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 13 February 2024, the beloved Bedrock Cairn adventure sandal 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, including my full gear review of the Bedrock Cairn Evo C.
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 also recently received a new red clay colorway introduced). If you’re new to the Bedrock Sandal world, my guides to the best hiking sandals for women and men are a great place to start.
What to Know About the Evolving Bedrock Cairn Evo Sandal Line
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 for many these days 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.
Important Changes to the Bedrock Cairn Sandal Line Intoduced in 2024
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 new Cairn Evo 3D and Evo 3D Pro also see an improved footbed design with a more mellow toe-triangle for increased comfort.
Bedrock Cairn C Sandals Review: Takeaways & Final Thoughts
Personally, I'm a remnant of the minimalist sandal and shoe movement and as such approached the Bedrock Cairn C Sandals with some skepticism. After testing them on a few paved and dirt hiking trails around Salt Lake City, Utah, I’m existentially distressed by how much I enjoyed them.
The cushioning isn’t as soft as I expected, which is a relief because durability is such a core component of Bedrock Sandals. These are still minimalist sandals by most definitions—though the stack and weight edge closer to Chacos than Xero shoes, they don’t offer the same level of arch support. But they manage to blend the shock absorption of thicker sandals with similar performance and superior ground feel to the rest of the Bedrock Cairns.
The Cairn Cs brought to mind all of the heel pain I’d experienced on too many thru-hiking road walks. Hiking along the side of highways is typical of the unfinished trails like the Continental Divide Trail and I’ve walked quite a few pavement miles in other Cairn models. Though I can’t completely compare a few smaller hikes to 20+ miles of highway trekking, I can say that the Cairn Cs will seemingly mitigate a lot of pain for anyone who puts a lot of miles on harder surfaces, thru-hiker or not.
I’ve always sized up in Bedrocks and I’m not sure that the EVO shape changes are as revolutionary as I hoped, for my feet at least. In an 8/9, my toes still sit very close to the edge of the sandal, as they did in the previous generation. I’ll have to try on my usual 9/10 to be sure, but I think having a little extra room in my sandals is just my preferred way to wear them.
I didn’t notice a substantial difference in the other upgrades, but I’m sure there are people who will. The new 3D footbed is definitely more subtle and though I’ve never experienced painful rubbing from the toe strap or wings, those tend to be common complaints across the board for every sandal brand.
All things considered, the Cairn Cs are Bedrock’s first sandals that truly cater to the masses, not just the guides and the dirtbags. They were designed to address a particular complaint but Bedrock created a sandal that has appeal across the board. Bedrock managed to put their touch on the Hoka-fied trend without fully caving to fleeting aesthetics and it’s an artful balancing act that will appeal to new audiences without alienating the core Bedrockers.
What is the Bedrock Rock Solid Warranty?
Bedrock Sandals come with their Rock Solid Warranty, which covers the lifetime of their sandals Vibram soles. If your sole, straps, or upper (as in with the Mountain Clog shoe) break from any defective manufacturing during this sole lifetime, Bedrock will either repair or replace them for free and cover the cost of shipping both ways (within the USA).
What is the Bedrock Re-Soul Program?
Bedrock is all about performance and sustainability and helping keep your sandals (and you) on the trail longer. Their Re-Soul and Repair Program offers a range of options to keep your Bedrock sandals out of the landfill. Repairs that fall under our Rock Solid Warranty we will do at no charge. For others, there's a modest fee. For example, if you have a worn out Cairn Vibram sole, send in your old pair and they'll will tack your old straps onto a new sole unit (inlcudinf footbed and outsole) for $55. Have a strap issue? Bedrock can fix and/or replace whatever part of your strapping system is damaged for “a reasonable cost." Looking to add a heel strap? They can do that for you, too.
Published 08-08-2024
