Whether you stick strictly to the summer season for your water adventures, or water excursions figure into your outdoor calendar all year ‘round, good water shoes are always part of a necessary gear kit. Comfort is key, but other important elements are stability and a grippy sole. Nobody likes slipping around when you have places to go.
As owners of a kayak and stand-up paddle business, the humans in my home have some brand preferences when it comes to water shoes, but because things evolve quickly in the outdoor gear industry, it’s important that we keep our minds open. Recently, my husband took the Teva Hydratrek Sandal for some test spins, and he’s become a convert.
The sandals are ideal for water sports, hiking, boating, and fishing, with a textured, grippy topsole and an outsole that includes 30% of Teva’s patented recycled Spider Rubber—which is supposed to bet sticky and grippier when wet. The lightweight midsole is made with 30% recycled RVA. The webbing is made from 100% recycled plastic (using traceable Repreve polyester yard), and dries quickly, so you’re not stuck in soggy sandals. And the hook-and-loop closure is easy to adjust to the right fit for your feet.
Among the great improvements made by Teva over the years is the comfortable padding along the straps and strap connections at the ankles. In his first two days of testing out the Hydratrek Sandals, my husband hiked more than 10 miles in without any rubbing or developing blisters.
The men’s Hydratrek Sandal lists for $85 and comes in black, desert palm, vibe dark olive print, and vibe total eclipse print on the Teva site. The women’s version also lists for $85 and comes in black, tigerlily, lunar rock, and vibe blissful blue print on the Teva site.