Recovery is about more than comfort, and it’s about more than rest. To truly recuperate from active pursuits—trail or road running, cycling, hiking, climbing—you need a recovery period that’s active as well. Athletes who move wisely in the hours or days between efforts return to their sports feeling fresher than those who take “rest” a little too seriously.

Engaging in gentle activity while you’re trying to recover promotes blood flow and helps decrease toxins like lactic acid and metabolic waste. to reduce muscle and joint soreness, and even mitigate muscle strains and tears, when done correctly.

Meet the OOmy Stride from OOFOS, a new and recovery shoe intended to lighten the load on your joints and muscles. By decreasing compressive stresses and aiding both mobility and natural gait patterns, these innovative shoes can help outdoor athletes bounce back better and more refreshed.

The Active Recovery Foam

OOFOS emerged as the pioneer of recovery footwear after the 2011 launch of its OOriginal Slides, which utilized two key components to enhance recovery: OOfoam technology and a patented footbed design. OOfoam is the brand’s secret sauce—a proprietary material that’s noticeably different underfoot than other foams. Instead of a midsole foam like you’d find in a performance running shoe—one that’s meant to harness energy, rebound quickly, and propel runners—OOfoam does the opposite, says Dan Hobson, head of product design at OOFOS, by prioritizing energy absorption to create a dampening effect.

“We’ve engineered a technology that is specific to the purpose of recovery,” adds Hobson, “and truly differentiates us from companies using traditional performance foams like EVA, PEBA, and TPU.” back up those claims, showing that OOfoam absorbs as much as 37 percent more impact than regular foams and can reduce load rates up to 88 percent upon impact—acting as a natural decelerator for the body.

Ashley Caldwell and Justin Schoenefeld know a thing or two about minimizing impact. The U.S. freestyle skiing teammates (Beijing 2022 gold medallists in mixed team aerials) regularly spend training days launching 60-plus feet into the air. To cope with all those landings, both Caldwell and Schoenefeld swear by OOFOS as soon as their ski boots come off. “My feet, my ankles, my knees feel so much better,” .

Other outdoor athletes who put heavy stress on their feet agree. Climbing legend recovers in OOFOS to give her feet rest and mobility after long days jammed into climbing shoes. Right out of the box, the pillowy-soft OOfoam makes its case with a noticeably slow rebound and pressure distribution. In short, this foam cradles feet and mitigates the impact forces from every single walking step, plus it relieves body-weight pressure on feet, knees, and back when standing.

The Active Recovery Shoe

Those intentional steps are indeed crucial, especially if your daily life doesn’t let you slow down. Because a recovery period that’s active helps outdoor athletes feel better faster—maximizing improvements from workouts, exercise, or exploration—the OOmy Stride is built on a new platform that improves on fit, feel, and ride, “from heel strike to toe-off” when compared to prior models.

The Stride features the brand’s proven OOfoam technology and signature design features that feel instantly supportive under the arch while distributing peak-pressure zones. The introduction of an advanced footbed geometry with rounded heel and deeper flex grooves on the outsole enhance flexibility to provide the Stride’s smooth, natural walking motion that rolls you through your gait, step by step. “It’s intended to feel like walking on a natural surface, like grass,” says Hobson.

That footbed is paired with an upper featuring an engineered knit collar and four-way-stretch mesh to let feet breathe and splay more naturally. An antimicrobial lining adds freshness, quarter panels secure feet for long strides, and a padded heel collar cushions the Achilles, all of added benefit to the recovery process.

Step in and Start Recovering

As the world becomes more covered in hard, unnatural surfaces—from streets to home floors to workspaces—OOfoam is an advanced technology that can act as a soft-surface simulator, letting you bring the feel of the outdoors with you into every aspect of life.

Put on a pair. Go for a walk. Feel the pressure relief of OOfoam and the supportive footbed that lets this lightweight, flexible shoe do its thing—that is, help you return ready for your next outdoor active adventure.

OOFOS is the global leader in recovery footwear, founded by a team of industry veterans looking to help runners and fitness enthusiasts recover better from their workouts. Made with revolutionary OOfoam technology, OOFOS are designed to absorb 37 percent more impact than traditional footwear. They reduce stress on joints to keep anyone, of any activity level, feeling their best. From professional athletes to casual walkers, OOFOS footwear will make your hardworking feet and body feel better—all you have to do is feel the OO. For more information, go to .

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Like many multisport athletes, I usually experience the changing of one season to another with equal parts excitement for the new crop of sports—and equal parts full-body soreness. My legs get hammered in the transition from summer to fall as I move from my sitting sports (i.e., rafting, kayaking, and lifestyling in campsites) to hard-charging uphill sports (i.e., mountain biking and trail running). This year is no exception: I spent the last three weeks starting a training block for the Lithia Loop trail marathon in my home town of Ashland, OR, and all my muscles and joints are feeling it. I figured it was the perfect time to test-drive some of the more popular recovery sandals on the market.

Active recovery footwear is most certainly having a moment. It’s technically a category as old as the bedroom slipper—and has existed as a more purpose-made product for more than a decade. But we seem to be reaching a new peak in active recovery footwear. There are new kicks coming out each season and new recovery technologies debuting every year. Recovery research is increasingly showing us all that we cannot ignore this intrinsic part of the training process. I also need more recovery in my life. And, like many of you, I have grown tired of torturing myself with my lacrosse ball.

This truly luxurious trial let me give my barking dogs, tight hips, and sore calves a break (and potentially a recovery boost). And, as a bonus, I get to help you figure out the best recovery sandals for you. Here’s what I found.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

How I Tested

I started the test with a deep dive deep into recovery sandal research. I scoured reviews until I’d zeroed in on the best recovery sandals on the market, then pulled back the curtain a bit on the science of each one to make sure they weren’t making any bullshit claims. Once I’d called in samples, I subjected each one to a couple of tests.

For starters, I ran a similar 4.5-mile loop 12 times over the course of two weeks and wore each of these sandals for a full day after each run, taking notes on how they felt. I kept the run as uniform as possible and kept my use of the sandals as similar as possible to reduce the number of variables affecting my results. I wore them inside my house, hung out with my kiddo, and took them on the four 0.4-mile head-clearing neighborhood walks I take each day.

In addition to the above daily-driver test, I wore each sandal for an hour and took them each on a 0.4-mile neighborhood walk when my legs were beat to a pulp after my first ambitious 8-mile run. I also cycled through all these sandals after days of manual labor to test their effectiveness against general full-body soreness.

The Results

Best for Active Recovery

Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3

The Ora Recovery Slide 3s were cushy as hell—just as you might expect from the brand that made us fall in love with maximalist shoes. The dual-density foam layup is made from a soothingly soft, sugarcane-based EVA midsole and a sturdier, more supportive EVA outsole. The shoe felt truly therapeutic during my sorest steps around the neighborhood. But it was actually the way these slides helped inform my steps that made me fall in love with them.

The Oras take advantage of their huge 33mm/27mm stack height to carve a serious rockered curve in the front. That helps roll your foot forward with every step. This mechanical aid felt like a hand from an old friend when my legs were achy and tired after a long run. I was able to walk it out further, giving the lactic acid more time to flush out of my system. Wearing these did make my legs feel better over the course of the day. It is worth noting that this rocker profile isn’t for everyone. I bought a pair of these for my dad, and he couldn’t stand the way they messed with his gait—and went back to his beat-to-hell Rainbow Sandals instead.

Best for Foot Injuries

OOFOS OOahh Sport Slides

While these slides were not as cushy as the Hokas or Crocs, they did deliver a top-three performance in terms of comfortable walking stride—even on the very first step. That’s thanks to the ample footbed. At first glance, the footbed looks almost comically large, but that extra material allows it to slope inward, creating a three-dimensional hammock for my feet. It delivered support and an extremely stable walking platform, but with an overall width that really gave my feet room to splay out on each step. This unrestricted feeling was appreciated on every walk, but particularly when my feet were swollen after my long run.

The OOah’s were the only recovery sandal I wanted to put on after I sustained an embarrassing toe-overuse injury from not clipping my toenails before a high-mileage week. The downside of that ample footbed and upper is that they felt sloppy during quick movements and were ankle-rolling machines when I was on the playground chasing my six-year-old.

Most Versatile

Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoe

It feels almost embarrassing to call anything “minimalist” in this test, due to how straight-up huge the three slip-on models are. With the Kanes, there’s also an added 10mm heel-to-toe drop—as opposed to the zero-drop Crocs and the 5mm drop on the Hokas. With that said, in terms of movement alone, there was something brilliantly minimalist about how these recovery kicks walked. Credit the heavy longitudinal channels on the outsole, which allowed the shoe to bend laterally with my foot during each step. That flexibility also provided a light stretch to my stiff arches when I walked. I also appreciated the light rocker in the sole, which helped move my steps along.

The Kane Revive is more of a shoe than a sandal, but it still breathed extremely well thanks to the myriad holes in the upper. But the thing I loved most about the show was its versatility. While the footbed texture and smooth ride made them feel like a recovery shoe, plentiful heel support and a more streamlined silhouette made them my favorite for running errands and pretending to be the Loch Ness Monster at my kid’s playground without worrying about rolling my ankle. The biggest con: The fully encased uppers were the toughest to get on and off of the bunch. If I were recovering from an ultra or a multiday objective, I definitely would prefer the ease of a slip-on.

Best Upper

Vionic Rejuvenate Recovery Sandal

The cushioned, two-part upper—which is adjustable via a Velcro strap—really set the Vionics apart from the rest of the sandals in this test. The customizable fit made my entire foot—not just the soles—feel cradled and loved, and the soft brushed cotton-like fabric interior also had a much more organic next-to-skin feel than the plastic uppers of the other slips. While every foot is different, I found its high arches took some getting used to.

For the first 150 to 200 steps, I felt like I was lurching forward, but once I adjusted, I did appreciate the light massage the hump gave the arch of my foot. Another perk is that these slips look much lest orthotic than some of the other options, thanks to that leather-looking adjustable upper. Wearing them made me feel more like a put together adult (when worn with jeans) than a middling-sporty dad when picking up my daughter from school.

Best Stimulation

Topo Athletic Revive

The pronounced, wavy ridges covering the footbeds of Topo Athletic’s Revives are designed to stimulate blood flow—which is why I turned to them when my feet were at their most swollen. The washboard-like texture provides a light massage with every step, which felt especially good on day three of my training plan when my soles were throbbing. Walking around in these babies seemed to positively affect the swelling.

The Athletic Revives feature a wide toe box, which also allowed my angry toes to splay out and relax. One downside: These lean more towards slippers than sandals with their rugged Vibram outsole and fuzzy upper, so I’m less likely to turn to them as a camp shoe. But in a hut setting? Now we’re talking; I’m already salivating about how they will feel after a long ski tour this winter.

Best Cushion

Crocs Mellow Recovery Slides

Ěý

The steps I have taken in these Crocs have been the softest, most marshmallow-y, and best cushioned of my life. The difference was so noticeable that I made audible pleasure sounds during my first test drive—delivering “oohs” and “aaahs” not yet out of my house. My feet visibly sunk into the footbeds like a fancy memory foam mattress when I first put them on, and they delivered Cadillac-smooth rebound with every single step. These slip-ons were the most luxurious of the bunch in terms of cushioning—and I could feel myself sinking into the cush with each step. That helped my whole leg relax, which translated into a tangible feeling of relief all the way up to my back.

They were my favorites when my legs were their most sore, both after long runs and after manual labor. As for downsides: The Mellows had the least breathable upper in the test, with only two small vents at the base and an ample amount of plastic over the top of my foot. As a result, my feet swamped out pretty badly on hot days.

What Are Recovery Sandals?

Recovery sandals are shoes that are easy to get on and off, are extremely comfortable to walk around in, and stimulate blood flow to your feet. All of the recovery footwear I tested, and most in this category, have versions of the following attributes to achieve those goals:

• Some type of raised surface in the footbed that stimulates blood flow at the bottoms of your feet.
• Cushy feel under foot
• A stable platform to walk on — usually from a wide exterior outsole
• A large, roomy, footbed.

Do I Need Recovery Sandals?

While each purchase has a nuanced answer based on individuals’ needs and budget, my short answer is: yes. If you have the money and don’t mind occasionally getting called out for wearing one of these pretty ostentatious styles in public, they are a great investment. If you are going to wear sandals anyway, why not wear a pair that at best benefits your athletic recovery with every dang step?

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There’s nothing wrong with wearing running shoes or hiking boots around camp, whether you’re backpacking or car camping. They work. They protect your feet, as shoes tend to do. But I’m a firm believer in the value of camp shoes—lightweight, easy on-and-off footwear to wear when spending nights outside.

If you’re backpacking, do you really want to keep on those shoes or boots that you’ve hiked in all day while you’re trying to relax and recoup? Do you want to futz with the shoe’s tongue, shove your feet inside the heel collar (still wet from the day’s sweat), and lace up, every time you get out of your tent? Are a few ounces of weight savings worth that?

And if you’re car camping, why not throw a dedicated pair of camp shoes into the car before heading out? Surely there’s room in your vehicle, no matter how stuffed to the gills with gear it may be. Packing camp shoes is worth it.

I’ve put a fair amount of camp shoes to the test over 20-some years of car camping around the Colorado Rockies, plus some lovely nights in Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. I define “camp shoes” as footwear that I can easily slide my feet in and out of while holding any of the following: a sizzling pan of food hot off the camp stove, a beer in one hand and a guitar in another, or a full bladder (and not the kind you put in a backpack). When I’m camping, I don’t want to have to use my hands to tie or untie shoes, especially in the middle of the night when exiting my tent for a bathroom break. And I certainly don’t want to tie my shoes in the morning before breakfast. Save the tying of things until after I’ve had my coffee.

Car camping, to me, is all about relaxing in the woods—cooking, lounging, enjoying company, and sliding in and out of comfy shoes. And I don’t want hiking boots or running shoes laced up and applying pressure on my feet in any way. I prioritize comfort, convenience, and functionality—and camp shoes deliver on all three.

Two pairs of camp shoes have stood the test of time for different reasons, and a third recently entered my rotation and will have a longstanding stint. Each excels in a different camping setting and season, so I’m breaking down the pros and cons of the three to help you home in on shoes that suit your camping style.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ĚýLearn more.

Best for Warm Weather and Waterfront Camping

Crocs Classic Clogs

Yeah, Crocs. Rubber shoes. However you may feel about Crocs, feel this: They’re super-easy to step in and out of, nobody’s feet have ever overheated in a pair of Crocs, and no other pair of shoes dries quicker. For those reasons, Crocs Classic Clogs work great for camping in hot temperatures, or for camping on a lake where you may be in and out of the water. The tread pattern underfoot provides traction in dirt, should you venture on a short walk or hike. And if temperatures dip, you can always rock socks with Crocs.

Bonus: Crocs are super lightweight and can be clipped to the outside of a backpacker’s pack.

Downsides: Your feet can get awfully dirty wearing Crocs in a campsite, and Crocs are bulky inside a duffle bag or backpack.

Best for Cold Nights and Mountain Camping

The North Face ThermoBall Traction Mules

Nothing is cozier than a puffy jacket, and these mules are basically a puffy jacket for your feet. The baffled upper is stuffed with 100 percent recycled polyester insulation and enclosed in a water-repellent shell, making chilly mountain air—campfire or no campfire—no match for them. Add to the upper a soft, velour-like fleece insole and interior lining and the cozy level of these slippers is off the charts. The warmth of the polyester fill and water-repellent shell combined with the rubber outsole with traction makes these a good choice for unpredictable mountain weather and apparently makes them appealing to teenage boys for wearing to school in the winter—or at least my teenage boys.

Bonus: They can be worn as mules with the heel collar down or as shoes with a loose, slip-in fit that stays surprisingly secure.

Downside: They can feel too warm at lower elevations mid-summer.

Best for Moderate Temperatures and Crossover Casual Wear

Teva ReEmber

These slipper-like shoes are insulated with a recycled polyester microfiber encased in recycled ripstop and polyester shell. They’re less puffy, and therefore, less toasty, than the ThermoBall Mules, making them ideal for moderate temperatures during shoulder season or summer camping trips with cool to cold nights. The outsole, made of 50 percent recycled rubber, provides adequate traction and protection. These even work for around-town wear, depending on the town (in Boulder, they pass as “cool shoes.” Like the ThermoBall Mules, the ReEmber shoes can be worn as a mule with the heel collar flattened, or as a shoe, making them easy to step in and out of.

Bonus:ĚýThe toe cap, reinforced with a panel made out of 60% polyester and 40% polyurethane, protects in a toes vs. log/picnic table/fire grill situation.

Downside: The footbed feels a bit firm and flat—I crave a little cushion or contour while puttering around camp and walking the dog.

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The contact points between the rider and a bicycle are some of the most important aspects of riding a two-wheeled steed (think saddle, grips, pedals, and, yes, shoes). The bike footwear category has widened dramatically in the past few years to include everything from the highest-performance road shoes to versatile gravel kicks to flat pedal pumps designed for rugged mountain bike rides. After testing this year’s offerings, we hand-picked the following options that meet the needs of modern riders.

At A Glance

Gravel Shoes

• Best All-Day Shoe: Udog Distanza ($200)
• Most Versatile: Specialized Recon ADV ($225)
• Most Accommodating Fit: Shimano RX801 ($275)
• Best Race Shoe: DMT KM0 ($520)

Road Shoes

• Best Value: Specialized Torch 2.0 ($180)
• Best for Everyday Use: Shimano RC903S ($475)
• Best Performance: Giant Surge Pro ($399)

Mountain Bike Shoes

• Most Versatile: Five Ten Freerider Pro ($160)
• Best Lightweight Shoe: Giro WMS Latch ($150)
• Best Protection: Fox Union Canvas ($120)
• Best Grip: Specialized Roost 2FO Flat Syn ($120)
• Most Comfortable: Ride Concepts Flume BOA Flat ($200)
• Most Streamlined: Shimano GF6 ($160)
• Most Stylish: Crankbrothers Stamp BOA Flat ($180)
• Best Clipless Shoe: Fox Racing Union BOA ($250)
• Most Waterproof: Adidas Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex ($220)
• How to Choose Bike Shoes
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best All-Day Gravel Shoe

Udog Distanza

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes: 38-48

Pros and Cons
⊕ Compliant, durable sole
⊗ Not easily adjustable while riding

While Italian-based Udog’s home base might be an ocean away from the birthplace of modern gravel cycling, its design team is leading the way in performance and comfort-focused creations. The Distanza is built to meet the demands of the all-day aspect of today’s gravel events with a compliant, walkable sole and highly breathable knit upper.

Design elements like 100-percent recycled polyester laces and a grippy rubber outsole distinguish the Distanza when a gravel ride becomes a hike-a-bike. The laces are routed through metatarsal support straps that aid in creating even tension along the foot, which reduces the hot spots that many standard lace-up shoes create.

We broke in the shoes for a few weeks before a 10-hour day on the bike at the Rock Cobbler gravel race. The 110-mile course with 10,000 feet of elevation and more than its fair share of muddy hiking is on the extreme side of our test rides, however, the Distanzas proved both durable and comfortable, with their flexible soles reducing foot fatigue.

Laces aren’t for everyone, and it’s worth noting the shoes run a bit big, so be sure to review the size guide to get the right fit. On the scales, our size 43s topped out at 702 grams, leaving our gram-conscious testers wishing for a bit of weight savings.

Most Versatile

Specialized Recon ADV

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes: 36-49

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stiff yet walkable carbon soles
⊗ Laces work well for some, but aren’t for everyone

The Specialized Recon ADV is designed for cranking out long miles on gravel roads. This lace-up model takes cues from the company’s Recon line of mountain bike shoes with its sleek look, but adds a splash of color and a stiffer carbon midsole with a bit of engineered flex in the forefoot. This forefoot flex makes the Recon ADV more walkable for mid-ride coffee stops and nature breaks.

Most Accommodating Fit

Shimano RX801

Retention system: BOA dial and Velcro strap
Available sizes: 38-48 EU (half sizes from 41-45.5, wider width from 40-46)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stiff carbon soles
⊕ Great fit
⊕ Easy to adjust while riding
⊗ Less walkable than others

Shimano has been a leader in the gravel race shoe category, and the RX801 only builds upon that legacy. The Japanese component brand recently gave these popular gravel kicks a makeover with improved ventilation, fit, and adjustability.

The synthetic upper is heavily perforated to increase airflow. Shimano also made the toe box wider and included heel stabilizers to keep the foot in place for greater control through the pedal stroke. A surround-wrapping upper hugs the foot for a close fit, while a rubberized Boa Li2 dial allows for micro-adjustments on the fly, which prevents the upper from getting too constrictive over the course of a long ride.

Have wide feet? No worries—the RX801 is available in a wide version in sizes 41-47.

Best Gravel Race Shoe

DMT KM0

Retention system: Dual Boa Li2 dials
Available sizes: 37-47

Pros and Cons
⊕ Glove-like fit
⊗ Weak tread

DMT footwear is most recognizable attached to Tour de France powerhouse Tadej Pogacar. Now, the brand’s ingenuity and performance-oriented designs that earned two yellow jerseys on the road have made their way over to the gravel side of the sport.

A minimalistic knit upper and a shapely carbon sole are paired in the DMT KM0 for a glove-like fit with a focus on maximal stiffness (rated 10/10 by testers). During our first few rides, we noted the Michelin tread was extra grippy on short rough walks, however, after a few hundred miles of testing, a mile-long hike-a-bike wore the tread pretty quickly, leaving us slipping. At 542 grams (size 42), the KM0s are on the lighter side of the gravel shoe market.

Best Value Road Shoe

Specialized Torch 2.0

Retention system: Single Boa dial and toe strap
Available sizes: 36-49

Pros and Cons
⊕ A smart balance of performance and comfort
⊗ Minimal retention personalization

For riders looking for a performance road shoe but hesitant about diving head first into the high-end shoe market, the Torch 2.0 is a competitive option at the sub-$200 price point.

Though they’re designed for the recreational cyclist, our tester said he’d feel confident wearing them for a race. “They deliver an effective balance between comfort and performance,” he noted. “I do lengthy rides, often spending five or more hours in the saddle, and these shoes deliver comfort with minimal compromise in power transfer.”

The shoe has a fully perforated, single-layer synthetic and seamless upper with internal toe and heel reinforcement. This gives the Torch 2.0 a fairly supple fit with built-in, long-term shoe protection. A toe strap is paired with a single Boa dial. While we’d prefer a dual Boa dial to allow micro adjustments for a more personalized fit, the Torch 2.0’s configuration makes on-the-road adjustments possible. Our size 43s tipped the scales at 549 grams, a fair weight in this class of shoe.

Best Everyday Road Shoe

Shimano RC903S

Retention system: Dual Boa Li2 Metal Dials
Available sizes: 38-47

Pros and Cons
⊕ Supple, form-fitting upper
⊗ Hard to keep clean

Shozaburo Shimano would be proud to know the freewheel company he started in 1921 has grown to showcase a wide range of cycling components and gear for competitive and recreational riders alike, including high-performance cycling shoes like the RC903S, which falls within Shimano’s S-Phyre line.

Dual Boa metal dials lock a rider’s foot into the anti-twist heel cup with the help of the wrap-around upper and six points of retention over the front end of the foot. The carbon sole is strategically reinforced around the cleat for added power transfer while remaining compliant toward the heel for optimal stiffness—rated as 8/10 by our test team who altogether put more than 4,000 miles of riding in these shoes.

Perforated vents allow for sufficient heat dissipation through the upper’s thin material, and a pair of size 44 hit the scales at a meager 502 grams. On a warm, five hour day at the Mammoth Gran Fondo, the mix of engineered breathability and overall stiffness made for a positive experience.

Best Performance Road Shoe

Giant Surge Pro

Retention system: Dual Boa Li2 dials and toe strap
Available sizes: 40-48

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stiff, performance-focused sole
⊗ Sole is too stiff for longer rides

As the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, Giant has played a formative role in the modern cycling industry and always seems to be a step ahead of its competitors design-wise in just about every sector of the market. The Surge Pro, Giant’s flagship footwear offering, is just one example.

These shoes feature a three-point retention system, a unique carbon sole, and a weight of only 510 grams (size 43), making them an attractive option for performance-focused riders. A channel runs heel to toe along the sole, maximizing stiffness where it’s needed at the cleat—testers gave the shoes a 10/10 stiffness rating—delivering enhanced power transfer and cutting out excess carbon to save weight.

These were a top-rated shoe for high-intensity, hour-long criterium races, but on longer five-plus hour days, our feet needed relief from the extreme stiffness rating.

Most Versatile MTB Shoe

Five Ten Freerider Pro

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes:Ěý6-14.5 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s), 5-11 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy-to-clean synthetic material
⊕ Stiff for optimized pedal performance
⊗ Lace capture causes laces to lay across the shoe
⊗ Tread pattern tends to retain mud

There’s a reason the Freerider Pro is the benchmark for all other flat-pedal mountain bike shoes. First, the wide toe box and cozy heel cup fit a wide range of feet, including my exceptionally fickle ones. More importantly, we’re huge fans of Five Ten’s famously grippy Stealth S1 Dotty rubber outsole—it keeps us solidly placed on the pedals on even the rainiest fays.

The Freerider Pro also shines with a stiff sole that leaves us feeling one with the pedal, resulting in excellent efficiency on longer rides. Lastly, the synthetic upper is durable and easy to clean when things get muddy. One tester loved them so much, she said the Freerider Pro is “still the master performance mountain bike flat pedal shoe that pedals all bikes and holds up throughout the season.”

Best Lightweight MTB Shoe

Giro Latch

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes: 38-50 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s), 36-43 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Very grippy
⊕ Lightest shoe in the lineup
⊕ More molded protection over toe box
⊗ Lace capture is flimsy
⊗ Slightly wider in heel

Giro’s Latch shoe fits, feels, and pedals a lot like the Five Ten Freerider Pro because of the stiff, flat sole that brings the foot closer to the pedal. Giro’s Tack Rubber and the irregular tread felt like it had the tackiest rubber of all the options we tested, and it shed mud more consistently than other tread patterns. The Latch’s quick-drying microfiber uppers were ideal for fall riding conditions, too.

At the end of the day, the Latch competes with the big guns in pretty much every metric of flat shoe performance. Plus, fashionable tester Megan Barton gives the Latch extra points for style.

Best Protection

Fox Union Canvas

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes:Ěý37-47 (unisex)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Robust and sturdy
⊕ Reinforced toe box
⊗ Heavy
⊗ Canvas was hard to clean

The Fox Union Canvas flat pedal riding shoe combines off-bike street style with solid on-bike performance. While we did not find the Ultratac rubber on the sole quite as grippy as Giro’s and FiveTen’s, it wasn’t far behind and still imparted a sense of durability while thrashing through local rock gardens in Hood River. The polyester canvas material also was not our favorite to clean, but it did provide robust weather protection during rainy, cold rides.

We liked how the shoe felt super stiff for pedal grip, but we would recommend it for shorter rides because we started to experience some foot fatigue around mile ten. Overall, this shoe has a nice low-profile design that we loved and excellent grip, and it would thrive from a short ride to a pub crawl.

Best Grip

Specialized 2FO Roost Flat Syn Shoe

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes:Ěý36-49 (unisex)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Matches grip with Stealth rubber
⊕ Stiff enough for long rides
⊗ Doesn’t feel as light as advertised

The 2FO Roost delivers top-notch grip, breathability, and comfort, making it one of our favorite flat pedal shoes in the Specialized line-up. The SlipNot ST rubber easily competes with the Five Ten’s Stealth rubber and seems to offer better grip in cold weather, especially when we needed to constantly transfer our power on the burliest, most technical trails.

In terms of stiffness, as a trail shoe it handled long descents like a champ with zero foot fatigue. The heel cup was nice, deep, and comfortably retentive, ensuring our heels stayed in place on rougher trails. Our only real complaint is that the shoe lacks protective padding in the toe box, which resulted in a few jammed toes.

This isn’t the best pick for those with narrow feet, but it’s a competitively priced top contender shoe for riders who like to punish themselves on epic missions.

Most Comfortable MTB Shoe

Ride Concepts Flume BOA Flat Shoe

Retention system: BOA
Available sizes:Ěý5-10 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Super grippy
⊕ Exceptionally comfortable
⊕ BOA allows for easy micro-adjustments mid-ride
⊗ Balancing mid-shoe and heel tension a slight challenge

The Ride Concepts Flume BOA Flat is an easily adjustable and well-crafted shoe that feels like a slipper. Their Max Grip rubber sole offered exceptional grip—we felt comfortably glued to our pedals at all times, even on extremely technical and rooty trails.

Moreover, the toe and heel have hexagonal treads for confident hike-a-biking traction in slippery mud. The spacious toe box is comfortable, while the midsole support adds an overall feeling of being one with the pedals. “I loved how protected and secure I felt in these shoes,” said tester Annick Chalier. Our only gripe is that it was slightly challenging to get the tension with the BOA just right for our heels to be secure without the mid-shoe being too tight.

Most Streamlined

Shimano GF6

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes:Ěý38-48 (unisex)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Matches grip with Five Ten’s Stealth rubber
⊕ Stiff enough for long trail rides
⊗ Not quite burly enough for pure park riding

Featuring Shimano’s Ultread GF rubber, a torsional midsole that Shimano calls their Torbal 2.0 midsole, and trail-ready design, the GF6 is their premier flat pedal shoe. While the shoe has minimal padding compared to others we tested, there is enough to handle the accidental rock kicks and moderate impacts.

Fitwise, it had good heel retention both on and off the bike. More importantly, we found the grip on par with the Five Ten’s, and they’re stiff enough to handle long rides without undue foot fatigue. Shimano footwear tends to fly under the radar for some reason, but they make an excellent product, and we’d love to see them out on the trails more. The fit and features make this my go-to flat pedal shoe.

Most Stylish MTB Shoe

Crankbrothers Stamp BOA Flat

Retention system:ĚýBOA
Available sizes: 5-14 (unisex)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy walking off the bike
⊕ Stiff enough for long rides
⊗ Match MC2 rubber not as grippy as others

The Stamp BOA Flat is a stylish option that features a BOA dial, Velcro power strap, Match MC2 rubber, and a relatively stiff sole for power transfer. The Stamp BOA is stiff, but not too stiff; there’s just enough flex for easy walking—although they did feel a hair tight in the forefoot for a couple testers.

The Match MC2 rubber was grippy, though it’s not Stealth grippy, so if you’re going to be riding on wet days or have trouble locking to your pedals, look elsewhere. We’re not 100 percent sold on BOA systems in terms of fit, but we do relish the ability to securely snug up shoes without the litter of laces.

Best Clipless MTB Shoe

Fox Racing Union BOA

Retention system: Boa Li2
Available sizes: 37-47

Pros and Cons
⊕ Great in-between profile
⊗ Spendy

Best known for helmets, body armor, and apparel, Fox Racing recently entered the mountain bike footwear market and the Union BOA is the brand’s premier clipless mountain bike shoe, designed for trail riding and enduro racing.

It utilizes a pair of BOA Li2 dials to adjust the fit tension and a lightweight nylon shank to stiffen the sole while pedaling. At 221 grams per shoe (size 42), the Union BOA is lighter than similar “skate-style” mountain bike shoes, but heavier than svelte shoes designed for cross-country racing. On the trail, we found it provided ample support, and the micro-adjustable dials are handy for on-the-fly adjustments.

Most Waterproof

Adidas Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex

Retention system: Laces
Available sizes: M4/W5-M14/W15

Pros and Cons
⊕ Iconic grip
⊕ High cuff keeps out debris
⊗ Water can still come in through the top

Mountain biking can be dirty work. If you’re looking for a shoe to accompany you on wet-weather rides, look no further than Five Ten’s Trailcross Gore-Tex. The shoe’s waterproof upper shrugs off rain and trail spray while Five Ten’s legendary Stealth Phantom Rubber provides extra grip on slippery trails.

Like other waterproof mountain bike shoes, this model is not impervious to water running down your leg, into your sock, and then getting trapped within, so it’s best to pair them with water-resistant pants when riding in sloppy conditions.

How To Choose Bike Shoes

Cycling shoes can be segmented into categories based on their intended use and cleat interface.

Cleats/Clipless Shoes

Road cycling shoes are typically compatible with composite-based, three-bolt style cleats like Shimano’s SPD-SL and Look Delta/Keo. These cleats offer a high amount of retention and have a greater surface area to maximize stability and power transfer per pedal stroke, which is ideal for road cycling. However, the cleats are often exposed and provide poor walkability.

Gravel shoes use a two-bolt pattern for use with cleats like Shimano’s SPD. Two-bolt cleats are generally smaller and made of metal, offering greater durability for walking on uneven surfaces.

Flats

More and more mountain bikers are ditching clipless bike shoes in favor of flats, shoes with sticky rubber soles that offer good grip on pedals and don’t require you to clip in/out of pedals. Many experienced riders and downhillers who navigate high-consequence terrain prefer flats because they allow you to bail off your bike more easily.

Flat shoes are also better choices for novice riders, since they don’t come with a learning curve (getting the hang of clipless shoes and cleats can be tricky). The downside to flats is they don’t offer the same power transfer as clipless shoes.

Budget Versus Performance

Don’t disregard your budget. Bike shoes can be exorbitantly expensive, especially on the high-performance end of the spectrum. If you’re looking to get into racing, the higher price tag might be worth it for every additional watt of power. If you’re not racing, we recommend leaning to the more comfortable end of the spectrum, rather than trying to maximize stiffness and performance; these shoes generally come with more palatable price tags.

Materials

Road biking shoes feature lightweight soles made up of carbon or composite materials that blend stiffness and compliance to best suit the rider’s needs. A stiffer sole generally provides higher power transfer; a more compliant shoe flexes more and provides a more comfortable ride, but often equates to more power loss.

Gravel and mountain bike shoes add tread around the sole to improve walkability and stability.

Shoe uppers will consist of a microfiber or knit material with varying amounts of suppleness, ventilation and foot/ankle support. Microfiber uppers tend to provide more durability and support, while knit uppers have a greater amount of ventilation and suppleness.

Fit

Fit is critical in a cycling shoe and directly impacts performance. If you can, try before you buy. Your local bike shop may have a selection of bike shoes and employees with a wealth of experience to help you find the right fit. Call around to see what’s available and visit your local bike shop to get a real feel for the shoes before you commit.

How We Test

• Number of products tested: 21
• Number of Testers: 8
• Number of miles collectively ridden during testing: 12,000
• Biggest ride: 110 miles

Our group of testers, made up of men and women across the country, put 21 pairs of the year’s newest road, gravel, and mountain bike shoes to the test on various rides, races, and trails. Some testers assessed a shoe’s performance while preparing for marquee road and gravel events, while others set out to determine a shoe’s comfort and versatility on their weekly coffee ride. Our primary testing ground for MTB shoes was mountain biking mecca Hood River, Oregon, where we assessed a shoe’s performance on everything from technical, muddy trails to mellow, meandering cruisers. We graded each pair of shoes we tested on characteristics like stiffness, weight, comfort, and functionality. The shoes on this list impressed our crew in all departments.

Meet Our Lead Testers

David Kennedy has been riding road and gravel bikes for 15 years and has been writing about the latest tech in the sport since 2017. He’s toed the line at premier road and gravel events nationwide, including the Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego and the Unbound 200. When he’s not writing or riding, he’s pulling apart bikes at his local shop and connecting with the diverse cycling community around his hometown of Los Angeles.

Nikki Rohan has been mountain biking for close to 20 years, and testing mountain biking gear for Pinkbike for almost a decade. She resides in Hood River, Oregon, with her husband, two teenagers, a 1-year-old, two dogs, and a grumpy cat. When she is not working, cooking, or parenting, you will find her biking on the local trails.

Josh Patterson has been riding and wrenching on bikes for 20 years and, with a master’s degree in journalism, has been writing about the sport for over half of that time. He’s a cycling generalist who finds joy in riding road, gravel, and mountain bikes, which made him the ideal candidate to manage şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř’s Gear Guide bike coverage for the past four years. He grew up in the Flint Hills of Kansas and was an early adopter of gravel racing and participated in the first Unbound 200. He’s now based in Fort Collins, Colorado.

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There are a lot of ways to be a responsible outdoor enthusiast: practicing Leave No Trace principles, telling someone where you’re going, carrying enough water. But how does a responsible trail user choose the right footwear? Many of the standard manufacturing processes used to create products like hiking and running shoes produce excessive amounts of waste. So, to get outdoors responsibly, you should build out your wardrobe with responsibly made shoes.

No matter the season, Rossignol has been making great strides to innovate with an eco-conscious mindset via its program, embracing its role as a steward of the environment. By partnering with (ACBC), a leader in applied sustainability, Rossignol created the —a light hiking and trail running shoe that raises the bar on eco-friendly footwear. And there’s no compromise on everyday comfort. Here’s how it works.

Sustainability

As a change-maker partnering with brands in the outdoor industry and beyond, ACBC uses scientific data on the sustainability process to help create products with smaller environmental footprints. The SKPR 2.0 is the output of one of its many successful collaborations. This shoe integrates responsible materials with the comfort and cushion necessary for light day hikes and trail runs, or just everyday use around town. The upper is made of a breathable mesh, providing a light, airy fit that doesn’t hold sweat or moisture. But most importantly, it’s made with a recycled material: 100 percent recycled polyester that is, in part, created from recycled water bottles. Plus, the midsole is 45 percent bio-EVA based on food industry waste. Even the outsole does its part in creating Rossignol’s most eco-conscious active shoe yet. Made with 25 percent recycled rubber, the outsole integrates pre-consumer factory waste material like that from automotive tires. All of these strategic choices result in a shoe that’s made from 50 percent bio-based and recycled material.

Performance

A sustainably made shoe wouldn’t be worth anything if it didn’t fit and perform well. As an expert in alpine and Nordic ski boot engineering, Rossignol has spent decades studying foot mechanics, providing a nice head start when moving into active footwear. And the brand’s expertise shines in the SKPR 2.0 Active Shoe. The outsole features a lugged, multi-angle tread to give you solid grip on steep terrain and loose gravel. Rossignol also employs Sensor 3 technology, which bolsters comfort and shock absorption. It works by using three different densities of sole material that are overlaid against the three pressure points of the foot. The result is a supremely cushioned ground feel that will keep your feet comfortable on short-and-fast hikes or runs. And an 8-millimeter drop between the heel and forefoot encourages an ergonomic posture that propels you forward with every step.

Responsibility for protecting the environment falls to both the consumer and the gear maker. Outdoor recreation shouldn’t be a paradox—the gear you choose can help protect where you use it. With ACBC methodology and Rossignol’s industry expertise, the SKPR 2.0 promises the no-compromise, environmentally conscious gear that all brands should aspire to.

Born in the French Alps, is an iconic mountain sport and lifestyle brand with more than 115 years of technical innovation and competitive success. Intrinsically linked with the history of skiing, Rossignol today offers year-round access to the mountains through a comprehensive range of winter sports equipment, mountain bikes, technical soft goods and footwear.

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From navigating slippery river rocks to strolling hot, sandy shorelines, a functional pair of water shoes is essential for providing secure footing and protecting your feet from hazards. The best water shoes adapt seamlessly to a variety of aquatic environments, and versatile design features like collapsible heels and multi-configurable straps mean that shoes can transition between activities while still keeping you comfortable.

While water shoes of the past often traded style for functionality, there are plenty of options today that excel in performance without compromising on aesthetics, so you can confidently sport them around town as well as in the water. Our crew of testers rigorously tested the newest water shoes and sandals, engaging in activities like hiking, paddling, swimming, traversing slippery decks, and casual beach combing. Here are our top picks.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around: Keen Hyperport H2 Sandals ($120)
• For Casual Use: Xtratuf Riptide Sandal ($55)
• For Boating: Stio CFS Shoe ($109)
• For Wet Trails: Salomon Techamphibian 5 ($110)
• Beach Sandal: Reef Oasis Double Up ($42)
• For Rafting: Luna Middle Bear Winged Edition ($120)
• For Traction: Keen Newport Slide ($115)
• For Canyoneering: Teva Outflow Universal ($110)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best All-Around

Keen Hyperport H2 Sandals

Available For: Men and women
Size Range: 7-15 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s), 5-11 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)
Comfort Rating: 9/10
Traction Rating: 8/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Ultra cushioned with plenty of grip
⊕ Collapsible heel turns shoe into a slip-on sandal
⊕ Versatile
⊗ Maximalist style isn’t for everyone

The Hyperport H2 is a cushioned, lightweight, and versatile hybrid shoe as suitable for light day hiking as paddleboarding and beach hangouts. The spongy foam delivers all-day comfort, and the outsole features targeted slit-like grooves that channel water away for exceptional traction and stability.

“I was impressed by the grip on wet surfaces and these shoes gave me enough confidence to hop from rock to rock along the river bank,” said one tester who wore them on a wildlife photography excursion that included navigating moss-covered boulders and slick logs. She also praised the shoe for its collapsible back that converts the Hyperport from a shoe to a sandal. “I could slip them on when my hands were full with gear, and it prevents sand from rubbing on the heel during beach excursions.”

When worn up, the stretchy mesh back makes for easy on and off, and is snug enough that the shoes don’t slip off when going for a lake dip (the lace-lock bungee system also helps keep them tight). The only point of contention among testers was the maximalist aesthetic; in the bright colorways, some found the design a bit too bold and attention-grabbing for their taste.

Best for Casual Use

Xtratuf Riptide Sandal

Available For: Unisex model for men and women
Size Range: 4-14
Comfort Rating: 9/10
Traction Rating: 8/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Versatile
⊕ Snug fit
⊕ Available in multiple colors
⊗ Fit is not customizable

The sleek, molded foam Riptide sandals were a favorite among testers due to their combination of comfort, versatility, and ease of use. The lightweight, waterproof construction is ideal for both wet and dry conditions, and the slip-resistant soles provide exceptional traction that ensures stability and safety on slick or uneven surfaces.

“While in the water I felt confident, and they protected really well against smaller debris like twigs and pebbles underfoot,” said one B.C.-based tester who wore these sandals paddleboarding and exploring tidal pools along the rocky shoreline. “I was never worried about where I was stepping while walking along the shore as the waves rolled in.”

The Riptide is made from an eco-friendlier BioLite foam that’s biodegradable (but only in very specific conditions), and cleaning them is as simple as rinsing them off. The stretchy nature of the material made for easy entry and once in the shoe, they fit snug and secure, while the holes throughout provide adequate ventilation and drainage.

Bonus: They blend style with practicality, making them suitable for transitioning from water-based activities to casual social gatherings.

Best for Boating

Stio CFS Shoe

Available For: Men and women
Size Range: 8-13 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s) 6-11 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)
Comfort Rating: 8/10
Traction Rating: 8/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ You can wear them hiking and at the beach
⊕ Collapsible heel for convenient on/off
⊕ Quick bungee laces for easy adjustments, secure fit
⊗ Sand and debris can get trapped

The Stio CFS shoe blends the comfort of a sneaker with the drainage and traction required for aquatic environments. A breathable, quick-dry mesh upper is coupled with a speedy bungee lace system to make for a comfortable and a secure fit—we were blister-free without needing to wear socks. The fold-down heel allows the CFS to be slipped on hands-free, which is particularly useful if you’re carrying a paddleboard or kayak.

Underfoot, the traction rubber outsole provided reliable grip, which allowed us to stay upright even on slippery, algae-covered rocks. “I can wear these just about anywhere,” said one seasoned outdoor enthusiast based in Ontario, “although, I did find myself having to remove them to dump out sand and debris from time to time.”

Best for Wet Trails

Salomon Techamphibian 5

Available For: Men and women
Size Range: 7-14 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s) 5-11 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)
Comfort Rating: 7/10
Traction Rating: 9/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Exceptional protection and traction
⊕ Durable
⊕ Collapsible heel adds functionality
⊗ Not as cushy as ones with spongy soles

For adventures that end in waterfall encounters and lakeside swims, the Techamphibian 5 merges the essentials of a hiking shoe with the features needed in a water shoe. These shoes have a hard rubber outsole for excellent protection underfoot from sharp rocks, an added cap to prevent toe stubs, and unrivaled grip on slippery rocks. “They felt more than capable on an all-day coastal hike and they’re comfortable to wear with and without socks,” said one tester who wore them on a five-hour hike with multiple creek crossings in the Pacific Northwest.

The shoe features Salomon’s quick bungee lace system for a secure lockdown (which tucks away neatly), and pull straps around the heel allow you to cinch them tight to the back of the foot, but also let the heel collapse for even easier entry and multi-functionality. They’re also durably constructed with mesh throughout that keeps them breathable and allows water to drain. While they don’t dry as quickly as molded foam water shoes, the tradeoff is worth it for those that want a water shoe they can hike and do other rugged activities in.

Best Beach Sandal

Reef Oasis Double Up

Available For: Men
Size Range: 6-13 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s)
Comfort Rating: 8/10
Traction Rating: 7/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy on/off
⊕ Cleans easily
⊕ Soft and supportive
⊗ Slips off sometimes (especially in water)
⊗ Sole can be too flexible

It’s nice to avoid the awkward toe-post on flip-flops, and these soft and supportive slides are optimal for those who are constantly in and out of the water—whether that’s a lakeshore, coastal beach, or river bank. The footbed’s deep heel cup and anatomic contouring helped us stay on our feet, even on wet sand and gravel, and the non-marking, injection-molded outsole provided excellent traction in low-tide, muddy conditions on a Northern California beach.

The water-friendly TPU material also cleans easily and dries quickly. “Run the hose over them for a few seconds, and that’s all you need to clean them off,” said one tester based in California. Bonus: These slides can pull double-duty as camp and home slippers.

Best for Rafting

Luna Middle Bear Winged Edition

Available For: Men and women
Size Range: 4-13 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s), 6-12 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)
Comfort Rating: 9/10
Traction Rating: 10/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Easy to get rid of pebbles
⊗ No arch support
⊗ Strap adjustment can be tricky

These lightweight minimalist sandals might look like they wouldn’t last, but their ruggedness took us by surprise. The Vibram Megagrip outsole and 4.5-millimeter lugs provided incredible purchase when rock-hopping across creeks or when we launched a boat from a pebbly beach in Baja California.

The open design and lack of a toe box meant we could shake pebbles easily. Quick-adjust performance laces thread securely through soft winged triangles on the sides and help to keep the fit stable, regardless of the terrain. “I expected those triangles to rub, as with other similar sandals, but these are soft and far more comfortable,” remarked one tester.

Best for Traction

Keen Newport Slide

Available For: Men and Women
Size Range: 7-15 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s), 5-12 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)
Comfort Rating: 9/10
Traction Rating: 9/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Versatile
⊕ Toe bumper protection
⊗ Prone to slipping off the foot
⊗ May need to size up 1/2 size

The Newport Slide was born from Keen’s Number 1 hybrid sandal, so it comes as no surprise that testers were a fan. The sandal’s EVA insole provided good arch and midsole support for all-day comfort, whether we were adventuring by boat, or relaxing afterward around the campfire.

The non-marking rubber outsole, with its razor siping and multi-directional lug pattern, provided excellent traction along rugged coastlines in California, the shore of Lake Tahoe, and the banks of the Tuolumne River. A classic Keen toe bumper protects toes from errant rocks and logs. Just one gripe: “The lack of heel strap leans to more casual use than in-and-out water security,” said one tester after stepping out of the sandal in water multiple times while wearing them on a Pacific Coast beach.

Best for Canyoneering

Teva Outflow Universal

Available For: Men and Women
Size Range: 7-14 (łľ±đ˛Ô’s), 5-11 (wołľ±đ˛Ô’s)
Comfort Rating: 8/10
Traction Rating: 9/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stays on foot even when wet
⊕ Can be used for running
⊗ Prone to accumulating sand
⊗ Feet may sweat more than an open shoe

There was no need to interrupt our adventures to take pebbles out of the Outflow Universal thanks to the mesh and stretch-fit collar that acted as our rock watchdog. The dry mesh upper and microfiber lining incorporate recycled polyester, which feels soft against the skin. The water sneaker’s recycled rubber outsole has a sticky tread, providing durability and solid traction. The top sole, meanwhile, cushioned our foot for miles along segments of the Oregon Coast Trail. Teva’s velcro strapping system helps dial in a more precise, adjustable fit for comfort and stability.

An added bonus: The shoe is treated with a responsibly-sourced peppermint-based antimicrobial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between Water Shoes and Waterproof Shoes?

Unlike waterproof shoes, which feature materials like Gore-Tex or special water-resistant coatings that prevent water from entering the shoe, water shoes aren’t meant to keep your feet dry. Instead, they keep feet protected and provide great traction on slippery surfaces when you’re on or around the water doing activities like SUPing, beachcombing, or day hiking a rocky shoreline. They should have excellent water drainage, keep sand and debris out, and be made of quick-drying materials.

How Should Water Shoes Fit?

Water shoes should fit snugly wet or dry, and our testers found that we had the best luck in shoes that corresponded to our usual, everyday shoe size. Check that there’s a little space (about a thumb’s width) between your longest toe and the end of the shoe to ensure comfort, especially when your feet expand after prolonged activity in warmer conditions. Since you may not be wearing socks with your water shoes, make sure the heel doesn’t slip to avoid blisters and the shoes feel secure without pinching. For activities where you’re directly in the water, like kayaking or snorkeling, shoes that hug your feet a little tighter can prevent them from slipping off in the water, but they shouldn’t constrict movement or circulation.

How Do I Clean and Maintain Water Shoes?

To keep your water shoes long-lasting and looking their best, rinse them thoroughly with fresh water after each excursion to remove salt and debris, as they can degrade the materials over time. Allow them to dry completely in a well-ventilated area to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, preferably not in direct sunlight which can weaken the fabric and cause fading.

Should You Wear Socks with Water Shoes?

Most water shoes are designed to be worn barefoot and have features like integrated drainage systems and quick-drying materials. For water activities that require a snug fit and precise foot movements, wearing socks might affect the shoe’s grip and your tactile connection with the shoe. However, some styles of water shoes, like those that flex between beach hangs and day hikes, might be more accommodating for socks, which can provide additional protection against blisters and chafing. Ultimately, it’s about personal preference and the demands of the specific activity.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 8
• Number of products tested: 22
• Bodies of water tested in: 6
• Number of stubbed toes: 1
• Number of rocks slipped on: 3

Our crew of four all-around water-loving testers included a dive instructor, kayakers, surfers, paddleboarders, and hikers. We embarked on diverse aquatic adventures and challenged each pair of water shoes on slippery rocks in rushing streams, abrasive sandy beaches, on paddleboard adventures, and unpredictable terrain on lakeside trails.

Wearing them in both salt and freshwater, we focused on traction, toe protection, stability, comfort, durability, drainage, and quick-drying capabilities. We looked for breathability, either through mesh paneling or materials that help keep feet cool and reduce moisture buildup inside the shoes, and those that didn’t retain debris and were easy to clean. We prioritized shoes that were easy to slip on, with closure systems that were a cinch to secure and adjust.

Although water shoes aren’t the most fashionable of footwear choices, we also considered visual appeal, looking for understated styles versatile enough for casual outings. In the end, our selections prioritized ease of wear, and came in a wide array of sizes and colors.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Ebony Roberts is a Pacific Northwest-based writer who has covered outdoor gear and apparel for nearly a decade. She has a passion for water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and snorkeling. She frequently contributes to şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Magazine and has written multiple product review guides for publications like Forbes Vetted, Buy Side by WSJ, NYT’s Wirecutter, Treeline Review, and the REI Co-op Journal.

Jill K. Robinson is a California-based freelance journalist who writes about travel and adventure for National Geographic, AFAR, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Hemispheres, and more. She’s often more comfortable on and in water than she is on land.

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Spring is right around the proverbial corner: the bend in the river, the arête on the cliff, the switchback on the trail. Outdoor adventure soon turns from sliding on snow to playing on water, rock, and dirt. So, go ahead and daydream. Get out and get active, but don’t let your desires overlook the need to gear up smartly and to take care of your body.

That attention starts with the base of all activity: your feet. Having healthy, strong feet has been proven to increase performance in both dynamic and balancing sports. Now one of the world’s most iconic recovery shoe companies, Birkenstock, can help. The brand has expanded that bring its storied footbed to the outdoors—one that now includes the new Mogami Terra.

Use Footwear that Helps Your Feet

The simplest way to care for your feet? Wear shoes built for the task of keeping you active: providing support where it’s needed, promoting circulation, and allowing recovery. While every shoe component plays into that mix of foot-care essentials, the most critical is the footbed, i.e., the part you stand on.

For over 50 years, Birkenstock sandals and their contoured footbeds have provided customized comfort and support. Each wearer’s overall weight, body heat, and walking mechanics imprint these unique footbeds for a truly personalized fit—one that’s featuredĚý in a growing lineup of Birkenstock styles built with more outdoor, all-terrain features than you’re used to from your comfy Birks.

presents that same contoured, ergonomic footbed that Birkenstock is famous for, with one key distinction: It’s now available in a versatile polyurethane that effectively sheds water and maintains comfort across outdoor activities. Like all Birkenstocks, the footbed’s wide toe box allows natural toe splay, a raised “toe bar” encourages circulation plus healthy foot activation, and four raised arch supports relieve pressure of the ball of the foot and heel. A deep cup also cradles the heel and maximizes the foot’s natural cushioning.

Whether it’s cork, polyurethane, or EVA, the support of the footbed remains equally beneficial across the Birkenstock range, setting the full-body foundation for exploring trails, rivers, and rugged terrain. On the Mogami Terra, the footbed secures to the foot via three adjustable, rubberized synthetic straps (two that buckle over the top of the foot and one with a hook-and-loop closure around the heel). Beyond these features and their interaction with the footbed, the outsole’s rugged tread pattern provides sure-footing on wet and dry surfaces alike. In short, the Mogami Terra is as ready for adventure as you are.

Tradition since 1774. Made in Germany. Learn more atĚý

The post Meet the şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Sandal You Didn’t Know You Needed appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

A few of us editors made the best use of the twelfth month in the year by climbing in Patagonia, hiking in New Zealand, and skiing in Colorado. Below is the gear that had us taking advantage of every last moment in 2023.

Outerknown OK Mono Puffer ($314)

It’s not particularly hard to make a good technical puffer—get the fit mostly right, pump it full of DWR-treated down, and watch that face fabric weight. Finding a good-looking puffer for use in town that performs just as well as it looks? Not so easy. That’s why we love Outerknown’s OK Mono Puffer, a super-stylish, slimming jacket that kept our testers cozy down into the 20s thanks to a healthy plumping of down alternative made from post-consumer plastic. The cut is slender enough to accentuate body shape, but roomy enough to layer underneath. A tall stand collar and stretchy cuffs keep drafts out. It’s super soft inside and out, with a durable, velvety polyester face fabric. Most important? It’s almost entirely made of post-consumer plastic and 100-percent recyclable—a bold claim that few brands can back up as well as this one. —Benjamin Tepler, gear editor

Rab Mythic Ultra ($495)

Although I originally got this jacket for a yurt trip in the Tetons, I’ve been living in it everyday. My wood stove only heats the upper reaches of my living room, so my office and bedroom are a veritable ice box. The 240 grams of 900-fill-power down are probably better served as a belay parka at a stance on the upper reaches of Ama Dablam, but it performs admirably in my frigid mountain town office. Once the Sierra finally see snow again, it’ll serve as my midwinter ski mountaineering parka and protect me from the gelid air on walks to and from the Clocktower Cellar. It packs to the size of a Nalgene and serves as a pillow on warm nights and a sleeping bag supplement on cold ones. I’m now convinced that I can’t live without it. —Jake Stern, digital editor

Nemo Forte 35 Women’s Endless Promise Sleeping Bag ($180)

I’ve been a big fan of NEMO’s “spoon bags” ever since they first debuted in 2013 when Backpacker gave it The secret sauce is the hourglass shape: tapered at the waist and feet to keep weight and bulk down, with none of the typical claustrophobia of a mummy bag. Ten years later, I’m even more of a fan. The latest rendition, the Forte, was my bed every night on a recent month-long adventure in New Zealand, and I love it even more than the original. It still performs just as well, but now it’s part of Nemo’s Endless Promise collection, made of 100 percent recycled materials, recyclable at its end of life (not that that will be any time soon). A favorite feature: Nemo’s signature Blanket Fold draft collar, which I can tuck in around my neck or flip out for more airflow. Comfort and sustainability—a winning combination. —Kristin Hostetter, head of sustainability and contributing editor

Baloo Stonewashed Linen Sheets ($279), Honeydew Sleep Pillows ($129), and Avocado Silk Duvet Insert ($399)

It’s tough to partake in my favorite outdoor activities in November and December: too snowy to ride, not snowy enough to ski, cold enough that the fish are sluggish and lazy. It is the off-est of seasons. Which I love. During these cold, dark months, I spent a lot of time sleeping underneath , anĚýĚýin aĚý, and atopĚý. The linens and the silk duvet are soft and cozy, warm on a cool night and cooling on a warm one. The pillows are designed for side sleepers, and you can easilyĚýadjustĚýthe amount of stuffing in each one for the perfect support all night long. When I have to rouse myself to feed the woodstove or top off my tea, I slip into myĚý, which have a rubber sole and are made with cotton that feels like a sweatshirt for my feet. —Abigail Barronian, senior editor

Blundstone #500 Chelsea Boots ($210)

I avoided Blundstones for years, averse to the mountain town ritual of sorting through 12 pairs of the same shoes at theĚýfront door ofĚýa party before you can go home. I wanted to be different. To wear Uggs (which I still do and highly recommend). But I finally caved, and I’m so glad I did. Whatever I can say about the classic, beloved boot has already been said, but they are truly the most versatile, low-key, comfortable footwear I have owned in a long time. They are appropriate in a dizzying number of situations: a nice dinner, a short hike, a long day traipsing around a foreign city. They’re good in cold weather, warm weather, and wet weather. They’re grippy on snow and ice. They’re easyĚýto pull on in the ski area parking lot with numb fingers. They’re simply the best. I got theĚý, and couldn’t be happier with them. —A.B.

Jack Wolfskin Men’s Alpspitze 3L Jacket ($350)

German apparel brand Jack Wolfskin markets the new Alpspitze 3L shell as the perfect jacket for backcountry ski days due to its breathable Pertex Shield fabric, but I found it to be ideal for chilly days at the resort. I took my test model out for two extremely cold early-season days at Colorado’s Keystone Resort, and I expected to have my bones rattled by gusting winds and single-digit temperatures. I was pleasantly surprised when the Alpspitze blocked out the harsh temperatures and left me feeling toasty, even while riding the lift. It’s become my go-to resort garment, replacing my old Lowe Alpine shell, which had six years of heavy use on it. The Alpspitze 3L has many handy features for resort skiers: an oversized hood that will fit over a helmet, a handy sleeve pocket for your season pass, and high-vis reflectors on the back to make you visible to fellow skiers when light conditions are low. Plus, the color scheme stands out amid the contemporary greys and blacks that I see in the lift line. I’ve heard some testers grumble about Jack Wolfskin’s decidedly EuropeanĚýfit (i.e. the brand runs small), but I long ago fatigued on baggy gear for resort skiing. The Alpspitze fits me perfectly. —Fred Dreier, articles editor

Julbo Ultimate Cover Sunglasses ($260)

I have never been a fan of superheroes or their ridiculous costumes, but I will happily overlook the Batman-vibes of Julbo’s new Ultimate Cover sunglasses. They are light and flexible and stow in a jacket’s breast pocket without any fuss. The frame can be paired with your choice of five lenses, my favorite being the accommodating “Reactiv” lens, category 2-4, which adjusts to the available light. I have spent the last month alpine climbing in El ChaltĂ©n, Patagonia, and I appreciate how once I put the Ultimate Cover shades on, I can climb grey rock in the shade, glaringly white ice in the sun, or watch the sun set behind Cerro Torre without needing to adjust my eyewear. But my favorite feature, of course, is the Ultimate Cover’s removable Spandex nose and side shields for blue-sky days. My nose has yet to see sunscreen or a sunburn while wearing these glasses, and I don’t notice the nose shield whatsoever. The Ultimate Cover achieves the ultimate metric of gear success: it performs so well you forget it’s there. —Anthony Walsh, digital editor, Climbing

Fjallraven Abisko Lite Wool Beanie ($30)

As the cold north wind blew into the high plains during December, I switched from caps to beanies for my daily runs, and was reminded that I have three problems with most running beanies. 1) They tend to be too thick, feeling good for the first mile or so, but then holding in so much exercise heat that I have to take them off and stuff them into the waistband of my running tights. 2) Because I wear them every day and sweat profusely (see point #1), polyester hats quickly get skanky, but most wool hats are even hotter. 3) They’re too tight and don’t stay in place, riding up on my greying hair that is thinner and slicker than it used to be. Fjallraven’s Abisko Lite Wool Beanie avoids all of these pitfalls. Its thin, 50 percent merino, 50 percent polyester fabric is just the right weight to keep my head warm on runs down to as cold as the low 20s Fahrenheit, but breathes well enough to wear comfortably up to around 40 degrees. Its cut and light stretch make it disappear on my head: it stays in place but doesn’t squeeze or ride up—and is long enough to cover my ears. Plus, the merino resists odors, even when I’ve worn it so much it has salt lines. I also like the muted colors and Scandinavian feel of the design. I feel ready for a few more months of winter runs with this hat in my collection. —Jonathan Beverly, senior running editor, gear

Solo Stove PI Prime ($299)

I never thought I’d be a pizza oven guy—ordering takeout has always suited me just fine—but I’ve spent the last couple of months testing out Solo Stove’s new PI Prime, a propane-fueled pizza oven that reaches temps up to 950 degrees, and it has become a staple in my family’s weekly dinner plan. I’m not gonna lie, there’s a learning curve to this thing. I burned a lot of pizzas when I first started dabbling with the PI, but I eventually figured out the secret (preheat to 700 degrees or hotter, but reduce that heat when you put the pizza in the oven so it doesn’t burn on top). The pizza I can make with the PI is great, but I like this oven for its versatility. Slip a cast iron skillet into the PI and you can sear steaks in about a minute, or roast a pan of vegetables on the fly. You can only have so much pizza, even when you’re cooking for kids like I do, but being able to use this oven for two or three meals a week makes it worth the price and space on my grilling deck. –Graham Averill, contributor

Roark Bommer 2.0 Short ($89)Ěý

I’m a fair-weather cyclist and trail runner, which means when the temperatures drop, I spend more time in the gym getting swole (Read: checking Instagram while mindlessly spinning on a stationary trainer). The Bommer 2.0 has become my go-to short for gym days thanks to the boxer/brief compression liner, multiple pockets and overall comfy fit. I’m tall with chicken legs, so I appreciate the 7-inch long hem, and the flat-seam liner completely eliminates chafing. But it’s the suite of pockets that have truly won me over; the shorts have two standard hand pockets with magnetic closures so your phone doesn’t fall out in the car on the way to the gym, as well as backside zipper pockets big enough to stash a key or debit card. There’s even a cell pocket on the thigh of the liner which holds my phone in place when I’m doing plyometrics. And did I mention they’re long enough to cover up a good portion of my chicken legs? —G.A.

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Rab Khroma Latok GTX Pants ($600)

It’s hard to get excited about pants, but I wore the new Rab Khroma Latok GTX constantly during a three-day backcountry ski trip in Colorado, and it was love at first sight. The fit of the Khroma Latok is perfect—not racer tight, but not so loose that you feel like you’re wearing a skirt—and the pants are loaded with smart, user-friendly features that have made them my go-to-choice for backcountry days. The Colorado trip was full of big climbs and knee-deep powder descents, and the Khroma Latok GTX are made from 80D recycled Gore-tex Pro, the most breathable and durable waterproof material that Gore-tex produces. The result is an outer layer that performs like a champ during high-output backcountry adventures when there’s more climbing than skiing. They breathed like a ventilator going up and kept the deep powder at bay during my embarrassingly high number of falls going down. And if a climb gets truly hot, the pants have big side zippers on the exterior thighs that allow you to dump heat fast. I never needed them, but I appreciate that sort of safety net. The material has some stretch built into it, but Rab also went overboard (in a good way) with articulated knees. No matter what position I found myself in during my testing period, I never felt like the pants were constricting. They were so comfortable, I often left them on while hanging out in the yurt after I was done skiing. —G.A.

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The post The Gear Our Editors Loved in December appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

This fall, we mountain-biked under golden leaves, cozied up next to fire pits for end-of-season barbecues, and fly-fished in clear, cold rivers. The below gear had us soaking up the last dregs of 2023’s warm days—and kept us prepared for the newfound cold ones.

Smartwool Women’s Merino Plant-Based Dye Short Sleeve Tee ($80)

About ten years ago, someone gifted me two Smartwool t-shirts. I probably wore one of these tee’s over a hundred times, and the other one at least three times a week since then. Unlike many wool baselayer items, this tee hung loose, and it was round-necked, so it looked nicer than other crew-neck options. I am super into clothing that can be worn climbing, hiking, and around town, including out to dinner—at least somewhere casual. This year I saw that the tee was finally, tragically, wearing thin. So I looked at Smartwool’s website and found the closest thing—the Women’s Merino Plant-Based Dye Short Sleeve Tee. Like my original, it is soft and, as I wanted, light. I did have to upsize from medium to large for a loose fit. I mourn the loss of the graceful round neck—though this one qualifies as a deep crew—and so, sadly, it’s not the unicorn I wore out. But this tee, too, is long, which is great, and comfortable for hiking; I could see backpacking in it day after day. Wool is spendy, but since it’s odor-resistant, needs less washing than other layers, which helps it last. I’ll be wearing this tee all year. —Alison Osius, senior editor

Hyperice Heated Head Attachment ($59)

If you ever wished your heating pad could also be a masseuse, look no further. The heated attachment from Hyperice does just that. The head fits into any Hyperice massage gun and provides immediate heat wherever the gun is applied. The attachment has three heat options so it’s customizable to the user’s preference, and one charge lasts hours. The head is also great if you just need heat sans massage on one part of your body.Ěý The attachment heats up on its own, and it’s almost instantaneous, so you don’t have to wait. With winter well on its way, I know the heated attachment will be joining me after every activity on my ski trips, winter hikes, and frigid runs. —Jamie Aranoff, digital editor, Ski

FitJoy Pretzels ($22 per 6-pack of 5 oz. bags)

Since cutting gluten out of my diet I’ve struggled to find snacks that I enjoy eating, and finding a solid pretzal option has been difficult. I stumbled upon the FitJoy pretzels on a recent trip to Wegmans, and I’ve been hooked ever since. They taste like regular pretzels and come in a variety of flavors. I love that there are no oils and preservatives and are also allergen-friendly. You can imagine my thrill when I was offered a mini bag on my most recent Delta flight—finally, a crunchy snack I could eat! FitJoy also makes entertainment-style crackers which I also found delicious, and I am on the hunt to try the rest of the flavors. —J.A.

Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 Electric Mountain Bike ($7,250)

I’ve been testing Cannondale’s Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 electric mountain bike in a size small for the past three months in Bozeman, and to my surprise, I found myself reaching for it more than my regular downhill bike. Though it’s impossible for eMTBs to offer as lively of a downhill experience as regular trail or enduro bikes, the Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 was so smooth and such a blast on the uphill, I didn’t mind the heavier ride on the way back down (although it was heavy, it ate up pretty much everything I put in its path). First of all, this bike comes with a mullet setup, a 76.5 degree seat angle, and a 64-degree head angle. Though it’s a heavy bike, I found this combination made it more maneuverable on tight uphill turns than I was expecting. Second, the Bosch Performance Line CX 20 W motor has four different modes to choose from, including Eco, Tour+, EMTB, and Turbo. On Turbo mode, I was literally catching air off berms on the way up one long ride, and couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face for a full hour of climbing. I also found the Bosch motor exceptionally smooth, with little jerking or unnatural movement from the bike while I transitioned from one mode to another. The bike I tested comes in at $7,250, with a 170mm RockShox Seb Select fork, a beefy RockShox Deluxe Select Coil shock, a Shimano SLX drivetrain with an XT derailleur, and Magura MT5 brakes. With the impressive 750Wh PowerTube battery, I never found myself in a situation where I was close to running low on battery (my typical ride was about 25 miles while switching between all four modes). Like I said, an eMTB isn’t going to replace the maneuverability and feel of a non-electric bike on the downhill, but if you want to go far, feel super stable on the downhill, and prioritize a smoother ride, look to this Moterra.

Solo Stove Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Cooking Bundle 2.0 ($560)

For me, September was filled with end-of-season barbecues as the summer travel frenzy waned and friends settled back into town. The Solo Stove, particularly with the Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Cooking Bundle 2.0 (which includes the firepit, the bonfire stand, the bonfire cast iron grill, the bonfire hub, and a carry case), was a key player. Set-up is incredibly easy—the fire pit on its own is 23.3 pounds, so I just carry it from my shed to my front yard, stack it on the bonfire stand, place the bonfire hub on top of the pit, and adjust the grill on top of that. I’ve made hamburgers, brats, and grilled veggies in fifteen minutes. The carrying case makes it easy to carry the grill, too—I brought the solo stove to a local lake and had no problem bringing it from my car to the shore. The wide grates on the bonfire hub make adjusting logs and the intensity of the fire easy, so we didn’t have to remove the grill every time we wanted to add logs. The stove and grill set will be an essential piece in my household for many years to come. —Kelly Klein, associate gear editor

Feetures Trail Max Cushion Mini Crew ($20)

These socks saved me about midway through the 30-mile Art Loeb trail in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. As all Editor’s Choice testing trips go, we tested some of the best new gear of the year, but we also inevitably tested gear that wasn’t the best. I tried a pair of new hikers, and on the first day received blisters about twice the size of a quarter on each of my heels. I slapped moleskine on them, pulled on the Trail Max Cushion Mini crew socks, and expected the worst for the 17-mile day we had ahead of us. But instead, I barely felt a thing on a very technical trail with about 5,000 feet of elevation gain. I tried another pair of socks the next day and immediately felt the blisters again. The polyester, nylon, and spandex blend with strategically placed compression hugged my feet without feeling constricted. Plus, reinforced nylon in the toe, ball of the foot, and heel provide extra durability—I’ve worn these on about five runs and countless walks around town since, and have yet to see any wear. —K.K.

Topo Athletic Traverse ($150)

In late September, I wore Topo Athletic’s first hiking shoe, the Traverse, on a three-day hike over the 35-mile Art Loeb Trail, and they delivered an ideal balance of comfort and protection. I found the height (30mm heel–25mm forefoot) and density of the Traverse’s elastic, TPU/EVA Zipfoam midsole to be spot-on while hiking a tough trail carrying a 28-pound pack. It provided smooth, bouncy cushioning when striding out on smooth ground, but was firm enough to keep me stable on the trail’s many tricky footplants over jagged rocks and gnarly roots. Those obstacles made the shoe’s forefoot rock plate essential: it blocked all sharp edges and seemed to help me float over the rough trail, yet never impeded my natural foot flex. The beaded TPU insole added another layer of shock-damping comfort and delivered a gentle sole massage that never failed to delight my feet after long hours on the trail. The shoe’s weight was also in the sweet spot: light enough to never feel I was lifting and lugging boots, but substantial enough that I didn’t worry about the shoes getting beat up.

The traction of the Vibram Megagrip sole was superb both on slippery rock faces and dirty or muddy sections. It made me more sure-footed than trail companions wearing hiking shoes from several mountaineering brands. The rugged upper felt a bit stiff for someone used to flexible mesh running shoes, and I had to adjust the lace tightness across my foot a few times every morning. But once dialed in, it held my foot securely (even on steep downhills) while not creating hot spots or squeezing my foot anywhere. The forefoot space from Topo’s signature anatomical last was luxurious and essential: I even wore on one foot (that has a small bunion) without feeling crowded. I found the tightly woven mesh fabric breathable without letting in a lot of dirt, and, most importantly, I didn’t get any blisters throughout the full hike and was well protected from rock scrapes and toe stubs.

Bottom line, I felt both rugged and agile in the Topo Traverse. For most of the hike, I never had to think about the shoes, the terrain or how I was landing. What more could you want from a hiking shoe?—Jonathan Beverly, senior running editor, gear

Nathan Sports Essential 9″ Shorts ($65)

For my daily runs, I normally wear lighter shorts with less than half the nine-inch inseam of these from Nathan, but I’ve found myself reaching for these more robust shorts on cool mornings or when I know I’m going to hang out in them after a run. That versatility made me choose them to wear for three days straight while hiking 35 mountainous miles of the Art Loeb trail in North Carolina in September. They proved to be an excellent choice, balancing lightweight, breathable mobility with rugged, dependable protection. I appreciated the longer coverage when scraping through thick brush and sitting on rocks and logs, and was glad for the thin, stretchy, quick-drying, polyester/spandex fabric that stayed out of the way when lifting my knees on high step-ups and moving quickly to beat sundown. The stretchier boxer-brief liner (with a seven-inch inseam), provided comfortable control all day and never felt stuffy, even when working hard up slopes in the humid East Coast air. Two handy side-seam pockets held snacks and my iPhone when I wanted quick access to them (although they weren’t secure enough to trust when scrambling or making time). My only complaint was that the liner didn’t dry completely each night after hanging from a tree near my tent, and was cold when I pulled them on the next morning. But to the shorts’ credit, they never felt clammy and I quickly forgot about them as soon as we started moving. —J.B.

Alpen Outdoors The Ridge Pant ($150)

My husband and I just got back from an epic vacation. We spentĚýtwo weeks cruising around the Irish countryside climbing west-coast mountains, then jetted up to Iceland where we camped in a rooftop tent to hit hot springs, hunt northern lights, and scramble up volcanos. Day after day, I lived in the by Alpen Outdoors. I’m a light packer as it is, but all of my other bottoms (save my rain pants) ended up being a waste of space. September weather in both Ireland and Iceland ranged from 30-65 degrees Fahrenheit with gusts topping out at 50-60 miles per hour and a mix of relentless sun and slashing rain. A wicking, water-resistant finish helps them dry fast, the two-way stretch fabric ensures a flexible range of motion, interior drawcords keep them put, and reinforced soft-shell material on the knees and butt forgives any missteps. Deep pockets on the front, side, and back are the perfect place to stash a headlamp or protein bar. The best part? They’re ridiculously lightweight, unlike others in their class. Hands down, these are the most versatile, no-compromise outdoor pants I’ve worn. —Patty Hodapp, contributing editor

Rux Essentials 70L ($393)

I’ve hauled my bug-out bin around for years. It lives permanently in the back of my mountain rig and has saved my ass in extreme conditions dozens of times. In it, I store essentials I’d need to escape a backcountry pinch: extra layers, sunglasses, tools, a stove, headlamps, freeze-dried food, power bars, matches and lighters, duct tape, H2O filtration, a hatchet and knife, paracord, med kit, sleeping bag, etc tera. That said, I used a dilapidated, disorganized Tupperware to house it all. (Rifling around for a puffy when you’re wet and freezing sucks.) Finally, I scored the instead. This roomy, waterproof gear-management system is and work with. It comes with an attachable 25L divider bag and a 3L grab-and-go pouch, so you can classify stuff in order of importance and use, then load it and forget it until you need it. The Rux’s durable compressed foam base and manipulable nylon webbing straps make it easy to toss around a campsite or cart short distances on your shoulder. Plus, snap bands in the corners allow it to collapse for storage—though, it doesn’t really matter because I’m always using it. —P.H.

Oboz Katabatic Mid Hiking Boots ($160)

I like the idea of a waterproof membrane in my hiking boots, but I rarely need one because I live in New Mexico and can barely remember the last time I hiked in the rain. In fact, a waterproof membrane can be problematic because it prevents the boots from properly venting sweat, and sweat leads to blisters. So I was excited to get my hands on the Katabatic Mid, a boot that is explicitly membrane-free, so it breathes like a dream. As soon as I got a pair, I took them on a 10-mile hike in temperatures that hovered around 95 degrees, and my feet had never been so dry and happy. The Katabatic is so light that it made me want to run sections of the trail. But don’t worry. Like all Oboz hikers, the Katabatic is designed to last. They’re covered in TPU overlays that protect high-abrasion areas, and even after 80 more miles over rocky, sharp terrain, they barely showed any wear. —Jakob Schiller, correspondent

Trswyop Small Portable Charger ($26)

I went to Japan two weeks ago in October and was out exploring most days from 8 A.M. until 8 P.M. I relied on my phone to refer to notes I’d made about places to visit, to check opening times and admission, and to navigate the streets with Google Maps. By early afternoon, my cell battery was nearly depleted but I still needed my device; fortunately, my brother was the smart one and brought along this portable charger, which juiced up our iPhones in no time. It has no cables, and its curved design fits nicely in the palm of my hand while I carried it around as it did its job. It’s also offered in more than a dozen colors. I’ve already bought one for my next international trip. —Tasha Zemke, associate managing editor

Smartwool Women’s Active Ultralite Hoodie ($80)

I’ve been living in the ultra-soft Ultralite Hoodie for the past three months and I can’t say enough about how comfortable and versatile this layer is. Part of Smartwool’s new Active line—which aims to introduce Merino wool to the masses as the ultimate temperature-regulating, sweat-wicking material (one that’s not just an insulator for cold temps)—the Ultralite Hoodie blends Merino with Tencel Lyocell fibers for an unbelievably light and silky feel next to skin. It’s so cozy that it has become my go-to layer to throw on in the morning for lounging around the house. But, as advertised, it shines as an active layer for hikes, runs, and bike rides. I was most impressed with it on a four-mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain in early October. The Ultralite Hoodie kept me warm enough when I started with temps in the high 50s, yet cool enough when I started climbing and the sun came out to warm things up. When I reached the summit, I had sweat through the shirt on my back where I was carrying a pack, but it only took 15 minutes for it to dry out. From now on, I’m only wearing workout and hiking shirts with a Merino blend. —Jenny Wiegand, associate gear director

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler ($250)

I know I’m probably preaching to the converted, but you just can’t beat a Yeti cooler when it comes to keeping drinks and food chilled. I’m a new mom and needed a reliable way to keep pumped breastmilk cold when I was on the go (attending work functions, or on 5-hour road trips to visit family). Any mom knows that breastmilk is liquid gold and you simply do not mess around when it comes to storing it properly to ensure not a drop goes to waste. The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 put me at ease. It reliably kept contents cool even when I left the cooler in a parked, hot car for six hours (the outside temperature was 70 degrees, but the all-black interior of my small Nissan Leaf warmed up to about 80 degrees in the Colorado sun). Advice to other moms: if you just need a soft cooler to store and schlep a few bottles of breastmilk, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is overkill. I’d size down to the Hopper Flip 8, which would be less bulky to tote around. But if you also want to store snacks or potentially even your breast pump and parts in the cooler, the Hopper Flip 12 is a good size. —J.W.

Lazarus Naturals’ CBD+THC gummies ($60)

These last couple of months have been very chill. I’m recovering from a long bout of COVID, so my days are filled with slower activities like fly-fishing and long walks. I also have more time for my social life, since I’m not waking up at the crack of dawn to get into the alpine. My perfect companion in this newfound slowness? . I’m a lightweight with weed—a former stoner who mostly gave it up because I couldn’t reliably achieve a nice, gentle high. I’d end up anxious, my mind racing, overwhelmed by any social situation. Then I found these low-dose gummies, with 25 milligrams of CBD and 2 milligrams of THC. My theory is that the CBD takes the edge off—quiets my nervous system enough that I can actually enjoy the THC. They’re a hit among my friends, too. They make everything feel just a little softer, a little funnier, and a little more interesting, whether that’s a hike or a dinner party. If you’re a lightweight like me, or just looking for a consistently gentle weed experience, I can’t recommend them enough. —Abigail Barronian, senior editor

CamelBak MultiBev water bottle ($52)

You likely have a few dozen water bottles, like me. When I travel, I often bring several—one for coffee, one for water, and a cup that I use on flights so I can say no to single-use plastic. This one replaces them all. It’s a 22-ounce insulated steel bottle (good for hot or cold bevies) with a very cool feature: the bottom screws off to become a cup that I use for a glass of wine on a flight or a cup of Sleepytime tea at night. For the latter, a nifty silicone sipper lid tucks away into the cap. I’ve even used the cup to keep a can of beer chilled while I watch the sunset over Lake Wanaka in New Zealand. All told, this one vessel replaces a boatload of single-use containers. On a recent business trip, it allowed me to refuse about 34 single-use containers in 72 hours: six coffee cups and lids, at least 20 plastic water bottles, and eight plastic airline cups. That’s a bottle with a serious impact. —Kristin Hostetter, head of sustainability and contributing editor

KOO Demo sunglasses ($200)

The unwritten rule of bike racing is to never, under any circumstances, try out new gear, apparel, or nutrition during a race. I’ve violated this law many times before, and this past July I did it again. I plucked my pair of KOO Demo sunglasses from their fancy case just a few minutes before starting the Silver Rush 50, a punishing mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado. Alas, I paid the price for not allowing my eyes to adjust to the shades beforehand. The race sent me through dense tree cover, where the light alternated between eye-burning sunshine and darkened shadows. My eyes struggled to focus with the photochromatic lenses, which feature something called Zeiss Anti-Reflective Technology. I removed the shades during sections of trail in the trees. After the event, I put the Demos on the shelf and vowed never to wear them again. Of course, I violated said promise, and I’m glad I did. Over the past two months, I have worn these shades on many training rides, and they are now officially in my good graces. I appreciate the Demos’ wide face coverage—I have a larger-than-normal melon—and I never have wind flow into my eyes, even on long descents. The elastomer on the temple prevents the shades from slipping. After several months of wear, the temples have lost none of their hugging power—recently I noticed that my budget-friendly shades lose their grip over time. Long story short: the KOO Demos have absolutely redeemed themselves. —Fred Dreier, articles editor

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Super shoes—models with curved carbon-fiber plates embedded in tall stacks of lightweight, hyper-responsive foams—are now ubiquitous in the road racing scene. And with their performance benefits well established, more and more recreational racers are giving them a try—not just in racing, but in training.

There’s just one problem: the shoes have only been around for a few years, and while there is no doubt that they can make people faster in racing, there is little information on how to use them properly in training.Ěý

Two-time Olympian turned podcaster and NBC commentator Kara Goucher says it’s a topic she’s discussed with many people she knows. “How often do we use them? How often do we not?” are common questions Goucher says she hears. “We need to be careful, but we also do need to use them in practice because we want to get [the] advantages—but we don’t want to get hurt…It’s so complicated.”

Finding answers begins by understanding how the shoes actually work.Ěý

How Your Body Reacts to Training in Super Shoes

For reasons that are not fully understood by biomechanics researchers, super shoes have a combination of foam and plate that make them function as springs, says Jay Dicharry, a Bend, Oregon, physical therapist, running gait expert, and author of . “You’re basically making a trampoline.”

This has a number of effects. One is that your brain automatically reacts to the softer impact by reducing the amount of knee flexion upon landing, says Simon Bartold, a sports podiatrist and biomechanist in Adelaide, South Australia. The leg becomes stiffer because the shoe is absorbing the impact. It’s part of why they are less tiring to run in.Ěý

Another big change, says Dicharry, is that the thick, cushiony foam increases the amount of time you spend in contact with the ground, as the foam contracts, then rebounds. That changes not only impact forces, but also cadence, the location of foot plant for the next stride, and a host of other factors. “Everything’s different,” he says.

These changes make the shoes fast, but they don’t come without side effects, especially when the shoes are used in training. When the shoes first came out, Dicharry says he was working with elite-level athletes who were trying to figure out how to use them in training, “and every single one got hurt.”

More recently, a paper by a group of physicians in reported a possible association between training in super shoes and navicular (mid-foot) stress fractures. Bartold’s podiatrist and runner friend says he’s been seeing an uptick in hip and lower back injuries since people started training in super shoes. The reason, Bartold suspects, is that the stiffer landing on impact allows what shock isn’t absorbed by the shoe to travel up the leg, affecting you anywhere from the knee to the lower back. All told, Bartold says it’s important to remember that these shoes weren’t designed as trainers. “They were designed as a racing shoe,” he says.Ěý

Principles for Training in Super Shoes

Given the benefits of super shoes, many athletes are going to wear them, even with their associated risks. “The results from using super shoes are undeniable,” says Greg McMillan, exercise physiologist and founder and head coach of McMillan Running. “Has any record not been broken since the shoes came out? All performance-oriented runners should try them.”

The question, then, is how best to use them. “The shoes are a tool, like anything else,” says Dathan Ritzenhein, head coach of On Athletics Club in Boulder, Colorado.Ěý

While a lot of this is being invented in real time by coaches working mostly by trial and error, a few basic principles do seem to be emerging.

1. Allow your body to adapt to the new mechanics.

If you are new to super shoes, the first step is simple. You need to allow some time to get used to them, before you wear them in a race. “It’s important to try them in practice to make sure there are no problems,” Ritzenhein says.Ěý

That doesn’t mean taking them out for a 20-mile training run right out of the box. Use them for part of a run, then take the time to stop and change shoes. How much of the run you use them for is an open question, but if you’re using them in a speed workout, Dicharry suggests you might want to start with as little as five minutes. “Do slow, progressive changes,” he says. “You need to be careful, because it’s very, very different.” And, he adds, don’t even start the process if you have an ongoing acute problem, like a knee or Achilles tendon injury.

2. Most people shouldn’t run in them everyday.

“I ask my athletes to wear them only in more important and pivotal workouts,” says Paul Greer, coach of the San Diego Track Club. For him, that mostly includes time trials or marathon pace runs, when you want to wear the shoes you plan to race in.Ěý

Mike Caldwell, coach of Greenville Track Club-Elite does something similar. “Our athletes use super shoes for both faster training sessions and competition,” he says, noting that these usually add up to 12–15 miles of running per week for elites doing 85–90 miles total—roughly 15 percent of their training.Ěý

McMillan, on the other hand, knows some runners enjoy using super shoes for every run, and thinks that’s fine for those who can afford it, have built up their super shoe mileage slowly, and haven’t experienced any problems. However, the people who seem to be able to get away with this, he says, are the ones whose muscles and mechanics are unusually strong to begin with.

3. When you’re not using super shoes, run in more flexible shoes.

“Easy running in a less cushioned and more flexible shoe is a good counter to long training sessions in super shoes,” Ritzenhein says. Greer adds that if, like his group, you only use super shoes for key workouts and races, you need to accept that your pace will be slower and possibly more tiring when using more conventional shoes. Don’t let that get in your head, and don’t try to fight it by turning workouts into races. That’s a formula for overtraining.

4. Don’t use super shoes to cram in more hard workouts into your calendar.

Yes, there are indications that some pros may be taking advantage of the faster recovery you get from the shoes to do just this, but for most people—and many elites—it’s simply not worth the risk. “We don’t try to increase the frequency of workouts,” Ritzenhein says. “I feel the same principles apply to when the body is inflamed after workouts, so we try to not make the training week too dense and instead focus on the next quality session at the right time for recovery.”

5. Use super shoes to do more intense workouts.

Greer does this by having athletes run time trials and marathon-pace runs in their shoes. Ritzenhein takes advantage of the lower impact of super shoes to increase volume in key workouts, such as long threshold runs. In both cases, it’s increased intensity, but not increased frequency.

6. Avoid the temptation to add excess volume to your overall week.

“Because you do have so much foam on your foot, people feel as if they can go longer and harder,” Bartold says. “Then you’ve got an increase in training volume which is potentially an issue for overuse injury.”Ěý

7. Be aware that not everybody will get the same benefit from any given shoe.

“Experimentation is the only way to know,” McMillan says. In general, he says, runners who are “pushers”—meaning they are forward-balanced runners often with midfoot strikes and strong hip extension behind their torsos—get more benefit than “pullers”—the more shuffler, heel-striking type of runner. “This is why one runner may love super shoes and the training partner doesn’t.” It may also be necessary, he says, to take the time (and expense) of experimenting with different brands of shoes, because each super shoe is tuned differently, and what works for one person may not for another.Ěý

8. Don’t ignore the need for supplemental training.

“Feet can get weaker if you use [the shoes] a lot,” Ritzenhein says. “Spending time on foot and lower leg strengthening is important.” Exactly what such training you do is up to you. It could include something as simple as taking your shoes off once a day to free your feet, or more complex exercises like doing “alphabets” in which you attempt to write the alphabet in the air with your big toe. It might be doing barefoot strides on the turf after track workouts. Other options are calf raises, single-leg balancing exercises, or knee-strengthening exercises like wall squats, hamstring curls on a ball, or single-leg hamstring bridges. The bottom line is to be inventive and pay attention to your body. “If you want to run in super shoes, you need to put in the work to show up with stable parts,” Dicharry says.

9. Listen closely to your body when recovering from races wearing super shoes.

Prior to super shoes, a rule of thumb was that recovering from races took about one day per mile of race. Runners varied, but a 5K might take three days, a 10K might take a week, a marathon the better part of a month.Ěý

Today, these rules no longer apply. People racing in super shoes seem to bounce off half-marathons like they were 10Ks and marathons like they were half-marathons. Why this is the case is a bit unclear. It is likely that by absorbing some of the vertical forces created by each foot strike, the shoes relieve our leg muscles of having to do the same.Ěý

“If I told you to jump 100 times on the ground, you might feel a bit sore,” Dicharry says. “If I said jump 100 times on a trampoline, the trampoline does all the work. It’s the same thing with the super shoes.”

Another potentially important cause of faster recovery might be the shoe’s effect on reducing what Bartold calls vibration, which is the shockwave generated each time your foot hits the ground. It’s not a good thing if it gets all the way up to your brain, so in normal shoes, your leg muscles contract to stop it. “If Nike [and later super shoe manufacturers] happened to stumble on a shoe that [in addition to its intended purposes] significantly reduced vibration, that means you don’t have to contract your muscles so much, and if you don’t have to contract your muscles so much, you don’t get the fatigue,” Bartold says.

That said, the best advice is probably still the oldest: listen to your body, though it may require a more refined “ear” than before. That’s because prior to super shoes, recovery was largely dictated by muscle fatigue. Now, there may be less of that more obvious fatigue, even though the race may still have produced deeper, less obvious effects. “If you pushed yourself to the max in a race, internally the same damage is done regardless of what shoes you wear,” Ritzenhein says.Ěý

Dicharry agrees. “[There is] a central aspect to it,” he says. “If you put in a hard race effort, your body’s centrally tired. Just be honest with yourself and see how you feel. If you’re in that gray zone, don’t push it.”

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