They Took the Best Sandal We’ve Tested & Made It Even Better
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The LEMs Shoes Switchback Knit is here. We put it side-by-side with the original and tested both. Here’s what changed, what stayed the same, and who should buy which.
When LEMs Shoes dropped the original Switchback Sandal in April 2025 after four years of R&D, we called it “the most innovative minimalist sandal we’ve ever reviewed.” One year later, they’ve evolved it – and the Switchback Knit may be its most important variation yet.
The LEMs Shoes Switchback Sandal was a genuine revelation when we first tested it. After 15 years of reviewing LEMs Shoes products, we genuinely did not expect a sandal from them and we certainly didn’t expect it to immediately become the go-to recommendation for anyone looking to transition to minimalist footwear, maintain foot-health, or simply find one sandal that does everything.
The Switchback Knit ($125) is not a replacement. It’s a sibling – built on the exact same Widest Natural-Shape™ last, with the same Switchback Slydr™ adjustment system, the same Barefoot Footbed™, and the same philosophy of foot freedom. What’s different is the upper material: instead of nylon webbing or leather straps, you get a breathable, quick-drying knit construction that wraps around the foot rather than crossing over it.
That single change has surprisingly broad implications for comfort, use-case fit, and feel.
The Knit Upper: What It Changes (and What It Doesn’t)
The most significant upgrade in the Switchback Knit is also its most visible: the breathable knit upper replaces the nylon webbing or leather strap system of the original. This is not a cosmetic change – it fundamentally reshapes the fit experience from the first second you put them on.
The original Switchback uses a single continuous piece of webbing routed through the proprietary Switchback Slydr™ hardware at each ankle. This is still innovative and one of the cleanest adjustment systems we’ve tested on any sandal. But webbing, even a single piece, contacts the skin at discrete points. There are edges, pressure lines, and a brief adjustment period as your foot learns where the straps sit.
The Switchback Knit upper wraps around the foot more like a sock. There are no hard edges. The material breathes, flexes with your foot, and dries rapidly when wet. Out-of-box comfort, which was already exceptional on the original, is even more immediate on the Knit version.
Key Wear Test Finding
The knit upper on the Switchback Knit is quick-drying and delivers a zero-break-in experience even more reliably than the original. In our testing, the knit version was literally comfortable from the first step – not just from the first wear.
What the knit upper does not change is the core structural DNA. The Switchback Slydr™ system still uses a single continuous piece of webbing to adjust both heel and instep tension simultaneously with one pull. The Barefoot Footbed™, anatomically contoured with a textured surface that mimics the natural shape of your foot, is unchanged. The full rubber outsole and EVA midsole are unchanged. The 3mm drop and 14–17mm stack height are unchanged. This is the same sandal where it matters most.
“It is hard to walk with running huaraches, and the Switchback fits the sweet spot of a huarache for everything beyond running. It is the one sandal that you can have in your toolbox for transitioning to minimalist shoes, or for maintaining your foot health, or to build up your feet for transitioning to running huaraches.”
– Wear Tested original Switchback review, May 2025
That assessment from our original review still holds and with the Knit version, it applies even more powerfully for urban wearers, travelers, and anyone who runs warm or wears sandals in humid conditions.
The Prism colorway: an unexpected bonus
One standout detail exclusive to the Knit is the “Prism” colorway, which ships with two additional interchangeable straps. This lets you change the look of the sandal on the fly – an unusual touch for a minimalist sandal brand and a genuinely nice feature for travelers who want one pair of shoes that can shift from trail to restaurant.
Our original review of the Switchback covered dog walks, rucking, errands, and a trip to Arizona (including hiking in the Phoenix mountains). We’ve since put additional miles on the original and used the Knit version for urban walks and several days of city errands in warm conditions.
Comfort On Extended Wear
Both sandals live up to the “no break-in needed” claim, but the Knit version takes this even further. The knit material has no hard edges, no seams pressing against the foot, and wraps naturally around the mid-foot in a way that feels almost like a closed-toe shoe in terms of security. For all-day urban wear, this is a meaningful upgrade.
The Switchback Slydr™ In Use
The single-strap adjustment system remains one of the most elegant solutions in sandal design. One pull tightens both heel and instep simultaneously – you can do it one-handed, mid-stride, without stopping. On both versions of the sandal, this system works flawlessly. The Knit version’s softer webbing routes through the same hardware without any difference in function.
Wet & Humid Conditions
This is where the Switchback Knit earns its keep. Tested in humid conditions after light rain, the knit upper dried noticeably faster than webbing. The footbed, shared between both models, does retain a small amount of moisture but dries quickly once removed. For beach use or river crossings, both sandals perform well, but the Knit’s quicker dry time gives it a slight edge.
Traction & Ground Feel
The full rubber outsole on both sandals delivers reliable grip on wet pavement, packed dirt, and light trail surfaces. The 14–17mm stack height gives enough cushioning for all-day wear while still transmitting enough ground feel to qualify as a true minimalist sandal. Neither sandals should be your primary choice for technical scrambling but for everything up to moderate trail use, both perform extremely well.
Our Assessment
The Switchback Knit is the version we’d recommend for most people, especially those who prioritize everyday comfort, live in warm climates, or want a sandal that moves seamlessly from trail to restaurant. The original Switchback remains the better choice for heavy trail use, anyone who prefers a leather strap aesthetic, or those with strong loyalty to the original’s proven break-in experience.
If you’re shopping for your first Switchback and plan to wear it mostly in urban, travel, or casual contexts – get the Switchback Knit. If you already own the original and it’s working for you, there’s no urgent reason to switch unless you specifically want the knit feel and breathability. If you’re buying for heavy trail use, the original may hold up better over time in abrasive conditions.
The Switchback in the Minimalist Sandal Landscape
When the original Switchback was launched, we placed it in context against huarache running sandals from Xero Shoes, Luna Sandals, and Shamma Sandals. The conclusion was clear: those sandals are designed primarily for running, with thin soles (6–11mm) and minimal structure. The Switchback (14–17mm stack) occupies a different, critically underserved niche – the minimalist hiking and lifestyle sandal with enough cushioning to be genuinely all-day comfortable.
The Knit version extends that position even further into every day and urban use cases. It’s the sandal equivalent of a barefoot lifestyle shoe – structured enough to go anywhere, minimal enough to maintain foot health, casual enough to wear everywhere.
For context on alternatives: the Xero Z-Trail EV sits at 11mm stack height. Shamma Sandals Elite Alphas are thinner still. The Bedrock Cairn sits around 14mm. Among all of these, the Switchback, in either version, offers the most cushioning with the least compromise on minimalist principles. The Knit version now offers the best of that package in the most wearable form factor.
Final Verdict
A Worthy Evolution of an Already Great Sandal
The LEMs Shoes Switchback Knit does not reinvent the Switchback – and it doesn’t need to. The original formula was already exceptional. What the Knit version does is take that formula and optimize it for the use case most wearers actually live in: everyday urban life, warm-weather travel, and casual outdoor adventures where breathability and immediate comfort matter more than leather durability or maximum trail grip.
At almost the same price as the original, it’s also simply better value for most buyers – you get more comfort and breathability for your money.
The shared DNA matters here too. The Switchback Slydr™ adjustment system, the Barefoot Footbed™, the Widest Natural-Shape™ last, the full rubber outsole and EVA midsole – all of these remain. The things that made the original great are preserved. What the Switchback Knit adds is texture, feel, and real-world comfort for the largest group of potential buyers.
Bottom Line
The LEMs Shoes Switchback Knit sandals is our new first recommendation for anyone buying into the Switchback ecosystem. For trail-focused buyers and leather aesthetic lovers, the original Switchback remains available and excellent. But for the vast majority of wearers – especially those prioritizing everyday comfort, travel, and warm-weather use – the Knit is the smarter choice at a better price. LEMs Shoes continues to define what a minimalist adventure sandal should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LEMs Shoes Switchback Knit worth it if I already own the original?
Only if you want the specific benefits of the knit upper – notably better breathability, softer skin feel, and quicker drying. The core sandal is identical. If you’re happy with your original and primarily use it for trails, there’s no need to upgrade. If you want an everyday/travel-optimized version, yes, the Knit is worth owning alongside (or instead of) the original.
Does the Switchback Knit have a break-in period?
No. The knit upper is soft and adaptive from the first wear. The original Switchback already had a very short break-in, but the Knit eliminates even that minimal adjustment period. Put them on and go.
How does the Switchback Knit fit – should I size up?
Yes. Like the original, the Switchback Knit is offered only in whole sizes. If you’re between sizes, size up. LEMs Shoes uses their Widest Natural-Shape™ last, which runs true to length but wider than most. If you’re used to standard-width shoes, this extra room is a feature, not a flaw.
Can I use the Switchback Knit for hiking?
Yes, for moderate trail use. The full rubber outsole and 14–17mm EVA cushioned platform handle unpaved surfaces, packed dirt, and light trail conditions well. Not recommended for technical scrambling or multi-day backcountry trips where the knit upper might suffer more wear than webbing or leather. For day hikes, parks, and general outdoor use, it performs excellently.
Is the Switchback Knit good for wide feet?
The Widest Natural-Shape™ last provides ample room for toes to splay naturally. The knit upper adds adaptability that webbing doesn’t have, making it even more accommodating for various foot shapes. Bunion sufferers and wide-foot wearers consistently rate LEMs Shoes sandals highly, and the Knit is likely to score even higher than the original in this regard.
What is the Switchback Slydr™ and how does it work?
The Switchback Slydr™ is LEMs Shoes’ proprietary adjustment hardware – two guide pieces flanking the ankle on either side. A single continuous piece of webbing routes through these guides and connects to a single ladder-lock buckle. When you pull the buckle, both heel and instep tension adjust simultaneously. It’s a one-handed, mid-stride adjustment system that eliminates the need for multiple straps or buckles. Both the original and Knit use this exact same system.
How does the Switchback Knit compare to Chacos or Tevas?
Very differently positioned. Chacos use a 22mm+ stack with significant arch support and a 12-13mm drop – essentially the opposite of barefoot philosophy. Tevas are casual/lifestyle with no minimalist intent. The Switchback Knit sits at 14–17mm stack, 3mm drop, zero arch support (letting your foot do the work), and wide toe box. It’s categorically a minimalist sandal where Chacos and Tevas are conventional. If you’re transitioning from Chacos, we’d recommend some gradual exposure to the lower stack height before going all day.
Is the Switchback Knit good for people transitioning to minimalist shoes?
Excellent for this purpose. The 17mm stack height and 3mm drop make it an ideal bridge between traditional footwear and true minimalism. It provides enough cushioning to be immediately comfortable for people used to conventional shoes, while the wide toe box and low drop begin retraining natural movement. We recommend starting with shorter wear periods and building up, as with any minimalist footwear transition.
