What looks like a shoe, but feels like a sandal? I can’t speak for your experience, but recently I can attest that my Sanuk Drewby Sandals fit that description. These shoe-like, lightweight sandals are ideal for many occasions that call for footwear like boat shoes, aqua socks, or traditional sandals. I tested out the Drewby sandals in various venues and situations, and through these tests, I have compiled the do’s and don’ts for the Drewby sandals.
Do take Drewbys for a Stroll
I took the Drewbys down to a rocky beach for some beach combing. They performed very well, and my feet were comfortable for the whole trip. The soles of the Drewbys are comprised of yoga mat material, which is an interesting innovation. Nowadays, the presence of memory foam in shoe soles is seemingly ubiquitous, but surprisingly, it turns out that yoga mats make terrific foot cushions! After taking them to the beach, I took them on a three-mile stroll on the waterfront. The first few miles were fine, but by the end of the walk, my feet weren’t in pain per se, but don’t expect walking shoe performance. Between these two scenarios, I would gauge the Sanuk Drewbys to be very comfy nevertheless.
Skip Driving in the Drewbys
I wore my Drewbys to work and found driving a bit of a challenge as I drive a stick shift. The edges of the sandals may get caught on the clutch if you also drive a stick. In terms of comfort, it absolutely beats driving barefoot. While I’m on the subject, I wouldn’t recommend driving with traditional sandals either—it’s just not the safest choice you can make as a responsible driver.
Do take the Drewbys Fishing and Kayaking
If you are fishing off a dock or a rowboat, the Drewbys are a great option. The soles provide a fair amount of grip for a boat floor or a kayak. The trick is you shouldn’t get them completely submerged, because they are made out of canvas and that can be uncomfortable. However, on the plus side, they are likely to dry quickly on a sunny day. They are also a good alternative for aqua socks if you are on the deck of a sailboat or chilling out poolside.
There are many other summery occasions where you can show off your Drewbys like parties or bonfires on a beach. The operative word is “summer” when sporting your stylish Drewbys. Just put them on and wait for the compliments to start rolling in.
The good:
- Clever and interesting, shoe-like sandals
- Constructed of vegan and vegetarian materials
- Comfortable
- Yoga mats for soles—Nameste
- Lightweight
- Good for fishing off a dock
- Canoeing or kayaking
The bad:
- Not ideal for submersion
- Not suggested for driving—especially stick shift
Sanuk Drewby sandals are available on Amazon.
All photos by Anthony Frohlich
Note: Sanuk provided me with a product sample for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the company.