That聮s an exceedingly difficult question. You sum up the challenge nicely: 聯Hot, humid, wet聟 wreak havoc on seams.” Indeed it does. Plus, you really don聮t want anything that heavy and waterproof on your feet. I聮m surprised those other guys wear rubber Wellingtons. You would think their feet would just pool up in sweat.
Teva X-1 water shoe
Teva X-1 water shoeBut, what else are you going to do? You can spend $150 to $200 for leather or leather-and-fabric boots with a waterproof liner, and before you know it you聮ve stuck your foot into a foot-deep mud bog, overtopped the boots, and you聮re soaking wet. Plus, odds are good that they won聮t even last all that long.
Are there any serious objective hazards to contend with, such as poisonous reptiles? Nasty biting millipedes? Thorns? If not, then you might try a water-friendly shoe. Yeah, you聮re feet will still be wet, but at least the water will drain out, and the shoe is made to take the moisture. Teva聮s X-1 shoes ($90; www.teva.com) have running-shoe comfort in a design that lets water flow out quickly. Salomon聮s Karma Amphib ($90; www.salomonoutdoor.com) offers a woman-friendly fit design that is supposed to keep crud out of your feet聴twigs, pebbles, and the like. That is a very good thing.
I think this water-shoe family is going to be your best bet. Otherwise, it聮s disposable shoes, or those Wellies.
Also, check out this year聮s more than 400 must-have gear items, including , in the 2006 Buyer聮s Guide.