Olukai Maliko Shoe

www.olukai.com, six ounces
For one of our gear testers, water shoes always struck him as a shoe too far—until he stepped on a stingray in Mexico.  Now, he has a pair of Malikos, the latest piece of amphibious footwear to catch our attention. Made by Hawaii-based OluKai, the minimalist split-toe shoe can handle all variety of island adventuring, from rain forest canyoneering to sea kayaking to long day hikes.  The uppers boast breathable air mesh, with a sleek, moisture-wicking synthetic suede lining the heel, and injection-molded heel and arch chassis for anatomical support (a nice addition for the typically bare-bones genre).  You can also remove 3/4 of the footbed (attached by Velcro) for a more barefoot feel. Underneath, the no-slip treads are fairly aggressive without adding bulk, and while the “tentacles” lined with suction cups—modeled after an octopus’ appendages—may be more aesthetic than legit, we were able to keep solid footing on even super-slick surfaces like wet wood. The svelte fit and boa-style lacing does an admirable job of keeping out the grit save for fine sand, which sneaks in and doesn’t always drain from the ports on the instep.  The split toe offers a bit more dexterity than standard sneaks, but may strike some as somewhat superfluous, and those with longer toes may find the fit of the singular big toe a bit cramped.  But at six ounces, the Maliko are light enough to bring along any time water is a reality. (Oh, and if you do get stung by a stingray, put the wound in water that’s as hot as you can tolerate. It nullifies the poison.)