Source Gobi Hiking Sandals Hands-On Review
Before one of my hikes last year, I needed a good pair of sandals for water crossing and for letting my feet breathe from time to time. I’ve been using Source Gobi hiking sandals since, both for hikes and for my day-to-day. I enjoyed the sandals and decided to share my thoughts with you.
Things I Love:
- Comfort – the sandals are very comfortable, the straps are padded and they secure your feet extremely well.
- Durability – the build is high quality, and the sandals feel well-built. Source sandals are known to often last for over 10 years.
- Traction – The sandals feature rugged insoles and medium groves in the soles. They provide a decent level of traction, good for hiking.
Things I Don’t Love:
- Slow-drying – the padded straps take longer to dry than other sandals.
- Price – these sandals are a little pricier than the alternatives.
- Break-in period – the rugged insoles take a little while to break in and get used to, and in the beginning, might make your feet a little sensitive.
Key Takeaways:
Source Gobi sandals are very comfortable and durable, and are sure to last you for many years. They tend to be a bit pricier than alternatives, and a bit slow-drying, but they’re worth the premium.
Who Should Buy This Product?
I recommend Source Gobi sandals for hikers who are willing to invest in sandals that will be comfortable and last a long time. For most people, I’d recommend buying the standard Source sandals because of the better value for money, but the Gobi model is better for people who need ergonomic footwear.
Comfort
How comfortable a pair of sandals are is the most important factor, in my opinion. You might wear them for extended periods while on the trail, so they need to feel good on your feet.
The Source Gobi sandals felt quite comfortable right when I wore them for the first time. They did require quite a long time to break in, mainly because the insoles can make your feet feel sensitive before getting used to them. The padded straps, though, were really comfortable and required no break-in.
The straps on the sandals are also adjustable, so I adjusted them to properly fit my feet, which feels great. I have flat feet, and the ergonomic build of the sandals is also quite comfortable and supportive, especially when compared with other sandals which are usually completely flat.
To this day, the sandals feel very comfortable, especially when compared with other models I tried. The padding on the sandals feels very soft on your feet, and the straps themselves feel very secure.
Durability
When investing in a good pair of hiking sandals, we want them to last for as long as possible, and stay in good condition. Equipment experiences rough conditions while on the trails, so it needs to be as durable as possible to stay usable.
In general, Source sandals are known to be extremely durable and long-lasting. I consulted with a few friends who are avid Source wearers, and some of them have used the same pair of sandals, almost daily, for over 10 years.
The sandals feel durable and high quality. The straps are thick and secure, and the soles of the Gobi sandals are quite thick, so they’ll take a really long time to wear out. Everything feels very secure. The sandals are designed to be used in hiking conditions, and they feel very resistant to wear and tear. Mine stayed in very good condition even after taking them on many hiking trips.
In general, I think durability is one of the main features of Source Gobi, and it’s one of the main reasons why I got them in the first place.
Traction
Footwear with good traction is really important while hiking, especially if you’re planning to go to more steep or technical trails. Feeling stable and secure is essential for your safety on a hike.
The Source Gobi sandals are designed for outdoor adventures, but of course, they do not provide the same level of traction as hiking boots. Their outsoles do have a standard lug pattern, which is good enough for hiking, but I wouldn’t feel completely safe going on difficult rocky surfaces with them. In my opinion, Source sandals can be a good option for non-technical hikes, and for letting your feet breathe on a long backpacking trip.
The soles of the sandals have some groves that provide a basic level of traction. Unlike other models, which are very flat, Source Gobi features rugged insoles which secure your feet better.
In general, I think Source Gobi sandals provide a decent level of traction, good enough for hiking, but I wouldn’t go out to climb mountains with them.
Weight
As expected with sandals, the Source Gobi feels quite light on your feet when compared with other footwear. Weight is an important consideration with footwear because heavy footwear can make you tired really fast, even when you don’t notice it.
Source Gobi weighs around 700 grams (1.5 pounds) which is close to other hiking sandals but does tend to be on the heavier side. The soles of the sandals are mainly what makes them heavier. If you’re trying a shave off every pound, then these might not fit your needs.
In my experience, wearing the Source Gobi does not feel very heavy, mainly because on a hike I typically use them for water crossings and to let my feet breathe after a long walk with hiking boots. In my opinion, their weight doesn’t significantly affect how you feel on a hike.
Conclusions
In general, Source gobi sandals are comfortable and durable, and they’re a great fit if you want a pair of versatile sandals that are good both for day-to-day and hiking. They do cost a premium when compared with the alternative, but in my opinion, they’re well worth it.
Both the standard model and the Source Gobi are good sandals – I have flat feet so I bought the Gobi model because they feel better on my feet, but in my opinion, for most people, the standard model is a better option because it’s a bit cheaper.
