Forget politics, climate change, or whether Paris Hilton deserves jail-time [1]. The issue that really seems to rile people up is whether it's smart to hike in sandals [1].

I discovered this when I asked a group of seasoned hikers about the best shoe for a day-hike on a hot June morning. Specifically, I'm going on a (hopefully) moderate, 10-mile loop [2] in the mountains near Albuquerque [2]. It'll be warm, even at 10,000 ft., and the rocky terrain is heavily forested with scrub oak, pine, aspen, and, hopefully, tons of wildflowers.

The sandal people -- who sport goofy tan lines on their feet from Chacos [3], Tevas [4], Keens [5], and popular styles designed for outdoor expeditions -- love the sensation of exposing their feet to the crisp moutain air. Socks are for sissies, they say, especially when hiking on a well-maintained trail.

They claim that sandals -- unlike hiking barefoot [5] -- offer plenty of support for shorter day-hikes (10 miles seems to the cut-off), and a lot of flexibility for stream crossings and rock scramblings. They're also lighter and less cumbersome.

The boot people disagree entirely. They roll their eyes at such foolishness, and cite all kinds of potential hazards on the trail: Cactus, (or poison ivy, depending on the route), rattlesnakes, cuts, scrapes, twisted ankles, annoying peebles that get caught underfoot, and the chance that a stray tree root might get driven under the toenail (youch!).

In general, they said that exposing their tootsies to the elements just isn't worth the the risk. A few even shared grisly tales about losing a toenail or three.

Hoping to find a more definitive answer, I searched the web with little luck. Some sites, such as one for Zion National Park [6], specifically advise hikers not to wear sandals, as the desert rocks will tear up unprotected toes. But I also came across one guy's first-hand account [7]of summitting a 13,000-ft. Sierra Nevada peak in Tevas after his hiking boots ravaged his feet.

There are also interesting first-hand accounts at Backpack Gear Test [8]. Here, real people (at least, I assume that they're real) trail-test specific shoes and gear for four months, then report the results. Naturally, their experiences varied.

Clearly, the best shoe depends on the terrain, length of the hike, weather, and above all, personal choice. It comes down to whether the risk of banging up your feet is worth the reward of allowing them to wiggle around in the wild.

I'm still not sure what I'll wear. But I will consider a factor that other hikers have overlooked: Which shoe will do the least damage to my pedicure?

For more on this subject, see The Outsider [8].

Photo from Backpacker Gear Test [9]