AstralBrewers & Hanz Submerge Socks
No Celia,
You’ll never go back to Kickers again after trying the Brewers. Or now, the new LoYak for a more minimalist approach. You won’t miss the neoprene funk in your car plays a number of other excellent features I’ve rambled on about here before.
Add a set of Hanz Submerge breathable socks which you can add a light wool crew sock underneath and you’re good for wading 12"-14" deep plus some added warmth.
See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
Hyde Park, NY
www.the-river-connection.com
hudsonriverpaddler.org
OK
If I ever try them… it is worth remembering I would say the same about dry wear I guess.
But one issue is lower volume boats and foot space. Hard soled shoes become a fit problem in my favorite boats, something lower profile and not-stiff is significantly more comfortable.
Gas Pedals…
Hi Marshall,
I have the Brewers and love them, but I find the stiff soles and rockered toes (toes curve upwards) that work so well with my touring kayaks, are cumbersome for controlling “gas-pedal” kayaks like an Epic 18X.
I didn’t use my Brewers in the recent Everglades Challenge for that reason – and used Merrell Barefoot Road Glove shoes paired with SeasonFive Tech Socks. These are flexible enough that I can bend my toes forward and engage the rudder rather than having to lift my heel/foot. The Merrell’s work pretty well but tend to accumulate sand and without socks you can get some nasty abrasions. For drainage, I burned some holes near the sole with a soldering iron. That worked but I missed the “dump port” that the Brewer has, which effectively drains sand and water.
I haven’t tried the LoYak. Would these, being more flexible, work better for gas-pedal “go fast” kayaks?
Greg Stamer
the problem with felt bottoms
is that they can carry invasive species from one waterway to another. At least in fresh water. Didymo immediately comes to mind. They are banned in some places for that reason.
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Hanz work pretty well
I used those well into November here in VT last fall. They run a little large, but plenty of room for wool underneath and completely flexible. I did pair them with some cheap mesh-topped water shoes for rocky launches to prevent the socks from getting damaged.
Minimalist
Hi Greg,
I love my Merrell Road Glove minimalist running shoes and have on occasion used them with the gas pedal close quarters on my Mako 6 Surfski where larger footbeds just don’t fit as well.
With the new LoYaks I’m not going to have to soak my Merrells anymore. Only catch is whole # sizing. I’m generally a #11 and the LoYaks are roomy enough where I could easily wear a light neo sock with them. The 10 on the other hand is perfect length wise for barefoot but just a tad snug around the width. They all just arrived yesterday so I haven’t had time to play with the #10s to see if they’ll stretch a bit.
See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
Hyde Park, NY
www.the-river-connection.com
hudsonriverpaddler.org
felt bottoms
are actually banned in some states. As another poster said you can transport invasives pretty easily on felt bottoms. IMO unless you’re an avid fisherman it’s a luxury feature you can do without.
I gave up on the best !
Now I use Wally World $13 “running shoes” - At least I think that is what they are billed as?
I get the gray ones with the double velco straps for easy on and off.
I drill a few quarter inch holes in the upper heel part for drainage and they are not only light weight, but work great.
I have used them on the past two Adirondak 90 milers.
In the Florida Keys, I alternate between them and Tevas and usually put about five hundred miles on them in four months.
My high end water shoes sit forlornly in the bottom of the shoe box now.
The only time I differ is in cold water and cold weather when I wear my NRS Boundary boots.
Jack L
It’s hard to beat NRS. I have the one
– Last Updated: May-01-15 9:11 PM EST –
with a velcro strap. Its a boot, has a zipper on the side and thick treads on the bottom. Great traction on slippery rocks, do not come off in deep mud and I can wear them all day.
The name is Attack Shoe
For paddling Monterey or SF bay
I usually use neoprene socks. They’re lighter and thinner than wetsuit booties, can be worn under a shoe, if such is desired, and do just fine for immersion in the ocean. Cold feet isn’t something I’ve ever noticed being a problem during immersion, but if I’m paddling in harsh weather, I use wetsuit booties.
Best is that neoprene socks are much more easily removed than booties at the end of the paddle. They can be worn with some sandals (but not fliplops or sandals which have a strap that goes between toes), so this makes them pretty convenient footwear.
Rick
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I use wadding shoes from Bass Pro Shops. After a year the soles start to separate from the shoe and I break out the epoxy to repair. They work well with hydroskin socks.
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Old thread!
My water shoes have the same problems mentioned above. I wear canvas tennies - Converse hi-tops - in warm weather. In winter I wear Pokeboo packable rain boots; wish they went a little higher. For lightweight socks I go with REI coolmax liner socks, $10 a pair. Never tried the $15 silk version but the coolmaxes are getting hard to find.
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I guess I’m a cheapscape. I get the water shoes from Dollar General and 6 pair of nylon socks for less than $10. They don’t last very long but I can replace them anywhere. I can’t wear any other style shoe in my kayak due to me large feet. I have fleece socks and NRS sandals for the canoe,
Old thread but a good one. Does anyone who wears shoes with laces who paddles a sit inside boat have concerns with the laces getting hung up on the foot pegs in a capsize? I saw it happen once, fortunately during a controlled wet exit during a class with the instructor right next to the student’s boat. He was able to get his head up enough to yell that he was stuck, and ended up pulling hard enough to break the lace (it was actually the bungee loop on a pair of Keens) but it turned me off from wearing anything with laces on a closed cockpit boat.
I use NRS paddling booties in most of my kayaks, in the Mirage I wear a pair of Chacos as they provide more arch support for the longer paddles that I do in that boat. They don’t dry quickly, though, especially in salt water, so I’m looking for something else for the EC.
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In a kayak class I took years ago, they stressed NOT to wear shoes with laces due to the chance of the laces getting hung up on something when trying to exit the boat.
In warm weather I do wear Astral Brewers with laces kayaking. I’m not particularly concerned about those as the cut of the heel is a bit low for my heel shape & I have to pay attention a bit to keep them on. Something like HiYaks might be a different story though. Both the Astrals and my NRS Booties are getting a bit old & are close to needing replacement.
Cool weather paddling has a benefit for me, as I can wear my NRS zip-up booties. Curious if others are bothered by this. In warm weather I wear slip-on water shoes. Invariably when I step out of the boat and flex my foot, the top of the shoe gaps below the ankle and gravel rushes in. Then comes getting the boat out of the water walking with trapped gravel inside, which is somewhat more than uncomfortable. I have thought about some kind of lightweight neoprene removable gaiter solution.
No. I wear laced Astral Brewess with no concerns. While any excess lace can be tucked away, the foot pegs in my boat are covered by my minicell footrest.
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