Zorali Trailblazer Sandals – Reviewed & Tested

With warmer weather fast approaching, Pat dipped his toes into the Zorali Trailblazer Sandals. The dogs are out (modestly under socks of course), the review is in, and here’s how the Trailblazers stack up.

Zorali has fast become a stalwart of the Australian outdoor scene. Born on the blustery Surf Coast, the brand has shifted operations – in true Victorian style – to the warmer climes of the Sunshine Coast and never looked back. 

I was a fan of Zorali before receiving a pair of Trailblazer Sandals, having gotten plenty of use out of my Escapade Backpack and Venture Pants, both of which We Are Explorers has reviewed. I’ve found Zorali’s products to be well made, reasonably priced and designed with sustainability as a core pillar instead of an afterthought, so what’s not to love? 

After putting these sandals through their paces, I’m pleased to report I’ll be continuing my relationship with Zorali. Yes, the aesthetic is a little more performance than I’d prefer (more on that later), but what we’ve got here is a top-tier sandal suitable for your next outdoor undertaking, be it a long-distance hike, coastal adventure, or an ice-cold pint to celebrate your efforts.

Camp coffee is also acceptable usage

Why am I the right person to do this review?

I’ve clocked my fair share of kilometres in sandals. I’m partial to a walking pilgrimage – be it the Camino de Santiago or Japan’s Shikoku Trail – and often find sandals preferable to boots or trail runners, particularly while schlepping along a bitumen road. At a rough estimate, I reckon I covered over a thousand kilometres of walking in my first pair of basic sandals, so I was thrilled to level up with a pair of Trailblazers.

Quick Specifications

Weight: 255g per sandal
Midsole: EVA
Water-appropriate: Yes
RRP: $120

Buy Now

Other Sandals We’ve Reviewed

• Teva Hydratrek Water Sandals
• Merrell Terran 4 Backstrap Sandal

Performance

The Zorali Trailblazer Sandals are touted as a warm-weather treat for adventurous feet; no slip, no sweat, all-terrain sandals. I tested them in Melbourne’s wintry laneways, on Fiji’s beaches, and I’m here today to tell you: yep, pretty good.

This to say I have zero concerns when it comes to performance. These grippy, Blue Granite beauties have safely delivered me to my destination, be it the top of a hill, my local supermarket, or a vessel of questionable seaworthiness idling in shallow water. No notes.

Durability

I’ve given the Trailblazers a decent workout over the past six weeks. We’ve covered city streets, muddy mangroves, and testing trails in tropical heat. Granted, we’re still in the honeymoon stage, and there’s no guarantee of anything lasting forever, but it’s hard to imagine these sandals letting me down anytime soon. They look as good as new after a quick wash and are showing minimal signs of wear and tear, aside from a small amount of fraying on the webbing. Zorali offers a lifetime guarantee for repairs, too.

Deep lugs and a durable thermoplastic rubber outsole

Comfort

I feel like I could walk for days with my hooves ensconced in these sandals. I encountered zero slippage, even when wet, and the recycled webbing held me with a maternal tenderness. I’m yet to encounter a single rock sneaking its way under my foot and the cushy heel pad has thus far prevented any blisters. I was also pleased to discover how quickly the webbing dries – perfect for rainy days, river crossings, or carefree frolicking in your favourite body of water.

Design

The Zorali Trailblazer Sandals feature three adjustable hook-and-loop straps on the heel, ankle and forefoot, which means you’ll find your fit no matter how funky your feet are. This is huge for a multipurpose sandal as it allows you to adjust your fit as needed.

If I have one issue with the Trailblazers, it’s that they look like a performance sandal. And yes, I know that’s the point. In the past I’ve preferred a run-of-the-mill, entry-level sandal like the TEVA Original Universal because I like the minimalism, so getting used to the aesthetics of a more aggressive sandal is taking me time. There is this horrible part of me that sees arch support of any kind and immediately thinks: nerd. I’m not proud of it. And I need you to know I am Doing The Work.

Nothing dorky about this, just a Cool Dude with Arch Support

Sustainability

Zorali is a certified B Corp, carbon neutral, and a 1% for the planet member – all huge ticks that most companies will never achieve. It’s also done the hard yards when it comes to knowing its supply chain, with regular in person visits to factories. Some aspects of the sustainability page are a bit non-specific, so it’ll be good to see how this develops. The brand has improved significantly over the last few years.

As for the sandals specifically, I couldn’t find information about the EVA used for the midsole, but the webbing is 100% recycled from used plastic.

Price

Look. My first thought was that $120 seems steep for a pair of sandals. But now that I’ve done my research, I’ve come to understand that times have changed and you’ll struggle to find a sandal this capable or versatile for less. Add in Zorali’s sustainability chops and it’s not a super-high price to pay for a comfortable, performance-driven hiking sandal. 

That being said, at the time of writing Black Friday is approaching and they are a measly $50.

Final Thoughts

The Zorali Trailblazer is a bloody good sandal that comes with a bunch of colour options to complement your favourite nail polish. Despite my aforementioned insecurities around any kind of arch support, these sandals are tough enough to tackle the trails, stylish enough to wear to the pub, and will be a core part of my summer wardrobe unless my partner tells me otherwise. What more could you want?

Read more: A Love Letter To My Teva Sandals

‘Logging on’ haha