Your feet do more work than anything else on a backpacking trip, and getting them out of stiff, sweaty hiking shoes at the end of the day is one of the cheapest comfort upgrades you can pack. The trick is finding something light enough to justify the extra ounces. Here’s what’s worth carrying in 2026.
The ultralight community's default for a reason — about 6 oz, a few bucks, and comfortable enough to wear around camp for hours. Not stylish, but nothing beats the weight-to-comfort ratio.
Check Price on Amazon →What Makes a Great Camp Shoe
- Weight: Under 10 oz for the pair is the target; foam options get you closer to 6 oz.
- Easy on/off: You’ll be slipping these on and off at the tent door constantly — no laces, no buckles you have to fuss with.
- Packability: Clogs and sandals both pack flat or clip to the outside of a pack easily.
- Dual-purpose potential (optional): Strap sandals can double as creek-crossing shoes, saving you from hiking in wet boots the rest of the day.
Our Top Picks
| Shoe | Weight (pair) | Price | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crocs Classic Clog | ~6 oz | ~$50 | Best overall, ultralight comfort | Amazon |
| Xero Shoes Z-Trail | ~8 oz | ~$70 | Best dual-purpose (creek crossings) | Amazon |
| Bedrock Cairn Sandal | ~11 oz | ~$115 | Most secure fit for water crossings | Amazon |
| Teva Hurricane XLT2 | ~13 oz | ~$60 | Most support, all-around sandal | Amazon |
| Foam shower sandals | ~4 oz | ~$10 | Budget / most ultralight option | Amazon |
1. Crocs Classic Clog — Best Overall
Weight: ~6 oz (pair) | Price: ~$50
The one that started as a joke in the ultralight community and stuck around because it’s just right: light, cheap, easy to slip on with one hand, and genuinely comfortable to stand around camp in for hours. The perforated top vents well, and they’re durable enough to last years of trips. Not built for hiking distance or water crossings, but for their actual job — getting your feet out of your boots at camp — nothing beats them.
2. Xero Shoes Z-Trail — Best Dual-Purpose
Weight: ~8 oz (pair) | Price: ~$70
If you want one shoe that does double duty — camp comfort AND a secure enough fit to ford a creek — this is the pick. The adjustable straps keep them locked on in moving water, they dry fast, and they’re light enough that carrying them instead of (or alongside) a dedicated camp shoe is an easy call. A favorite among thru-hikers who don’t want to carry two extra pairs of footwear.
3. Bedrock Cairn Sandal — Most Secure for Water
Weight: ~11 oz (pair) | Price: ~$115
The premium pick for anyone doing serious creek crossings. The strap system is genuinely more secure than anything else here, and the sole has real grip on wet rock. Heavier and pricier than the Xero, but worth it if your trips involve a lot of water crossings rather than just camp lounging.
4. Teva Hurricane XLT2 — Most Support
Weight: ~13 oz (pair) | Price: ~$60
The heaviest option here, but also the most supportive — a real footbed and a burly outsole make these the choice if your feet need more structure than a minimalist sandal offers, or if you want a sandal that can handle short town walks on a resupply day, not just camp.
5. Foam Shower Sandals — Budget & Ultralight
Weight: ~4 oz (pair) | Price: ~$10
The absolute lightest, cheapest option, and genuinely fine for camp-only use on mellow terrain. Won’t survive a creek crossing or serious walking, but if all you need is something between your feet and the tent floor, this is as light as it gets for almost no money.
Is It Worth the Extra Weight?
For most multi-day trips, yes. A few ounces in exchange for getting swollen, sweaty feet out of stiff hiking shoes at the end of a long day is one of the best weight-to-comfort trades in your whole pack. Where it gets debatable: very short overnights, or fast-and-light thru-hikers counting every ounce, where some hikers skip camp shoes entirely and just air out their feet barefoot or in socks. Neither approach is wrong — it’s a genuine personal call.
Bottom Line
- Best overall: Crocs Classic Clog — unbeatable weight-to-comfort ratio
- Best dual-purpose: Xero Shoes Z-Trail — camp shoe and creek-crossing shoe in one
- Most secure for water: Bedrock Cairn — worth it for water-heavy trips
- Most support: Teva Hurricane XLT2 — for feet that want more structure
- Lightest/cheapest: Foam shower sandals — camp-only, but nearly free
Related Guides
- 📚 Ultralight Backpacking Gear Guide — the complete guide
- Best Hiking Footwear
- Best Backpacking Socks
- The Complete Backpacking Gear Checklist
- Breaking In Boots & Trail Runners
Go Light. Go Far. Live Wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are camp shoes worth the extra weight backpacking?
What's the lightest camp shoe for backpacking?
Can camp shoes double for creek crossings?
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