There are a lot of waterproof shoes out there for many purposes. Where do you start? Think of what your “wet” activity is. Do you need them strictly for outdoor use, or for a wet indoor work environment? How rugged do you need your shoes to be? Think about how you’ll use your shoes so you can make the best determination for what you’ll need.

For exercise walking, I particularly like the MBT GTX shoes, like the MBT Fora GTX (for women) or the MBT Kimondo GTX (for men). These shoes have wonderful toning properties, help alleviate joint pain and assorted foot problems, and make walking a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I love the fact that I can get caught in a downpour and not have to worry about a little water ruining the Masai sensor. These shoes are specially treated to resist water, which I believe will help them last a lot longer.

For rugged shoes, you can’t beat Merrells. The Women’s Siren Sport GTX is a terrific shoe suitable for hiking. Encounter some sloppy terrain? No problem; these shoes are durable as well as water resistant. The anatomical footbed and air cushion in the heel provide comfort and cushioning as you walk. Perfect for the Great Outdoors!

Gardening, anyone? Check out the Birki Unisex Active Birki. I love wearing these shoes in my garden; they provide great support due to the cork and latex footbed, yet are lightweight and great for walking in mucky areas. They’re easy to keep clean too!

Another rugged, water-resistant shoe is the Keen Newport H2 series. Available for both men and women, these are the perfect shoes for rugged, sloppy terrain, or even for boating or rafting. They provide fantastic traction, and have Keen’s patented toe protection so you can feel confident that you won’t injure your toes as you play. They withstand the abuse that saltwater and dirt can bring to your shoes.

What’s a little snow? Your feet can stay warm and dry with the UGG Adirondack or Butte. These are fantastic boots for the snow, and have UGG’s usual high quality sheepskin interior to keep your feet comfortable. They also have excellent traction, and can make trudging through the snow a far more pleasurable experience.

What kind of waterproof shoe do YOU need? Take a peek at the many options Footwear etc. carries. Sloppy weather can’t stop you!

I’m so looking forward to more warm-weather activities, and Spring/Summer shoes can be very cute, but I often need something a little more rugged. I’ve noticed more and more families wearing Keen sandals, so I had to check them out!

Keens were originally designed as an alternative to traditional boating shoes – better than “river” shoes since they protect the toes, and very water and slip-resistant. The styles have expanded to include boots, Mary-Janes, slip-ons, as well as their extremely popular sandals.

I can see why my sister-in-law’s entire family wears them all summer long. They’re quick to get on and off, they can get wet/sandy/muddy with no consequences, you can go hiking in them, and your feet will have lots of support. Plus they’re cute!

I’m particularly fond of the Venice, which is casual yet incredibly versatile for all sorts of activities. The trademark look of the Keens has the rubber sole coming up over the toes, which provides protection, and I like the way it looks. The metatomical footbed provides great arch support and cradles the foot so it’s really comfortable too. But the absolute best feature to me is the Aegis Microbe Shield – which helps fight odors and deterioration caused by bacteria. (Ever notice how some of your warm-weather shoes just end up smelling bad after a while? Keens fight against that!) Always a good thing when you have an active family!

You don’t have to limit your Keens to strictly rugged outdoor activities; they make boots, Mary-Janes,  slip ons, and even lace-up shoes that you can wear to even dressier venues! So if you love the feel Keens, don’t limit them to just the great outdoors, there’s a shoe for almost everywhere!

Clarks, Keen, and Merrell brands meet all the requirements above with soles providing excellent traction for those slippery conditions.

With a variety of MBT styles constructed of 100% waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membranes or Ecco’s “Hydromax” – exceptional leather with highly water resistant properties – you can be sure your feet will stay warm and dry this season!

MBT Chapa Gore-tex	Men’s Ecco Fusion Moc Toe Shoe (black/brown)	Women’s Clarks Devon Boot (black/brown)	Women’s Merrell Spire Boot

Shoe mavens will talk at length about the advantages of this finely designed “outdoorsman” sandal: it’s completely waterproof (and machine washable), has gripping non-slip tread, an anti-microbial in-sole, and so on. What sold me on these Keen shoes was COMFORT. If I can walk five kilometers on the asphalt roads of a major metropolis to help raise thousands of dollars for Cancer patient support and return home with happy feet and knees, I’m certainly ready to share how keen I am on Keen Newport.
Footwear etc. has many Keen choices (many surprisingly stylish) worth trying on. Visit us on-line or in one of our many stores.