From the April-May magazine: six more watershoes to traverse land and sea.

Salomon Tech Amphib

The Big Splash: With the Tech Amphib, Salomon has created a running shoe that is as good in the water as it is out. The Quickfit lacing system and adjustable heel strap cinch your foot into place, and mesh drainage ports surround the shoe, releasing water as quickly as it comes in. The beefy trail-running outsole provides protection from sharp rocks and features a series of strategically placed lugs for traction in slippery conditions.

Soggy Spots: The porous body won’t provide any warmth if you plan to be churning through cold streams for hours.

Teva Ultimate Thong

The Big Splash: Flip-flops are great for lounging at the beach or river, but as soon as you get them wet, you’re standing on a Slip-and-Slide. Not so with the Ulitmate Thong, a flip-flop with a shock absorption system at the heel, a high arch and a molded footbed. The additional nylon cinch strap secures the bridge of your foot, allowing for flip without flop.

Soggy Spots: While the Ultimate’s the right fit for some, it lacks both the freedom of a true thong and the security of a sandal’s heel strap.

Five-Ten Canyoneer

The Big Splash: Forget the Zion Narrows, the aptly named Canyoneer is burly enough to tackle the Grand Canyon thanks to thick polyurethane midsoles and a stiff rubber toe protector. A 3 mm neoprene ankle collar provides protection and warmth for tramping through icy spring streams, and the outsoles—developed by the climbers at Five Ten—feature Stealth S1 rubber, great for scrambling and wet traction.

Soggy Spots: The proprietary self-bailing midsole is supposed to pump out water as you walk, but just doesn’t get the job done.

Bite Primal

The Big Splash: Be nice to your feet. This orthotic-adjustable shoe comes with two footbeds and an additional liner that can be swapped in and out to meet the demands of your activity (try out the OS2). And they’ll protect your dogs from the outside world: sticky, non-marking soles are bolstered by a hefty rubber toe protector.

Soggy Spots: At 14.5 ounces dry, these pups put on some pounds when wet.

Keen Newport H2

The Big Splash: Think of Keen’s Newport as a sandal outfitted in a suit of armor. The hybrid use of a sturdy hiking outsole means this shoe can make tracks on land without compromising functionality in water. A firm but comfortable fit ensures your won’t lose your shoes the next time you get dumped in the heart of the rapids and a tough polyester upper keeps these rugged buggers light enough to wear around town.

Soggy Spots: These shoes virtually lock onto your feet. They are comfortable when you get in them, but you may have a tough time slipping them on and off.

Adidas Hellbender

The Big Splash: A true water sneaker, the Hellbender is a fully enclosed shoe that features the Adidas drainage system—mesh fabric surrounds the shoe (even on the bottom sole) allowing water to escape while ventilating the shoe. A high traction sole gears the Hellbender for amphibious pursuits, excelling in those swampy and slimy realms where full foot protection keeps the creeps and crud of the mud off your skin.

Soggy Spots: Without the open-air traits of a sandal, expect wet feet to take a long time to dry out. While well ventilated and constructed of hydrophobic material, you’ll still feel a bit clammy from the moisture trapped against your foot.

Last Updated: Feb 24th, 2006 - 14:18:11
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