Gear Closet: Sperry Top-Sider SON-R Sounder Shandal

One of the holy grails of outdoor gear has always been a pair of comfortable water shoes that can be worn both on and off the water. Sure, there are plenty of great shoes out that there that perform well while boating, kayaking or hiking through lakes and streams, but wander away from the water and usually become uncomfortable to wear for a prolonged period of time. But Sperry Top-Sider hopes to change all of that with their SON-R Sounder Shandal, a shoe that looks like a light hiker, is designed like a water shoe and performs somewhere in the middle.

If you're not familiar with Sperry Top-Sider, they've been designing footwear for nearly 80 years. The company has the distinction of creating the first boat shoe and since introducing it back in 1935, Sperry has continued to push the envelope in terms of shoes designed to used in and around the water. Today they have a wide variety of shoes that range from casual slip ons, sandals, oxfords and much more. But company's legacy remains in water shoes and it is a field in which they continue to chart new territory.

The SON-R Sounder Shandal is one of their newest offerings and features a host of specialized technology. The shoe is made from quick drying and breathable mesh materials that are designed to keep the feet comfortable while limiting scuffing and abrasions. Those same fabrics allow water to drain from within the shoe, helping to further promote quick drying performance. A soft internal lining is made from anti-microbial materials that helps minimize odor while also further protecting the foot. A rubber outsole keeps its grip quite nicely, even on wet surfaces but still allows the wearer to have a sense of feedback from the ground, helping them to feel connected to the ground at all times.

So how do all of those components perform when assembled together to create the Sounder Shandal? Turns out, exceptionally well. For starters, the shoe is extremely comfortable to wear both around the water and on dry land. Soft and flexible, the Shandal feels a lot like a lightweight running shoe that just so happens to be able to shake off water with ease. True to the their word, Sperry has built a shoe that does indeed dry quickly, which is important for keeping your feet happy while transitioning from water to land and back again. These shoes make that transition so effortless in fact that you'll barely notice when you move from one medium to another.

Of course, you can make similar claims about a other water shoes from competitors as well and what really sets the Sounder Shandal apart from the crowd is its SON-R technology. This aspect of the shoe's design is meant to keep the foot in touch with the ground, providing good feedback on surface conditions. While wearing these shoes, your feet actually do feel in touch with the surface beneath them, whether that is rocky lake bed, the wet deck of a ship or a dry trail through the woods. As mentioned earlier, the Shandals actually feel a bit like a trail running shoe, which is a major compliment considering their intended purpose.

Kayakers in particular will find the Sounder Shandal to be a particularly good addition to their personal gear closets, especially if they find themselves having to make portages on a regular basis. The shoes are comfortable, quick drying, and drain nicely without keeping all kinds of silt or pebbles on the interior where they can rub blisters onto your feet. I think sailors will enjoy the shoes as well since they have a distinctive look, grip well on a variety of surfaces and are easy on the feet.

Obviously there are better options out there for a pure trail shoe but that isn't what the Sounder Shandal is all about. However, aas far as water shoes go, it is tough to beat what Sperry Top-Sider has done here. They perform as well as any water shoe I've ever worn, they look great and they provide solid performance away from the water as well. If you're in the market for an excellent shoe for your paddling activities, you owe it to yourself to try the Sounder Shandals. With a price tag of $90, they offer exceptional value for footwear that is built to perform like nothing else on the market. Give 'em a shot. I have a feeling you're going to like them too.

Gear Closet: Keen Alpha WP CNX Hiking Shoes

When shoe company Keen isn't busy building sandals to our custom specifications they're putting together some of the most comfortable and versatile footwear available to travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. For the past ten years Keen has pushed the envelope in terms of design while continually creating lightweight and durable products for both town and trail. That tradition continues with their new line of CNX shoes, which feature a minimalist design that doesn't compromise on stability or protection.

The latest addition to the CNX line-up is the new Alpha WP, a low-cut shoe that has been built with the multi-sport athlete in mind.  It features a lightweight midsole and contoured arch support that allow these shoes to feel much sturdier than their 12 ounce (340 gram) weight would normally imply. The Alpha has a unique, flexible sole that keeps your feet in tune with the surface yet still provides plenty of comfort and protection. In keeping with Keen's typical high standards, the shoes are also very durable, brushing off all kinds of punishment while remaining as good looking as if they had just come out of the box.

At first glance, the Alpha resembles a mash-up of a light hiking shoe and a trail runner. Its synthetic upper is soft, lightweight and breathable. It also happens to be waterproof, which lends these shoes a level of versatility that isn't found in many of tis competitors. This combination of properties makes these a great shoe for hitting the trail for just about any kind of activity. While putting my pair of Alphas to the test, I took them hiking on trails of mud and rock, mountain biking and even trail running. In each case, they performed exceptionally well. At the end of each of those activities my feet felt as comfortable as they did when I first set-out. That's no small feat for footwear that weigh so little.



One of my favorite aspects of Keen shoes has always been the fact that there is little to no break-in time. That holds true here as well. Typically I take a new pair of hiking shoes out of the box and wear them while running errands around town for awhile before I actually hit the trail, but when I put the Alphas on for the first time they felt like they were good to go straight out of the box. As a result, I never experienced any kind of abrasions or blistering while wearing these shoes, even when I hiked a substantial number of miles in them on hot Texas trails.

As mentioned, these shoes are waterproof and feature Keen's proprietary Keen.dry technology. At the heart of that system is a breathable membrane that manages to keep moisture out while also allowing heat and vapor from inside the shoe to escape. This is an extremely effective system as the shoes managed to keep my feet nice and dry while crossing streams but also kept them from getting too warm during the heat of the day. When paired with a lightweight hiking sock, these shoes are perfect for just about any conditions.

Many of Keen's shoes have a styling that makes them work well both on the trail or in casual settings around town. The design of the Alpha definitely lean more towards the trail however, although I still found plenty of reasons to wear them in an urban setting where they performed equally well. Because they are lightweight and easy to pack, they also make great shoes for the active traveler, where versatility and performance are greatly appreciated.

If you're in the market for a pair of shoes that can serve you equally well on local trails – both on foot and on a bike – or while trekking in remote locations on the other side of the planet, the Keen Alpha WP is a great option. These lightweight, comfortable and durable, not to mention waterproof, shoes are a great investment for the active outdoor enthusiast who doesn't want to break the bank. Keen has priced these shoes at $130, which seems like quite the bargain for a footwear that is this easy to like.