I have worn tennis shoes when working in the yard and my foot kept slipping when trying to rake, hand winch etc. These shoes are good because they are relatively light and stiff and keep my feet dry, when you can't get water. open strap where the ability to breathe appears. It only let water through when I washed the bottoms and sprayed a little through the strap. At that time there was very little water, and water never came just by walking on wet grass, which is the main function for me.