Baffin "Trail to Rapids" Footware Hot

Sometimes neoprene just doesn't cut it. You need a real shoe. You might be scrambling around oyster beds, portaging your gear around an obstacle, or just prefer to keep the feet protected. The problem with shoes is that water pools up inside, mud and sand pile up and make things uncomfortable. Baffin shoes, however, are different.

For a company that is known to be "Polar Proven," many people would be surprised to see that Canada based Baffin Shoes has a line that is perfect for the kayak angler. Their Trail to Rapids series feature mesh uppers and draining soles. All the water that would normally soak a shoe and make them heavy and uncomfortable flows right out. Who knew you could put scuppers in a shoe! Baffin sent me a pair of their Amazons to abuse, and they've been great.

Neoprene booties never felt all that great to me. While they can keep you warm, they offer very little protection. They're easily cut or damaged. The soles are too soft when waking on gravel or hard surfaces. Most don't drain if they're swamped. I have relegated neoprene booties to only the coldest days on the water.

The Baffin Amazons, however, are my new daily kayak fishing shoe. They're comfortable, lightweight, and offer the foot protection and traction I need for getting the kayak to and from the water. The metal grid drains in the sole keeps rocks and other debris from slipping into the shoe from the bottom. And the rugged treads make getting around when I'm not on the kayak a breeze. The toe of the Amazon shoes is boxed in offering superior toe protection when you're jumping around on the rocks. The traction is great for hiking, and I found the grip almost surprising.

I've found these shoes to be equally comfortable barefooted on summer days, as well as with my Temptest pants when I need to keep my feet dry. Indeed, many people will attest that these shoes are meant to be worn without socks, but I rarely go sockless. All the material in the Trail to Rapids shoes are synthetic and do not absorb water. This is important to keep the shoes light weight and dry quickly.

As mentioned, these are comfortable shoes. I've spent a day at work wearing them, and they were just as comfortable as I could ask for. Of course, a shoe designed to let water into the shoe isn't the best place for someone in a wet working environment. That was my fault. But my feet sure were happy inside the Baffin Amazon's, despite standing on concrete all day.

My only complaint is sizing. They seem to run just a bit on the small size. While mine are comfortable barefooted, the moment I add on a pair of wool socks and my Temptest pants, the shoes feel small. I'd argue, though, that they do seem to stretch around the foot, and after awhile I no longer notice the size discomfort. I'd suggest finding a local retailer to find the shoe that's just the right size for you.

Don't need the lugged soles? Baffin will have a new design in 2012 with a sleeker anti-slip sole, more akin to boat shoes. Currently, Baffin offers three mens and five womens styles, all in different colors, and soon with different sole options.