Without a doubt, Chacos are the best hiking sandals out there, and I have no idea how I found them for so cheap on Amazon. Normally they are 100 anywhere you go. I can do some serious terrain in these bad boys and have never had a problem. Super comfortable and amazing traction. Desert? Check. Forest? Check. Water? Check. Vertical scrambles? Check. Backpacking? Check. I definitely recommend the kind with the toe loop for extra control. I will never hike with any other type of sandal.