The Bedrock Cairn Evo C Pro is a mash-up of my two favorite Bedrock sandals. It combines the thicker, cushier foam base of the Cairn Evo C with the Vibram Megagrip outsole and whitewater-ready strap of the Cairn Evo Pro. The result is a comfy and performance-oriented sandal for outdoor pursuits. I've been testing my pair off and on for six months—from hotsprings hikes to moderate mountain trails to everyday wear and kayaking. My Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO review has the scoop on the newest Bedrock sandal for hikers (and paddlers).
Testing the Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO sandal in New Mexico's Jemez Mountains
This post does NOT include affiliate links, so I won't make any money from this post, whatsoever. I'm simply sharing this independent review because I like the Bedrock brand and found the Cairn Evo C PRO Sandal worth promoting—even though writing this review doesn't benefit me.
Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO Sandal Review
This is a first-hand review of the PRO version of the Bedrock Cairn Evo C sandal. (Here's my review of the regular Cairn Evo C sandal.) I personally tested and reviewed the Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO with test hikes on several New Mexico Trails: La Luz, McCauley Warm Springs, Piedra Lisa, Embudito, and Nambe Lake. Plus, I alternated wearing the Cairn Evo C PRO with half dozen other hiking sandals I've tested, so I could compare its support, weight, comfort, fit, and traction to the competition.
As always, Hiking Feet's reviews are 100% independent—not paid for or influenced by Bedrock. My reviews are legit: I'm an outdoor industry professional who tests hiking footwear more than 1,000 miles every year.
Your feet will flex continuously in the Cairn Evo C Pro
Support & Protection
As a brand, Bedrock leans into less supportive, zero drop (flat) footwear that makes you rely on your feet (not your sandals) for support. That's true of the Cairn Evo C Pro—a relatively thin and flexible sandal.
In each of my pictures, you can see my feet bending over rocks and tracing the contours of the trail. Depending on your perspective, that either (1) wears out your feet and ankles in a hurry or (2) builds up your body's natural support mechanisms. The Cairn Evo C PRO isn't for hikers who want a supportive sandal—even though Bedrock rates it for rugged trails.
That said, the "Evo" and "C" in this sandal's name means the Cairn Evo C PRO is slightly thicker (20mm) than most Bedrock sandals (7-14mm). This adds some impact protection. And, of course, most hikers don't choose sandals for support—they choose them for the ventilation and weight savings.
My Cairn Evo C PRO weighs less than my Cairn Evo C sandal
Weight
The Cairn Evo C PRO isn't the lightest sandal in the Bedrock line, but it's lightweight. My men's size 12 only weighs 18 oz per pair. For comparison, this is 5 ounces less than the regular Cairn Evo C sandal and 6-8 ounces less than the best trail running shoes for hikers. If you prioritize weight savings—and most who hike in sandals do—the Bedrock Cairn Evo C Pro is lighter than most hiking sandals I've tested and reviewed.
Bedrock's G-hook-and-loop strap system creates a secure fit
Fit
Bedrock features a Y-strap and loop between the toes to secure your feet in the sandal. Importantly, the Cairn Evo C PRO upgrades this strap to whitewater-grade fasteners. The Y-strap features two metal hooks that you can thread through fabric loops to lock in your fit as well as a Velcro closure. With three points of adjustment—two of which are rock solid—this sandal has a lock-down fit compared to other sports sandals I've tested and reviewed. As a result, my foot slipped less in the Cairn Evo C PRO sandal during my test hikes.
The Cairn Evo C Pro may be comfortable if you're into zero drop
Comfort
With hiking sandals, comfort depends on your hiking style and your personal preferences. The Cairn Evo C Pro is softer and easier on the feet than most Bedrock sandals, thanks to thicker, softer EVA foam than the flagship Bedrock Cairn. If you're not looking for a barefoot feel—or a super-supportive sandal—you'll probably find this cushier foot bed fairly comfortable.
Many hikers who choose sandals love zero drop footwear (equal cushion beneath your heel and toes), which encourages you to land on your midfoot. That said, zero drop isn't for everybody. Genetics haven't been kind to my lower body, so my feet felt and calves fatigued after 5 miles of moderate hiking on my test hikes. For more casual wear, I could wear these sandals comfortably for hours without issue.
If you're into minimalist sandals, you'll find the Cairn Evo C PRO lightweight but too thick and cushy for a barefoot hiking experience. I personally like the sandal's fit and the between-the-toes strap, but some hikers may not dig that Y-cut like me.
Vibram Megagrip outsoles are a traction plus
Traction
Switching to the Pro version of the Bedrock Cairn Evo C gives you a traction upgrade. The Cairn Evo C Pro has Vibram Megagrip rubber, which is known for great traction on both dry and wet surfaces. My test hikes showed this to be true. When I tested wet rock traction at McCauley Warm Springs, the Cairn Evo C Pro clearly had better grip on wet rock than the (regular) Bedrock Cairn Evo C sandal.
On moderate to steep terrain, this sandal's tread was great on rock—and good enough on sandy and gravelly switchbacks. The rock traction impressed on the slickrock section of the Embudito trail, for example. On the Piedra Lisa trail, I never slipped on the loose weathered granite. At the same time, I had to descend a little slower than I do in trail running shoes with more aggressive lugs.
Traction is a clear plus in the Cairn Evo C PRO.
Value
The Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO lists for $145 (MSRP). That's a little more expensive than other Bedrocks because of its thicker ("Evo") footbed, more cushioned ("C") foam, and upgraded ("Pro") traction and whitewater-grade strap system. To me, these upgrades are worth the slightly higher price. My Bedrock sandals have also worn well and come with a Rock Solid Warranty.
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Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO Sandal (Unisex)
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Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO Pros vs. Cons
Overall, these are the pros and cons of the Bedrock Cairn Evo C sandal:
Should you buy the Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO sandal?
The Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO has tons of comfort and performance upgrades. It's a solid hiking and paddling sandal—as long as you're not looking for a supportive hiking sandal or a minimalist one. Plus, this sandal is exceptionally light. Zero drop isn't the best for my messed up lower body, but I really like how Bedrock has Frankensteined the best features of two very different sandals—the performance-oriented Cairn Evo Pro and comfort-oriented Cairn Evo C—into a single sandal.
Conclusion
If you're not sold on the Bedrock Cairn Evo C PRO, feel free to browse my other sandal recommendations for water and trails or see my reviews of its siblings, the Cairn EVO Pro and Cairn Evo C.
