Both lightest in test and best value, our Equipment Editor rates the Columbia Trailstorm Hiker 2 Strap.
My preference in sandals is for minimalist designs that expose as much of my feet to the air as possible, which I think is the point of sandals. The Columbia Trailstorm Hiker 2 Strap sandals fit the bill exactly.
Chris Townsend’s Best in Test & Best Value
Minimal foot coverage, easy adjustment, secure, good cushioning, excellent grip. I can’t ask for more.- Simple design
- Cushioning
- Grip
- Weight
- Cost
- None
| Quick Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: $86 / £65 Weight: 564g (UK size 9) Materials: Suede and synthetic leather upper, POE (polyolefin elastomer) midsole, rubber outsole Features: Two hook-and-loop closures Heel-to-toe drop: 15mm Lug depth: 6mm Sizes: UK men 6-14, women 3-10 Women/Mens version: Yes columbiasportswear.co.uk |
There are just two adjustable straps, which is enough to hold your feet securely without covering anymore skin than necessary. The straps are quite long and the sandals fit my wide feet. The uppers are lined with a soft slightly spongey material that feels pleasant against the skin.
The footbed is soft and comfortable. The edges are slightly raised to help keep your foot in place. The sole curves up at the toe to give a little protection. The midsole is thick, soft, and effective. It has an antimicrobial treatment.
The outsole has the deepest tread of the sandals tested and the lugs are widely spaced which prevents them clogging with mud. The grip is excellent on a wide variety of terrain from wet rocks and grass to loose, dry gravel. The sole flexes easily at the forefoot but is a bit stiffer longitudinally, which helps stop it twisting under your foot on rough terrain.
The Trailstorm sandals are the lightest and the least expensive in the test. Weight doesn’t really matter when wearing sandals but is more significant if carrying them as backup and camp footwear, as I often do.
Sometimes though I’ve ended up doing most of a walk in sandals, only wearing my shoes or boots in cold wet weather. I can imagine doing that with the Trailstorms and indeed probably will later in the year.
I can’t fault these sandals. They do exactly what I want from a pair of walking sandals. Minimal foot coverage, easy adjustment, secure, good cushioning, excellent grip. I can’t ask for more.
Testing conditions
Chris wears a UK size 9, has a wide forefoot and a narrower heel. He tested the sandals in the woods and heather moors of the Eastern Cairngorms in autumn 2024 and spring 2025. Weights, lug depth and heel to toe drop were measured by Chris.
This review was first published in the July 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.
