> -----Original Message----- > From: Stan Heeres [mailto:sheeres_at_net-link.net] > > We are about to embark on a season of canoeing, canoe camping > and river > (not whitewater) kayaking. > > After looking through many magazines and photographs, it seems most > people wear sandals. That is my first thought also, mostly because of > the land and water usage. > > My question is this: > > What are the various sandals in use out there for land and water use. > Please give reason for your enthusiasm. I am looking for brand names, > how they wear, how long they wear, etc. > Sandals are one step up from going barefoot. They can be very comfortable and convenient to wear when in "amphibious" mode, but the don't really offer a lot of protection from the elements (cold) or the hard stuff - rocks, sticks, claws and teeth. There have been times when small pieces of gravel have lodged between the sole of my foot and the footbed of my Tevas. OUCH. I've stubbed and cut toes while both barefoot and sandaled. Sandals are safer than going barefoot, but not much. All of which leads to my thought that my feet deserve to be protected - and, at least where I live, boots seem to offer the best protection. A medium weight wet shoe (like the NRS ATB) does admirable duty when on the water and a pair of medium weight hikers take care of shore-bound tasks. My Tevas are great for kicking around town (especially with a pair of high fashion fleece socks<grin>), but I don't wear them "in the bush". Any injury outdoors, away from the convenience of quick, professional medical attention, is something to be avoided. Don't just follow the example of pictures that you see in various paddling magazines to make your paddling footwear choices - evaluate your environment, climate, planned activities, and the myriad possibilities for "unplanned adventures" (ie. emergencies). Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I was in my local 'Gimme-all-your-cash' outdoor shop yesterday and there, on the shelf beckoning me in their direction were a pair of neat Teva 'running shoes' with little mesh inserts along the sides for letting the water run out (and the sand in?). Anyway, they seemed to be an interesting answer to the need-more-sandal without going the too-much-shoe-to paddle-in problem. Anyone tried these things? No, I didn't buy, I'll shop around a bit first... *LOL* Michael Bradley *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
David Seng wrote: > Sandals are one step up from going barefoot. They can be very comfortable > and convenient to wear when in "amphibious" mode, but the don't really offer > a lot of protection from the elements (cold) or the hard stuff ... > There have been times when small pieces of gravel have lodged between the > sole of my foot and the footbed of my Tevas. OUCH. I've stubbed and cut > toes while both barefoot and sandaled. ...<snip>... A > medium weight wet shoe (like the NRS ATB) does admirable duty when on the > water and a pair of medium weight hikers take care of shore-bound tasks. I couldn't agree more. I really wanted to like my Tevas, but they just don't provide much protection. Getting gravel and shell fragments between my foot and the sandal is the worst problem. I just don't understand why people prefer these things to the many superior alternatives. Of course they are more fashionable than heavy-duty neoprene boots, but for the areas in which I paddle they are functionally deficient. As always, YMMV. Dan Hagen Bellingham, Washington *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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