Travel gear is all about versatility and being lightweight. You always want to bring gear with you that you can use in many situations, doesn’t take up a lot of space, and also doesn’t weigh on your back when travel with it.
Other travel gear you need to know about
- The ultimate travel tripod – Peak Design
- The ultimate multi-tool – TREAD by Leatherman
- Versatile compact travel duffle and backpack – Cotopaxi Nazca
- Smart USB charger for road trips – ZUS
- Up your smartphone photography game – Pixter
How to get the best deals in travel
- Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page.
- Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes.
- Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
- Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature?
- Insurance – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance.
In This Article
Do We Need More Crocs?
To be honest that was my first reaction when I saw these shoes. For anyone that knows me, I am as anti-Crocs as they come. Sure they may be comfortable but they’re just so ugly and to me only good as slippers.
What intrigued me about Crosskix and their rendition of foam-based shoes is that these are actually designed to function like a traditional sneaker with good support and looked just so darn sharp. I was looking for shoes that I could use for sports, hiking and overall daily walking whether in the city or travel. I also liked the amphibious nature of these shoes so in the summer, I could get good ventilation and also submierse it in water if the occassion arose.
The Crosskix 2.0 Yellowjacket
Crosskix touts the 2.0 Yellowjacket as “the most stylish multi-functional sport & lifestyle shoe in foam composite footwear”.
Some interesting things to know about foam shoes is that a properly constructed foam shoe has the same functionality and versatility as a fabric made sneaker but can be so much more durable and long lasting.
The key features of these shoes:
- Multi-functional – You can use this for anything from leisure, recreation, casual or work
- Air/water vent and drain – Obviously very airy but also designed with water drains so water doesn’t get trapped even after submersing
- Wear moldable footbed – The shoe will essentially mold to your feet over time
- Anit-microbial – That means no stinky feet
- 100% recyclable
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Real Life Testing
With new shoes in tow, I brought them out to camping for a test run for a 2 hour hike. I wanted it to be a controlled test but would take the shoes through all sorts of conditions.
My first reaction to the shoes were just how snug they are. I am a size 8.5 and that exact size for these shoes was a perfect fit. I have wide feet too and there weren’t any issues.
The Yellowjacket colour is perfect for these shoes. The yellow shouts bright and loud. I couldn’t help but check them out as I was walking.
Traction was not an issue at all whether it was along the muddy trail, over rock or in the water. These were the kind of shoes that gives you the confidence to do anything in them including running and climbing.
One of the main tests was putting it in water. Along Trent River near our campground was this amazing shallow stretch that anyone could walk over. Like I said, I never slipped once here and loved how I was the only one in our group that could comfortably do this. The water that seeped in was nice and cool and once I stepped out of the water, it all drained away just like that. I also found that the water quickly dried in the summer heat and it was as if the shoes
At the end of the trip, I packed the shoes up and they were easy to stuff into the side pocket of my backpack with ease. I didn’t have to worry that I was cramming the two together and also barely added any weight.
The one issue I had near the end of the 2 hour hike was that I noticed that my right heel that makes contact with the top lip of the shoe was starting to get red from chafing. The more I walked, the more it was an issue so that was a concern for sure. The challenge with a perfect fit shoe is that rubbing could cause discomfort. That being said, it is possible that the moldable footbed would fix this overtime as my feet settle in.
What I Like
There’s a lot to like about the Crosskix 2.0 Yellowjacket.
- Extremely lightweight
- Great grip and traction
- Water drainage design they built in works
- The right fit
- Look fantastic
- Easy to pack
- If you think about it, there’s no need for water shoes if you have a pair of these
What Could Be Improved
The one thing that I’d caution against is sizing of the shoes because of how exact they are. Anything that’s off could cause discomfort. The moldable footbed is definitely a key feature but as I noticed from my test, I had chafing at my back ankle and it was quite uncomfortable in the end.
Picking Up A Pair
So if you feel like these are shoes that you’d make use of, where do you actually buy one of these? The best place to buy them is to go directly to the Crosskix website and the 2.0 Yellowjacket product page.
They currently sell for $69 USD.
GET 15% OFF
Use code “REFERSION15” to get 15% off your order
What you should read next
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.
Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.
Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.
Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.
eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.
- AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
- Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
- KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
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- Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
- Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.
- HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 15% discount (from June 19-29)!
- RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
- SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
- Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
- InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
