This is what I’m here for guys - Thank you! - smart but often snarky real world experience.
I prefaced the original question, acknowledging that it was, would be, and remains, a highly preferential decision.
We are such a diverse group of paddlers geographically. Perhaps the only common denominators are that our feet get wet and also need some level of protection (highly dependent upon our paddling environments). Hearing about your needs and selection criteria for paddling footwear is very enlightening. Thank you in advance.
I have tried many water shoes/socks over the years. Here are my thoughts:
First of all I am 6’2" 190lbs and size 11 feet. My problem has been the deck height on most kayaks are such that my toes touch the top of the deck even with the heals at an angle to form a V. I agree with your out of the box thinking for shoes. Finding a shoe that is good for walking on rocks, keeping shells and sand out of the shoe, ability to drain water, and not too firm a sole to make the shoe be longer than necessary. I recently ordered
Generic Queday Water Shoes from Amazon, but have not tried them yet, they hopefully will meet my needs and very reasonably priced. I am allergic to Neoprene so shoes with that are out, as well as Dry suits etc. If anyone has other suggestions let me know. I kayak 3 to 4 times a week all year long…FL and CT. These will be my 8th pair of water shoes. I have tried water socks but the soles are too flexible.
Thanks for the reply. I was going to send out an update today.
I was thinking along similar lines as you and purchased some of these: https://a.co/d/fRLaz2B
$29.99 on Amazon. They are very comfortable and are getting a little closer to my concept of a perfect shoe (again, for my needs). The upper of the shoe is all mesh fabric that looks like it will not absorb much water and will obviously drain very well. The soles of the shoes have a fairly deep lug pattern that could certainly bring dirt and mud into the boat.
Ideal? No. Durability is also an unknown.
As this search wears on, the suggestions by @Marshall for the Astral’s keeps coming back on focus. But, I still think there is market for some forward, out-of-the-box materials and design evolution for our need.
Wordevil,
I tried some of shoes in your photo. They are flimsy and fall apart. No good for wading on large rocks. They would be fine for lake paddling.
What the . . . ? Not sure what was going on in my mind over that post. Probably woke up from a bad dream in which I was paddling a big loaf of bread or wearing water shoes made out of bread. Lost on me now.
Yep, after an in-hand inspection, I have no confidence in them. They are going back. It was an experiment. Besides, I think the out-gassing of the materials is exposing my family to carcinogens (they smell really foul!).
Columbia Drainmaker XTR
It checks my boxes for materials and design. But, I’m concerned with heel stack / boat geometry. I wear a size 9.5 so size overall is not a real issue. it’s just that I have my paddling position just right. If you’re a cyclist you’ll relate completely!
gregofdelaware recommended the west marine men’s aqua socks in jul '23. I tried them and like them. I was looking for a low bulk water shoe for a cramped foot space in a kayak.
Yep. Still using them. I wore out my first pair, so bought a replacement pair.
They fit tight and have fine mesh, so do a good job of keeping sand and small rocks out, while still letting water drain fast. For where we paddle, mostly sandy more or less, the soles are fine.
When we went up to Georgian Bay, I brought these and a pair of Astral Brewers, which I like a lot, except for the fact that the drainage holes let sand and small rocks in, and my foot is irritated by all the rubber nubs on the insole. But I wore them due to the slippery algae on the rocks, otherwise I would have worn the West Marine Aqua Socks.
I have a pair of all plastic (like Crocks) Sperry Top Siders I use sailing and kayaking. They are a loafer style shoe. I wear a pair of thin nylon socks with them. This combo dries very fast. I have an old pair of Adias paddle shoes that is on their last legs (pun intended). I use NRS neo boots with my dry suit. I don’t have anything newer than about 5 years old. So can’t be much help in that respect.
It will be less that that at back of the heel but, it will still be significant. Again dimensionally it won’t be an issue but I’m concerned about the body geometry change. We will see!
