Explore It!

Kuru Halcyon

• Pros: Very comfortable; Versatile design; Water repellent
• Cons: Minimal tread; Lackluster breathability; Don’t dry quickly when soaked
• Bottom Line: While the Kuru Halcyon shoes are really comfortable and can transition from the office to the trailhead and then to the bar, they seem to be more at home at the skate park or BMX dirt track. Also, the price tag doesn’t fit its style or usefulness.
• MSRP: $100

Kuru’s Web site

    Marketed as a shoe that can go anywhere and do anything, the Kuru Halcyon lived up to my expectations fairly well.

    The skater-looking shoe is incredibly comfortable. With little or no break in period, the Halcyon wore well at work, while hiking and walking around town.

    It touts a softshell upper that combines with leather to make a durable shoe. And I found it to be very water resistant.

    Kuru also claims it’s the “World’s Most Anatomical Active shoe,” and boasts a shock-absorbing foam in the forefoot and heel that lasts as long as the shoe. It undoubtedly contributes to the overall comfort no matter where I wore it or for how long.

    But while the Salt Lake City-based company was putting so much emphasis into its comfort, it neglected the outsole.

    If the shoes are said to be Kuru’s most hiking-ready, according to the company, I’d expect more in terms of traction.

    On the trail, the series of roughly .5-inch raised dots that make up the traction is mediocre at best. Wet or dry, I couldn’t trust the traction on rock and it wasn’t great on dirt when I really had to dig in.

    They’re also pretty warm and I found they didn’t breathe very well – despite wearing them with biking socks while hiking.

    And though they repel water really well, when soaked, they don’t dry as fast as many other hiking shoes.

    For a shoe that looks like a cross between a skater shoe and a hiking shoe, the Halcyons are very comfortable, but they seem to be going through an identity crisis. I wouldn’t rely on them much past an on-trail hike before hitting up the bar.

• Pros: Comfortable; Laces thread to toe; Partially-lined leather upper
• Cons: Not as aggressive as a higher-end shoes; Not great for crack climbing; Strong intermediate climbers will likely outgrow them quickly
• Bottom Line: The FiveTen Coyotes are a great beginner shoe that helps boost confidence – something most novice climbers need.
• MSRP: $86

FiveTen’s Web site

    While I don’t claim to be an expert rock climber – far from it actually – the FiveTen Coyote rock shoes are a great pair to try for your first time on the rock.

    The Coyotes have a partially-lined leather upper that snuggly hugs your foot, and they have laces that thread to the toe giving climbers a plethora of adjustability options.

    The partial lining means they have a liner inside part of the shoe to help prevent it from stretching while still conforming to the shape of your foot.

    I haven’t noticed any stretching in the roughly dozen times I’ve worn them. In fact, sometimes I think they’ve gotten tighter.

    An unlined shoe is said to be more flexible and more sensitive to movement, so the partial liner is a happy medium.

    Unlike some higher-end climbing shoes that have a forward camber (forward lean), the Coyotes’ heel is nearly straight up and down providing a more comfortable fit.

    I have a semi-wide foot, but I found the shoes, which I got in a full size smaller than my street shoe, to fit well throughout and suck my heel back into the heel cup.

    They have a semi-large toe box, which is great for comfort and smearing (using the balls of your feet to “smear” against the rock), but less than ideal for crack climbing when you need to jam your toes into small cracks.

    Redlands, Calif.-based FiveTen’s Stealth C4 rubber outsoles gripped well on Sedona, Ariz. sandstone and the conglomerate sandstone of Boulder, Colo.’s Flatirons.

    And, like most rock climbing shoes, if the soles get too beat up and worn down, you can resole them.

    Though not everyone has the same shaped foot, the Coyotes are a great starter shoe that is definitely worth tossing on the “to try” list for climbing shoes.

    For someone looking to get into rock climbing, finding a good pair of rock shoes is just as important as finding someone who knows how to climb.

    It’s wildly amazing how much rock shoes make a difference whether climbing at a gym, bouldering, trad or sport climbing. The specially designed soles grip the littlest holds, allow climbers to smear and make it that much easier to scale the problem in front of them.

    But there are a few general rules of thumb to keep in mind when beginner climbers seek a pair of shoes.

Stick to a budget

    First, set a budget and don’t go over it no matter what.

    It’s incredibly easy to find a great pair of first-time shoes for less than $100 – no matter what brand you seek.

    Trevor “Bubba” McConnell, an experienced mountaineer and long-time climber from Colorado Springs, Colo., said beginners won’t reap the benefits from buying a shoe out of their league.

    McConnell is a certified climbing instructor who equated buying a pair of shoes to buying a bike. Both a Huffy and a Giant will get you from point A to point B. The Giant may be a better bike, but until you’ve progressed beyond the basic skills of riding, you won’t know the difference.

    Climbing shoes are similar because until someone becomes a strong intermediate climber, the type of shoe on her foot likely won’t matter.

    McConnell proved that point when he climbed a 5.10d in Boulder, Colo. wearing his open-toed Chaco sandals. I, as a beginner climber, had rock shoes on and couldn’t make it all the way.

    So don’t be suckered into buying the latest and greatest shoe that is out of your price range.

Comfort and fit make a shoe

    As a beginner, it’s more about comfort and fit than it is about features.

    If the shoe is grossly uncomfortable, you won’t want to put it on and therefore, won’t want to climb. Keep in mind, the shoe isn’t going to feel great either.

    McConnell said if you can wear it around the house for 30 minutes and it’s still comfortable, it’s likely not the right size or style of shoe.

    As you’ll likely climb sans socks, be sure to try on your shoes sans socks as well. Your toes should be slightly bent at the end and your heel should be sucked firmly into the heel cup. Generally, start trying shoes a full size smaller than your street shoes.

    Many manufacturers also make women-specific shoes, but for most beginner women, it likely won’t make enough difference to justify the added cost. For both men and women the shoe needs to be snug, so keep trying on shoes until the right one fits. That being said, if a women’s shoe fits you better, no matter your gender, go for it.

Slippers, laces or Velcro

    Once you’ve tried on numerous shoes from numerous manufacturers (keep in mind each manufacturer makes a slightly different-fitting shoe. La Sportiva’s, for instance, tend to run narrow) take into consideration slippers versus laces versus Velcro-type shoes.

    Slippers tend to stretch faster as they don’t have anything to help tighten the leather. Laces allow you to get a more custom fit and tighten it down to the toe. Velcro-type shoes are easy to take on and off quickly.

    Most people, though, suggest laced shoes as a great all-around beginner shoe.

    Whatever shoes you pick, wear them around the house briefly before climbing with them.

    While there’s no break-in period like with hiking boots and other footwear, you should make sure it’s the right shoe before you get it on the rock. Most stores won’t take back a used shoe.

    Just be sure you’re not overly uncomfortable or you won’t want to be on the rocks at all. And then what’s the point of buying a pair of shoes?

Specialized Comp mountain bike shoes

• Pros: Easy to adjust; Hard plastic on toe protects front of shoe; Fits snuggly with thick or thin socks
• Cons: Outsole too soft; Sole angled too much at toe; BG technology over hyped
• Bottom Line: The Specialized Comp shoes are the perfect mix of durability, comfort and cost making them great for the casual mountain biker or hardcore weekend warrior.
• MSRP: $140

Specialized’s Web site

    After having the same pair of Sidi mountain bike shoes for the last 10 years, and racing with them for about five, I rely heavily on a quality pair of biking shoes that fit well and are incredibly durable.

    But, like most people, I don’t want to pay too much when looking for a new pair. And that poses a potential problem.

    However, the Specialized Comp mountain shoes, compatible with all major mountain bike clipless pedals, are a great mix of affordability and quality craftsmanship.

    Whether commuting, joy riding or competing, the Comps have held up to my abuse.

    I’ve ridden through mud, water, dust, in hot sun, pushed my bike up rocky mountains, grassy slopes, hopped over rocks, went up and down stairs, and more. In nearly all conditions the shoes have performed flawlessly.

    My biggest gripe: From the ball of the foot to the toe, the sole slants up substantially making it awkward to walk up and down stairs while wearing them.

    But the shoes are made for biking, and that same toe slant is great for steep trails requiring a hike-a-bike when you’re on the balls of your feet pushing your steed uphill.

    The Comps come with two toe spikes per shoe that can be quickly put in or taken out for added traction, but I didn’t need them as the lugs are adequate for typical trail terrain. However, the outsoles are relatively soft and seem to get chewed up fairly easily.

    The two Velcro-type straps and one ratchet strap, made it incredibly easy to get a custom fit no matter if I wore thick or thin socks. And the shoes comfortably fit my semi-wide feet.

    Unlike many mountain shoes that only have Velcro-type straps, the ratchet helps pull your heel into the heel cup and keep it from slipping.

    While some people contend a ratchet is just another thing to break while riding, it’s worth the risk in my mind (and I’ve never had a substantial problem even when the ratchet is packed with sticky mud).

    The synthetic uppers ventilate as well as any other shoe I’ve used, and they shed water and dry pretty well.

    While I didn’t notice a difference at all, Specialized incorporated its Body Geometry technology into the shoe as well. Body Geometry, it claims, helps better align the rider’s leg and foot to improve performance and increase the power of each stroke.

    The best thing about the Comps is that I don’t miss my Sidi Dominators, and these are much less expensive.

La Sportiva Exum River shoes

• Pros: Amazing traction in water; Shed water quickly; Work well in transit to/from the canyon
• Cons: Sizes run narrow; No gender-specific option; Shoe was discontinued
• Bottom Line: This is a great canyoneering shoe well worth the money if you can still find it.
• Street price: $63

La Sportiva’s Web site

    Scampering over boulders, wading through frigid chest-deep water and dodging tourists is a good way to get outside as temperatures increase.
    And as your flip-flops flip and flop out of the closet for running to the grocery store, you’ll need something better for canyoneering and tromping through water-filled hikes. That’s when the La Sportiva Exum River shoes come to play.
    While the shoes aren’t made anymore, with some online searching, it’s still possible to find various sizes. So if you’re planning a hardcore trip through a slot canyon, find a pair of the Italian-made La Sportiva Exum River shoes.
    They’re bombproof.
    The tread on these shoes has plunger-like suction cups on the ball of the foot designed to grip virtually anything, and the sieve-like side construction pours out water like an upside down bucket.
    Hiking The Subway in Zion National Park, I was able to easily walk up a slippery, algae-covered slope while my comrades were struggling in their shoes – which ranged from sneakers to water-oriented shoes.
    The traction was unbelievable. That’s one reason why so many canyoneers look for the Exum River’s when exploring.
    But the Sportiva’s aren’t just for long water adventures. Despite the minimal lugs, they have sufficient grip on dry ground too. While they’re at home in the water, they held their own in transit to and from the canyon.
    However, the shoes are unisex.
    I have semi-wide feet and while my feet got used to it on the trail, the Exum River’s squeezed too much around the midsole and I paid the price later with incredibly sore feet.
    Perhaps that one, considerable, complaint is why the Exums are no longer produced.
    According to the company, though, the Exum Pros are a good alternative – though I haven’t even seen them in person to pass judgment.

This story first appeared in The Spectrum & Daily News

Terrasoles men’s Tuckerman

photos courtesy Terrasoles

Terrasoles men’s Tuckerman and women’s Avalanche

• Pros: Very warm; Comfortable when wearing all day; Lightweight
• Cons: Only come in full sizes; Minimal traction; Fabric-like soles absorb water
• Bottom Line: Both the Tuckerman and the Avalanche are great for wearing after a long day on the slopes or for kicking around town, but they’re way too warm for summer.
• MSRP: $55 and $60

Terrasoles’ Web site

    Though aesthetically very different, the Terrasoles men’s Tuckerman and women’s Avalanche clog-style shoes are both designed for comfort and warmth.
    Pickerington, Ohio-based Terrasoles, which was formed in 2007, created the lightweight shoes as après-adventure footwear.
    Both the Tuckerman and Avalanche have minimal tread, but the company incorporates a fabric-like substance in the outsoles to help provide traction.
    And while they’re far from trail runners or snow clogs, the shoes, generally, have ample grip to keep you from slipping on the snow. They stuck especially well to warm snow.
    However, that same fabric-like substance absorbs water – and it took more than a little stomping around on hard, dry surfaces to help prevent pools on the floor.
    Terrasoles’ are designed to be slipped on after you take off your ski/snowboard boots, your bulky snow boots, rock climbing or biking shoes or any other footwear. The Tuckermans kept my feet warm and comfortable while packing the car after a long day on the slopes and were great while driving home.
    But both clog-style shoes are almost too warm.
    My Tuckermans, made from recycled fleece, consistently make my feet sweat, and the fleece barely breathes (if at all). It was welcomed on cold days when I was outside, but wearing them to my office was borderline uncomfortable. That being said, the company is making a cotton/canvas version that should hit shelves by May.
    For my wife, who tested the women’s Avalanche, hot feet weren’t a problem. For her the Avalanche were comfortably warm in all conditions – including wearing them to her office.
    Neither have much arch support, but the insoles are removable making them easy to clean and receptive to after-market insoles.
    Be prepared for them to pick up every speck of dog hair or lint you encounter – especially the Avalanche, which have a nubby fleece on the forefoot, a synthetic shearling wool near the midfoot and then the same nubby fleece on the heel.
    While I didn’t find it very helpful, the Tuckerman shoes have an elastic drawcord to help secure them and a small heel cup to do the same.
    But both shoes only come in full sizes, which I found to be a problem. I normally wear a 9.5 and decided to try the size 9. Surprisingly, they were too big.
    The Avalanche were less of a problem for my wife. She’s normally a 7.5 and decided to go up to a size 8. They fit her comfortably.
    So guys, if you’re in between sizes, try the smaller one. Gals, you may want to try the bigger one.
    Though it’s a new brand, which is owned by R.G. Barry Corp. (notorious for their footwear such as Dearfoams), Terrasoles seem to have found a niche with a variety of warm- and cold-weather shoes for any après-adventure.