Ask a Picky Guy: Summer-Travel Shoes That Go From Day to Night
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Whether he’s trying on everything inthe latest COS runway collection,testing the latestair purifiersforallergy season,or asking River Café chef Ruthie Rogers abouther favorite things, senior writer Michael Zhao has quickly become the Strategist’s resident picky guy. He’s here to answer your questions about men’s style, highly specific appliance hunts, impossible gifting assignments, and whatever else you need a picky guy’s take on. Send your questions topickyguy@nymag.com.
“If I’m packing light for a summer beach-and-city trip with lots of walking, what shoes can take me from day to night?”
I’m taking this to mean that you need a single pair of shoes that’s breathable and supportive yet won’t elicit stares in a nice restaurant. These priorities trade off to some extent, but a pair of fisherman sandals, huaraches, or even loafers could get the job done.
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With its flexible, grippy EVA sole and elegant calfskin straps, these Camper fisherman sandals are a great all-around choice for what you’re describing. They fit true to size and are comfortable out of the box. I especially appreciate how the extra-soft suede-lined heel cup and adjustable strap protect my feet from blisters as the leather breaks in. There’s not a ton of arch support, but it’s enough for walking around a city.
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For something a bit more elegant, these Italian-made Venetian loafers are almost as breathable as a sandal while offering full toe coverage. They were soft and comfortable out of the box against my bare feet and have just enough stretch in the woven sides to accommodate a thin sock. The leather soles aren’t very supportive and get slippery in wet conditions, but the shoes look amazing paired with a linen or seersucker suit.
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I faced a similar dilemma a few years back when I planned to spend a week dining around Lima directly after touring the Galápagos and ended up prioritizing grip and support over decorum. These huarache-inspired sneaker-sandals were perfect for scrambling up rocky trails and hiking over sandy beaches in the tropical sun, and no one in the city gave me a second look when I wore them over black socks.
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For a pair of actual huaraches, these Mexican-made sandals combine a traditional woven-leather upper and solid leather insole with a more supportive EVA midsole and a grippy rubber outsole. I haven’t tried them myself, but user reviews say sizing can be a bit tricky: Some claim they run small, while others say they run big. The company recommends measuring your actual foot length before consulting thesize chart.
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These espadrillelike leather shoes are handmade in Turkey from glove leather that’s soft to start and improves with age. They aren’t quite as breathable as a woven shoe or sandal, but because the rubber outsole is replaceable, you’ll be able to keep building that patina for years to come.
“As a dad of two young kids, I can never have enough pockets. Are there any cargo pants out there that don’t scream ‘I’ve given up entirely’?”
Between gorpcore’s ascension to the mainstream, the continued revival ofaughts rave aesthetics, and Dr. Robby fromThe Pitt, cargo pants are as cool now as they’ve ever been. If anything, addressing your current lack of cargo pants will only increase your street cred. But I get what you’re saying: You want something functional and stylish — yet discreet.
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These are the cargo pants worn by Noah Wyle’s character, Dr. Robby, in both seasons ofThe Pitt. The relaxed fit, plentiful pockets, and durable cotton-poly-spandex ripstop fabric are designed for holding construction tools and materials but are just as good for carrying medical supplies in the ER — or extra fruit-purée pouches at the playground.
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This version has a similar fit and layout but is made of 98 percent cotton. The canvas fabric is heavier, but it will also breathe better.
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Finding the right fit on a pair of Dickies can take a few tries, but they’re much cheaper than the Carhartts and have a more tapered leg. If in doubt, size up to give yourself more space through the leg for carrying whatever “treasures” or discarded wrappers your kid hands you.
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If you can spend a bit more, these cotton moleskin gardening pants are designed with thoughtful details that justify the premium. The adjustable hems are nice for keeping out brush and bugs. And after you load up the pockets, cinching the side tabs can provide a bit of extra grip to keep the waist from slipping down.
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Chris Gentile is the owner of Pilgrim Surf Supply and one of the best-dressed dads I know. These lightly iridescent cotton-nylon-poplin pants from Pilgrim’s house line are inspired by vintage army fatigues and, in addition to the cargo pockets, have pleats at the top that make the side pockets more capacious.
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These pants from thelatest Uniqlo U collectionare like the budget version of the Pilgrim pants — likely inspired by the same fatigues. The wide fit and thin fabric make them nice for muggy weather, but they still feel sturdy.
“I’m traveling to Dublin and am debating between the Arc’teryx Beta and the Barbour Bedale. I’ll also be wearing a blazer in the evenings as a secondary jacket. Which would you recommend? Is there another option I should consider?”
The Barbour and Arc’teryx are both great jackets, but they are built for very different purposes — which is why they’re both picks in my guide to thebestraincoatsfor men. Since you’ll be wearing a blazer in the evenings, I’m inclined toward the Barbour, but unless you’re under five-foot-eight or have a very short torso, the Bedale is probably not your best option.
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Depending on the size, the Beaufort is about three inches longer than the Bedale and is specifically designed to fully cover a blazer or suit jacket. Even if you’re without a blazer, that extra bit of thigh coverage keeps water from dripping directly off your torso and onto the crotch region. The large game pocket running across the rear of the jacket is designed to hold pheasant carcasses but works equally well for stowing a book or magazine. I typically wear a 38R suit jacket but sized up to a 40 here to leave plenty of room for layering.
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As much aswe love Barbouron this side of the Atlantic, the Irish have … more complicated feelings about symbols of British heritage. It wouldn’t stop me from wearing my Barbour in Dublin, but if you were shopping specifically for this trip, you might consider a different brand. L.L.Bean’s Upland is similar to the Beaufort in materials, coverage, and pocket layout but has a less refined fit and lacks the Barbour’s pit vents. User reviewers mention it runs large, so go with your regular size here.
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As for options you haven’t already considered, a Burberry topcoat would be the perfect complement to the tailoring you’re already planning to wear. The unwaxed cotton won’t be as protective as a waxed or technical fabric in a torrential downpour, but it’s good enough to get you between the cab drop-off and your final destination. If that price feels too high,Front General has a wide selectionof vintage options in great condition for less than a new Barbour. I’m particularly fond of the iridescent ones.
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If you like the topcoat silhouette but want a bit more weather protection, I’m a fan of this one from Percival. It combines a cotton-blend face fabric with a breathable membrane to create a truly waterproof coat that drapes and feels like it’s made from natural fibers.
“Are the new Aerocork Blundstones any good?”
I’ve been wearing some version of Blundstone’s pull-on work boots from fall through spring for more than 15 years, so news of a more summer-friendly Aerocork version had my interest piqued. A remix of the classic Blundstone, with a more breathable upper and a lighter insole, would likely be a huge hit. Unfortunately, after spending the past month walking around in a pair of thenew 2689s, I can only confirm that these new Blundstones have little in common with the originalswe’ve all come to love.
I found the new Aerocork footbed to be just as supportive and flexible as the original’s. But the compact, lower-volume upper squeezes the tops of my feet, causing my toes to tingle after only a few minutes and go numb after a few hours. This may improve over time as the vamp stretches with increased wear, but I have never experienced it with any other Blundstone boot. Aesthetically, I love the rich shade of brown the brand has selected for the waterproof suede exterior, but the lugless sneaker-style sole lacks the original work boot’s rugged charm and thedress boot’s elegance — they end up looking more like an oversize pair of kids’ booties.
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One more thing: Don’t cheap out on your next AC
On a recent visit to theNew Yorkoffice during an early-April heat wave, I overheard our theater criticJackson McHenrysay to a colleague that he’d used my review to select a newwindow air conditionerfor his apartment.Great!Then he said he’d gone with the pick for small rooms.Not great!Outing myself as an eavesdropper, I encouraged him to reconsider his choice.
I still stand by the Frigidaire as the best small-room AC for under $200, but anyone who can afford it (with sufficient window space) should spend more to get theLG dual inverter. In a regular AC, such as the Frigidaire, the compressor is either fully on or fully off. Adding an inverter allows the compressor to run at a reduced rate to maintain a steadier temperature while providing continuous dehumidification. This makes it quieter, more comfortable, and much more efficient — you can expect to save about $50 a year in electricity, depending on your rates and usage.
After hearing me out, McHenry canceled his Frigidaire order and replaced it with an LG. He’s waiting until it gets really hot and humid to pass final judgment, but he’s satisfied with his choice so far: “It’s working great. Not too loud — just some light white noise — and it cools everything down fast.”
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