I'm a big fan of New Balance athletic shoes and have bought all sorts -- running, basketball, cross-training, etc. -- over the last few years. This SM720 Water Shoe was something different for me as I had never heard of a "water shoe" before.

It has the characteristics I like most from New Balance: extremely comfortable fit with no tight spots of the sort I've gotten from most other brands. The SM720 itself is a mesh design and therefore a summer shoe, ideal for hot days and obviously not intended for colder weather. And the sole are skid-resistant, the "water shoe" aspect of it being its usefulness on decks or pool-side. The styling and color are very attractive to my eye: dynamic enough to be hip, but without the stylistic bells and whistles of layer upon layer of color, patterns and competing textures I've seen in so many other brands. Best summer athletic shoe I could have found!