Bean Explorer Sandals; traction
Posted by: Glenn_MacGrady
on Oct-05-12 4:19 PM (EST)
I compared the Bean Explorer sandals head-to-head against various Keen sandals a couple of years ago, and thought the Beans won on every count for both a land and canoeing sandal -- flexibility, weight, comfort and cost.
I now have two pair and wear them year round.
As to traction, that's an ambiguous and complex thing. The way shoe soles create traction for wet boat decks (e.g., sipes), fishing waders (e.g., felt), wet rocks, wet trails, dry trails, etc. -- can all vary and not be so good for one traction scenario as another.
I like soles that are flexible enough to bend for kneel canoeing, portage short distances, dry fast, and be good as casual walking shoes. The Bean Explorers meet those tests for me, and are currently on sale until Oct. 8 for $54.