by Michael Hodgson

Multi-sport footwear, approach shoes and "sandal" shoes are filling specialized niches that companies feel active adventurers need--though just how important this need really is seems debatable. I remember the days when my Converse worked just fine for everything, but that was then, and this is now. Heading into your local retailer these days to attempt to determine what foot would be most happy in what shoe is almost as confusing as trying to define the shoe categories themselves. The following missive will clear up some of the confusion--I hope.

Multi-sport Shoes Described by some as an "athletic shoe on hormones," the multi-sport shoe is designed to be instantly comfortable like a slipper, more supportive than a tennis shoe but less supportive than a hiking boot, and durable enough to stand up to the abuses of multiple playing fields. Of any category, this one is the most fraught with the potential for disaster when outfitting yourself and it is essential that you remain aware that while the shoes in this category are designed to be suitable for many activities across the board, they are not the ideal choice for any one. Never lose sight of the fact that if you are seeking a shoe for a specific activity such as backpacking, or mountain biking, or trail running, then you should buy footwear intended only for the intended activity category-the Imelda approach to footwear.

Where multi-sport excels, however, is in that murky generalist classification. It's the "I like to do a lot of things just a little bit and only want one shoe," individual who will be most happy with a multi-sport selection. The multi-sport shoe is also ideal for the vacationer heading to a destination such as Moab who may be mountain biking in the morning, trail running in the afternoon, and rock scrambling and hiking in the evening, yet has limited luggage space-one shoe, many activities.

One other category of multi-sport shoe user is the person who wants to use the versatility offered by the footwear as an approach shoe in damp or wet conditions, conditions that the sticky-soled cousins do not excel in. Remember, though, that the multi-sport shoe doesn't hold a candle to the approach shoe when it comes to traction or rock climbing performance.

Approach Shoes If you are seeking an athletic shoe with mountain goat tendencies, able to leap tall cliffs with a single bound, scramble over rough terrain and saunter around the mall, then you want to ask for an approach shoe. Yes, the soles are of the "sticky rubber" variety, more akin to a climbing shoe than a hiker or athletic shoe. They are designed to fit more snugly than a boot, but not as snug as a climbing shoe. The tread is usually low-impact to offer greater surface area with which to contact the rock's surface and the sole is often wrapped up and around the sides of the upper, rather like a traditional climbing shoe. Their intended purpose is to give the climber / mountaineer solid yet comfortable footing as he or she heads to and from the intended climbing area, be it hours or days away. Skilled climbers have been known to opt for approach shoes to climb in when the climbing is of the casual bouldering variety, but this does not imply that the approach shoe should be considered specialized climbing footwear--it's not! Nor will it work well for those who have intentions to trail run or mountain bike.

This category does have its traction limitations, especially when the going gets wet and muddy, for it is then that the high friction soles offer no more an advantage than an ordinary athletic shoe. It's also not a great shoe to buy for casual wear around town--the softer soles leave black marks on walls and floors that would make even the most renegade crayon-wielding child proud.

Sandal Shoes Not quite shoes, certainly not sandals, they can best be described as "shoes with sandal attitudes." Adidas has been credited by many as beginning this shoe category phenom a number of years back with their Adventure Sandal. Not happy with the support offered by a sandal and feeling that a lightweight hiker was just too much, Adidas decided to opt for creating a performance sandal--a hybrid athletic shoe with sandal trappings. Many other companies have followed suit. Did we need this added footwear choice? Personally, nine times out of ten, I still opt for wearing my all-terrain sandals in combination with a neoprene bootie or wool sock.

Sandal shoes are certainly a niche design, intended for those adventurers who will be spending as much of their day walking in the water as out of it. The footbed support is more like a shoe than a sandal and is designed to be comfortable, yet minimal, keeping the shoe lightweight and extremely flexible. The uppers are breathable and generally include mesh or some other means of ensuring maximum drainage potential--ideal when you will be portaging a boat or wandering in and out of streams. Closed toes provide added protection from possible toe abuse from submerged obstacles or trail debris. To aid in wet or dry traction, the tread and sole are created to be low-impact yet suitable for use both on the trail or in the water.

© 1999 Michael Hodgson; All Rights Reserved