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Why Hikers Are Ditching Bulky Camp Shoes for Foldable Sandals

By Jack Wilson

05.04.2025.

Title

It usually starts as a practical decision.

You’ve got your main pair dialed in hiking boots, trail runners, something built for long days on your feet. But you know you won’t want to stay in them all day.

After a hike, around camp, or heading into a shower, you’ll want something lighter. So you pack a second pair. Slides, crocs, flip flops, whatever seems easy enough to throw in your bag.

At the time, it feels like the right call, until everything else has to fit around it.

It usually starts as a practical decision.

You’ve got your main pair dialed in hiking boots, trail runners, something built for long days on your feet.

But you know you won’t want to stay in them all day.

After a hike, around camp, or heading into a shower, you’ll want something lighter.

So you pack a second pair. Slides, crocs, flip flops, whatever seems easy enough to throw in your bag.

At the time, it feels like the right call, until everything else has to fit around it.

That’s when it stops feeling practical.

They don’t pack cleanly, don’t compress, and take up space you usually wish you had later, so they end up clipped to the outside of your bag.

Now they’re swinging while you move on the trail, through airports, between hostels. Picking up dirt, water, whatever’s around.

And when you finally need them after a long day, at camp, in a shared shower, or just walking around they’re either in the way, wet, or harder to deal with than expected.

It’s a small thing but over the course of a trip, it’s one of those details that keeps coming back.

That’s when it stops feeling practical.

They don’t pack cleanly, they don’t compress. And they take up space you usually wish you had later.

So they end up clipped to the outside of your bag.

Now they’re swinging while you move on the trail, through airports, between hostels. Picking up dirt, water, whatever’s around.

And when you finally need them after a long day, at camp, in a shared shower, or just walking around they’re either in the way, wet, or harder to deal with than expected.

It’s a small thing.

But over the course of a trip, it’s one of those details that keeps coming back.

The “second pair” problem most people don’t notice until they’re on the move

Most people don’t question it when they pack. A second pair of footwear just feels normal if you’re traveling or spending time outdoors.

It’s there for convenience, something for after long days, campsites, showers, or quick use between stops.

So it goes in the bag without much thought, and at first, it doesn’t seem like a problem at all.

Most people don’t question it when they pack.

A second pair of footwear just feels normal if you’re traveling or spending time outdoors.

It’s there for convenience, something for after long days, campsites, showers, or quick use between stops.

So it goes in the bag without much thought.

And at first, it doesn’t seem like a problem at all.

But the issue isn’t that you bring it.

It’s what happens once your trip actually starts moving, because travel isn’t static.

You’re switching places, environments, and routines constantly, and that second pair doesn’t really adapt to any of it.

It’s too bulky to disappear into your bag.

Too loose to stay neatly attached.

And too awkward to have a proper place in your setup.

So instead of being “just another item you packed,” it slowly turns into something you have to manage.

And yet you still need it.

After hikes.

Between hostels.

At campsites.

In shared showers.

Or just at the end of a long day on your feet.

So it stays.

Not because it fits well into your system…

but because you don’t really have a better alternative.

But the issue isn’t that you bring it. It’s what happens once your trip actually starts moving, because travel isn’t static. You’re switching places, environments, and routines constantly, and that second pair doesn’t really adapt to any of it.

It’s too bulky to disappear into your bag, too loose to stay neatly attached, and too awkward to have a proper place in your setup. So instead of being “just another item you packed,” it slowly turns into something you have to manage.

And yet you still need it.

After hikes, between hostels, at campsites, in shared showers, or just at the end of a long day on your feet.

So it stays.

Not because it fits well into your system… but because you don’t really have a better alternative.

The foldable sandals travelers and hikers are using to finally ditch bulky camp shoes

For a long time, most people just accepted it.

If you needed something for after long days on the trail, around camp, in hostels, or between stops, you just brought bulky camp shoes and dealt with them.

No one really questioned it, that was just part of the setup.

For a long time, most people just accepted it.

If you needed something for after long days on the trail, around camp, in hostels, or between stops, you just brought bulky camp shoes and dealt with them.

No one really questioned it.

That was just part of the setup.

But recently, that’s started to change - massively.

More and more people are finally realizing there’s a much simpler way to handle it.

Instead of packing something bulky that eats up space in your bag… they’re switching to lightweight, foldable sandals designed specifically for travel and outdoor use.

Something that doesn’t fight for space in your gear, and doesn’t feel like “extra weight” you have to justify.

But recently, things started to change massively.

More and more people are finally realizing there’s a much simpler way to handle it. Instead of packing something bulky that eats up space in your bag… they’re switching to lightweight, foldable sandals designed specifically for travel and outdoor use.

Something that doesn’t fight for space in your gear, and doesn’t feel like “extra weight” you have to justify.

Meet Jimmies

Jimmies were built for one purpose: to make the “second pair” problem disappear.

No bulky shape taking up space in your pack, no awkward fitting around your gear, no overthinking whether to bring them or not.

Just lightweight, packable sandals that can be clipped, carried, or stored in seconds and completely get out of the way until you need them.

Jimmies were built for one purpose: to make the “second pair” problem disappear.

No bulky shape taking up space in your pack.

No awkward fitting around your gear.

No overthinking whether to bring them or not.

Just lightweight, packable sandals that can be clipped, carried, or stored in seconds —

and completely get out of the way until you need them.

Jimmies aren’t trying to replace your main footwear.

They exist for the moments your main shoes don’t make sense anymore.

After a long hike, between travel days, in hostels, anywhere you just want something quick, light, and easy.

Instead of taking up space in your bag like traditional camp shoes, Jimmies are designed to disappear into your setup.

They come with a lightweight mesh pouch designed to keep them compact and easy to carry.

You can clip them to your backpack, store them in the pouch, or pack them flat without having to reorganize anything else in your bag.

They’re always there when you need them, without ever getting in the way.

Jimmies aren’t trying to replace your main footwear.
They exist for the moments your main shoes don’t make sense anymore.

After a long hike, between travel days, in hostels, anywhere you just want something quick, light, and easy.

Instead of taking up space in your bag like traditional camp shoes, Jimmies are designed to disappear into your setup.

They come with a lightweight mesh pouch designed to keep them compact and easy to carry. You can clip them to your backpack, store them in the pouch, or pack them flat without having to reorganize anything else in your bag.

They’re always there when you need them, without ever getting in the way.

And when you actually need them, they show up instantly in the exact situations travelers and hikers run into most:

After a long day on the trail when your feet need a break

Around campsites when you want something easy and clean

In hostel or shared showers where you don’t want to use your main shoes

At gyms, pools, lakes, or beaches while traveling

During long travel days when comfort matters more than anything else

And when you actually need them, they show up instantly in the exact situations travelers and hikers run into most:

After a long day on the trail when your feet need a break

Around campsites when you want something easy and clean

In hostel or shared showers where you don’t want to use your main shoes

At gyms, pools, lakes, or beaches while traveling

During long travel days when comfort matters more than anything else

How they end up being used more than you expect

At first, they seem like a simple backup.
But once you start using them on a trip, you realize they solve a lot more than just the “second pair” problem.

At first, they seem like a simple backup.

But once you start using them on a trip, you realize they solve a lot more than just the “second pair” problem.

After long hikes or full days on your feet, they’re the pair you actually want to switch into.

Light, comfortable, and easy to wear, without feeling bulky or restrictive.
Something that gives your feet a break, without needing to carry a heavy second option.

They weigh just 215g, so you barely notice them in your bag, and when folded, they’re about the thickness of a wallet. Small enough to slide into a side pocket, pouch, or carry-on without changing how you pack.

After long hikes or full days on your feet,

they’re the pair you actually want to switch into.

Light, comfortable, and easy to wear, without feeling bulky or restrictive.

Something that gives your feet a break, without needing to carry a heavy second option.

They weigh just 215g, so you barely notice them in your bag and when folded, they’re about the thickness of a wallet.

Small enough to slide into a side pocket, pouch, or carry-on without changing how you pack.

And when it comes to water, they’re built for it. Made from lightweight, waterproof EVA material, they dry quickly, usually within minutes after getting wet. So you don’t have to worry about them staying damp or affecting the rest of your gear.

They’re also designed to handle the environments you actually use them in.

The anti-slip sole provides solid grip on wet surfaces like tiles, pool decks, and camp showers and enough traction for light outdoor use around campsites or uneven ground.

And when it comes to water, they’re built for it.

Made from lightweight, waterproof EVA material, they dry quickly, usually within minutes after getting wet. So you don’t have to worry about them staying damp or affecting the rest of your gear.

They’re also designed to handle the environments you actually use them in.

The anti-slip sole provides solid grip on wet surfaces like tiles, pool decks, and camp showers and enough traction for light outdoor use around campsites or uneven ground.

On top of that, they’re easy to slip on and off, easy to rinse clean, and resistant to odor which makes them practical to use day after day without needing extra care.

It’s not just that they’re lightweight.

It’s that they quietly remove a lot of the small inconveniences that come with carrying a second pair in the first place.

On top of that, they’re easy to slip on and off, easy to rinse clean, and resistant to odor

which makes them practical to use day after day without needing extra care.

It’s not just that they’re lightweight.

It’s that they quietly remove a lot of the small inconveniences

that come with carrying a second pair in the first place.

But are they actually worth it?

At first, most people have the same hesitation:

Can something this lightweight actually replace a second pair?

At first, most people have the same hesitation:
Can something this lightweight actually replace a second pair?

“Are they too thin to be comfortable?”

That’s usually the first concern. Because they’re lightweight and packable, it’s easy to assume they’ll feel flimsy.

But in practice, they’re the pair you end up reaching for because they feel easy.

After long hikes, travel days, or hours on your feet, you’re not looking for something heavy or structured.

You just want something that feels light, simple, and comfortable to walk around in. And that’s exactly where they shine.

That’s usually the first concern. Because they’re lightweight and packable, it’s easy to assume they’ll feel flimsy. But in practice, they’re the pair you end up reaching for because they feel easy.

After long hikes, travel days, or hours on your feet, you’re not looking for something heavy or structured. You just want something that feels light, simple, and comfortable to walk around in. And that’s exactly where they shine.

“Are they too thin?”

They’re minimal by design and that’s intentional.

The goal isn’t to replace your main footwear.

It’s to give you something that does the job without taking up space in your bag.

And once you actually use them on a trip,

that tradeoff starts to make a lot more sense.

They’re minimal by design, and that’s intentional.
The goal isn’t to replace your main footwear.

It’s to give you something that does the job without taking up space in your bag.

And once you actually use them on a trip, that tradeoff starts to make a lot more sense.

“Will they actually last?”

When something is this lightweight, durability is a fair concern.

But they’re made from flexible, waterproof EVA, the same type of material commonly used in running shoes and performance midsoles, built to handle repeated travel, wet conditions, and everyday use.

They’re not something you bring once and forget about.

They’re something you end up packing again for your next trip… and the one after that.

When something is this lightweight, durability is a fair concern.

But they’re made from flexible, waterproof EVA, the same type of material commonly used in running shoes and performance midsoles, built to handle repeated travel, wet conditions, and everyday use.

They’re not something you bring once and forget about.
They’re something you end up packing again for your next trip… and the one after that.

“Why not just bring cheap flip flops?”

A lot of people do, until they realize they’re dealing with the same problems:

taking up space

not packing properly

getting worn out quickly

staying wet longer than they’d like

picking up dirt and touching the rest of your gear

slipping around on wet surfaces

never really fitting into the rest of their setup

taking up space

not packing properly

getting worn out quickly

staying wet longer than they’d like

picking up dirt and touching the rest of your gear

slipping around on wet surfaces

never really fitting into the rest of their setup

Which is usually what leads people to look for something better in the first place.

“Is it worth the price?”

That really comes down to how you think about it.

Because on paper, it’s about $40 for a pair of sandals.

At first, that can feel like just another thing to pay for. Another item to justify. Especially when you’re already packing, planning, and trying not to overdo it.

But then you compare it to what you already spend while traveling.

It’s about what most people spend on a single decent meal. Less than a typical hostel night. And often less than what you end up paying over time replacing cheap flip flops that don’t last.

And unlike most of those things, this is something you actually keep using.

After hikes, when your feet are tired, at campsites, when you just want something easy. In hostels, around water, during long travel days.

It’s one of those small things you reach for more than you expected.

So it stops feeling like: “$40 for sandals”

And starts feeling more like: a small upgrade to something you already deal with on every trip that quietly makes things easier every time you use it.

And once you’ve used them like that, it’s hard to go back to what you were bringing before.

That really comes down to how you think about it.
Because on paper, it’s about $30 USD for a pair of sandals.

At first, that can feel like just another thing to pay for. Another item to justify.

Especially when you’re already packing, planning, and trying not to overdo it.

But then you compare it to what you already spend while traveling.

It’s about what most people spend on a single decent meal. Less than a typical hostel night. And often less than what you end up paying over time replacing cheap flip flops that don’t last.

And unlike most of those things, this is something you actually keep using.

After hikes, when your feet are tired, at campsites, when you just want something easy.

In hostels, around water, during long travel days.

It’s one of those small things you reach for more than you expected.

So it stops feeling like: “$30 USD for sandals”

And starts feeling more like: a small upgrade to something you already deal with on every trip that quietly makes things easier every time you use it.

And once you’ve used them like that, it’s hard to go back to what you were bringing before.

The difference people notice immediately after making the switch

For most people, it’s not something they think about before the trip.

It’s something they notice within the first day of actually using them.

It starts with small things.

Not having to rearrange your bag to make space.

Not dealing with bulky sandals clipped awkwardly to the outside.

Not worrying about wet or dirty footwear touching the rest of your gear.

And then it becomes something even simpler.
You stop thinking about your “second pair” entirely.

For most people, it’s not something they think about before the trip.

It’s something they notice within the first day of actually using them.

It starts with small things.

Not having to rearrange your bag to make space, not dealing with bulky sandals clipped awkwardly to the outside, not worrying about wet or dirty footwear touching the rest of your gear.

And then it becomes something even simpler.

You stop thinking about your “second pair” entirely.

That’s really the difference.

It’s just one less thing to manage, pack around, or deal with while you’re moving.

Once you experience that, it’s hard to go back to carrying something that never really worked that well in the first place.

See how they actually fit into your setup

At this point, you probably already have a sense of where they’d fit.

And the best way to understand it is to actually see how they’re built, how they pack,

and how they look in real use.

Take a closer look at Jimmies

See how they pack, how they’re carried,

and how they’re used across different travel situations.

For most people, it’s not a big decision.

It’s just the moment they realize

there’s a simpler way to handle something they already bring on every trip.

Ditch Bulky Camp Shoes

Lightweight, packs flat, clips anywhere.

Made for travel, hiking, and everything in between.

Take a closer look

Take a closer look at Jimmies