Luna Sandals on the Appalachian Trail?

If you are a hiker interested in trying Lunas, they provided Willow a 15% off discount code, go to the below link and use "WILLOW15".

Long story short...We hike and trail run exclusively in sandals (except in snow and when below 25 deg F) and prefer Barefoot Ted's Lunas. We are wearing the sandals on a February start of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain for a long Section Hike. We understand minimalist footwear is a controversial topic...we are not advocating for them! Just sharing our experiences for anyone interested. Also including some links at the bottom to resources for anyone looking to try hiking or running in sandals.

Short story a bit longer...

Our "Why" for sandals:
First its just the feeling of foot freedom...its just fun (for us). While we admire barefoot runners and barefoot hikers, we wanted some protection while still allowing the foot to work naturally. We've also found that our foot and ankle muscles get stronger so they can handle the terrain better. We can feel the ground better and get feedback on where we are stepping and can adjust before twisting an ankle or knee. We rarely kick rocks because that hurts and the sandal extends beyond the toes. We take shorter steps so we don't heal strike and shock our knees (no injuries in the last 6 yrs). This info is just our experience! Its not sponsored by anyone, but Luna has sent us discount codes over the years, which have helped some friends get into sandal running and hiking too. If you try this, highly recommend transitioning slowly and reading about form!!

Links to Resources:

Luna Sandals:

Earthrunners Tabi Socks:

Skinners Sock Shoes:

Shoespiricy:

Barefoot Ken Bob info:
His book:

Born to Run 2:

Dr. Lieberman, An Evolutionary Medical Perspective on Shoes:

Dr. Irene Davis, Let's Think about what we put on our Feet:

#lunasandals
#barefootrunning
#barefootwalking
#appalachiantrail

[Elizabeth-ptbv]

I couldn't wear them for several reasons. But it's your hike, and your comfort is all that matters. Enjoy the videos, thanks for sharing

[backpackbible]

This is great! I had contemplated wearing sandals for my hike, but haven't been brave enough yet. Thanks for sharing.

[ninemimesleft]

This is interesting. I did a lot of hiking in my Lunas and decided to try s very rocky hike in the cascades. I stunned my toe really bad, caught it on a rock and almost broke it. I was bleeding the whole way back to the car. Maybe having tabi socks instead of toe socks would help, or maybe they weren't sized right. I've moved on to bedrocks, but I'm always weary of hiking in them on really rocky trails.

[RC-qfmp]

How do you like those socks compared to just using injinji? I like wool injinji and have varying thickness. Are your flip flop socks (whatever they are called) specially padded in the toe thong space? Increased chance of blisters from toes rubbing against each other by being confined to the sock?

[jamesblaser]

Hello there are these more flexible than the monos many thanks

[RC-qfmp]

Are those Mesa Trails? 3:01 how do you like them? I have Mesa Trail 2s (different color but I think same model as yours). I’m debating between Mesas, z-trek (or both) or Topo Terraventure 3 or LP 7 (wide). The problem is I was using z-treks for training, thinking they’d be my camp/river shoe. But now I’m converted to minimalist shoes and feel like the LPs are too heavy and too cushiony. Topos have the best outsole on wet rocks, more durable than LP (not as durable as z trek). Mesa Trails are in between all other three. Good ground feel, not much cushion so I’m worried about big mile foot fatigue. Don’t want extra weight I’d carrying z trek camp shoes, but will take them on a shakedown hike. I’d appreciate your thoughts on my situation and how the Lunas compare—how much cushion? How’s the outsole on wet rocks? I don’t like the toe thong… but could try them out. Been decades since I had a toe thong. Rides up my toe ass!

[DesertNebula]

I can't decide if I want middle bear or mono 😩💢

[topsthepops]

Helped me, thank you ! But which model are you guys wearing ? Oso 2.0 ?