A few weeks ago, I review the Oboz Selway Flip, which I deemed the perfect beach/lake/summer shoe for casual travel. I’m back with my pick for fall, if you’re packing a bag to go anywhere warm, or have need of a water shoe that’s also just about light as air. Enter the Oboz Campster, which, yes, is ideal for the campsite, but also has been serving me well now that autumn travel has gotten underway.
What I love most: the weight! This shoe is only six ounces, folks. Which means that not only is it perfect to dangle from your backpack on your next overnight hiking trip, but it also takes up very little of your baggage weight allowance in your carry on bag. Fall in most of North America is still pretty warm, and I recently brought the Campster with me on a backpacking trip in Southern Oregon, where I knew I’d want a recovery/camp shoe to wade in the many lakes after long days of hiking. The Campster delivered, with breathability and really convenient straps I could easily attach to the outside of my pack.
This walking/hiking recovery sandal features a pretty waffled/weaved strap design, while still offering plenty of rugged protection for your toes. I love that the heels trap pivots, so you can use it or lose it; drop the heel strap and secure your foot for walking or hiking, then pivot it while you’re sitting or lounging around. And they’re cute enough that they could easily come along on more sophisticated trips to cities or the tropics.
The outsole is very substantial while remaining lightweight (it’s called the Salida), and combines non-marking rubber and EVA for traction in wet environments with plenty of toe protection. The width of the shoe is standard. Fun detail: The map molded in the bottom of the outsole features the Arkansas River Valley located near Salida, Colorado.
The Campster will be in my closet for a long while, serving as a camping/recovery shoe during the summer months and a travel shoe for spring and fall. I love it when a shoe gives me lots of mileage in this way. It comes in heather gray/coral (shown), black (which is what I have, so it will go with the most outfits), and thyme/magenta, which is a pretty light green. You can get it in sizes 6-11 for $90. It comes in a men’s version as well, for the same price point.