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Reviews > Footwear > Sandals > Oboz Campster Sandals > Test Report by Michael Pearl
OBOZ FOOTWEAR MEN'S CAMPSTER
INITIAL REPORT - May 06, 2018
TESTER INFORMATION
I have a great appreciation for the outdoors and get out at every opportunity. I am a three-season, learning to be a four-season backpacker and year-round hiker. Currently, my trips are two to three days long as well as an annual week-long trip. I utilize the abundant trail shelters in my locale and pack a backup tarp-tent. I like to cover big distances while still taking in the views. I have lightweight leanings but function and reliability are the priority. I mostly travel woodland mountain terrain but enjoy hiking beautiful trails anywhere. PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Oboz Footwear  Year of Manufacture: 2018 Manufacturer's Website: www.obozfootwear.com MSRP: US$90.00 Listed Weight: 9.2 oz (260 g) per 1/2 pair size Men's 9 Measured Weight: 20 oz (573 g) per pair size Men's 9 Sizes Available: 8 through 14 Size Tested: 9 Colors Available: Dark Shadow/Russet, Black, and Olive Color Tested: Dark Shadow/Russet Upper Material: Polyester webbing Outsole: Non-marking rubber and EVA* Midsole: Dual density EVA *EVA (ethylene vinyl accetate) two plastics, ethylene and vinyl joined to make a copolymer and turned into a foam making a light weight, water and corrosion resistant, insulating and shock aborping material. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The Campsters arrived in a standard shoe box wrapped in the standard shoe tissue paper. Well they're almost standard, having prints of topo maps on them makes them unusual. This is a theme that runs through the Oboz product line. READING THE INSTRUCTIONS
I find no instructions or care information for the Campsters. Nor do I feel any or necessary. The shoe box does have information about Oboz I feel is meaningful enough to mention. It's Oboz Footwear's One-More-Tree, Oboz plants a tree for every pair of Oboz sold. Not only do they make good footwear they also help support worthwhile causes. TRYING IT OUT
I first put the Campsters on with the heel strap up in "slipper mode". On first wear I find they match the shape of my foot quite nicely. From the slightly rounded toe box, fair amount of arch and cupping of my heel these sandals feel good. Walking around the house the Campster have an almost flip-flop feel in the click-slap sound of the heel. However the webbing provides support and protection to my toes giving a more shoelike feel. I like the ease of simply slipping my foot in hands free. SUMMARY
The Campster are neat, comfortable sandals. I like the simple yet versatile design. The materials and assembly are of good quality and well done. I look forward to getting outdoors with the Campsters. FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Day Hikes PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The Campsters have been fun, comfortable and functional during this phase of testing. I've worn them in place of my hiking boots when crossing streams to access waterfalls, around camp in the evening and on a short hike to the river for a swim. Additionally I have worn the Campsters around the house, around the yard and during short walks to the corner store.
In all seasons I enjoy visiting natural waterways. Each is always unique in its own way and presents anew in each season. I made it to three falls so far this year, one in spring and another two in summer. The first trip, the stream below the falls was flowing wide, fast and cold. I used the Campsters to cross the stream to and from the falls and while exploring the rocks below the falls. The Campsters held very good footing on the rocks in the stream and out both while wet and dry. They provided great protection to my toes from bumping rocks and branches. On the second, the weather was much warmer but water still quite chilly. I hiked upstream over and through a small stream to reach a pool under a refreshing cascade. This was a great side trip after an overnight hike to get a natural shower. Again the Campsters did a great job scrabbling on the various rocks along the stream bed. The third waterfall was more of a swimming trip with a small hike. After a short hike to the river I changed out of my boots into the Campsters and walked down through a shallow river. The river reached an area that has been carved into a small slot cavern with several small falls. At the bottom of each is a small swimming hole. This involved a mix of river walking, scrambling and climbing. The Campsters were comfortable and held every step and every position I moved in. This outing was super fun and a great way to beat the heat. The heatwave continued and the only answer was more swimming. We took the 1.5 mi (2.5 km) walk down the Connecticut River, I in the Campsters. Lucky for us most of the walk is through a pine forest with a nice trail rolling up and down the ravines to the river. At the river I swam with and without the Campsters. This proved insightful as I discovered that they float. Good thing I was able to swim faster than the current that day! The Campsters did better on the way there than back home. On the way home both my feet and the Campsters were wet. By the time I was back home I developed a hot spot on the inside of my right foot right at the heel strap rivet. Not overly painful or long lasting but mentionable. I chalked this up to my foot being soft from soaking in the water for a few hours and the sandals being wet as well. This hadn't happen before or since. When carried in for hiking and backpacking trips the Campsters have hitched a ride two different ways. When dry I will put them in a plastic bag and carry them inside my pack. When wet I will strap them to the outside of my pack. The Campster Sandals lay flat enough and have plenty of points to run a strap through to lash them to my pack. Both ways work fine all though I slightly prefer inside the pack, pack space permitting. 
SUMMARY
The Oboz Campster Sandals are really nice water and around camp footwear. They are slightly on the heavier side as far as sandals go. But, for the level of traction, foot protection and comfort I feel it's a fair trade off. Additionally the movable heel strap almost makes them two sandals in one, allowing for wider range of use. The Campsters have worked very well in all settings thus far and only once caused a mild comfort issue. However I believe this was more of a "waterlogged" foot than a sandal problem. At the end of this phase of testing I am overall very pleased with the Campsters. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Monadnock - Sunapee Greenway, New Hampshire - Five days / Four nights PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
SUMMARY
The Oboz Campster are great sandals for hanging out and moving around camp, moving through or playing in the water and walking around town or short distances on trails. They provide plenty of traction and protection for my feet. The heel strap is a really cool feature. I like being able to use the Campster as a slipper then easily switching to sandal and vice versa. They are easy to securely carry on my pack. At 1.25 lb (0.5 kg) the added weight is worth the in camp comfort and secure footing when crossing waterways.
Read more reviews of Oboz gear Read more gear reviews by Michael Pearl Reviews > Footwear > Sandals > Oboz Campster Sandals > Test Report by Michael Pearl | ||||||||||||||||||
Turning the heel strap back down to "sandal mode" the flip-flop click-slap goes away. The Campster are still fairly easy to get on and the little pull straps really help. The heel strap keeps the sandal firmly on my foot. I didn't feel my foot lose contact with the midsole and shift or slide around on a quick 1 mi (1.6 km) walk. The outersole and poly strapping provided good support and protection to my feet and toes. The midsole was cushy and comfortable all the way home.
