The best footwear for hiking through streams, tested by one of the world’s most fanatical backpackers.
By Steve Mazzucchi Photos by Michael Pirrocco
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About Our Expert: Andrew Skurka, 27, walks farther in a year than most will in a lifetime. He is the only person ever to complete the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop and the 7,800-mile Sea-to-Sea Route (from Quebec to Washington) on foot. A grandmaster of the light hiking arts, he shares his adventures and hard-earned wisdom on his website, andrewskurka.com.
Expert’s Pick: New Balance 920
The marriage of New Balance’s trail-running expertise with water-friendly features begets the 920, and it’s an everlasting love of Skurka. “My favorites,” he says. “They fit, feel, and look like running shoes, yet they drain really well. You can literally see water gushing out of the draining ports.” The grippy sole and cinch cord locking laces are just icing on the cake. [$90; newbalance.com] Rating: 9/10
Merrell Waterpro Maipo
The Maipo’s intricate lacing system “really hugs the foot,” says Skurka. Although he loved the shoe’s burliness and breathability, he thought it looked a little, well, ugly. “Numerous panels, different fabrics, and general messiness indicate a lock of ground-up thinking.” He also felt the mesh let in too much fine silt, a surefire cause of blisters. That’s why Skurka always wears thin polyeaster socks like DeFeet Aireators with water-ready shoes. [$90; merrell.com] Rating: 7/10
Teva Sunkosi 2
Effective draining coupled with solid cushioning, protection, and structure scores points for the new version of the Sunkosi. “It’s got a very clean design and a great heel cup at a steep angle that really locks the heel in place,” raves Skurka. On the downside, the strip of webbing integrated into the lacing doesn’t seem necessary, and the toe box was a bit too roomy for Skurka’s average-width feet. That’s good news for the duck-footed, though. [$100; teva.com] Rating: 8/10
The North Face Dafda Boa
The Dafda looks as if it’s from the set of Minority Report, partially because it has forsaken laces for stainless steel cables that tighten with the turn of a dial. “The Boa system is awesome,” says Skurka. “It gives a great, uniform fit throughout the shoe.” The Dafda is too flexible to provide enough support for hiking, but the sticky sole and sleek profile are perfectly suited to clambering up slick boulders or slipping in and out of a kayak. [$115; thenorthface.com] Rating: 7/10
Salomon Techamphiban 2
This nicely priced sequel to an adventure-racing hit doesn’t differ much from the original - save for a better-wicking bamboo liner, a grippier sole, and better-placed mesh - and for good reason. “Having tested these shoes, I understand the love,” say Skurka. “The heel-to-toe mesh results in excellent squeegee action, and it dries really quickly.” But he disliked the heel buckle, which loosens with use, requiring constant adjustment. [$85; salomonsports.com] Rating: 8/10
This article originally appeared in the May issue of Men’s Journal
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