Finding the right
gear for what we love to do.
A lady can never have enough shoes. Right? Well, I was in
the market for a new pair of water shoes. With the dry Colorado climate, I get
those darn heal cracks walking on my hardwood floors and wearing my sandals
during the summer. So I was looking for something new that had the performance
of my 6 pairs of Chaco’s so I can go from dry land to wet water without having
to change shoes. In my opinion shoes are likes bikes, you are always looking
for or planning for the next one you want. It’s the plus 1 rule.
I love the outdoors and active lifestyle a lot of us lead here
in the mountains. In my water shoe hunt I wanted something that offered
versatility. A shoe that you can hike, bike, raft, paddle board, run an errand,
or even go out on the town in – something that works for what we can encounter
in any given day.
I start with a Google search of “water shoes.” 170 million
results. Ugh! Thick sole, drainage and ventilation, toe separation, straps,
insulated, mesh, leather, canvas, toe guard…really now. So I try to narrow my
search knowing I’m looking for the versatility of wet to dry land. It’s enough
to make your head spin. I find one that looks cool, durable, lightweight, and
comfortable. It’s the Sperry Top Sider H20 Escape Bungee is an all-around water
shoe that can be used for almost every warm weather activity.
Now, I have to put them to the test. I decide to wear them
on a raft trip on the Roaring Fork River between Carbondale and Glenwood
Springs. The shoe’s performance from dry land to the wet river was practically
unnoticeable based on the shoe’s snug fit.
Its tread had excellent traction on all surfaces; while walking on the
river floor, over rocks, on the wet raft floor and while dry at the put ins and
take outs. My feet didn’t slip or have the sloshy feeling while wearing them in
any of these situations. It’s a shoe to wear doing practically anything. The
shoe is so lightweight and comfortable you tend to forget they are even on your
feet. Exactly what I was looking for – I picked the right one!
