La Sportiva Glacier EVO Boots
July 25, 2011
Usually companies send gear reviewers their newest stuff; things that haven’t been on the market long or are just coming out. This is how they get press and buzz going for the new products. It’s tougher to get ahold of samples of established products, but I was lucky enough to get to take the venerable Glacier boots out for a spin on a press trip with Backbone Media, sponsored in part by La Sportiva. I am so glad I got the chance to do this, because even though I’m a solid Sportiva fan, it’s always good to have some quality time with the merchandise to verify my opinion of a brand and I was not let down in the slightest.
I was keen to have Sportiva participate in the site as a Featured Brand for that very reason – every single pair of Sportivas I’ve ever tried has been absolutely incredible, and the Glacier boots are another example. I wore them on a long overnight, during which I trekked about 20ish miles on variable ground (ranging from packed trail to trail-less woods, to loose snow, to packed snow, to sharp loose rocks – pretty much anything you can think of, we walked on it) with a moderate-weight load and absolutely zero boot break-in time. Ordinarily I would have cringed at the idea of doing this in brand-new-out-of-the-box boots but I’ve been in this boat with Sportiva before. Way back when, I was testing the Nepal EVOs and took them out on a three day winter camping trip with no break-in time. At the end of the trip my feet were warm and dry and I had nary a blister. Based on this experience, I had faith that I’d be fine in the Glaciers, and I was right. The one concession I made was to switch out the insoles to ones I know work for me, but I do that with all boots that I test so that wasn’t an unfair advantage.
Not only were the boots solid, supportive, and comfortable from the word go, they handled all the tough terrain with ease. Kicking steps up a snow field was kid’s play as to be expected, and I’d be happy in these boots for all but the most technical of ice and snow climbing (for that stuff, I have the Nepal EVOs). The Glaciers excelled in unstable terrain and a few of the other press types were a little envious that I got to head out with slightly beefier boots than they (though the Pamirs they all had performed flawlessly on all counts) during the step-kicking and post-holing portions of our trip. I was very glad to have them on the steeper parts of the climb because their stiff soles really helped with stability. I must admit that, faced with the 8 mile slog out to the parking lot, I wondered if I’d end up with blisters from such beefy boots, but in the end, I didn’t have any issues at all.
The temps on our trip were really nice so we didn’t have to worry too much about cold, but wet was a problem as we had many river crossings, a lot of postholing through snow, and lots of creeks to ford. For the thigh-deep water, I went ahead and took my boots off, but for everything else I just splashed on through and the boots shed the water without any issues. No blisters. No wet feet. Nothing negative or even cautionary to say about these boots. If you want to buy them for your main hiking boots, I’d say go for it. If you need more of an endorsement, check it out – my wildland firefighting peeps are even using this boot as their fireline boot (though Sportiva won’t cover fire-related damage, sorry), which should go a long way to assuring you that the boots are tough, durable, and comfortable. And you know what? If I went back to the fireline I’d have no hesitation going out for weeks in the Glaciers. I love that Sportiva is now billing the Glaciers as fireline and/or linesman boots – in the special “WLF” configuration which features heat resistant heels and toe boxes. WLF = wildland firefighting, get it? Hey, if the shoe fits…(ha!)
Wildland firefighters are into them. The community is into them – check it – five star reviews on backcountry.com. I’M into them. I will reach for these boots in the winter months when I climb the peaks around Anchorage, knowing that my feet will stay warm and dry and I’ll have the stability I need on icy slopes. I didn’t try them out with crampons yet but they do take a step in crampon which would make these boots practically invincible.
It’s my understanding that the “regular” Glaciers – not the EVO – only have a 1/2 shank instead of the 3/4, and lack the locking lace mechanism. The regular Glaciers would be great for straight backpacking but I’d recommend going for the EVO version if you have to do any technical, sketchy, or high angle climbing.
True to size in my opinion.
Buy them at backcountry.com and let me have the itty bitty dregs of commission.
Cushe Manuka Strip Sandal
June 6, 2011
Cushe has some great stuff, but this sandal didn’t work for me. It chafed my feet and seemed as if it didn’t fit well, so I sent it to Irene to get her take on it. In a demonstration about how gear is very individual, she loved it and provided the following review. ~HG
The Cushe Manuka Strip sandals are cute, with a sophisticated look, and a fit that says “let’s go hiking.” Mine are brown soft full grain leather with what the manufacturer calls a breathable stretch body, 3-point toe post sandal attached to the outsole sidewall, anatomical last shape for a natural fit, a lining of ventilated textile mesh, suede leather footbed that includes ultra soft Phylon molded EVA compound offering lightweight durability and providing increased underfoot comfort, and the outsole is a molded rubber foot-shaped outsole. Wow, so what does this all mean? A fabulous looking, feeling, fitting, sandal!
When writing reviews I like to learn a bit about the company behind the brand. Cushe has touched my soul with their core values, and their objectives, not only for their product, but also for the planet, and the lives its inhabitants. Reading their web site made me just want to up and order more shoes from them. Have a read through their web site here and see what they’re all about.
I immediately fell head over heels for this cute sandal. I put them on right away and wore them all day. By the end of the day, my feet felt wonderful, but the top of my second toe on one foot was sore and had been rubbed almost raw from the leather toe piece. I did not realize this was happening until it was too late. What to do, how could I give these sandals a good test if my toes are rubbed raw? I tugged at the leather and was able to pull it up a bit so as to not rest on my toes, hallelujah, this worked. These are now my new favorite sandals. They look great with jeans, dresses, and capris. I am pleasantly pleased with how styling I am a looking with the simple addition of these sandals to my wardrobe.
The footbed is perfectly fitted to the contours of the bottom of my feet making for a very comfortable wear all day long. What I really like about the footbed is the hibiscus flower design, though it’s not visible when my foot is in this sandal, I know it’s there, sort of like knowing you have the sexiest thong you own on and no one else knows except you, and that’s part of the fun. Here is what the manufacturer has to say about these little additions that make a tremendous difference in their product: “We love detail – the little things you can and can’t see that make our product that extra bit unique and special”, and yes they do, thank you.
These sandals are so comfortable and the rugged pattern of the sole offers such good grip that I was tempted to go hiking in them, however, my senses kicked in and I did not head out on the trail wearing them. I can, and have walked many hours in these sandals while power shopping in the big city of Anchorage. Folks like me who live a couple hours from Anchorage know all too well about power shopping and miles of walking required when visiting the big city, especially when visits to town are limited to every 6-8 weeks.
These sandals are true to size for what I wear in a woman’s shoe. I highly recommend them and am looking into ordering a pair of shoes from Cushe because I am so pleased with their company values and their product.
Vasque Mindbender Running Shoes
May 1, 2011
You may remember my mentioning these shoes a while back when I first arrived in Durango. They’ll always have a soft spot in my heart because they were here waiting for me when I got here, so I could go running immediately without having to unpack my stuff or wait for the rest of it to arrive. I had my running tights with me so I just tossed everything on, and headed straight out the door, less than an hour after arriving in my new home, for my first run at 7000 feet after three straight days in the car.
OK, so that run wasn’t exactly epic. But the shoes were there for me when I needed them and for that I will always love them.
I’ve been a Vasque wearer for a long time, opting for Vasques for my gymwear for quite some time. I had never before tried a women’s-specific Vasque shoe though, so this was a fun experiment.
I have high arches and typically use a very well-padded, flexible shoe, which the Mindbender isn’t. Instead, it’s a rock-solid, very stable offering, seemingly targeted to the pronators in our midst (or so I’d guess, for its firm support and stability), with a rather impressive lack of bulk (9.9 ounces). Make no mistake, the Mindbender isn’t a cushy ride, but it’s much lighter and more nimble than stable shoes usually are. For me, the shoe was ultimately too firm and supportive for my already-shock-absorberless soles. I think that runners with flatter feet would absolutely love this shoe for its support without stiffness, stability without weight, and dependability without that dead feeling you sometimes get from a shoe oriented to pronators.
I enjoyed the feel of the shoe on the trail and found the sole nicely grippy and dependable. The fit was pretty good; the toe box very roomy and the laces quite nice. Is it weird to gush about laces? Well, considering the number of shoes that come with laces that don’t stay tight or don’t stay tied, I think it’s a fairly significant issue. Believe me, the Mindbender laces stay put. I did have a little trouble with pinching at the top of the laces, but I think it’s because I was lacing them too tight, being used to shoes with laces that loosen.
I don’t run in the Mindbenders as much as my other shoes, but this is because I have those high arches and really do need a softer shoe. Since most runners are pronators, I highly suggest giving these shoes a once-over for trail running. The combination of lightweight construction and stability makes them a serious contender for people who want to put in lots of miles on the trails. Personally, I need more flex and cushioning, but it’s important to understand that the only reason I found them too firm is that I have unusually high arches. My footprints in the sand only show heel, ball, and toe prints. If you have normally-arched (your footprint shows heel, ball, toe, and the outside of your foot as well) to flat feet, the Mindbenders will be a worthwhile investment.
[Edited to add: Oops! Forgot to mention that the picture above is an affiliate link to backcountry.com. If you click and buy, I will eventually amass enough wealth to receive a payout from the affiliate marketing originator. This happens, oh, once a year or so. Sigh.]
Shimano WM61 MTB Shoes
April 1, 2011
I’ve been engaging in some conversations about bias in reviews, and whether a review written in exchange for getting a free piece of gear is likely to result in more or less bias than a review written on gear that has actually been purchased, and whether a review that has been written by someone paid to do the review is likely to result in more or less bias than either of the above scenarios. I’m not going to get into that here, other than that I try not to have any bias in my reviews. At worst, I feel kind of bad sometimes when I have to trash something that a client is clearly proud of, but I say what I have to say.
That out of the way, I didn’t get these shoes for free. I had to pay for them, which doesn’t alter my opinion nor the content of this review at all, but it DOES make me extremely relieved because I can RANT TO MY HEART’S CONTENT without feeling guilty about hurting my client’s feelings.
This was my first pair of fancy pants MTB shoes that looked “race-y.” I’d been relying on my beloved Cannondale Roam bike shoes for years with no complaints. However, I became self conscious after seeing that many other riders had fancier looking shoes than I. Let this be a MAJOR LESSON to me to not trouble myself with image, looks, or what other people think. Because of my vanity, I’m stuck with these godawful pieces of crap that do nothing but look good. That also describes the majority of my boyfriends, but that’s neither here nor there (but it’s still a funny line, no?) and we’re talking about shoes, here, so let’s focus.
Why do I despise these shoes so much? Let me count the ways. First, and most annoying, the tongue shifts to the outside so much that it ends up literally on the outside of my foot. The outer edge of the tongue migrates down all the way to the footbed and stays there, so the inner edge of the tongue is to the outside of center. When I look down on the top of the shoe, I see my sock in between the closures, not the tongue. It’s ugly, annoying, and uncomfortable, and nothing can be done about it. I have tried from day one of wearing these shoes to break them in so that the tongue behaves as it should, to no avail. Shimano could have perhaps prevented this problem by attaching the tongue to the rest of the shoe, but no. They left it free to do as it pleases and what it pleases to do does not please me – it sucks.
The closure system is a combination of a ratchet strap and two velcro closures, none of which work very well and all of which leave the shoes loose and sloppy on the foot, or painfully pinched if you crank the closures down in an effort to reduce the slop. Nothing is comfortable at all. I would say that slop is marginally better than pinched, but neither works well.
Finally, the channel on the footbed that holds the plate for your cleats is not deep enough, so the cleat screws protrude into the footbed, causing pressure points and pain. Woo! Don’t these shoes sound like fun?
My feet go to sleep when I ride when I’m wearing these things. How this happens when my foot is slopping around so much is just completely beyond me. I think it must be the shape of the footbed that causes weird pressure points and leads to trouble.
Just about the only thing I like about these shoes is that they look cool, which is why I bought them, which should teach me a grim lesson and be used to educate other hapless, image-conscious riders for years to come. Their relatively low price combined with their good looks might entice you, but hopefully you’ve read this review and look elsewhere for your bike shoes.
Ocean Minded Flip Flops
March 31, 2011
As the daughter of a Coast Guardsman, I was raised around the ocean. Fate conspired to send us north when I was five, though, so I wasn’t exactly raised around the warm ocean. I don’t think I had a pair of sandals until I was in my 20s. Even now, my arctic roots are obvious, since as soon as the sun shines and it’s above 50, I race for my bikini and do whatever I can to remain outdoors. Now that it’s topped 50 a few times in Colorado, I’m well on my way to an epic tan and I’ve already broken out the flip flops.
I’ve ended up with three pairs of Ocean Minded flip flops; two with leather uppers and flat footbeds and one with synthetic upper (maybe neoprene?) and a synthetic, molded footbed. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had a ton of sandals, but these are super great flip flops. They’re comfortable – I even wore one pair all day at OR as I walked about ten miles all over the concrete show floor. Really, OR, would it kill you to put those foam mats down in the aisles?
Anyway, it’s really hard to discuss flip flops at any length, but I really like these. They don’t chafe or cause feet to sweat (ew) and they fit really nicely. A simple sandal done simply well.
Tecnica Cyclone GTX XCR
March 9, 2011
Two days ago I was so excited because it is ALMOST low-hiker season. ALMOST time to get back into comfortable shoes. I’m not really a boot lover; I’m a low hiker aficionado, so I just kind of tolerate walking during the winter in boots; it’s a necessary evil. Low hikers are the way to go for the dry season and my shoe shelves prove it. I can’t get enough low hikers. I say “two days ago” because it snowed six inches at my place the other night so now things are a mess. Not low hiker season yet. Bah.
I admit that due to my gear maven status, I have taken to eagerly awaiting the newest and fanciest of technologies every time a box arrives at my doorstep. I expect things like carbon fiber, unheard-of exoframes, super light, super fast, superevenlighter and superevenfaster every time I break out the box cutter. So when these Tecnica low hikers arrived, I was at first underwhelmed. Brown color scheme, thick sole, kind of remedial looking. No carbon anywhere. I expected the thick sole because the reps had explained to me at OR that Tecnica was going the opposite direction from the “barefoot” craze, which I like because I think the barefoot thing is bunk. To each her own, but come on – we spend millenia developing footwear because being barefoot all the time sucks, and then at the height of our industrial capabilities we decide “oh, no, better the other way, we think”? Sigh. Well, if it works for you, excellent; but for me, I need my shoes and I don’t care who knows it. So I was keen to go with shoes that weren’t even trying to be “barefoot”. After all, how would I ever test barefoot shoes? Finding a way to test shoes that are pretty much built to cause pain is a challenge to say the least. Good thing I didn’t have to do that – Tecnica had my back.
But if there’s one thing I can do, is find a way to test low hikers. I wear them for almost everything. So, on they went for a dog walk in the ‘hood. Now, as you may know, for me a “dog walk in the ‘hood” usually means at least a three hour jaunt up a mountain or a ridge, depending on my particular current ‘hood. These days, it’s a ridge route, with a mile-long flat warmup, a 3/4 mile supersteep climb, a up-and-down crest walk, then a route reversal. There’s something for everyone; mud, slickrock, ice, snow – typical dog-walk material.
Well, I’m not big into suspense so I’ll just cut to the chase. By the time I completed two “dog walks” in the Cyclones, they were my low hikers of choice. I just love them. They’re not fancy or special looking, per se, but they are solid, fit well, are comfortable, and shed mud, snow, and moisture. I like sole support as I have high arches and am prone to impact-related injuries, so the cushy yet supportive Cyclones were fantastic. I was very sad to have to put them away for the winter but when I find something I like, I get all strange about actually using it. I only want to take it out for special occasions and I try not to get it too dirty and muddy so that it will last longer. Stupid, I know. But sometimes I can tell how much I like an item by how much I don’t use it, and since mud season has hit with a vengeance I have left the Cyclones on the shelf. I’m sure this is not what Tecnica had in mind, as half the reason PR folks send out samples is to get them out there and “seen,” but if they really want me to wear them all year they should do something about the weather. Mud is bad for shoes. I want these babies to last! You know, Tecnica, you could just decide to send me new ones every year…I mean, just an idea…
Evolv Rock Star Climbing Shoes
January 4, 2011
The big problem with these shoes is that just about everyone at the climbing wall, crag, gym, or boulder is wearing these shoes. This is an issue when it comes time to sort out the shoes after the traditional post-climbing barefoot Ultimate game. I took a Sharpie to mine, decorating the leather upper so that I could tell them apart from everyone else’s shoes.
There’s a reason everyone’s wearing these, and that reason is that they are awesome. Far and away the most comfortable climbing shoe out of the box that I’ve ever used. The difference is noticeable in the fit especially; the low cut of the heel making me realize that most other shoes have uncomfortable high-cut heels. I never would have noticed this otherwise. They are comfortable enough to leave on and laced while belaying and still let you climb to a very high standard. The Evolv rubber is about as sticky as it gets, and consequently smearing is where these shoes excel. Edging is decent; not the best ever in my opinion, but definitely adequate. Whatever loss of edging precision is more than made up for in comfort. The only move that this shoe really didn’t perform well involved toe pockets; maybe my sample pair is a little too large, but I had a tad too much room to be able to trust my toes as much as usual. Of course “as usual” means a tiny pair of curved-last slippers that are so painful to wear that I make my belayer hold me up off the ground as I take them off while dangling from the rope rather than contact the ground in those torture devices. My point is that perhaps I could go down a size in the Rock Star, still be comfortable, and get better toe performance. I don’t know because even I am not cheeky enough to ask for a second sample pair in a different size (though some might find the mere mention of this in the review to be a passive aggressive way of doing just that) simply to see if I can fit that toe pocket better.
So, buy a half size down, is my recommendation, and then please write and tell me if the toe pocket performance is adequate. And speaking of sizing, one of the very cool things about the Rock Star is that it’s billed as a “female-friendly” shoe rather than a “women’s specific” shoe. Why is this cool? Because it’s marketed both to women AND men of a certain foot shape, but it’s clearly female-leaning. After decades of “unisex” gear that is really just men’s gear, this is a welcome change. And a great shoe to boot. (heh. Boot. Get it?)
Patagonia Bly Shoes
December 4, 2010
[We are supposed to be all sorry for poor climber Melissa, with a broken finger preventing her from indulging her climbing habit. In true Geargals fashion, Melissa broke her finger walking her dogs. -Head Geargal]
I must admit that I was excited about these shoes at first look. The lacing structure reminds me of climbing approach shoes and I love and miss climbing. But that has nothing to do with the shoe, that’s a broken finger problem. I love the lacing style as I find it the best for really fitting the shoe to the unique vertical contours of my foot [Don't ask. -Ed]. I wore these shoes home as soon as I got them and they are now my shoe of choice for almost anything outside. I have to watch myself or I would wear them to the office every day, they look and feel that good.
The test drive: I have used these shoes for several different kinds of activities, including sailing, waiting tables, trail running, off and on trail hiking, biking, casual (office), dog training, and walking around the art museum with my nephew. After a few days I became curious about what the intended purpose of this shoe was, so I looked them up on Patagonia’s website and they said: a rugged, backcountry hiking and trekking shoe with features designed specifically for women. I think the description of ‘backcountry’ may be a little generous as I found I had little traction off trail, but I was side hilling a lot and it was reasonably loose material. I also don’t think I would ever consider a low cut shoe appropriate for true backcountry as to me that implies off trail or at least some kind of distance from assistance and I would prefer more ankle support for those kind of situations. Though I would bet these would feel great for walking around on tundra and alpine gravels, they likely wouldn’t comfortably get you there. I’m not sure what exactly the women specific features were, but I didn’t ask my boyfriend to try them on and tell me how they didn’t work for him. My feet are relatively square, not long and thin, but not requiring extra width in my shoe size normally and these fit me well.
Overall I found these shoes to have good support, good grip on slippery surfaces, no blisters or rub spots from breaking in, and a pretty sturdy sole. Good performance for a low cut shoe. And they look cute as an added bonus. If you can’t resist wearing them for activities where you know your feet will get muddy they have proven to be challenging to clean, but to be fair, I think I knew that before I stepped in the mud puddle. Also, the laces are round and I historically have a difficult time keeping round laces tied, but a double knot seems to do the trick and the laces are long enough to easily tie in a double knot. The traction on outdoor loose material surfaces isn’t the greatest, but I think the lack of a beefy lug sole is one of the traits I like about this shoe, so I guess I’ll take the compromise.
[And now for the Official Government Business test. Irene's take on the Bly, below. -Head Geargal]
I was so pleased to receive the sporty looking, comfortable Patagonia Women’s Bly shoe in the mail. The website describes this as a boot (really a shoe); here is what they have to say:
This low-profile boot was named for Nelly Bly, a journalist who made a 72-day trek around the world in 1889, at the time a world record. Women on the move will appreciate the durable suede leather upper that fends off tough scrapes, and polyester mesh lining that breathes through sticky (I thought this said stinky, because they certainly stink after a few days of wear) situations. The 3DM triple-density EVA midsole is compression-molded, providing cushioning and support specifically for women. A shock-distribution plate and injection-molded arch shank lend protection underfoot without sacrificing flexibility. A multi-tread Vibram® Ecostep outsole (30% recycled rubber content) provides excellent traction in a multitude of conditions.
From the moment I put these shoes on they felt great due to the cushioning, soft knobby sole, and light as air feel. I’m not a runner but I was tempted to go for a run, that’s how wonderful this shoe feels. Instead I wore them on a mountain bike ride and short 5-mile hike. As I set out the temperature was 24 degrees. My tootsies got so cold I couldn’t wait to ditch the bike and start hiking. I know, I could plan better before wearing new gear on an outing, I can just see Head Geargal shaking her head at me. But I was so excited and had to try these shoes out right now, so I rode 6 miles to where I would begin my hike. It wasn’t like I could have wimped out either, I was working and had a trail survey to complete, wouldn’t look too good to say I had to come home because my toes were cold. By the time I got to my destination for hiking my toes were hurting big time. My regular hiking (heavier, leather) boots would have been a better choice on this freezing, gorgeous fall day. But, these shoes out performed in the icy conditions and were actually better than what my hiking boots would have offered for traction. I was amazed that I did not slip even a smidgen on icy sections of the trail.
After my toes warmed I was comfortable hiking, even with the numerous brown bear prints covering the entire trail. I love these shoes and the springy feel, it’s like bouncing effortlessly along, I think they will work well for an around town shoe. The sizing for my foot and what I would have ordered is right on. The only bummer I have with these shoes after wearing them a few days I notice a stinky odor (think stinky feet odor) wafting from them. I’ll need to wash them, then maybe wear cotton socks, or look for odor eater stuff for shoes? I never, well rarely, have a problem with stinky feet/shoes, darned it, I was almost able to give this shoe a perfect review based on sort of sensible use.
Sorel Shila Boots
December 4, 2010
[The Graying Geargal is back by popular demand! -Head Geargal]
This Graying Gear Gal does not make decisions quickly. I shop carefully and choose wisely. Safety and practicality are of prime importance! I purchase boots for warmth, traction, and longevity. The latter asset saves me from shopping a lot.
I confess to being a long time Sorel customer. I still have every pair of Sorels that I have ever purchased as well as the extra, unused felt liners that I added to my original purchase in case I ever needed to replace the original liners (which I didn’t). I have the Glacier model and the Manitou; these are my work horse boots.
I was shocked to discover stylish Sorels appearing out of the back country and into our daily lives. I received a pair of Sorel Shila boots. They are incredibly fashionable: water proof leather boots that rise to one’s high calf. They have a full front lace closure that allows the wearer to pull on the boots easily and to adjust the snugness to the calf perfectly. They come in black, tobacco, and British tan and are available in half sizes. Shila boots have fleece lining for comfort and for wicking moisture away from your feet; this lining is removable for drying just like my die-hard, traditional Sorels. The tread is solid! I am able to pull on my ice grippers, an act that was never possible on my older, bulky Sorels. Let us not remove safety on snow and ice for fashion; fashionistas do not have to be dare devils. One can be prudent and chic! Now I have to learn to say thank you in response to compliments about my attire.
I admit to being someone who NEVER allows a car dealership to affix their decal on my new cars so it is astonishing how much I love the Sorel logo emblazoned across the side of each boot! The maple leaf in the “o” advertises Sorel’s Canadian roots as well as my own family connection to Canada. It also advertises that I am wearing well-made, warm boots even though I am stylish.
WARNING: Do not go to the Sorel website unless you are ready to buy new boots. I was amazed to see the styles available.
Columbia Outpost Hybrid Shoe
July 29, 2010
Hey, it is my first video review! And my first time directing a movie. Summer blockbuster, here I come!
If you didn’t get the point from that incredibly informative video, I will sum up: I wasn’t sure about these shoes at the beginning. If you are going to get in the water, surely go for sandals, yes? So I had to kind of make myself try them. Wouldn’t you know it, I really like them. I have worn them in the water (see above), sockless on short hikes, and with thin socks on longer hikes. In all scenarios they have been comfortable, no rubbing and no blisters. I love wearing shoes without socks so I greatly appreciate this. Yes, your feet will get dirty, because these shoes are made of mesh, but if you just walk through the water, they will get clean again. It’s like magic. I like how close they fit at the ankle; it keeps the gravel out and also looks cute.
I have found that on very loose, uneven ground, the highish heel makes it slightly more likely to turn an ankle, so watch your step on that type of ground. On well worn trail or in the water, you’re gold.
