Hiking sandals work for water crossings

High quality hiking sandals are good for short hikes on groomed trails and
for water crossings. Photo courtesy of Photoree.

Q: Are sandals okay to wear on a hike? – SDHiker92

A: Run-of-the-mill sandals are ill advised for a hike. They leave too much of the foot exposed to rocks, brush and sunlight, increasing the chances of scratches, cuts, stubbed toes, and sunburn. Sandals also lack cushioning on the soles, meaning the foot likely will suffer blisters for any walk of extended endurance.

On dry, flat, groomed especially over short distances where you won’t be lugging a backpack, sandals made specifically for hiking are feasible. Because sandals are lighter than hiking boots, your legs do not have to work as hard, making for a more comfortable walk. If you carry a backpack or a child carrier, however, even these high quality sandals should be eschewed, as they lack ankle and foot support. In addition, if wearing hiking sandals, always stay on the trail.

Any hiking sandals you wear should feature strong straps that are sewn rather than glued, sturdy tread, a tough sole, cushioned footpad, and molded arch supports.

A hiking sandal is a good idea to bring along if you plan to make any water crossings during your trek. They will protect your feet from sharp rocks and other debris at the bottom of a creek or low river, which going barefoot won’t do. If staying overnight on your hiking trip, hiking sandals also can make a good camp shoe.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Get children right kind of footwear for hikes

Courtesy of Michal Marcol /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If a child’s feet hurt, the hike is over, so getting the right footwear is worth the time.

Make sure the footwear you have fits before hitting the trail. If you’ve gone a few weeks without hiking, that’s plenty of time for your children to grow, and they may have just outgrown their hiking boots. Check out their footwear a few days before heading out on the hike. If it doesn’t fit, replace it.

Avoid injuries
For flat, smooth, dry trails, sneakers and cross-trainers are just fine; but if you really want to head onto less traveled roads or tackle areas that aren’t typically dry (like Southern California is), you’ll need hiking boots.

Once you start doing any rocky or steep trails – and remember that a trail you consider moderately steep needs to be only half that angle for a child to consider it extremely steep – you’ll want hiking boots, which offer rugged tread perfect for handling rough trails.

Also, in some parts of the nation, such as the Pacific Northwest, parts of the trails will be muddy even after a few days of dry weather have passed. Sneakers quickly will become soaked and unable to traverse mud.

Hiking boots don’t just give you traction. If your children don’t have good shoes, they run the risk of blisters or even punctures from sharp rocks.

Afternoon shopping trip
Adults also should wear hiking boots, as they have either a baby carrier or a backpack strapped over their shoulders. If lugging about nothing more than a small daypack, you probably can get away with wearing crosstrainers, trekking shoes or trail-running shoes so long as you stick to fairly level, short footpaths.

Shop for hiking boots in the afternoon when feet are slightly swollen from having been walked on earlier that day. Also wear the socks you plan to don when hiking. If you wear insoles or orthotics, make sure they go into the boot as well.

The smaller the child, aim for lightweight shoes. Five-pound shoes would be cumbersome for most adults, so imagine what they would be for a child with smaller, less muscular legs. Indeed, an old hikers’ axiom is that a pound of shoe weight equals five pounds in the backpack.

Don’t allow children to wear open-toed shoes on a hike. Sandals are fine for the beach and walks on paved surfaces but not for the woods where rocks, roots and bugs all can get at exposed toes. Infants and toddlers confined to the baby carrier don’t need hiking boots. Besides being heavy, their rigidness actually can harm developing feet. Sneakers are sufficient for the few minutes they come out of the carrier and get to run about the trail.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Clothe beach-hiking kids in outerwear to prevent sunburn

If hiking shorelines or beaches this summer, be sure to don children in the following outerwear to prevent sunburn:
g Hat with wide brim – The cover and wide brim keeps sun off most of the face. A hat for young children with very little hair is vital. Hats with flaps that can cover the neck also can be useful.
g Sunglasses – Children’s eyes are just as sensitive to bright, harsh sunlight adults’ eyes. Ensure that the sunglasses actually provide UV protection.
g Lycra shirt and swim trunks – This fabric protects children from the sun as well as keeps them warm in water. And since you’re going to the beach, they probably will go into the water.
g Sunscreen – No more than SPF 30 needed. Liberally apply it to any exposed skin, including backs of ears, tops of feet and ankles. Remember that sunscreen will sweat off, so it probably will need to be reapplied.
g Sandals – Sand can get hot, so the soft soles of children’s feet need protection. Rocks, twigs and seashells washed ashore and covered by sand also can hurt little feet.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Think safety when kids come near water

Children will find water fun, but adults need to be on their
guard to avoid drownings.

Kids love water, and incorporating it into a hike is a great way to turn them on to the pastime. Still, water is very dangerous, so you need to make sure children play it safe.

Avoid trails that wind too close to swift-running rivers, and unless the child is a teenager avoid stream crossings. Before being allowed to go in water, children should know how to swim. Enrolling them in a swimming course is a good idea. They also should know what to do if drowning, and older children should know how to rescue others.

If children wade into streams or lakes, make sure the water is clean. Also carry sandals or an extra pair of sneakers as hidden dangers, like sharp rocks and sticks, can be stuck in the bottom of bodies of water and cut bare feet. Don’t dive into water where rocks clearly line the bottom or stick above the surface. A head easily could hit the rock, leading to a drowning.

To rescue a drowning child, first you must not panic. More than ever, you need a clear head. All too often, a drowning person pulls down their rescuer or a strong current also grabs hold, causing both to die. Next, you’ll need to quickly assess the situation to determine how the child will be saved.

The best of all worlds is when the child is nearby and you can reach out and grab an arm or leg to pull him in. When reaching out, lay down at the water’s edge and spread your legs to give yourself more stability.

If the child is out of reach, you might be able to extend your arm via a strong branch or trekking pole. Lay down at the water’s edge as previously described and shout to the child to grab the object you’re holding out. When the child has a secure grip, pull him in.

Should the child still be out of reach, you may have to get into the water. Be sure that there’s something secure for you to hold onto so you don’t get pulled under. Extend a leg or arm and shout to the child to grab on. When the child securely latches on, pull them toward you. You may then need to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.