Adidas Climacool Boat Lace Shoes

www.adidas.com, 7.1 ounces
Traditional boat shoes have always struck us as more politician trolling a wine-and-cheese event on some yacht on the Potomac than footwear befitting a hiker, camper, or sailor. And Adidas must agree, because they’ve subverted all the preppy leanings with their Climacool Boat Lace Shoes.  At first glance, you notice the sport-centric three-stripe visual Adidas logo, supplemented with sly use of deep green and purple accents. But there’s a hefty amount of multisport tech at play in these 7.1-ounce kicks.  Proprietary moisture-wicking fabrics make for easy, comfortable venting for the entire foot, the textile mesh uppers offer additional breathability, and synthetic overlays add the support you need.  The soles are lined with rows of drain holes that are porous enough to expel water in a flash, yet residue stays out—save for full submersion, when water naturally flows into the top of the shoe. But this a problem very few pieces of aquatic footwear can solve.  The rubber tongue has been molded to conform to the natural curve of your foot, and the water-friendly laces stay secure with a strong square knot.  Best of all, the shoes boast exceptional grip in wet and slippery conditions, from a water-covered boat deck to slick rocks. We experienced some minor skin abrasion  just below one  ankle after wearing them, nonstop, for three very wet days, but when we added a pair of socks and used them as a camp shoe that night, all was well.