Alaska Tennis Shoe is Part of the Alaska Life
Sandy Beach, Alaska (January 2015) – The Alaska Tennis Shoe vs. the Typical Tennis Shoe – What exactly is the “Alaska Tennis Shoe,” you ask? The XtraTuf waterproof boot is worn by Alaskans statewide, though, in southeast Alaska, it is also worn year-round by all ages in various settings. Designed with arch support, the boot has a lining that whisks away moisture and can be expected to hold up in the harshest conditions. It is slip-resistant, comfortable, easy to slip on and off, and keeps your feet dry. Interestingly, these boots are in style anywhere in remote Alaska, meaning no one will look at you weird wherever you wear them.
The downside to the XtraTuf boots is the price. They are expensive, especially if you are shopping in small stores in rural areas of the state. They do NOT come in half sizes, so pull out your extra socks if you are between sizes. They can get smelly if you don’t use something like baking soda to control the smell if you have sweaty feet, and some users note quality control issues in the past.
Let’s talk about how the typical tennis shoe holds up against the Alaska tennis shoe. Does your tennis shoe come with a one-year warranty? How waterproof are your tennis shoes anyway? When walking on slick decks or rocks, do your tennis shoes keep you upright, or do you find yourself dancing in slippery conditions? And get this, even though XtraTufs are expensive at over a hundred bucks, a spendy pair of tennis shoes run $70-$150. Finally, when in Alaska, do as the Alaskans do and wear your Alaska tennis shoes. You won’t regret it.
Disclaimer – I do not have a stake in XtraTuf boots, but you can click my Amazon affiliate link to support my page – an XtraTuf vs. a genuine tennis shoe.
Elgin & Evey Cook Walk on Sandy Beach
Now, for the rest of the story.
May 2015 – My husband, granddaughter, and I enjoyed playing on Sandy Beach on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. We dug in the sand, wandered over the rocks, flew a kite, and ran along the slippery rocks. In this picture, Evey is wearing her Alaska tennis shoes while my husband is wearing his ordinary tennis shoes. I know from experience that Evey did not have to think about wet shoes as she ran across the beach, but Elgin had to pick and choose his path, dodging pools of water and incoming waves at the water’s edge. Those were the days.
In this photo, Clarence Strait, part of the Inside Passage, is behind Evey and Elgin, and the dog is our rescue, Solomon.
