If it’s above 50 degrees outside, chances are you’ll find our entire family in Earth Runners. We bought a pair for each of us, two adults and four kids, back in the summer of 2023, and over two years later, they’re still going strong. As a full-time traveling family that hikes, plays, and lives hard in our footwear, we’ve been blown away by how well these minimalist sandals have held up.

From their durability and comfort to their grounding benefits and customizable features, Earth Runners have become more than just sandals for us, they’re a daily essential. If you’re considering a pair for yourself or your family, let me walk you through what makes them so worth it (and fun to personalize too!).

Grounding with Every Step

Minimalist Design Meets Maximum Purpose

Earth Runners give your feet the barefoot freedom they crave while offering just enough protection for rugged terrain. This minimalist design:

• Encourages proper posture and foot alignment
• Builds foot strength
• Improves balance and natural gait

Whether we’re walking downtown or hiking a dusty trail, these sandals support our feet without interfering with natural movement.

Built for Adventure, Worn Everywhere

We don’t baby our sandals. From hiking and creek-stomping to everyday errands, these have been through it all, and they’re still in great shape. We’ve only had to replace one pair due to a growth spurt (and even then, we tucked the old pair away for when one of the younger kids grows into them). We’ve swapped out some straps after heavy use (more on that in a bit), but the soles? Still going strong.

Earth Runners are perfect for:

• Hiking trails and water crossings
• RV travel and outdoor exploration
• Everyday wear for kids and adults alike

Custom Fit & Flexible Options

One of our favorite parts? The customizability! Earth Runners let you choose from different:

• Soles for comfort and ground feel - View their sole comparison chart
• Laces for performance or lifestyle wear - View all the lace options
• Buckle colors we grabbed different ones for the kids to tell their shoes apart, and it adds personality flair! - View buckle options
• Heel sleeves for added slip-on ease (we LOVE these and move them from lace to lace) - View heel sleeves

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the options:

Sole Options

Primal: These soles are 7.5mm thick which makes them the thinnest, most barefoot feel and quickest-drying. View Primal Soles

Circadian: These soles are 9mm thick, they have great water traction, and a cotton footbed. View Circadian Soles

Alpha: These soles are 10.5mm thick, they have the cushiest sole, ideal for beginners or long miles. View Alpha Soles

Chronos: These soles are 9mm thick (similar to the Circadian), they are a great all-around sandal with great grip. View Chronos Soles

Lace Styles

Performance Laces

• Most durable & secure
• 1/2" polyester + abrasion-resistant nylon
• Great for heavy use (our go-to for hikes)

Lifestyle Laces

• Softer and more flexible
• Two types:
• Ergonomic: Double tubular webbing
• Classic: Mil-Spec reinforced two-ply
• Best for casual wear or those sensitive to toe posts

Colors include everything from neutral Cloud to fun Canyon Clay, Rarámuri, and Tribal. It’s hard to choose just one! View all the lace styles

Handy Accessories

We also recommend:

• Heel Sleeves: Total game-changer for slipping your sandals on and off. They’ve lasted as long as our soles!
• Colored Buckles: Great for customizing, especially with multiple kids or styles.
• Lace Installation Pliers: Make lace changes much easier.
• Sandal Care Kits: Help you keep them clean and in top shape.

Easy Maintenance = Longer Life

Swapping out worn straps is quick, easy, and affordable, making Earth Runners a smart long-term investment. When a set of laces wears out, you don’t have to toss the whole sandal. Just grab a new color or style, thread them through (the lace installation pliers help!), and you’re back in business.

We’ve even reused our heel sleeves and colored buckles across different lace sets, not just to save money—but to let the kids personalize their sandals and tell them apart. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference, especially in a big family on the move.

For travelers, outdoor lovers, or families like ours, this kind of durability, modularity, and flexibility is a huge win. You get long-lasting performance with the freedom to mix things up, and that’s not something you find in most footwear.

Kid-Tested, Adventure-Approved

Ready to try them?

We truly can’t say enough good things about Earth Runners. If you're looking for a comfortable, durable, and purpose-driven sandal that’s good for your body and the planet, we highly recommend them.

Check out Earth Runners here

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