On Tuesday March 24th we launch the Rockhound Sandal- our first adjustable flip flop. Dig deeper into the lore with us below. 

rock·hound

/ˈräkhound/ nouninformal•North American English

ageologist or amateur collector of mineralspecimens.

Not that Bedrockers are amateurs. After 15 years of making the best performance sandals around, we’ve seen Bedrockers tackle the tallest summits, rowdiest whitewater, and more miles of trail than we could ever count. We wanted something easy breezy for a new season of adventure though, something that embraces the down times, smaller adventures, and finally answers one of our top requests: can you guys make a classic flip flop?

The Rockhound sandal isn’t just a scaled back version of our best-selling Cairns. The Cairns are a bit of a statement piece if we're allowed to say that, and we wanted a new, lower profile shape. We moved the toe post closer to the foot and added one adjustable G-hook-and-loop for a tailored fit. The new 3D+ footbed is still zero drop and only 9oz (size 9) but with an arch that locks your foot in place and provides more support than your average flip. We finished it all off with a custom Vibram® sole that holds its own on rafts, boats, rocks, and other slick surfaces. It's also Re-Soulable. 

The result is a flip flop that’s locked in and bomber when you want it to be but just as ready to be kicked off after the main course. Life is a little simpler without a heel strap and the Rockhoud is all about micro-bites of adventure – kayak takeouts, whitewater lines, fishing trips on the coast. But it’s also about the everyday stuff, like hopping out of your van to catch the sunset and serving up your finest burritos at camp. 

We sat down with Dan, one of Bedrock’s co-founders, to chat about the Rockhounds.

What is the backstory of the Rockhounds?

For years, there are basically two requests we’ve heard on repeat: “Make something without a toe strap,” and “Make a flip-flop.” We’re pretty toe strap forward, but the flip-flop idea kept tugging at us. Eventually we realized if we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it the Bedrock way: make a really bomber flip-flop that’s adjustable, durable, and repairable.

What makes the Rockhound different from other flip flops?

We weren’t trying to reinvent what a flip-flop looks like. The goal was simply to make one that actually holds up. The big unlock was bringing in our g-hook adjustability. It lets you dial in a custom fit, usually one or two adjustment points on either side of center is all you need, and it works surprisingly well.

Placement mattered too. On a flip-flop, the side straps sit closer to your actual toes, more in that toe knuckle zone, so we pushed the g-hook to the outside to keep things clean and comfortable while you’re moving. 

You get a lot of that locked in feeling from the arch support, too.

Yeah, and this part’s been interesting. The arch support is definitely higher than our 3D footbed, so that’s a bit of an experiment for us. It’s still a zero drop platform, but we wanted more of a classic arch profile for the flip flop.

Who are the Rockhounds for?

To me, they’re perfect for super casual situations where you’re just as likely to kick them off and go barefoot as you are to keep them on. It’s more of a lifestyle shoe.

Since moving to Montana  we’ve got a ton of connections to river guides, and it’s been a pretty common request in those communities too. People want something transitional that can still handle some real use.

What about the Nubuck leather versus the synthetic Rockhounds specifically?

A lot of it comes down to preference—vegan materials versus leather, and how you plan to use them. The Nubuck leather version is more for folks who aren’t spending their day in and out of the water. You can get it wet, but it’ll be slippery. That said, the footbed adds a ton of comfort, and leather does a great job with odor. It’s also hard to beat the feel of natural material underfoot if that’s your thing.

Then the full synthetic option leans into versatility, especially in the footbed. So if your life involves more water, that’s the direction I’d point you.

Finally, we asked friends and fam how they’ve been wearing their preferred Rockhounds.

“I wore both the synthetic and leather Rockhounds on a two month road trip in Baja. You can go barefoot at some beaches but there was often trash hidden in the sand or the beaches were made of hard, crushed up shells, so I’d usually end up wearing the synthetic Rockhounds. They were great for filling up our dish bucket in the waves, walking on sharp fossilized reefs and rocks when fishing, sprinting back to Starlink to google if the fish we caught was poisonous, jumping out of the camper to find a bathroom after a few weeks of e.coli…you get the idea. Good times, challenging times, and everything in between.” -  Danielle

“What I love about flip flops is how quickly you can take them off. As someone who loves to be barefoot outside, I often feel like, if I don't need shoes, I don't want them. The issue with that is, when you need shoes, you often really need them, and something subpar usually doesn't cut it. The Rockhounds were truly perfect for me last summer. The aggressive tread and extra security from an adjustable strap allowed me to comfortably scurry up to the crag, hike my kayak down to the put-in, and ride my bike to the park, only to quickly remove my footwear and enjoy the rock/water/grass on my dogs. There when you need them, gone when you don't!“ - Joey

“When I find myself debating between my Cairns or MTN clogs, I often slide into the Rockhounds. They’ve held their own when a casual scout mission unexpectedly evolved into a legit day hike. With 200 miles underfoot, the leather keeps developing a richer patina while somehow getting more comfortable. The Rockhounds are an unexpected but reliable companion for days that start simple and turn adventurous.“ - Andrew

Get Rockhounding (No Tools Required) March 24th at 10AM MT. Available in three Synthetic colorways and Nubuck Leather.