After four years of research and development, LEMs Shoes has finally launched their revolutionary and innovative Switchback Sandal. Designed to be the perfect balance of comfort, durability, and foot freedom, it’s LEMs Shoes one minimalist footwear that’s built to move with you, whether you’re hiking, traveling, backpacking, walking, or just relaxing.
They have created a sandal with just one continuous strap and one buckle for adjustability. At the core of its design is a game-changing piece of hardware: the Switchback Slydr ™. This specially designed piece allows the one continuous piece of webbing to adjust effortlessly, providing a secure yet flexible fit that adapts to your foot. This dynamic, slip-free design ensures a secure yet flexible fit, eliminating the need for multiple straps while maximizing comfort.
The contoured Barefoot Footbed™ is crafted with a texture that mimics the natural shape of the foot. The anatomical contours wrap around the bottom of the foot to enhance sensory feedback and keep your feet responsive to the terrain beneath you.
The sandal features a full rubber outsole for durability and traction on diverse surfaces, paired with an EVA midsole that provides lightweight cushioning for all-day comfort. With a minimal drop platform for natural alignment, the Switchback Sandal is engineered for both performance and comfort, making it the perfect companion for rugged trails, beach days, or urban exploration. Ready for anything, this sandal is designed to go wherever your adventures take you.
The Switchback is also versatile – the minimalist look works for both outdoor adventures and casual urban settings, so you can pack just one pair for multiple uses.
Switchback Slydr™ Key Innovations
- Single-Piece Webbing System: Unlike most sandals that use multiple separate straps and buckles, the Switchback Slydr™ employs one continuous piece of webbing that wraps around the foot. This unique approach reduces bulk, eliminates excess material, and creates a cleaner, more minimalist look.
- Custom-Engineered Adjustment Hardware: The Slydr™ is a specially designed component that allows the single webbing strap to slide and adjust tension at both the heel and instep simultaneously. This means you can fine-tune the fit quickly and easily, adapting the sandal to your foot’s shape and your activity—tighten for rugged terrain, loosen for casual comfort.
- Dynamic, Secure Fit: Because the adjustment system works with a single strap, the sandal moves naturally with your foot, providing both flexibility and security. This adaptability helps prevent slippage and hotspots, offering a more comfortable and stable experience than many multi-strap sandals.
- Minimalist, Lightweight Design: By streamlining the strap system to just one buckle and one webbing piece, the sandal remains lightweight and easy to pack, while still delivering the durability and support needed for adventure.
- Versatility: The Slydr™ system makes the sandal suitable for a wide range of activities—from hiking and river crossings to travel and everyday wear—without the fuss of readjusting multiple straps or dealing with complicated closures.
Technical Specs
- Fit: LEMs WIDEST Natural-Shape™
- Upper Straps: Mojave, Scorpion & Sandstorm (leather); Cactus & Oasis (nylon)
- Lining: Neoprene & microfiber
- Outsole: Full rubber
- Barefoot Footbed™: Anatomically contoured
- Stack Height: 14-17mm
- Drop: 3.0mm
- Weight: 8.8 oz (Men’s 10)
Switchback Sandals versus Huarache Running Sandals
When you hear minimalist sandals footwear, you automatically think of running huaraches. So, when LEMs Shoes announced the Switchback sandals, I was excited when I saw the technical specifications. There are many transitioning minimalist shoes available but no equivalent sandals. The Switchback is it. And the closest ones to it are the Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV and Shamma Sandals Elite Alphas but both with a lot less cushioning.
For runners who run in huarache running sandals like those from Xero Shoes, Shamma Sandals, and Luna Sandals, the major difference is that the Switchback sandals are not designed primarily for running – this sandal is built for anyone who values comfort, versatility, and freedom of movement. Whether you’re an avid hiker, weekend explorer, world traveler, or just someone who loves a good pair of adventure-ready sandals, the Switchback was made with you in mind.
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Outsole & Thickness
With Xero Shoes, you can go for maximum ground feel with the Z-Trek (6mm) or a more cushioned version with the Z-Trail EV (11mm). Compare this to the Switchback’s 14mm to 17mm stack height – you don’t want a thin sole all the time and the Switchback sandals have a lot more cushioning.
Straps
Unlike most adjustable sandals, which rely on multiple straps or Velcro closures, the Switchback Slydr’s smooth, adjustable design allows you to fine-tune the fit on the go, ensuring maximum comfort no matter where you are. Tighten up for a secure feel or loosen the webbing for a more relaxed fit based on your individual situations.
Adjustment Learning Curve: Some users may find the initial adjustment of the side straps through the grommets challenging.
Note
I have no problems running with huaraches and won’t mind stopping to adjust the straps if needed. But wearing the huaraches for walking has been an issue for me for two reasons. First, the walking gait requires a heel strike for me, and I need more cushioning. Second, the straps move around a lot more while walking versus running.
I have neither problem with the Switchback sandals!
Conclusions
The LEMs Shoes Switchback sandals are ideal for those who appreciate natural movement footwear. The barefoot-inspired footbed, flexible yet sturdy outsole, and low-drop platform help you stay aligned while still offering the support you need for all-day wear.
I am pleasantly surprised and didn’t expect a pair of sandals from LEMs Shoes after almost 15 years of evaluating many product categories from them. As I mentioned earlier, 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 (proprioception and toe splaying, and staying grounded), or to build up your feet for transitioning to running huaraches.
For the past few days, I have been wearing the LEMs Shoes Switchback sandals for walking my dog, rucking, running errands, and around the house. I also brought it for a short trip to Arizona where I flew and tested a portable Ruko U11MINI 4K drone in the Phoenix mountains with the Switchback sandals!
To top it off, as the weather gets warmer and full Summer approaching, the Switchback sandals is already a part of my summer travel/outdoor outfit (with my Smartwool Everyday Shirt & 8″ Shorts, both merino wool)!
Who Should Buy the Switchback Sandal?
- Anyone wanting a barefoot-style sandal with a little extra cushion and minimal heel rise
- Those with wide feet or who value toe freedom
- Travelers and hikers who need one sandal for many scenarios
- Anyone looking for a secure, adjustable fit without complicated straps
Transitioning To Minimalist Shoes
The Switchback 17mm stack height, 3mm drop, low cushioning, and wide toe box make it a perfect minimalist footwear for transitioning to minimalist shoes from traditional footwear.
See our guide to safely transitioning to minimalist shoes.
Now available in many colorways but footbed and strap color combinations are fixed though.
