Engineers, landscape architects, and planners are all too familiar with manufacturers’ touting the benefits of permeable and porous alternative surfaces. In practice, professionals and their clients have found that alternative surfaces are a nuanced solution. With that in mind, this presentation will evoke discussion about the use of alternative surfaces. As with any best management practice, alternative surfaces are effective when we understand all the elements that impact their functionality. The presentation will start to peel back the onion and bridge the knowledge gap that lives between manufacturer brand images and functional surfaces. The presentation concludes with a look at real world projects. These examples will highlight the capabilities and pitfalls of proper evaluation and implementation. The presentation aims to show that a professionally designed alternative surface might not be a unicorn, but it can be a workhorse for many projects.