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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'

“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?!

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.

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.

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.