Yes, it’s time for another footware review. This time it is the OOFOS OOahh 1100 open toe sandal. This is a single piece cast sandal with a nice arch support. Like most of the cast shoes that I’ve had experience with, these have a shallow tread.
I am always looking for a good shoe for water use as I tend to play in streams and lakes a lot. These sandals will float and dry out quickly when wet. While this is a plus, it is also it’s curse. Since the material doesn’t absorb water, the inside skin of the sandal gets a little slick causing it to slip off easily, or if on uneven rocks, turn sideways on your foot. The straps that stretch to make them very comfortable also allow them to shift.
These are sandals with an open toe and back, so they will not perform like a running, or any other type of sports shoe. With that said, these are very comfortable. The sole-insole is a thick soft foam with plenty of flex and cushion support. It makes a great slipper as well as yard sandal and being as open as they are, my feet don’t sweat even on these 90+ degree days. The thickness and softness of the soles make the kayak foot pegs seem more rounded. Unlike some of the other cast shoes that I have, these are comfortable enough for extended periods of time. I’m not a health crazed walker who has to do 25 miles a trip, but when I walked two miles straight my feet didn’t hurt.
I ordered a size 9, although I would normally order an 8.5. I can’t remember why I ordered a 9, I figured it was because Oofos doesn’t carry half sizes, but I can not confirm this, because their website store is not yet up. So with a size 9, it is a slight bit longer in the front and back, but the straps are still tight on the top of the foot. They are tight enough to hold my foot in place, as long as I didn’t get my feet wet.
There is a spot of break in for me. Where the back of the strap meets the inside of my foot, I developed small blisters. This has changed now and they havn’t come back, but it was a rub that I didn’t expect or even feel until after it happened.
The tags say machine washable, but I wash these by just wearing them in a shower. These are my first choice for quick slip-on shoes over my Croc’s style or standard leather slippers.