Some tips to avoid this is to buy shoes that are more true to size if possible, however if you can only afford 1 pair of shoes and you need shoes for multiple seasons you may be stuck with only one option. For instance, open-toed sandals, like flip flops that people would wear to the beach, are not ideal. A problem arises when I hit the play hole/ wave and start face planting and contorting my body into positions it was never supposed to be in. Astral hi yaks are solid. For more information please read our. I have Astral Rasslers for my creek boat and for cold weather rafting which are great, one full size up for dry suit and socks. Friday| 09:30 - 17:30 Raised ankle collar height for protection, Non-marking Stealth Phantom rubber outsole, Product color: Feather Grey / Core Black / Signal Coral. Astral: We perform lab tests for wet and dry grip on granite tile. Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means we will earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) on the products or services you purchase using the links. They arent bad for just walking around in either if you dont mind the super thin soles. Looking online and Astral seems great but idk if you guys have other brands that you like more, or that are cheaper. Paddling would be what consumed me and as I progressed I found that my skills as a climber were right at home in those deep river canyons. When we achieve our goals there, we move to field testing , specifically on river rocks in various geologic zones. As rafters we have different priorities from our friends in kayaking, but unfortunately kayaking has dominated the direction of river shoes for some time now. They have a rugged bottom, which is ideal for gripping slippery rocks. If you have extra room in the bow you can probably get away with more heavy duty footwear. In short, dont wear Chacos for Freestyle Kayaking unless that is your only option. Kayak and rafting water shoes feature self-draining holes along the soles so your feet will dry out in no time. Not really, looking for something close toed. Additionally if you will be using them with a drysuit often then consider sizing up a little and picking up a pair of neoprene socks that you can wear to help pad them out. Another consideration that we often have as boaters that other sports do not is that we cant always see where we are stepping. The upper is reinforced from heel to toe with thick scratch rubber. White water shoes should be comfortable to wear without socks, stay on your feet even in fast flowing water, and provide protection to the soles of your feet while carrying the raft. Along with gripping the bottom of riverbeds, white water rafting shoes also have to be able to get wet and dry quickly. Seamless lining and foam provide Cadillac-like comfort for cruising through any terrain. Much worse is when you find yourself without your boat, clinging to a cliff and having to decide whether to jump back in and swim the rest of a set or to climb a crack system leading to safety. Every time I stepped out of my boat I was putting my climbing skills to use. In warmer conditions a lot of boaters opt for the classic pair of sandals which certainly fit the bill for fast draining and can be a great option on easy runs if they are built with some of the above principals in mind. The boot is shaped to provide ankle support whilst remaining low profile to fit comfortably in a kayak and the insole can be removed if you want extra space inside for thick socks. You do not want any sitting water to get absorbed into the shoe itself, as that can cause problems later. The Gradient steps it up revamped with fewer seams, tougher components, and reinforcement where it matters. Adidas Terrex if you can find them. What shoes to wear white water rafting? ), Website Terms, Conditions, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. In cold weather a tight fit can constrict blood flow and make your feet feel colder or worse, cause cold related illness. In the spring when the water is colder or you arent wearing a drysuit it can feel fantastic to keep your feet warm and keep water from filling up your shoes. Free U.S. The article was originally published on Canoe & Kayak. Please call(360) 297-4659if you have any questions regarding sizing, materials or configuration we are happy to put our over 30 years of experience to use! It was recommended to me to pay attention to what other people wear - especially those you trust and have a lot of experience. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. I found myself obsessed with figuring out how to jam my fingers into cracks and smear toes onto the tiniest of crystals. Shoes or sandals that have a tight heel or, at the very least, a strap that goes behind the heel are probably the most ideal shoes to wear on a rafting trip. They are also great but hard to put on. When I first started whitewater kayaking I either went barefoot or wore a pair of NRS Kicker booties. Now featuring ChacoGrip rubber for our best performing Classic outsole to date. You want a quality shoe or bootie that will be safe and comfortable both in and out of your boat. Okay, I know wearing Chacos for Freestyle Whitewater Kayaking seems like a bad idea and as it turns out it is a bad idea. Regardless, there are plenty of shoes to never wear while white water rafting. Most boaters use either thwarts or foot cups to lock themselves into the raft and that constant downward pressure can lead to a condition climbers call toe bang. Needless to say a bootie filled with water is heavy to walk in and uncomfortable to swim in, but if you are adding a couple pounds of water to each foot you are just making more work for yourself. The problem is that your friends will buy you some knee high socks to help protect you from the sun and fill out your dad sandals. But more than just getting wet, wear shoes wile white water rafting will protect your feet from all manner of objects that can cut, bruise and scrape them. Powered by Shopify, NRS Boundary Neoprene Waterproof Mukluk Boot, NRS Paddle Wetshoe Women's High Top Bootie, NRS Comm-3 Wetshoe Men's High Top Bootie Shoe, NRS Paddle Wetshoe Men's High Top Bootie - Closeout, NRS Paddle Wetshoe Women's High Top Bootie - Closeout, NRS Kicker Remix Women's Wetshoe - Closeout. A Complete List. Paddle Camp is a participant in various affiliate networks, including AvantLink, CJ, and others. Toe coverings are also not a huge concern, but there is the chance of a paddle coming into contact with your foot while white water rafting, so having some protection over your toes is a good idea. Depending on your body style, fitting comfortably into a freestyle whitewater kayak can prove to be a bit difficult. But i wear barefoot shoes everyday, and those are close. I had some new brewers earlier this season and they just started to fall apart so fast. 4mm Quick Dry thermal neoprene with a durable Flex Direct sole and stabilising strap, 3 mm neoprene socks with DuraTX sole protection and a Quick Dry thermal lining, for warmth and maximum flexibility. I like my hiyaks. Amazon and Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. White water rafting shoes that protect your feet from sharp rocks, glass, and other obstacles are a must. Astral: We have several different options for footbed thickness and hardness because different users appreciate more more or less support, flexibility, and/or impact resistance. We learned how to build anchors using gear and natural features; how to escape a belay and ascend a rope to rescue an injured partner. For white water rafting, being comfortable with the shoes youre wearing is key to having a good time. Astral: Firstly, it's important to distinguish between traction and grip, both of which are very important getting into river gorges and along the riverbed. The Astral Loyak is also very versatile in the light that I can hit the play hole on the Nantahala for a few hours then when the Cascades release I can hop in my car, drive ten miles down the road, get in my creek boat and lap some class V without even changing my footwear. Finding the perfect shoe for white water rafting can be a daunting task, but there are a few options to consider before going out. A trail-focused water shoe with breathable mesh on top and plenty of support underfoot. Streamlined and dependable since 1989, our Classic series is comprised of only 8 component parts, making for the simple, timeless sandal design that made our name. This has weakened the ankle support of shoes progressively over the years. People have tons of different needs for shoes so finding the right one can be a lifelong quest for a boater. Over the years there have been a lot of rubber designs on the market. Many riverbeds are very rocky and dangerous to walk barefoot across. If the sole is too soft though rocks can injury your foot when you take a hard step. Outsole: Aggressive 5mm lugs with flex grooves, made from G.15 high friction Rubber. Typically boaters who buy a pair of shoes to use with their dry suit in the winter it will size up to accommodate both warm socks and their drysuit booties. This subreddit is a place to discuss anything and everything relating to whitewater. Comfort is an important point since shoes that dont fit your feet are the worst feeling in the world. Now you tell me, which would you choose to wear for kayaking between those two options? Can you comment on the choice behind that design choice? As a rafter it is a good idea to have solid ankle support for several reasons: Provide additional joint support in a raft, Support the paddler while they carry heavy loads. DO NOT paddle barefoot. Adidas boat shoe all the way, they pop up cheap at zappos sometimes. We have lots more kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding info on the site to show you. We publish the "ground to foot" distance which ranges from 12mm to 21mm. Astral: Astral outsoles are intentionally soft. If you find water socks that say they act like water shoes, those are not a good fit. Plus, if the shoes do not dry quickly, there is a chance that mold and mildew can grow in/on the shoes, which will ruin them. We quickly became too scared to continue on that course of action. In rafting our ankles are subject to a lot of rotational forces that can cause injury and discomfort. Non-marking. I learned this the hard way. With a mesh-constructed upper, this approach shoe is designed for breathability and comfort over rough terrain. It was higher water and we were by ourselves, having a pretty successful but stressful run (who wants to be up there alone?). But how do Astral Brewers perform in a freestyle environment? Finding the best shoes for rafting is probably one of the most daunting tasks boaters face. A classic, low profile neoprene bootie with a thick rubber outsole. What skills do you find yourself using or needing? Astrals are good too. The Tsangpo sock is a thermal sock great for keeping your feet warm in cold conditions. I grew up canoeing with my dad and brother. RM: I'm curious if you can help me out with what astral's sole technology is like and what Astral keeps in mind as the most critical element for traction? If you are doing any form of whitewater kayaking I highly recommend that you wear booties or shoes. A purpose-built paddling shoe with ankle support, grip, and a thick sole. Grippy Vibram Sole and low profile reinforced upper the Gradient a great paddle sport boot. And that sharp broken glass finds its way into the river and onto the beach. You could look at this story and say, well if you were with someone they could have dropped a rope to you or I bet I could have re-flipped the boat in that eddy. All of this may be true, but the more skills and abilities you have the more options you have. Olympic Outdoor Center32379 Rainier Ave.Port Gamble, WA 98364, Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more, 2022 Olympic Outdoor Center. If you are trying to understand what is out on the market we have a helpful buyers guide at the bottom of the page otherwise you can find more info about impact protection below. Foot to Ground Distance: 21mm heel, 20mm ball. I obviously rely on climbing a fair amount, but I can also say that Nates knowledge as a welder and fabricator has helped us as well. Midsole: Level heel to ball, with Top Shank to reduce foot fatigue. I like a closed toe, neoprene water shoe. They drain well and offer great support and grip, making them ideal for slippery rocks around a whitewater run. However, the biggest drawback of wearing tennis shoes is the question of wearing socks with them or not. The freestyle bootie literally has what it was designed for in the name. Now that I have ventured into more serious paddling and freestyle, I understand the value of a good pair of booties/ shoes. If you dont have much room your options are pretty much limited to neoprene booties. For me my go to bootie is the Astral Loyak, but thats just me. Most importantly though, try to get a pair that best fits the type of river you will be running more that 50% of the time. Chances are youll be out of your boat and on the banks a lot. However, they do not dry all that well and tend to fall apart if they are worn as shoes. Because it's not about how hot or cold it is outside. Astral are amazing shoes, in my case I needed more than one just because of how my boats fit me, Chacos are unbearable inside a kayak. Now, probably the most frequent question river rafting companies get when asked what kind of shoes to wear for white water rafting is this: can I wear regular tennis shoes? A sturdy hiking shoe for heavy loads and muddy conditions. Monday| 09:30 - 17:30 That book, along with accounts of various mountain expeditions, solidified my belief that on vertical rock was where I wanted to be. In my experience as a shorter guy paddling a medium sized freestyle whitewater kayak, the Brewer performed well. What to Wear When White Water Rafting? Traction is your most important factor when determining a shoe. His knowledge allowed us to build boats that are much easier to portage and hike in than regular rafts making it feasible to go places with long complex portages or long hike-ins. The more your shoe can mold to the surface, the more rubber you have grabbing the rock. Shoes like the La Sportiva TX-3 have a strong toe cap that will help prevent injury on the water. If you are running a lot of harder whitewater in the class IV V range then toe protection becomes even more important. Paddle Camp is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. By themselves, water socks seem like the ideal choice: they are designed to get wet and still function. If you do elect for this option selecting a sandal with a good toe cap will help a lot on the river. I began to study the 15-ish foot wall behind us and found a few holds that would get me started, figuring I would sort out the rest as I went along. Most folks wouldnt run class IV or harder without a helmet so why would you treat your toes like that? Knowing what to bring on a white water rafting trip will not only make your trip more fun and prevent you from getting cold and wet, it could save your life. For me its good foot work. These provide the comfort needed but also have the capability to shed water and dry quickly. High traction and good toe protection should be at the top of your list for what to look for in your next shoe though. The NRS Velocity is a sturdy. There are a couple of schools of thought on this one. Originally designed as a mountain bike shoe, the adidas Five Ten Trailcross LT bike shoes let you pedal, push and hike in any terrain with a breathable, quick-drying design for taking on adventure. To take an example from another sport, climbing shoes are not the most comfortable or attractive things in the world for one reason; they are built from the ground up for function. Yeah I have Astral Loyaks and like them a lot. My senior year I found myself at one of the local crags four days a week, believing that if one focused and trained hard enough, a good pair of shoes was the only thing you needed to take up on the wall with you. Muddy water, loose gravel, and bushes can all hide metal, sharp rocks, and debris which can penetrate weak foot beds. Mens Journal has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Teva is a sandal company that specializes in activewear sandals. These can make actual shoes very uncomfortable by filling them with small rocks and sand which can be highly abrasive to your feet especially on long multi day trips. Most companies with a white water raft service available will recommend aquatic-based shoes or river-specific footwear that can get wet without getting damaged and also provide good comfort and reliability. After dropping a rope to Nate, he was able to re-flip the raft and keep it in the eddy. Field Tested: Eight of this years best paddling shoes, Heroes Rescue Kids From Epic Boating Smackdown, Take Paddling Safety Seriously This Summer: Learn the Ropes Before Hitting the Water, Paddling Trip Tips: 12 Things to Know When Planning Your Adventure, Rare Rafting Adventure: Northwest Colorados Lodore Canyon, Mountain Biking Norways West Coast: Oslo to Lofoten Islands, Best Motorcycle Training Course Tips for Riding Your ADV Bike on Dirt, Best Water Safety Training for Kayaking, Standup Paddleboarding, and Canoeing, We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Men's Journal and its partners. One name brand shoe company that is highly recommended by numerous white water rafting companies is Teva. Note: The biggest caution to have with tennis shoes is to ensure that the shoes get completely dry after using them. At the end of the trip, you will have a hard time peeling off your shoes and socks if they are drenched. On dry land, you almost have to be wearing socks with tennis shoes; otherwise, your feet and shoes will start to smell or your heels will get rubbed raw. I hardly remember what sparked my interest in climbing, but I remember my oldest sister receiving a copy of John Long's How to Rock Climb! and reading it cover to cover at least a dozen times before I was a freshman. 1.5mm titanium coated CR limestone neoprene, ideal worn inside water shoes or combined with dry wear, Updated for 2020 - The ultimate low profile bootie for flexibility. Polyester jacquard webbing upper wraps around the foot and through the midsole for a customized fit, Adjustable and durable high-tensile webbing heel risers, Subscribe today for the latest news from the whitewater world. Phillip also contributed some thoughts on sole toughness below: RM: Many paddlers have commented on Astralshoesbeing a softershoein general compared to say a chaco sandal or a more traditionalshoe. We consider the best kayak and rafting water shoes to be made by NRS and Astral. With special designs, you'll find these kayak water shoes can take you though the most gnarly portages, or just for an afternoon stroll through the creek bed. If youre just starting out dont go cheap on footwear. The rope work and gear were secondary to movement; how to ascend, descend, and traverse using your fingers and toes and subtle shifts in body position. G.ss offers 15% more wet grip than G15, while G.15 is about 15% more abrasion resistant. Tennis shoes are also a great option if youre in a pinch and dont mind getting them wet. RM: How thick is the footbed of an astralshoeand how well does the sole of theshoedissipatethe energy of an impact? White water rafting is an excellent hobby to enjoy as a group. Those cheap NRS booties actually aren't bad though performance wise, despite looking ridiculous. While comfort is a top priority for boaters it is not the only thing you should look for, in fact since all boaters spend so little time on our feet this is not the top of the list for us. Of all of these skills, though, I would rank my foot work as the most valuable. The problem is when I try to wear booties/ shoes when I paddle my play boat. The more self-reliant you are, the more it frees up the group to look out for those who are trying to step up. Many shoes are designed to be a bit softer and more flexible to allow you to fit into the cockpit of a kayak. That being said.. we do have 2 standard compounds. I have been through a wide variety of different shoes/ booties. Their website even boasts specific river shoes that are perfect for white water rafting. Youll need the comfort and support of a standard shoe because youll have to carry the raft in and out of the water. I may not recommend it for longer more technical hikes to or from the river but for the purposes of hitting a roadside run or for parking and walking to an eddy below your favorite freestyle spot, they are perfect. We love paddling! New paddlers are usually out of their boat a lot. To protect your feet and get the most out of the days adventure, though, you want to make sure you have the proper footwear. If you are a serious whitewater paddler, or just someone who enjoys the outdoors, you have likely owned a pair of Astral Brewer shoes. In addition, not-so-eco-friendly participants in the outdoors have been know to accidentally break glass along the river. Flip flop sandals usually offer very little protection on the bottoms of your feet from the rocky riverbeds. The best shoes to wear white water rafting are Tevas, Chocos or water shoes that wont be ruined when they get wet. Upper: Scratch rubber with Neoprene collar, Liner: Cushioning EVA midsole with Free draining mesh and Removable insole, Extras: Double stitched seams; Includes second pair of laces, Sizes /Weight: 689 g (5), 698 g (6), 753 g (7), 811 g (8), 827 g (9), 907 g (10), 928 g (11), 994 g (12), 1017 g (13), 1064 g (14). Another good point on the fast draining topic is the idea of sediment filled water and sandy beaches. And I prefer a higher cut, one that won't conceivably come off in a nasty swim. The first thing you need to think about is how you fit in your boat. The biggest problem I faced with wearing Chacos was that by the end of my session the straps would cut the top of my big toe and the back of my Achilles. Tennis shoes are a fantastic choice to wear if you dont want to have to go out and buy a new pair of shoes/sandals for your white water rafting trip. Below I will discuss my experiences with different shoes/ booties when Freestyle Kayaking. The sole separates from the top part of the shoe so quickly its pathetic. Having shoes/ booties when you are doing some hardcore freestyle, or at least attempting too, can make all the difference. Ill-fitting shoes can also cause blisters and rashes especially with the volume of fine sand we are exposed to on the water.