As a kid my parents (yuppies) often bought teva sandals that they would then wear with socks.  This created a fashion faux pas so memorable as to make me prefer to be grouped in with the hemp smoking youths who wore birkenstocks and fought 'the man'.  Before this shoe, you had a simple decision between comfort and style.  Tevas have a much more comfortable sole than the ones' made of cork and old chinese newspapers that birkenstocks sport.  On these new Tevas the tongue and upper are all one piece, and the laces have an elasticity that allows this shoe to be slipped on and off without crushing the upper into the heel.  The canvas and shoe lining are thin enough to provide excellent ventilation.  Also these shoes are light!  Double stitching everywhere but the sole, which is really where it counts if you're doing anything in the water.  Basically a very light shoe or a substantial sandal.