Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE BAJA - A Knapacksack News Review

Last month, we brought you word about a brand-new sneaker-profile water shoe (seen here) that had become available. Since that launch, we’ve been spending time with a pair of the Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE BAJA, and are ready to tell you more about the shoes.

Why would you want the Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE BAJA shoes?

I mean, when it comes to water-based activities, there’s all sorts of options, from adventure sandals to water socks, or even just your bare feet. Where a shoe design like this comes in very handy is when you’re dealing with a surface under the water that’s rough, uneven, or just plain rocky.

Or say you’ve got a longer walk from where you’re at to where the water is at – having something with some cushion and support can really go a long way. For myself, this most commonly takes the shape of when I’m leading a creek walk activity at a summer camp.

Having something sturdier like the Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE BAJA keeps my feet protected from rocks and branches, while keeping me steady and planted in the water.

What about when you get out of the water?

That’s the great thing about the Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE BAJA – as soon as you step out, the water starts draining out of all of those ventilation holes. Yes, the knit tongue and laces will take a little bit to dry out, but it’s really not all that long. Compare that to your adventure sandals with the heavy textile straps, and those things can take days to dry out. Here, you’ve quickly got dry shoes ready to go.

Or, frankly, shoes that dry out pretty quickly as you wear them going about whatever it is you’re doing.

How’s the fit?

For me, it was great. I requested the Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE BAJA in my regular size, and they were spot on. When they first arrived, I wore them with socks in the house to get a feel for them, but that was definitely more cramped. The most comfortable fit was when you were barefoot in them, and that just makes sense. That’s how these are intended to be worn and used.

And while the slightly crushable heel cushion and the very stretchy tongue and laces make it super simple to slip these on and off, they fit pretty snugly to your foot. While I maybe wouldn’t want to run a race in them, I didn’t have any issues with them moving around on my feet as I made my way around outside.

Would we recommend the Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE BAJA?

If you’re tired of sandals that never dry, or water socks that let you feel every rock under your foot, then absolutely. The Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE BAJA also have the added benefit of looking very much like a regular pair of sneakers, so they will likely get by without a second glance, even if you’re not at the beach, lake, or pool.

Shoes like these are a game changer for me when it comes to summertime water adventures, and I, for one, am glad someone has designed them. If you want to add a pair to your warm-weather gear (or even to get to and from the pool this winter), they’re available in three different colors for $69 directly from deckersxlab.com