plus they’re hot
Unless you keep them wet.
Any shoe or sandal will get manky if it never dries, so I wouldn’t fault just the water shoes for that.
Chaco Z-1 for me
I live in them when not at work. Tevas have a nasty bracket thingy (no it’s not a gray thing) that rubs under my ankle. Not nice. Chacos are comfortable, secure feeling, and the Vibram soles have good wet grip. I wear them everywhere outdoors in summer. Yes, I hike mountain trails in them, watching for rocks and roots of course. Toes are vulnerable but you get in a habit of walking mindfully.
I usually do
My goal here is to take just one pair of footwear on tour. Usually I take crocs plus Teva Omniums. The Tevas would stay wet through the whole trip if I wore them in the water, so I only wear them around camp.
I’m hoping to find one rugged, fast-drying sandal that would work in the kayak, landing on a rocky shore, and walking around camp.
Those look good
On tour, would those dry overnight? I don’t want to have wet shoes for several days.
Have 'em
Beastly hot in the summer and not rugged enough or comfortable around camp.
I almost never wear my ankle-high water shoes. If the water and/or air temperature is cold I wear mukluks. If the water is warm I wear sandals. The in-between season is very short.
Teva
Never saw a Keen ! The Dozers should last 10-12 years worn during kayaking. Comfortable plus as good as the old Dr Schoals.
Florida ? Tampa, maybe Pensacola, fishing kayaks. Both areas sport a large military retiree pop.
Try searching: Flex Maslan
While I see many kayaks, kayaking seen is rare. Kinda like sailboats.
Walk ? not much. Place is sedentary.
I know an exception but itsa secret right ?
The Olympic Peninsula and lesser, the Cascades surprised at the large active outdoor pop both male/female.
Ditto on wet-shoes.
Or mukluks.
Trying to carry a boat on land or pull it through shallows on a river and getting rocks between foot and sandal was never appreciated by me.
I’ll deal with the heat of the wet-shoes or mukluks.
Hydro Guides
meet all those criteria in my experience.
Not sure
I just washed a pair of mine. I’ll let you know if they’re dry in the morning.
But I do have a question. If you get them wet during the paddling day, won’t they be still wet around camp in the evening? And if they dry overnight, won’t they just be getting wet again in the morning? I’m a little confused…
or how about snowshoes?
Nothing personal against any of you. But by all accounts waterbird is not a beginning paddler and she not only asked for sandal recommendations, but recommendations for a specific type of sandal. I think most people who wear sandals know the drawbacks by now.
OTOH this tendency contributes to the charm of these forums.
Yeah, I guess you’re right
Do others bring two pairs of shoes for touring, one for paddling and one for in camp?
My Teva Omniums take 48 hours to dry. I guess I could use rugged sandals for paddling and crocs for in camp.
HA!
You’re right. For example, I’m aware that ALL sandals let in debris that you have to fish out. I’m specifically looking for a sandal with good protection, i.e., of the toes, hence the comparison with the Teva Omnium.
I own neoprene booties, mukluks, sandals, crocs, and cheap Walmart swim shoes. They each have their uses. Say for example you had to tow your kayak some distance while walking in the water along a very rocky lake shore. For that you need a rugged sole with good toe protection. Booties, mukluks, and swim shoes have a soft sole. Crocs don’t stay on your feet and are unstable. Enclosed shoes are hot. That leaves hiking-type sandals that are meant for rocks and have a good grip.
You should be fine…
…with Keen water sandals that offer toe protection. I’ve used them for years. I have also had good luck with Salomon water shoes:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=salomon+water+shoes&tag=googhydr-20&index=shoes&hvadid=48512331805&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10516982451036411246&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_10p02ax1yz_b
Worn a pair of these on a 12 day rafting trip in the Yukon/SE Alaska area. While others were switching out of rubber boots to climbing boots, I just worn the Salomons everywhere. I even climbed a small mountain while wearing them. I’d rate their traction as a little better than the Keens that I have worn.
Keen Newport H2
Keen Newport H2
Dries quickly
Good sole
Cooler on your feet than crocs
Don’t wear out fast (not sure about salt water wear)
I have 300 trail miles and 20 boating trips with mine so far
Ditto the Chaco Z-1
Very durable and comfortable sandal, a little pricey but last forever.
Keen Venice H2
I have 3 pair of these. I often paddle many days in a row, and I hate putting on damp shoes. Also, if they never get dry they stink and wear out sooner—at least, that’s how I justified getting 3 pair.
If I wash them when I get home in the evening, they are still damp in the morning.
I like the toe protection they afford, the good traction of the sole, and the secure fit so they don’t pull off if you step in ankle deep mud.
Agreed,
hence my recommendation of Hydro Guide SANDALS. Waterbird, I hate to be a broken record but I pinky swear they’re exacty what you’re looking for. Okay, I’ll stop now. LOL.
Discontinued
I thought the Hydro Guide looked interesting as well, but they appear to have been discontinued and are only available in very small or very large men’s sizes.
you sure read a lot into these responses
Aw man. Why would they do that?
Well, in that case I’m with slushpaddler. Snowshoes!