Bedrock Cairn 3D PRO II Adventure - Women's Review

The Cairn 3D Pro II is an adventure sandal with a minimal strap design. The soles are Vibram Megagrip with a Molded 3D footbed and Cairn 3D Vibram midsoles. The straps are made of polyester and nylon webbing with metal adjustment hooks, and the size 9 we tested weighed 17.1 ounces. They come in one standard width and a few colors

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Cairn 3D Pro II sandals felt good on our feet right out of the box. Compared to the regular Cairn, the 3D Pro footbed has some light contouring at the base of the toes and between the big toe and the rest of the toes, as well as a slight curvature to provide minor arch support. The soles are thick but reasonably flexible. The Pro II soles are stiffer than the regular Cairn soles, but that additional support comes in handy for long days on your feet or when carrying a lot of extra weight.

The straps are a mixed bag, depending on your foot shape and preferred tightness. The numerous seams on the straps are a bit scratchy and stiff, which we noticed less when things weren't over-tightened. Some of our testing team loved the feel of wandering and exploring all day in these sandals, while others had some issues with them rubbing between the toes and on the tops of their feet. We had a difficult time getting the sizing right as well, as the Cairn 3D isn't particularly conducive to those with slightly longer toes. Our lead tester, who normally wears a 7.5 shoe, ended up finding that the size 9 fit her best.

Traction

The Vibram Megagrip soles of the Cairn 3D Pro provide excellent traction on just about any surface. Large lugs help to grip in trying conditions, like crossing streams and trekking up steep gravelly paths. Bedrock claims these soles offer extra traction in wet environments, and we found this to be true.

Compared to the regular Cairn, the Cairn 3D Pro II footbed traction is vastly improved. It has a textured surface that does a much better job stopping the feet from slipping, especially when wet from sweat or puddles. The slight "3D" shaping of the footbed also does a much better job at cradling the feet and keeping them in place so you don't slide out the sides on tricky terrain.

Stability

The thicker, sturdier base of the Cairn 3D Pro helps them to be quite stable. Because the soles are better molded to the feet than the regular Cairn, the 3D Pro stays in place and makes a better base to cross uneven terrain. While the regular Cairn sandals tended to slip slightly on some of our testers' feet, allowing the outside edge of the sandal to catch along the ground, we did not have this same struggle with the 3D Pro.

Two of the three adjustable straps involve hooking a metal arm through a fabric loop, providing a solid and sturdy strap. The remaining strap is a buckle that can be cinched down tight when you need extra stability. Some of our testers noted that this buckle tended to loosen slightly while walking, lowering overall stability. That said, even for those who experienced this, the sandal never loosened too much.

Adjustability

All three of the straps on the Cairn 3D Pro II are adjustable — the only one that isn't is the section that goes between your toes. The easy hook and loop adjustments on the insides of the feet and across the heel are simple to maneuver and fix into the position they'll likely stay for the rest of the time you own these sandals.

The final strap between the toes lacks any adjustability but is pulled backward — and therefore tightened — as you adjust the other two straps across the top of your foot. The strap on the outside of the feet is adjusted with a buckle you can easily slip open or closed to step in and out.

Versatility

The Cairn 3D Pro II has all the right features to be a rugged adventure sandal. We happily wore them on paddling trips and long hiking days. They're a bit heavy but otherwise easy to pack and bring along for just about any adventure.

With such a unique combination of webbing, cord, hooks, and buckles, the Cairn 3D Pro definitely has a distinct "look ."Not everyone who tested these liked that look, but if you dig the outdoorsy vibe, there's almost no limit to the summertime events these sandals are ready for.

Should You Buy the Bedrock Cairn 3D Pro II?

If you like minimal footwear but also want an adventure sandal that will protect you on uneven terrain and give you traction in wet conditions, then the Cairn 3D Pro II is a great option for you. They're not ideal for folks with extra long toes, and the interestingly textured straps aren't for everyone, but for a rugged, well-made adventure sandal, this is a great choice.

What Other Sandals Should You Consider?

The Cairn 3D Pro II is a great choice for those who want minimal footwear without giving up all the support and protection of a true adventure shoe. If you're ready to take the full plunge into minimalist footwear, the Xero Z-Trail EV is a superb choice with great traction but far more "ground feel ." On the other end of the spectrum, if you want the adventure sandal sole and functionality but crave more stability and security, consider the more minimally strapped Chaco Bodhi or the more secure Chaco Z/Cloud 2.