Five Ten Canyoneer ($96):
From the company that cut its teeth on climbing, the Canyoneer has the distinction of being the first shoe designed specifically for canyoneering. This inventive creation comes in a striking black and yellow motif with a synthetic leather and breathable mesh upper, just the stuff for shedding water (and looking sharp doing it). The self-bailing polyurethane midsole, plumbed with drain ports, purges water while still protecting feet from sharp nasties. And with the burly double-layer neoprene ankle collar, your feet have a stalwart barrier against sand, pebbles, and other devious forms of detritus that can stop you in your tracks. What about closures? Glad you asked, because the Canyoneer shies away from Velcro and lace systems that fall apart when the going gets rough in muck and water, and instead comes with a buckle system that will not budge once it's adjusted. Finally, Five Ten's vaunted Stealth S1 soles round out the package with what many climbers and their canyoneering counterparts feel is the stickiest, cushiest material ever invented for feet. Contact 909-798-4222, www.fiveten.com.
