Essential Tulum Equipment... Footwear!

[mgsipa]

Hey everyone...
OK, I'm sorry but I'm so excited about my latest acquisition for our upcoming Tulum adventure, that I couldn't hold back.

So, you have to think somewhat obtusely since this isn't really a tip for Tulum, not a resort recommendation, or a great restaurant find or anything. This thread is on footwear, of all things!!

Last year I went barefoot for most of the week in Tulum, but on one of the last days there I got pretty badly injured when I tore my big toenail out and had to keep it from infection for the rest of the stay. This year I'm going as barefoot as possible, but being a little more careful (i.e. smart).

So here they are... my new babies, which I've been wearing around the house all day to break them in, and I love them already. They're a little pricey, but amazing!!

Top view:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j232/mgsipa/DSC00083.jpg

Side view (yes, the toes move independently):
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j232/mgsipa/DSC00084.jpg

What's been YOUR favorite??

[pepper]

Those are very interesting...feels weird around the toes, yes?

So far, my fave has been Keen slides - they go from beach to trekking up ruins to hiking in the jungle.

[TulumDreamin]

Pretty cool! One of Time Mag's top inventions of 2007. Let us know how they hold up. $70 is a little pricey if they fall apart after a few months.

[AdGuy]

I'd be interested to hear your impressions of the new shoes after your trip. Just wondering if they're worth the extra expense over the traditional watershoes you could buy for $20.

[mgsipa]

Those are very interesting...feels weird around the toes, yes?

A little weird around the toes at first, but I'm getting used to it. Once broken in they'll form around the toes and I won't notice the difference I'm sure.

[mgsipa]

Pretty cool! One of Time Mag's top inventions of 2007. Let us know how they hold up. $70 is a little pricey if they fall apart after a few months.

Tell me about it! I almost crapped myself when I saw the price. We'll see how they hold up I guess, but from talking to some of the guys at Adventure 16 (where I got these from), they say they've used them for different things, including climbing the big walls in Yosemite. I just like the fact that the sole isn't thin and gummy like typical water shoes, but made of tougher rubber, reinforced and thicker at the arch, toes and heel. This means I can (accidentally) step on a scorpion and not worry about the stinger penetrating the rubber.

Lee, from what I'm seeing so far they're just a tad pricey at $70 unless you can afford the expense (or you really really want them and express that want enough for your wife to cave and let you get them for your own birthday). In all seriousness though, they do feel a lot sturdier than the traditional water shoes because of the much tougher and shaped soles. If you've ever experienced rock-climbing shoes, they feel a lot like that without the constricting pain associated with those types of shoes. They also grip like a motherf****r.

[DougSR]

I was at Nordtroms checking out some Keens last weekend. The only knock on them in the online reviews is durability but I think that is what I'm going to go with in May.

These might suffice.

http://www.rei.com/product/762288?vcat=REI_SEARCH



So far, my fave has been Keen slides - they go from beach to trekking up ruins to hiking in the jungle.

[John in DC]

I'm a died in the wool Teva man (on about my eighth pair), but I'm thinking of switching to Chacos when the current one crap out. My wife has a pair that she loves. I like that Chacos don't involve Velcro at all, which makes them all around better when wet.

[pepper]

I'm not much for that style. I like my slides best...something more like this:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/15322252/c/3.html

But I have the original version that has a better design on the top of the foot...and they are about 4 yrs old. I'm pleased with them.

[mgsipa]

Doug,
I saw the Keens this weekend but at Adventure 16 they were $80. They looked good and felt pretty light but sturdy. I suppose I'd recommend them.

Myself, I wanted to get away from the "sandals" look and feel, plus the "shoobie" thing just scares me to tears, so as barefoot as possible for me if I can help it.

[beachreader]

Those look pretty cool, I bet you get a lot of conversations going when you're wearing them! Looking forward to hearing how they fare in the sand. I generally hate wearing shoes in the sand, that feeling of sand inside shoe really drives me up a wall, so hopefully these are tight enough to the skin to keep the sand out.

[luvthesun]

ha!!! They are great!!!!!

The keens are great too. My husband and I both own a pair. The only drawback with the Keens are that once you get a little pebble stuck in there it's hard to get out.... and the little pebbles LOVE to find their way inside!

[DougSR]

Ya know my buddy blogged the Vibram foot glove things about 4 months ago and I looked at them online seriously. But they don't look like they would hold up well on pavement and I didn't see much arch support. Do they have a firm insole? What material is the bottom? If I'm stopping around all day on asphault or concrete they appear like they would crap out.

[ziggy]

OK, here is my purchase for my upcoming trip in May. With shipping it cost just under $60 and also has a vibram sole and water drains out easily, I'll find out about sand next week.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/9913400,96659_Merrell-Waterpro-Ultra-Sport-Shoes-For-Men.html

[mgsipa]

Ya know my buddy blogged the Vibram foot glove things about 4 months ago and I looked at them online seriously. But they don't look like they would hold up well on pavement and I didn't see much arch support. Do they have a firm insole? What material is the bottom? If I'm stopping around all day on asphault or concrete they appear like they would crap out.

Well, they're very similar to rock-climbing shoes, and they grip like them as well. I should know, I was climbing my door frame immediately and I could easily stay up there without using my hands at all. :)

I don't know about holding up on pavement. I don't think they're really intended for pavement use, but they are trail-rated and can be used for trekking and rocky outdoors. The instructions even stated that they would keep the heat of asphalt away from your feet, so I think the company's testing included asphalt tests.

The arch isn't built up, but rather it's the rubber itself that's arched and provides support. I have to say that so far it's pretty good support too. My feet aren't flat on the ground, which feels great.


The insole is a type of material that mimics suede, and it's tough. I'll be able to give a better idea of just how tough after I return from Tulum in a few weeks.


The sole is tough rubber, again, very similar to rock-climbing shoes but without the extreme rubber buildup that climbing shoes have.

[AdGuy]

I should know, I was climbing my door frame immediately and I could easily stay up there without using my hands at all. :)


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_2_16.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS) I bet the wife is kicking herself for allowing you this new toy!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_210.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[Lynnette]

Those are interest looking. Unfortunately, my toes would get claustrophobic........they NEED to breathe! :D

[mgsipa]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_2_16.gif (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileycentral. com%2F%3Fpartner%3DZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS) I bet the wife is kicking herself for allowing you this new toy!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_210.gif (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileycentral. com%2F%3Fpartner%3DZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

The door frame's probably sorrier... I'm not as light as I was in my mountaineering days. :)

[heenan]

Most interesting "shoes" - probably good for cuts, but maybe not much for support or stepping on the odd bit of coral.
I try to take just one pair of shoes to pack light, and have found Keen's to be the most versatile for Tulum.
Heenan

[latully]

I leave in 2 days!! I have flip flops, my Chacos (great hiking sandals) and my Crocs. WIll this work for the pyramids and beach and cenotes?? Thanks!

[beachreader]

I'd add some water shoes to the mix if you're doing cenotes. Maybe the Chacos would work for that, but I like my toes protected when hidden rocks are involved. Actually, I'd ditch the Crocs for water shoes, and they'll pack better (though you may be planning on wearing the Crocs on the plane, in which case, pack the water shoes anyway).

[mgsipa]

The Vibrams performed fairly well, although not as well as I expected. Maybe I didn't wear them in long enough.

They didn't come off the heel in normal use, but while swimming in the cenotes they did slip off at the heel a few times before I tightened them up and then they were better. Sand did slip in at the arch area, although it wasn't much of an issue since it wasn't a lot of sand.

My only real complaint is with toe fatigue. After a while, the seams do dig into your toes and they start to hurt a little. Maybe it was just me, but I think they could improve on the sewing between the toes or something, to make them not dig into your skin so much.

Other than that they were great. Some people who noticed them loved them, and some people asked where I got them from. They were great on walking trips to Coba and places where I fairly flew up the climbs while others were clearly struggling. It was also great coming down the pyramids since some people were clearly slipping on the smooth staircase, but the Vibrams had no problem gripping the smooth surface. I was able to climb up and down without once having to sit or use my hands.

Overall I give them two thumbs up for use of up to two hours at a time. Absolutely great for scrambling up, down, around rocks, or in rocky areas of the beach or surf. Would not recommend them for all day use however. They're definitely sturdy enough for aggressive activity, except maybe walking through sharp lava rocks, which would cut the cloth material portions of the shoes.