Mechteld Paul-Van Wezel
1/31/2024
THIS TIME IT WAS A CASE OF HAPPY FEET
Mechteld Paul-Van Wezel, a Dutch journalist and owner of the websites The Outdoors.nl, TheHike.nl and TheBike.nl, recently took a pair of LUNA Retro Mono sandals on her trip to Jordan. She put the sandals to the test and wrote a review about LUNA Sandals. Because the article was written in Dutch, we have translated it into English for you on this page. (Photo credits: Mechteld – TheOutdoors.nl)
Recently I was traveling in Turkey. There it was warm, dry, and we walked up and down on a lot of loose sand. In terms of surface, I needed a walking shoe. In terms of temperature, my feet wanted airy sandals. A fellow traveler then suggested LUNA sandals to me. An American brand founded by a man who ran an ultra marathon in the desert wearing his homemade sandals. My curiosity was aroused and I decided to take a set of LUNA Retro Mono sandals with me on my next trip, to Jordan. Once again a country where my feet were exposed to high temperatures, a lot of drought, rocks and loose sand. I can already reveal: this time it was a case 'happy feet'
Because we as humanity started wearing shoes, we started relieving the burden on our feet. The shoes take care of the tasks that our body should actually perform. A shame, because our feet contain no fewer than 200,000 nerve endings, which can also bring a lot of good to our body, such as better body awareness. Because of these advantages, there are several sports that have always been practiced barefoot. Think of judo and karate, but also dancing. Barefoot walking and running is also becoming increasingly popular.
There are more and more barefoot paths in the Netherlands and you can buy special barefoot shoes for outdoor activities. These are a kind of gloves, but for feet, where each toe is enclosed by the shoe. They are flat and thin, so they protect the sole of the foot somewhat, but at the same time provide a lot of freedom.
“Barefoot” Ted McDonald is an ultra-marathon runner through and through, and at the sametime an ambassador of the so-called "barefoot movement". He is an expert in barefoot running and coaches others to do the same. Still, he agrees that it is not always possible to walk barefoot everywhere. That's why he started looking for a way to protect the feet and at the same time allow you to run as naturally as possible. A way in which the foot muscles are strengthened and freedom of movement is not limited.
Ted apprenticed with the Tarahumara natives, who are known for their ability to run long distances in homemade sandals, which only protect the soles of the feet. There he befriended Manuel Luna, who made Ted his first pair of traditional “huarache” sandals. Ted was an immediate fan and the idea for LUNA Sandals was born. LUNA Sandals have now been so well developed that many barefoot runners use them to run for miles. And if you can run on it, you can also hike on it, right?!
"SOUNDS LIKE A CAREFREE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IN NATURE"
LUNA sandals are popular in America, but not yet well known in the Netherlands. There is a single online store where you can buy them, or you can import them from America, where you have to take into account paying import tax. I chose the LUNA Retro Mono sandals, which arrived just in time to take with me to Jordan, where I could put them through an extensive test.
The first impression of the LUNA Retro Mono sandals was when I opened the box at home. The materials used feel solid and the construction looks like it has been well thought out. What really caught my attention was the profile of the sandal. The sole is completely flat at the top, but at the bottom it has a Vibram sole with a sturdy profile. A sole profile that you can compare with a solid trail running shoe. Vibram guarantees strong performance, good grip, flexibility, walking comfort and that they are very durable. Sounds like a carefree outdoor adventure in nature.
I read reviews on the site beforehand from people who said they put on the sandals and never took them off because they felt so comfortable from day one. My feet usually have a harder time wearing new shoes, so I thought it would be better to wear them beforehand. That worked out well, because when I received the sandals, it was nice and warm in the Netherlands. But I have to say, putting on the sandals was not a matter of "plug and play" The strap of the sandal does consist of one piece, but that is precisely why it requires quite a bit of "tweaking" before the sandal fits your feet perfectly. But with a small instructional video, this was also a piece of cake and I had the sandals perfectly tailored to myself.
"IN JORDAN I USED THEM TO WALK PARTS OF THE JORDAN TRAIL, TREKKING IN A JORDANIAN WADI, VISITING HISTORICAL SITES"
Running is not really my thing yet, let alone running ultra marathons. But that doesn't matter. According to LUNA themselves, they are "adventure sandals" in which you can run, walk, hike, play and go on other adventures. So plenty of ways to test them. In Jordan I used them to walk parts of the Jordan Trail, trekking in a Jordanian wadi, visiting historical sites such as Umm Qais and Petra and I also wore them during a city walk in Amman.
One of the most crucial properties of a trail sandal is its grip. Especially because in a warm and dry country like Jordan there is a lot of loose sand and stones. But fortunately, the Retro Mono sandals certainly do not disappoint. From moment one I was positively surprised by the excellent grip. That gave a feeling of confidence and stability while walking. Something that seems essential to me for every outdoor enthusiast.
During my trip in Jordan it quickly became clear that these sandals were designed with adventure in mind. The heat and rugged terrain were no match for the LUNA Retro Mono sandals. My feet always had perfect grip and the open construction ensured that I could also release the heat in my body through my feet.
CONCLUSION
What really sets these sandals apart is the snug fit. The straps fit comfortably around the feet and can be adjusted to your own preference. This prevents sliding and ensures that the sandals remain firmly in place, even during outdoor activities where your feet are working hard. Personally, I thought it was a great advantage that the straps can be adjusted to your foot. My feet swell when it is hot or when I walk for long stretches. It's nice that I can tighten the sandals at the start of the day and give my feet a little more space during the day.
By the way, I consciously went for the LUNA Retro Mono sandals, because they have extra straps that you fasten over the instep of your foot. My feet need this, because otherwise the strap at the heel keeps falling down. I often have that problem with sandals and other shoes with only a strap at the back. The "tech straps" as LUNA calls them, are easy to apply and you can also leave them out if you don't need them.
The LUNA Retro Mono sandals have met and even exceeded expectations. The open construction, materials used, excellent grip and perfect fit make them a valuable addition to the equipment of every outdoor enthusiast. For more information and to get your own pair,visit the LUNA website.
Note: For the best experience, make sure you select the correct size according to the size chart on the website. They also offer a handy tool that you can print out to determine the exact size.
