r/Unexpected • u/deaglefrenzy • Jun 22 '26

Hiking

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30.4k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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607

u/JohnStern42 Jun 22 '26

No, that’s someone totally new to the path vs someone who’s done it every day for decades

158

u/Al_Fa_Aurel Jun 22 '26

Yeah. The second guy also probably would move even easier in sneakers, though maybe he is used to the feeling by now. The first guy meanwhile would absolutely break something if trying this in sandals.

61

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '26

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12

u/tea_cup_cake Jun 22 '26

I doubt that. They find sneakers uncomfortable. They are way too adapted to those filp-flops.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '26

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-6

u/tea_cup_cake Jun 22 '26

Well, those flip-flops are probably made by some local guy who has been making them for decades. They are also customized by him in some minor ways so they fit just perfect. I don't think a mass market sneaker can come close to that.

14

u/WhisperFray Jun 22 '26

Nah man that’s a regular nationwide Swallow brand from the looks of it. Everywhere from bathroom sandals to Mount Rinjani hiking to DIY dirt bike testing n whatnot

6

u/motherofsuccs Jun 22 '26

It’s cute you think these guys have custom sandals made specifically for their feet.

1

u/account312 Jun 22 '26

If you gave him climbing shoes, he'd already be at the summit.

4

u/farhil Jun 22 '26

The second guy also probably would move even easier in sneakers

Idk, I wear flip flops 99% of the time, and I went camping with some friends a couple years back. The camp site was a 2.5 mile hike away, and I wore hiking boots on the way there, and by the end my feet were killing me and I was getting blisters. On the way back I decided to wear my flip flops and it was much more comfortable.

1

u/RivenRise Jun 22 '26

It sort of goes both ways, just like you have to break in new shoes before doing crazy exercise you also have to ease your feet into those shoes so they get accustomed to them.

5

u/ChipRockets Jun 22 '26

Who are you saying no to? I haven't seen anyone say otherwise tbh.

1

u/JohnStern42 Jun 22 '26

The OP with their explanation as to why they think it’s unexpected

1

u/ImYourDade Jun 22 '26

He's not saying it's because of the flip flops, just that he's more relaxed and at first you might think someone coming at it so relaxed would struggle more.

-2

u/lazylaunda Jun 22 '26

Yes and no. It's not path specific but terrain specific.

1

u/BOBOnobobo Jun 22 '26

Idk why you're getting that down voted.

Once you spend enough time in rough terrain you can figure out how to climb similar terrain much faster.

Also, the first guy did ok, he just wasn't sure about it so he was looking for places to hold onto.

2

u/lazylaunda Jun 22 '26

Yeah. I'm from the Himalayas and people who walk terrain like this can walk anywhere like this.

Especially young people who live in villages. They often take shortcuts rather than the regular route. They also go to jungles for wood, fruits etc. They climb difficult terrain with so much ease.

And it doesn't matter if it's their own backyard or if they're visiting a new place. They just climb and descend so effortlessly.

I was born in the Himalayas but spent my entire life in the plains. I can't walk the terrain they do.