Jonathan Blum
However, my top choice this year is Chaco's Hipthong ($74).
I've been a big fan of the company's Headwaters sports sandals for some time, which wrap the ankle and toes in webbing that provides excellent support and stability in good weather or bad. But they look uncomfortably similar to the things Charlton Heston wore as he parted the Dead Sea in The Ten Commandments. I don't know about you, but I just don't have the wardrobe to pull off such a near-biblical context. The Hipthong, on the other hand, gives the sports sandal a new spin. It trades in the neo-Moses vibe for a reasonably stylish between-the-toes look. And it adds enough strapping and support to stand up to some hiking. Hipthongs can be tricky to adjust just right, but so far they have worked well bashing around the upper part of Lake Michigan. We'll see how they handle the slime of the shoals in the Chesapeake Bay later next week.Rockin' Socks
If you are going to be smart enough to double up on shoes, don't be dumb enough to use the moldy old socks wasting away in your sock drawer. Like everything else in the strange new world of outdoor tech, socks are way cool. The news here is in polyester weaves that mimic the feel of natural wool or cotton, yet dry like nylon. Stink is still a factor, as are allergies for the fair-skinned. So there is no substitute for taking these for a test run before you commit to a long trip. Dri-Release is making an interesting FreshGuard sock that can absorb a lot, yet stay miraculously dry. The Eurosocks line is also worth a look, particularly its half-wool, half-poly hybrids. NanoHorizons is producing something called SmartSilver, which uses nanotechnology -- and near-military-level secrecy -- to reduce odor in polyester socks. And then there are the super pricey X-Socks from Europe, and Darn Tough socks from Cabot Hosiery in Northfield, Vt., a simply terrific line of durable wool and mixed blend hose. But my No. 1 pick is SealSkinz waterproof socks. This durable, breathable, waterproof bad boy -- if you size things right -- can be worn inside your sandals. It is a tough yet comfy barrier against poison ivy and vermin. I'm excited to see how they stand up to the tide pools in Monhegan Island, Maine. |
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