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WATER BOOTS INTENDED USES: FISHING AND HIKING IN AND OUT OF WATER OVER SHARP ROCKS. BOOT The Wraptor giftwraps your foot; once you're in, you'll stay there all day. The Wraptor's sole has an aggressive racker and, when dry, the shoes are very comfortable. A tribute to that comfort: friends who try them on will commonly try to lift them from you. The Wraptor will make you want to run trails. But what you gain in comfort and support, you lose in drying time Ithe shoe's padding doesn't dry very fast). This is a good shoe to have on your foot while scouting campsites, beach breaks and river pro- files. Teva, 800-FOR-TEVA, www.teva.com. $99.95 BAD GLUE In this day of techno footwear. the Timberland sandal is a wel- come sight: close to perfection with minimal bells and whistles. It fits securely, wet or dry, and slides on and off with ease, thanks to the simple adjustable neoprene strapping system. It also per- forms well on slippery surfaces. But in less than two weeks of medium use, the sandal's outer sole start- ed a serious split from the middle of the sole. This could be attributed to its exposure to raw sewage and questionable hazardous waste in the streets of LA but we suspect it was the glue. Timberland, 800-445-5545, wwwtimberland.com, $60 The Nordica Snark L is a foot-hugging, heavy-duty piece of footwear. Toeless and tongueless, and built with a knobby rub- ber sale for traction, the Snark L survived endless careening down scree bluffs and scaling all the way back up. The suede leather upper provides protection against abrasion. But beware of sweaty feet: the neoprene inner traps the moisture; like all neo- prene, it is not very breathable. The only thing that kept the Snark ls from stinking up the bus was copious amounts of sterilizing UV light. They also gain notable amounts of weight in water and sand. Benetton Sports System, 800-283-6647, $74 This lightweight water boot lent a sense of security while clambering across sharp sub- aquatic lava rocks. Old-school laces provide customized fit and superb ankle support, while the boot's high top keeps debris from entering. The polyester mesh upper is reinforced with syntheftc leather, making it surprisingly tough. The tread heels securely on dry rocks, but gives the occasional slip on wet ones. In the Marlwalker, Patagonia has constructed a boot hardy enough to push-start a VW bus and sustain hours of arduous activities both in and out of the water. Patagonia, 800-638-6464, www.patagonia.com. $109