Clarks Desert Trek Shoes
We’ve tested dozens of modern interpretations of the classic over the years, and we’re still partial to the original. The crepe rubber sole gives it some heft (it’s the heaviest shoe here) but also makes it extremely comfy and durable.
Birki’s Classic Skipper Shoe
There’s nothing better than sliding out of a cycling cleat—or water bootie, or ski boot, or climbing shoe—and into the cloglike Skipper. Unlike the classic Birkenstock (Birki’s is a sister brand), the , with its five-layer foam-and-cork footbed, takes no time to break in.
Cole Haan LunarGrand Wingtip Shoe
Bright color combinations and enhanced stitching bring the style. A high-tech midsole—the same stuff Nike uses for its top-of-the-line running shoes—brings the spring. The result is the best-looking, lightest-weight we’ve ever worn.
El Naturalista Campos El N659 Shoe
El Naturalista achieves comfort the old-fashioned way: like everything the Spanish company makes, the is constructed almost entirely from natural materials (hand-stitched jute midsole and veggie-tanned leather outer). Perforations in the upper help it breathe on hot days.
Sanuk Baseline
Call the Sanuk 2.0. Whereas the original was so flexy you could literally roll
it up, the Baseline has a vulcanized midsole for more structure. The result isn’t as packable, but it’s just as cushy, way more durable, slimmer, and (slightly) less casual looking.
Rockport Clearview 2 Chukka Shoe
Like the LunarGrand, Rockport’s is business up top and performance down low. The ultralight, shock-absorbing footbed is courtesy of Adidas. It’s a winning mashup, and the Clearview 2 is ideal for any walking-intensive warm-weather trip.