Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024: The Best Men’s Adventure Footwear For Summer Travels

Astral Loyak

There’s an argument to be made that your quiver of summer footwear should include a great pair of water shoes. So look at the Astral Loyak, a simple yet high-performance shoe with durability, an excellent grip, retro style, and comfort on land and in the water. It has a wide toe box, better for those relaxing days in the water, and a comforting barefoot feeling. They’re designed for boating, wading, exploring, fishing, beachcombing, and camping. Like a good water shoe, they’re quick draining and fast drying. The grippy sole is G.15 Rubber Flex Grip, which offers a sticky, wet, or dry grip that’s non-marking. Ultra soft and lightweight, you can get them dry and wear them to dinner; they look that respectable. So toss them in the carry-on when you head to the Bahamas for a week of bonefishing. $95

Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX

I’ve been wearing Merrells for years because they’re super comfortable, offer a great fit, and are constantly being tweaked and improved. The new Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX is a case in point. A variant of their classic Moab trekking shoes and boots, the new Moab Speed 2’s are lightweight trail runners with dual heel and tongue loops for ease of entry. The Vibram TC5+ outsole features 4mm lugs. The shoes are equipped with Merrell’s Lightweight FlexPlate technology, which offers flexibility in the forefoot while keeping lateral stability in check. The FloatPro midsole ensures comfort. These are lightweight hiking shoes built for comfort and a bit of speed, and they happen to be super comfortable. Like the best Merrell designs, the highest praise I can give them is that you don’t notice them. Think of them as discreet footwear. And yes, go for the GORE-TEX model because rain happens. I’ll use them on the streets of Zurich and the trails of Zermatt and St. Moritz this summer, where they’ll do double duty. $170

Allbirds Men’s Tree Dasher 2

Need to put on your traveling shoes for that trip to Mallorca, the Algarve, or the Greek Islands? The Allbirds Men’s Tree Dasher 2 should get you there. The seamless one-piece upper provides maximum comfort, a lightly padded heel collar locks your ankle, and a flexible cushioned midsole offers a smooth ride. The angular heel has been designed to cushion impact. The classic Allbirds single-piece knit upper makes slipping them on and off easier. These are seriously sustainable shoes, with FSC-certified TENCEL™ Lyocell (eucalyptus tree fiber) uppers, a SweetFoam® midsole made with sugarcane-based green EVA, FSC-certified natural rubber outsole, Bio-based nylon eyelets, shoe laces made from recycled plastic bottles, Castor bean oil-based insole foam and ZQ merino wool heel lining. They’re machine washable as well. Despite being pegged for running, I think they make a better lightweight traveling shoe.

Saucony Peregrine 14

Saucony has been my choice for running and speed walking shoes for years, so I had high expectations of their new Peregrine 14. This technical trail running shoe was engineered to cushion you as you tackle roads and trails. Tech features include a PWRRUN+ sock liner for added comfort, PWRRUN cushioning for softening each step, and a grippy PWRTRAC outsole with 5mm lugs that offer excellent traction. These are lightweight runners that are low to the ground. They function best for daily trail running, trail walks, and casual trekking rather than arduous explorations, but hey, that’s what so many outdoor enthusiasts are after. My New England town has miles of trails, and that’s where you’ll find me wearing them this summer. $140

Chaco Rapid Pro

Everyone needs a new pair of summer sandals, and this year, the Chaco Rapid Pro fits the bill. Chaco reached out to professional rafting guides to design the Rapid Pros. These sandals combine the comfort and water capabilities that we’ve come to expect from Chaco with what they claim is 6X the grip on wet river rock compared to other adventure sandals for ultimate water performance. The new outsole was designed in collaboration with Vibram and rigorously tested by outdoor enthusiasts at Mountain Equipment Research Group. The colorful straps are for more than looks. They’re quick drying and have 360 adjustability to lock in the fit. Yet the business end of this sandal is the unique Vibram outsole, a great reason river guides choose to wear them. You should, too, whether you’re rafting the Grand Canyon or wading your local creek this summer. $130

Scarpa Moraine Mid WP

Stroll through any Alpine ski town, and you’ll see the name SCARPA emblazoned on store windows. No one makes climbing, trekking, or mountaineering boots better than the Italians, and none of the Italians do it better than SCARPA, which has been around since 1938 in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains. The new SCARPA Moraine Mid WP is SCARPA’S version of a lightweight hiker that offers comfort, support, and traction. Lightweight is a relative term for SCARPA, which has long made some of the most solid hiking boots, but it’s a change from their classic styles. The waterproofing is impressive, thanks to premium oiled nubuck leather with a 100-percent recycled synthetic mesh fabric and a PFAS-free waterproof membrane. The midsole features a dual-density EVA midsole with nylon inserts for support and an externally molded TPU heel counter for stability. The shoe’s PRESA outsole offers exceptional traction courtesy of SuperGum rubber. The most revolutionary aspect of this boot is the built-in RECCO reflector, an early-to-market technology in the hiking category, making the wearer searchable in emergencies. It’s been used for years among backcountry skiers in avalanche-prone terrain and is essential for search-and-rescue teams, regardless of the weather or season. They’re worth considering if you’re heading into the Rockies, the Himalayas, or even the Dolomites this summer. $179

Hoka Skyline-Float X

Everyone seems to be wearing a pair of Hoka’s for walking, running, and light hiking — crossover shoes known for supreme comfort. The new Hoka Skyline-Float X features their so-called Swallowtail Heel is credited with a smoother heel-to-toe transition than rival footwear. The Vibram XS Trek sole is grippy enough for most situations. The Prebax Plate is what Hoka says provides dynamic propulsion, that stable feeling that wearers love, and the sole protection that you need. Super soft and breathable, the Hoka Skyline-Float X is a pretty versatile show for summer travel, whether you’re heading for Stockholm or Southampton. $175