Lems Switchback Sandal Knit Review
A cushioned, wide toebox sandal for trail, town, water, and comfortable everyday living
May 15th, 2026
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Our verdict
Before I tried the Lems Switchback Sandal Knit, I thought my old hiking sandals were pretty great. But the Switchback Knit changed everything. I hiked, walked, biked, waded, and paddled for over 150 miles in the Lems Switchback Knit Sandals and they are among the most comfortable hiking sandals we've ever tested.
Unlike other hiking sandals, the Switchback Knit is a wide toebox sandal that has soft knit straps that don't dig, chafe, or blister. The knit material is secure and dries quickly.
The Lems Knit sandals hit the sweet spot for adventure sandals: more cushioning and more secure than a minimalist barefoot adventure sandal yet lighter weight and less blocky and chunky than most hiking sandals.
We tested the original Switchback when it debuted and it was one of our favorite pieces of gear last summer. The Lems Switchback Knit Sandal, new for Spring 2026, is even better.
Lems Switchback Sandal Knit
We tested the men's and women's Switchback Lems Knit sandals hiking on everything from trails in dry, Southern California to lush, riparian waterways in the Pacific Northwest to hiking in the Front Range of Colorado.
The stretchy knit upper and the soft, EVA midsole cushioning on a wide toebox make a huge difference in comfort. With other sandals, I typically get some rubbing or pinching, even after adjusting the fit. Rubbing is not an issue with the Switchback Knit because the knit fabric flexes and moves with you while retaining its shape over the day. The soft knit also dries quickly, which comes in handy when getting in and out of the water, while hiking wet, brushy trails or walking in the rain or through wet grass.
The Switchback Knit feels like a hybrid of a more traditional hiking sandal in terms of security and support but without the weight or heftiness. We also like that it comes in fun colors. We were especially impressed with the Prism model, which includes interchangeable colored straps so you can design your own look for the sandals, change the color to match your outfit, or repair and replace worn parts easily.
The Switchback Lems aren't the most minimal barefoot adventure sandal and aren't the most workhorse of hiking sandals either. There are more robust options for trail running or dragging off the edge of a raft for a month-long whitewater trip. But for every other outdoor situation summer throws at me, including everyday life, I'm taking the Switchback Knit. These sandals are just too comfy to want to wear anything else.
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Lems Switchback Sandal Knit specifications
Price: $125
Upper: Soft knit
Footbed: Barefoot Footbed (anatomically contoured, textured)
Midsole: EVA
Outsole: Full rubber
Stack height: 14–17 mm
Heel-to-toe drop: 3 mm
Fit: Widest Natural-Shape last (one width)
Sizing: Whole sizes only; true to size (size up if between sizes)
Closure system: Switchback Slydr single-piece webbing guide
Interchangeable straps: Yes (Prism color includes two strap options)
Vegan: Yes
Weight: Men's size 10/women’s 11 is 8.8 oz per shoe
Colors available: Prism, Dew, Twig, Ivy
Best for
Hiking on light and moderate trails
Summer outdoor adventures where you are going in and out of the water
Paddling, wet wading, and near-shore activities
People with wide feet
Long travel days
People transitioning to minimalist footwear
People who find traditional outdoor sandals to be too heavy, bulky, or stiff
People who find barefoot adventure sandals to be too flimsy or don't like the groundfeel
Living your best summer life
Comparison table
| SANDAL | MSRP* | DROP | STACK | UPPER | SOLE | QUICK DRY | VEGAN | WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lems Switchback Sandal Knit Men's Women's |
$125 | 3 mm | 14-17 mm | Knit | Rubber | ✓ | ✓ | 17.6 oz (43) |
| Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV Men's Women's |
$80 | 0 mm | 10 mm | Polyester | FeelLite rubber | ✓ | ✓ | 10.8 oz (42) |
| Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D | $125 | 0 mm | 16 mm | Polyester, nylon | Vibram rubber | ✓ | ✓ | 17.4 oz (42) |
| Luna Mono Winged Edition | $115 | 0 mm | 15 mm | Nylon | Vibram rubber | ✓ | ✓ | 13.4 (42) |
| Chaco Z/1 (Classic) Men's Women's |
$95 | Not listed | Not listed | Polyester | ChacoGrip rubber | ✓ | ✓ | 30.0 oz (42) |
What we liked
Super comfortable with more EVA cushioning than most hiking sandals
Doesn't feel as heavy, chunky, or blocky like most other hiking sandals
Doesn't feel flimsy like many other more minimalist hiking sandals
Knit material dries quicker than most sandal materials for going in-and-out of water or for hiking on wet trails or in the rain
Swappable straps mean you can tailor the color of your sandals to your style or easily replace worn parts
Secure and stable straps held in place by a durable metal buckle
Wide, toe box and foot-shaped platform are comfortable for wide or tired feet
What could be better
Changing the strap on the Prism model has a learning curve. It is best done after watching the video.
Not true zero drop (3.0 mm drop), which may matter to some minimalist shoe fans
Not all people love hiking sandals that have a toe thong
Outsole doesn’t offer the absolute best traction and grip on wet rock
Very narrow-footed people may find it too wide
How we tested
We tested the men's and women's Lems Switchback Knit sandals hiking and walking for more than 150 miles.
We tested them on everything from hikes on dry, Southern California trails to wading and playing in creeks and lakes in Oregon. Our men's tester also tested these sandals while hiking, biking, and going to breweries with friends in the Front Range of Colorado. We even got in a full week of 12+ hours of walking in these sandals.
We walked paved city streets, biked to coffee shops and yoga classes, and even stepped in dog poop (not on purpose) in these sandals. I've also gardened, practiced Qi Gong, and shopped at farmers markets in the Switchback. In addition to walking, I road-tripped over 2,000 miles in these sandals, so they have a lot of drive time.
To test how it does in wetter conditions, I tested the Lems Switchback Knit while hiking along creek beds, lakes, and rocky beaches in the Pacific Northwest. I also tested while hiking and as a camp shoe while camping in Redwoods National Park and Big Sur. We've also taken these sandals out hiking and walking in the rain on sandy Southern California trails and beaches and muddy Oregon trails.
Additionally, we tested the Switchback Knit sandals alongside other minimalist sandals to compare fit, comfort, grip, durability, and more.
Performance in the field
All-day comfort
Unlike most hiking sandals, the Lems Switchback Sandal Knit has an EVA midsole similar to what you'd find on a trail running shoe designed for wearing for the long haul. I've spent weeks wearing the Lems Switchback Knit for more than 12 hours a day. When moving out of my house, I was on my feet all day carrying boxes and the Switchback Knit was the all day comfort I needed.
I prefer wearing my sandals and hiking shoes loose and that can sometimes lead to rubbing with other brands of hiking sandals. The knit fabric on the Switchback Knit is so soft that pressure points weren't an issue. I also didn't notice any fatigue when wearing these sandals, even after wearing them all day.
Unlike most hiking sandals, the Switchback has an EVA midsole similar to what you'd find on a trail running shoe designed for wearing for the long haul and it made a huge difference compared to hiking sandals that have a single material in the footbed and outsole.
During testing, I would slip on other sandals and immediately felt a difference in pressure points on my heel in particular. Going back to the Switchback Lems was a relief. I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis for a few months and after using the Switchback Lems, I even tossed my recovery sandals because the Switchback is more comfortable. Your experience may differ (check with a medical professional if you're dealing with plantar), but my feet have been quite happy in these sandals.
Fit and stability
The Lems Switchback has a buckle attachment to adjust how it fits around your ankle and the top of your feet. I found they stayed secure over uneven trails and during movement. Compared to other hiking sandals, the lateral movement in particular feels secure on these sandals. I tend to wear all hiking sandals pretty loosely, and lateral slippage is something I occasionally experience with other models.
I was concerned the knit fabric would loosen over the course of the day or when it gets wet, but that hasn't been my experience. The strap wraps around the back of your heel and feels secure. Heel slippage is not an issue at all, even though (as mentioned above) I like to wear these shoes pretty loose.
Traction and grip
We tested the Lems Switchback Sandal Knit on wet rock, slippery creek beds, dirt trail, sand, and pavement. Lems uses a proprietary rubber outsole instead of Vibram found on some other outdoor sandals.
The Switchback Knit doesn't have lugs and isn't designed to be a trail running sandal, so we found these sandals do best on moderate (instead of steep and rocky) trails. This is actually preferable for an everyday adventure sandal (more technical outsoles tend to be less durable over the long run and also drive up the price of the shoe). But it is worth noting that this sandal doesn't have the most aggressive grip and traction among adventure sandals out there.
Durability
The Switchback Knit uses durable metal buckles instead of the plastic buckles typical found on hiking sandals.
The Lems Switchback Knit is a high quality sandal and you can tell that with their choice of hardware. On other hiking sandals, you'll find plastic buckles whereas the buckles on the Switchback Lems Knit are metal.
One thing we really like is that the Prism color option of the Lems Switchback Knit comes with additional straps. This means it is easy to replace straps as they wear with time instead of having to throw away the shoe after a strap wears out. While several hiking sandal brands offer re-strapping services, mailing heavy shoes and issuing a warranty can be a hassle.
The Switchback strap replacement has a learning curve, but even without watching the video (which we recommend doing!) it took about 10 minutes on the first try.
Performance in wet conditions
We wore the Lems Switchback while hiking and walking along creeks and also while it was raining. The sandal dries right out when getting wet. The knit fabric dries in less than 15 minutes in the sun on a 70F day and, even when it is wet, doesn't feel soggy or rub uncomfortably when you are wearing it.
Break-in period
The Lems Switchback Knit is comfortable from the first wear. But, because it has an EVA midsole, the more you wear it, the more it molds to your foot and becomes even more comfortable. This is in contrast to other hiking sandals where the rubber is hard and doesn't change over time. The EVA may wear out more quickly instead of that hard rubber, but that is a tradeoff I'm willing to take. These are so much more comfortable. Other sandals feel like wearing a rubber tire or a brick of rubber compared to the Switchback Lems.
Features
Knit upper with quick-drying material: This flexes with your foot as you move but doesn't lose shape over a long day or when it gets wet. The knit is, to me, one of the secret sauces to why these sandals are more comfortable than others built only of webbing.
Switchback Slydr single-piece webbing closure system: Hooks from the top left to top right of the shoe around your foot and is easily replaceable
Single ladder lock buckle: I hate buckles and this wasn't a pain to figure out when re-strapping
Fixed toe-post harness: Runs between your big toe and second toe
Barefoot Footbed: Lems says this is anatomically contoured, meaning the footbed isn't flat like on a lot of other adventure sandals. It is molded to a foot shape and it molds to your foot as you wear it. It is also a textured surface to prevent underfoot slippage but also is fun for toes to play with.
EVA midsole: Soft and similar cushioning to a pair of trail runners
Full rubber outsole: Proprietary outsole with multi-directional texturing
Widest Natural-Shape last: Foot-shaped and a good choice for especially for people who wear Lems, Altras, or Topos when wearing shoes
3.0 mm heel-to-toe drop: Fairly minimal drop doesn't feel weird even for people who generally use zero drop.
14–17 mm stack height: Enough stack height that we wouldn't call it a minimalist shoe, but not so high as to feel unstable or wobbly
Interchangeable strap options (Prism colorway): Tailor to your look, your outfit, or replace with wear
Vegan construction: There is no leather used in this sandal
Similar hiking sandals
Lems Switchback Sandal Knit vs. Chaco Z/1
MSRP: $125
Weight: 17.6 oz (43)
Open or closed toe? Open
Outsole material: Chacogrip
Adjustment Mechanism: Single-strap
The Chaco Z/1 is one of the original hiking sandals. Unlike the Lems Switchback, it uses a thick, webbing strap that goes all the way through the sandal and has a blocky, Vibram outsole. One advantage of the open-foot design is that you can wear the Chaco Z/1 with socks, whereas you would need special toe socks or lobster-toe socks to wear with the Lems Switchback. The Z/1 doesn't have the EVA midsole found on the Lems Switchback, so it doesn't feel as cushioned.
Chaco Z/1
Women's
men's
Lems Switchback Sandal Knit vs Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D
MSRP: $125
Weight: 17.4 oz (42)
Open or closed toe? Open
Outsole material: ChacoGrip rubber
Adjustment Mechanism: Plastic buckle and Velcro
The Bedrock Cairn 3D has become a modern classic hiking sandal and is our best overall pick in our Best Hiking Sandals guide. Both the Lems Switchback Knit and Bedrock Cairn 3D sandals appeal to folks who want a more minimalist trail sandal without being so minimalist as to feel flimsy. One big difference between the two sandals is the strap system. The Lems Switchback has a knit system that is easily replaceable (on the Prism model) whereas the Bedrock Cairn 3D takes a lot of skill to re-strap yourself (and probably requires sending it).
Another major difference is the Bedrock Cairn has a Vibram sole, which some people may prefer if dealing with truly slippery rocks. The stack height between the two sandals is slightly different. We've done long mile days in both the Bedrock Cairn 3D and the Lems Switchback and find the Switchback more comfortable because it is made of an EVA midsole, similar to trail runners.
Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D
Lems Switchback Sandal Knit vs Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV
MSRP: $80
Weight: 10.8 oz (42)
Open or closed toe? Open
Outsole material: FeelLite
Adjustment Mechanism: Strap and Velcro
The Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV is a minimalist hiking sandal that also has a wide toebox. The Lems are low drop whereas the Xero shoes are zero drop. The Xero shoes have less cushioning. The straps are more minimalist and less secure. They lack the flex found in the knit of the Switchback Knit. Our tester liked how lightweight these sandals are and how easily they fold up and are compact for travel. Like the Chaco Z/1, they are also open-toed sandals and can be worn with hiking socks. This is a good option if you want a hiking sandal with a lot of groundfeel.
Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV
Women's
men's
Lems Switchback Sandal Knit vs Luna Sandals Oso Winged Edition Mono
MSRP: $115
Weight: 13.4 (42)
Open or closed toe? Open
Outsole material: Vibram Megagrip
Adjustment Mechanism: Strap
The Luna Sandals Mono are a more minimalist hiking sandal with a more aggressive and lugged outsole than the Lems Switchback. It strikes a balance somewhere between the thickness of a Chaco and the very thin-ness of a Xero shoe. Like the Bedrock Cairn, it doesn't have the cushioning and EVA midsole of the Lems Switchback Knit. It is still considered a zero-drop minimalist sandal and like the Lems Switchback Knit, has a wide toebox design. Like the Chaco, but unlike the Lems, it is nearly impossible for most hikers to replace worn webbing themselves, though you can mail it into the brand.
Luna Sandals Oso Winged Edition Mono
Should I buy the Lems Women's Switchback Sandal Knit?
Buy if:
You have wide feet and struggle to find sandals that fit without squeezing your forefoot
You want one sandal that works for light trail use, travel days, paddling and beach days, and casual wear
You're transitioning to minimalist footwear and want more cushioning than a traditional huarache-style sandal
You've found most adventure sandals too stiff, bulky, or heavy to wear comfortably all day
You've found most minimalist adventure sandals to be too flimsy, insecure, or too much groundfeel to wear comfortably all day
Skip if:
You need true zero-drop (the 3mm drop will be noticeable to strict zero-drop wearers)
You dislike toe-post designs—the fixed harness puts webbing between the first and second toe
You want to wear traditional socks with your sandals instead of toe socks
You need a running sandal built for sustained technical trail running
You want a hiking sandal with a Vibram sole
Where to buy
FAQ
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Lems recommends ordering your normal shoe size. I did that and found it a bit large but am happy with the decision since I don't like feeling like any part of my foot is close to the edge. Because the sandal is only available in whole sizes, size up if you fall between sizes.
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Yes, the Lems Switchback Sandal Knit is great (maybe even the best) for people with wide feet. It has a very generous platform. The straps are quite secure, so more narrow-footed people can be comfortable in this, though their feet may look small compared to the wide platform.
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Yes, the Lems Switchback Sandal can get wet and the material dries very quickly. It's designed for going in-and-out of the water. We didn't notice any stretching or shrinking when the material got wet from rain and wading in creeks and lakes.
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The Knit version replaces the synthetic leather of the original with a soft knit upper designed to feel softer against skin and dry more quickly. The core platform—Slydr hardware, Barefoot Footbed, EVA midsole, full rubber outsole, and 3mm drop—carries over from the original model. We tested the original Switchback when it debuted and it was one of our favorite pieces of gear last summer.
Why you should trust us / About the author
Liz Thomas is an award-winning Los Angeles-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. A former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on the Appalachian Trail, Liz came to Treeline Review from New York Times/Wirecutter, the New York Times’ product review site, where she was a staff writer on the outdoor team.
She was a guest editor at Backpacker Magazine, where she is the columnist of “Ask a Thru-hiker” and instructor of their online class, Thru-hiking 101.
Liz has thru-hiked 20,000+ miles and has traveled around the world. To test the Lems Switchback Knit Sandal, she hiked 150 miles in them, taking it from everything from dry, sandy, chaparral trails in Southern California to wet and muddy creekbeds, streams, and lakes in the Pacific Northwest . She's tested it road tripping 2,000 miles and while gardening, practicing Qi Gong, and hanging out with friends. A second men's tester used it for daily walking commutes, biking, urban hikes and city adventures in Colorado.
Liz's first book is Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike. The book was the recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award for Best Instructional Book, and was deemed by judges as destined to become the “Bible of the Sport.”
Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside Magazine.
She represented the sport of hiking at President Obama’s Great American Outdoors Initiative.
Liz’s keynote speaking engagements have included colleges and universities including Yale and MIT and on Capitol Hill, the Trust for Public Land, American Hiking Society, and BikeTexas.
You can read more about Liz at her Wikipedia page and her Treeline author page.
