Last year, I posted about the Tropicfeel travel shoe. The lightweight vegan trainer was the number one most funded shoe ever on Kickstarter, raising over £3 million/$3.8 million, and deservedly so—it’s hybrid design featured some pretty cool tech.

On the back of this success, Tropicfeel has launched an updated model called the Canyon.

The ultimate travel shoe 2.0

Like the Tropicfeel original, the Canyon has been designed to be a versatile all-terrain sneaker: providing the benefits of aqua shoes, the comfort of sports shoes, the technical outsole materials of hiking shoes, and the styling of your favourite daily daps.

So, whether it’s exploring New York City or the tropic Galapagos islands, the Canyon should be a capable companion for your feet.

Design

The overall design of the Tropicfeel Canyon is somewhat similar to that of the original (which I was already a fan of). But it’s a little more refined and the added toe reinforcement is a welcome addition. I think the shoe looks great in any of the five (or four and a half) colour options; there’s definitely something that will work with most styles here.

Since the Canyon is designed to be used in water, the built-in drainage system is also a useful upgrade. On that note, the shoe looks like a good option to protect your feet while snorkelling—trust me, you don’t want to accidentally stand on a sea anemone with bare feet (I speak from experience).

Aside from this, the ergonomic wide fit looks ideal for outdoor use, and the full-rubber sole should provide ample grip on rocks and other slippy terrain.

Features and materials

The Tropicfeel Canyon features two innovative features that make putting on and taking off the shoe a breeze. The ‘SlipSock’ elasticated upper allows you to slip your feet into the shoe easily, while the ‘SprintLaces’ knot-stopping shoe-tightening mechanism (that we saw in the original design) makes a welcome return.

All of the materials used in the shoe’s construction are 100% vegan, with the ‘3D Space Mesh’ upper and inserts making use of 70% recycled material from plastic bottles. Tropicfeel says that the combined material package has been designed to perform like a second skin; offering durability, stretch and protection.

The ‘DualCushion’ outsole also features some plant-based tech; the two-layer construction is comprised of different density foam made with algae biomass. The BLOOM-EVA foam is the first plant-based performance-driven foam formulated with algae. Since algae is the fastest growing plant on Earth and does not require fossil fuels or arable land to grow, it provides a sustainable alternative to traditional foam materials.

If you’re interested in picking up a pair of these versatile travel-ready treads, then take a look at the Kickstarter page. The brand has already far exceeded the initial funding goal, but there are still some great deals to be had, including an option that comes with a free 20L backpack that fit’s in your pocket.

I’m looking to publish a full review of the Tropicfeel Canyon shoes soon, so stay posted for that.

All images: Tropicfeel