Deckers X-Lab X-SCAPE BAJA Shoes – A Multipurpose Water Shoe

Michael Clemente

 

Over the past few months, I’ve been spending a lot of time on the water, paddleboarding, floating the river, and fishing. I’ve made the most of the summer months by exploring lakes and rivers across the state. I’ve worn various types of footwear, including adventure sandals, hiking shoes, and wading boots. Some of these choices proved to be excellent for water activities, while others fell short of expectations.

Deckers X-Lab X-SCAPE BAJA Shoes Review

After a couple of river floats and the occasional involuntary swim off my paddleboard, I found myself wanting something more protective than sandals but not as cumbersome as my trusty wading boots. Enter the Deckers X-lab X-SCAPE Baja shoe—a fantastic option for a versatile land/water shoe that feels as comfortable in town as it does on the river.

I received these new shoes recently and decided to wear them into town the very next day. Unlike my previous experiences wearing sockless shoes, these felt surprisingly comfortable.

They offer almost as much breathability as sandals but provide protection and comfort as an all-purpose sneaker. As a land/water sneaker, I was eager to put them to the test on the lake and the river, which I did the following day.

Designed to be versatile as a water/land sneaker, these shoes drain water quickly and are easy to slip on and off. Whether I’m strolling around town or heading to the river, they are comfortable, and I had no complaints with my foot fitting comfortably. No always the case with my footwear. I was happy to have them on while paddle boarding, so I decided to try them the next day for some fishing on the river. 

Later in the summer when Colorado rivers warm up (it’s still relative) I prefer wet wading while fishing. Although I’ve worn wading boots until now, they can be quite heavy. And I’ve also tried active sandals for this purpose, but they aren’t always as protective as I’ve like when hiking around on a rocky riverbed.

So, I decided to try out the Deckers X-lab Baja shoes to see if they might work well for that purpose, and they certainly do. I spent hours in the river, and these shoes provided enough protection that I didn’t have to worry as much about the rocks.

Even when they filled up with sand, it was a breeze to slip them off, rinse out the sand, and slide them back on. When I walked back to the car in the Baja shoes and hiked up the trail, they didn’t feel out of place on the short hike back.

If I were primarily wearing these shoes around town, they might not make the fashion statement I’d like. However, they are stylish enough that they don’t look out of place after a day on the water or at the campsite. Plus, on a hot summer day, their breathability is a welcome change from other sneakers.

Most importantly, they are comfortable. I wore them for an entire evening at the campground, followed by a day of paddle boarding at the lake. Their lightweight design made me appreciate them even more.

Now, let’s talk about the price. At $69, they are affordably priced, making them a great choice for even occasional water adventures without breaking the bank. And if you’re paddle boarding or rafting more frequently, a bargain. All in all, I’m stoked to add these shoes to my footwear collection for summer water adventures. If you’re looking for footwear for river activities, these would definitely be a pair to consider. 

 

Michael Clemente

Michael loves to ski. No, seriously,  Michael loves to ski. Let’s qualify this.

Growing up on the East Coast he found NYC and DJ culture. While working for a massive tech company during the day he played and mixed electronic music at night. Somewhere amid this excess, he found skiing. It was enough to inspire a transfer to Denver. And, after driving over Loveland Pass on his way to ski at Arapahoe Basin for the first time, he realized how good his decision was. He also took up yoga.

60lbs lighter and tons of fun later he recognized how skiing had started him on a journey. He gave up the corporate job, bought a truck and a multi-resort ski pass and took off. #trucklife is like #vanlife only smaller and more frugal. A winter touring the US, Canada, and AK was inspiring. But, he wanted to be home in Colorado, so he moved to Summit County and started working in Outdoor Retail.

Did you guess you can find him skiing in the winter? Backcountry or resort its all good. In the summer he is thinking of skiing, riding a mountain bike, or hiking in the mountains.

You can find out more about his trip skiing 22 resorts or some of his other adventures at www.othersidemtn.com or Instagram @michaelclemente