Columbia Aquatooth

Great traction, fit, adjustability, top and side ventilation, and drainage AFTER I FIXED MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS. To explain, I got the shoes on clearance and discovered why they were on sale: the drainage holes in the bottom were poorly produced, so I used a pick heated on a burner and melted open the holes. Now they work wonderfully. I tore the mesh on my first canyoneering trip (side scrape on a rock-ouch) but it was easy to repair. Good toe protection. Great cushioning as well.

This lightweight shoe has become my favorite sneaker. I use it for walking, running short distances, biking, water, etc.

As a Certified Rolfer, I teach short classes on healthy footwear in Portland, OR, and this shoe is a great example. The toebox is wide at the end of the toes (where it counts), the heel is low (though completely neutral would be best), and the sole is very flexible (twist the shoe to test this). You can feel the ground through this shoe, which allows the foot to adapt and respond appropriately.

I really liked the design and fit of these shoes, however once I had them on for about an hour I noticed that a spot on the front half of my foot opposite the ball started to hurt like I had a rock in the shoe or something. Turns out the sole has little holes in it for ventilation or drainage, however, the bottom of the shoe was sealed, probably due to manufacturing defects and when I walked my foot pressed into the hole and thus created a vacuum. The shoe was giving me a tiny hicky. Well, I took out knife and made a hole all the way through and now it is fine.

Good shoe, bad manufacturing practices/quality assurance.