I don’t usually wear flip-flops, actually, let me rephrase that. I never wear flip-flops. But I do wear sandals in the hotter months, exclusively Bedrock Sandals to be exact. I’ve been a fan/customer of the Bedrock Cairne Adventure Sandals since about 2017. And it was for that reason, I said yes when they reached out to ask if I’d like to try their new Rockhound Sandal.
You may remember that we touched on the Rockhounds a bit back in February in a “Bedrock Celebrates 15 Years” piece. They looked pretty cool, and I was mildly intrigued about them.
The Rockhounds were designed for what Bedrock calls “micro-adventures”, as well as other casual outdoor activities. This differs from Bedrock’s technical Cairn series, which is built for serious hiking and mountaineering. The Rockhound takes on a more relaxed approach while maintaining the brand’s focus on durability.
And, speaking of durability, the Rockhounds are also part of Bedrock’s Re-Soul & Repair. So when you’ve worn your Rockhounds down to the nub, send them in, and for a small fee, they will resole them and return them to you. I did this for my OG Cairns, and they are still going strong after almost 10 years now.
Rockhound Nubuck Leather Sandal Retail & Detail
Retail: $130
- Upper: Nubuck Leather
- Outsole: Grippy + Durable Vibram® XS Trek EVO rubber compound
- Strap System: Bedrock’s Patent Pending Rockhound G-Hook adjustment system
- Weight: 7 oz per size 9 sandal
- Stack height: 19mm, zero drop
- Underfoot: Nubuck Leather + Cushioned EVA foam 3D+ footbed
- Manufactured: Made in South Korea
My First Impressions
Bedrock sent me the size 11M in the Nubuck Leather. My first impression is that it looks like a high-quality flip-flop. Not unlike, say, the Rainbow brand flip-flop from back in the day.
One of the first things I noticed about the Rockhound was the delicate nylon webbing that protects the inside of your toes from the toe splitter, a nice touch.
I know some who are bothered by the little rope that separates the big and second toe. This remedy eliminates any feeling of that rope, like it’s not there. And the result is very comfortable.
Both the straps and the footbed are made with premium Nubuck Leather. If it’s anything like my Bedrock Mountain Clogs in Nubuck, these will only look better with age and a nice patina.
The New Rockhounds use Bedrock’s 3D+ footbed. My first slip into the Rockhounds found the footbed to be very comfortable. A great combination with the feel of the leather, the 3D+ footbed, and Bedrock’s really comfy C footbed compound.
Unlike other flip-flops on the market, the Rockhounds are made with real outdoor activities in mind, so they incorporated their G-hook top strap system. It is a very robust adjustment system that won’t come loose even in water activities, like whitewater sports.
Mine weigh in at 235g each (467g for the pair), for a size 11 men’s. So, even with the burly Vibram XS Trek EVO rubber outsole for traction, it maintains a lightweight profile.
Rockhounds have a cushioned EVA foam footbed that feels outstanding. They sport a 19mm stack height with a zero drop, just like I like. And, for those that care, they are manufactured in South Korea.
In Conclusion
I bet I will be wearing my Rockhounds a lot this summer. They should be great for everyday wear, casual adventures around the house, and town. They should also pack nicely for camping trips or bikepacking trips.
While I don’t see them replacing my Bedrock Cairns, the quick, easy slip-on/off action will make the Rockhounds my go-to. It will be fun to see how they wear over the summer, and I will do my best to put them through their paces.
I would say to get out and get yourself a pair, but it seems that, as of this writing, due to higher-than-expected demand, the Rockhound Sandals have sold out quickly since the launch this morning. The website says the next major restock is planned for late April 2026.
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