Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsPERFECT lightweight and quick drying hiking shoe for travel
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2021
I went to Costa Rica for vacation and was looking for a specific shoe. 1. Lighterweight for travel. 2. Quick drying (CR has a lot of pop up showers.) 3. Mesh so my toes were covered and rocks don't get in. 4. A good tread so I don't slip and fall when it rains and it gets slippery. 5. Cute colors and looks like a sneaker, so I don't need to bring a separate pair of sneakers.
This shoe met all of those things, and it was only like 30 bucks? I have Keens ($85) and a pair of Oboz (over $100.) And I have to say these cheaper sneakers were comparable and even better for what they are. (My Keens are hiking and water shoes with the gaps though, so rocks get in. My Oboz are a full closed toe boot.)
I wore these babies all over Costa Rica, on a number of hikes in their cloud forests and in their beach national park. One day it rained the whole day and I did not slip once. This included walking up and down stairs, paths, mud, ziplines...you name it. They were absolutely perfect for what I was looking for. Also I love shoes that are ENTIRELY black and pink. (Including the souls) ... this color combo the is actually super difficult to find so I was happy about that.
As far as sizing, I went up one full size. From reading other reviews, I took their advice and I am glad I did. I am normally a 7.5, sometimes an 8. I got an 8.5 and they fit. One of my ankles required a band-aid, but I was also not wearing socks. I anticipated this, so had them on hand. One of my feet is slightly larger than the other so that is probably why. I was also breaking them in. I think it's always good to have band-aids for new heels or hiking shoes just in case.
Make sure to give them a wash and hang them up if they get wet, or else they will get a mildewy smell. But it is just like leaving your clothes in the washer too long, you just have to stay on top of it.
I do think these shoes had more of a spikey circular tread thing going on when I first got them. The last photos of the shoes here I took are post vacation, so they might already be worn down a bit. But again.... for the price and my needs, they were exactly what I was looking for. :)
