sizes: UK 2.5-8 including half sizes, EU 35-42 Women/Mens version: Yes lizardfootwear.com |
However, when walking on gravelly beaches or river banks, some stones would sneak in the sides but then not find a way back out without removing the sandal. The tread is angled and grippy on rock and softer ground, with a smoother area on the toe and heel for more scrambling terrain.
The footbed is cushioned and comfortable, but I found it quite warm without the airflow of an open toe sandal. There’s arch support and a slight rise around the whole footbed to keep your foot in place and not sliding around too much. The strap adjustment is a toggled piece of cord that is attached at seven points, and can bring the sides and heel areas in to hug your foot. I have quite a wide foot though, and so I had to work hard to wriggle my foot in even with the toggle as loose as it could go.
Once on, I also found the overall sandal not that wide, but too long for my feet, meaning it wasn’t the most comfortable fit here. Personally I prefer an open toe design sandal, and using this didn’t change my mind much at all.
While I did feel like there was more protection, it definitely came at the expense of comfort and natural movement for my feet. There are some great features if you have a narrow foot and are looking for a fast drying option for routes with lots of river crossings though.
Testing Notes
Kirsty tested these across Scotland and also in Portugal while hiking, bikepacking, and accessing climbs. Mostly in dry and warm weather, but it often included river crossings or being near the sea. She is a UK women’s size 5 with a broad forefoot. All weights taken from her own scales.
This review was first published in the July 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.
