What if you were going to walk IN the water?
May 11, 2011 10:44 PM Subscribe
I love kayaking. My BF wants to love it. Help me find him the best, most cost-effective water shoes in the world.
Details: We live on Lake Erie (Presque Isle, to be specific) and we'd mostly be kayaking in really, really low-key conditions. No ocean, no major rivers, just the lagoons and the actual lake when there was NO wind and calm conditions. Bottom of all these things consists mostly of mud, sand, but there's shells and rocks and weird unpredictable things, it being a relatively small ecosystem that people throw shit into out of boats all the time. He's a size 10 1/2, I have $100 to spend. I would love to get him this as a "welcome to the water" type thing. Your best advice is appreciated!
Details: We live on Lake Erie (Presque Isle, to be specific) and we'd mostly be kayaking in really, really low-key conditions. No ocean, no major rivers, just the lagoons and the actual lake when there was NO wind and calm conditions. Bottom of all these things consists mostly of mud, sand, but there's shells and rocks and weird unpredictable things, it being a relatively small ecosystem that people throw shit into out of boats all the time. He's a size 10 1/2, I have $100 to spend. I would love to get him this as a "welcome to the water" type thing. Your best advice is appreciated!
I love love love my Keen Newport H2s, for quickie water stuff and and also for easy hikes. And also for casual days teaching/standing up all day, actually.
The only caveat I have is that the toes do a pretty good job of keeping almost all junk out, but large pebble removal does occasionally require shoe removal.
posted by charmedimsure at 11:29 PM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
The only caveat I have is that the toes do a pretty good job of keeping almost all junk out, but large pebble removal does occasionally require shoe removal.
posted by charmedimsure at 11:29 PM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
£5 pair of Flip-flops or Plimsols? - or you want something that is more sporty (ie dorky?)
posted by mary8nne at 3:00 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by mary8nne at 3:00 AM on May 12, 2011
The only thing I don't like about Chacos and kayaking is that they leave the heels exposed and they tend to rub on the floor of the boat. I'd try for something with a heel, like these Lands' End shoes.
posted by charmcityblues at 3:57 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by charmcityblues at 3:57 AM on May 12, 2011
I use a really basic pair of Crocs. They're cheap, really comfortable (much, much more so than they look) and great in the wet. Ideal for summer, not so much for winter.
posted by londonmark at 5:06 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by londonmark at 5:06 AM on May 12, 2011
I have a pair of Aquasocks that cost me about $10 at Kohl's. I wear size 12 shoes, so it should be easier finding them in a size 10.5.
posted by AMSBoethius at 5:12 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by AMSBoethius at 5:12 AM on May 12, 2011
I prefer something like these from NRS. They fit a little better into boats with small foot areas. I do prefer Chacos for everything around the water, but not in the water.
posted by tumble at 6:23 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by tumble at 6:23 AM on May 12, 2011
Best answer: I am a whitewater kayaker and sometime raft guide, and have gone through a ridiculous number of water shoes. Depending on what type of kayaks y'all are using, you'll want to consider how much footroom you have, and how easy it would be to get your shoes stuck on the footpets. Options I've seen/tried, in order from minimalist to ridiculous:
* Flip flops - some boaters use flipflops to get to/from the boat, and then use a carabiner to attach them to the boat. Cheap and simple.
* Chacos - I'm not a fan ... your foot is fairly exposed, sand can get in, and the relatively bulky sole can get caught on things
* Keens - slightly better than Chacos for getting caught, since the sole doesn't stick out as much from the straps, but still not one of my favorites. Also more protection for your feet.
* Five Fingers - I love these for when it's warm out. The KSO model doesn't keep all the sand out, but it does a better job than their more minimal ones. (part of my current lineup, and have bought a replacement pair) Downside is that sand definitely gets in, and is hard to get out, and my pair only lasted me a season ... maybe 50 uses.
* aquasock - nice and cheap, haven't used since I was a kid.
* neoprene booties, like the NRS Desperado that tumble linked to. I owned that exact shoe, and hated it ... not much support, my heel slipped to the inside and wore through the neoprene. I've also tried the Kokatat version, and wasn't a fan either. Better options exist that are more shoe-like, with more support/less likely to slip around.
* 5.10 savant - OK, not a true water shoe, but designed to get wet. I use them for winter kayaking when I need something not too bulky. Great traction, super comfy. (part of my current lineup - I lost a pair when I swam out of my kayak, and bought another. Y'all are probably less likely to have this problem ...)
* 5.10 Canyoneer - absurd, ridiculous, and awesome. Great protection, meant for the water, warm, not going to come off when I swim. Probably overkill for you, but I had to include them =) Part of my current lineup - I wear these for creeking and cool-weather rafting, anytime I think I may have to get out of my boat and run around on rocks on short notice.
posted by Metasyntactic at 6:47 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
* Flip flops - some boaters use flipflops to get to/from the boat, and then use a carabiner to attach them to the boat. Cheap and simple.
* Chacos - I'm not a fan ... your foot is fairly exposed, sand can get in, and the relatively bulky sole can get caught on things
* Keens - slightly better than Chacos for getting caught, since the sole doesn't stick out as much from the straps, but still not one of my favorites. Also more protection for your feet.
* Five Fingers - I love these for when it's warm out. The KSO model doesn't keep all the sand out, but it does a better job than their more minimal ones. (part of my current lineup, and have bought a replacement pair) Downside is that sand definitely gets in, and is hard to get out, and my pair only lasted me a season ... maybe 50 uses.
* aquasock - nice and cheap, haven't used since I was a kid.
* neoprene booties, like the NRS Desperado that tumble linked to. I owned that exact shoe, and hated it ... not much support, my heel slipped to the inside and wore through the neoprene. I've also tried the Kokatat version, and wasn't a fan either. Better options exist that are more shoe-like, with more support/less likely to slip around.
* 5.10 savant - OK, not a true water shoe, but designed to get wet. I use them for winter kayaking when I need something not too bulky. Great traction, super comfy. (part of my current lineup - I lost a pair when I swam out of my kayak, and bought another. Y'all are probably less likely to have this problem ...)
* 5.10 Canyoneer - absurd, ridiculous, and awesome. Great protection, meant for the water, warm, not going to come off when I swim. Probably overkill for you, but I had to include them =) Part of my current lineup - I wear these for creeking and cool-weather rafting, anytime I think I may have to get out of my boat and run around on rocks on short notice.
posted by Metasyntactic at 6:47 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
My paddling shoes are an older-generation model of New Balance water shoes from 10+ years ago. I can't really give a testimonial about the current models, but I like my old ones a lot—they feel very sturdy and secure for scrambling up and down bankings and over rocks. Because of the problem with broken glass and other detritus in the water, I prefer a fully-enclosed shoe rather than a sandal like the Chacos. Some people are religiously devoted to their New Balance sneakers, so if your boyfriend is already a New Balance guy, these might be a good choice.
I also know other people who are very happy with their Keens or Land's End water shoes. The serious river kayakers I know prefer neoprene booties, but will take alternative footwear on the boat with them if they anticipate having to get out and walk around on land much. Flip-flops float off the feet too easily when wading and are terrible for rock scrambling or steep bankings. I should think Crocs would have the same problems, but I've never worn them.
posted by Orinda at 7:13 AM on May 12, 2011
I also know other people who are very happy with their Keens or Land's End water shoes. The serious river kayakers I know prefer neoprene booties, but will take alternative footwear on the boat with them if they anticipate having to get out and walk around on land much. Flip-flops float off the feet too easily when wading and are terrible for rock scrambling or steep bankings. I should think Crocs would have the same problems, but I've never worn them.
posted by Orinda at 7:13 AM on May 12, 2011
For cold water: Calf High Chotas
For summer, nthing Vibram Five Fingers. I have the KSO model.
Primarily I kayak on a river and in the shallows, the Vibrams are great for porting over rocks but not getting any in your shoes. In the Vibrams, however, you feet do get wet and you will end up with cold wet foot for the remainder of the paddle so these are for warm weather only when cold wet foot isn't obnoxious. I dry these out between trips and toss them in the laundry machine every now and then. Mine have probably been in heavy use for 15 trips and seem fine so far. I generally only wear them on the river and pack flips in my cargo hold for the trip to/from/out and about.
In cooler weather the object is to not get wet. Chotas are amazingly warm and will get me into my boat and off on a paddle with warm dry feet.
posted by countrymod at 7:25 AM on May 12, 2011
For summer, nthing Vibram Five Fingers. I have the KSO model.
Primarily I kayak on a river and in the shallows, the Vibrams are great for porting over rocks but not getting any in your shoes. In the Vibrams, however, you feet do get wet and you will end up with cold wet foot for the remainder of the paddle so these are for warm weather only when cold wet foot isn't obnoxious. I dry these out between trips and toss them in the laundry machine every now and then. Mine have probably been in heavy use for 15 trips and seem fine so far. I generally only wear them on the river and pack flips in my cargo hold for the trip to/from/out and about.
In cooler weather the object is to not get wet. Chotas are amazingly warm and will get me into my boat and off on a paddle with warm dry feet.
posted by countrymod at 7:25 AM on May 12, 2011
I'm anti flipflops for any area that may be muddy -- I've broken and lost flipflops when using them to get in or out of my kayak in muddy areas because they sink in and get stuck.
But getting cheap water shoes from the local sporting goods store that fit seems like a better option then spending $100 on shoes for a sport your not even sure your boyfriend will like. Then, if he a) likes the sport and b) dislikes the cheap shoes, you know what problems to solve when getting the expensive shoes.
posted by garlic at 9:12 AM on May 12, 2011
But getting cheap water shoes from the local sporting goods store that fit seems like a better option then spending $100 on shoes for a sport your not even sure your boyfriend will like. Then, if he a) likes the sport and b) dislikes the cheap shoes, you know what problems to solve when getting the expensive shoes.
posted by garlic at 9:12 AM on May 12, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you so much, everyone! :) this is great!
posted by deep thought sunstar at 1:23 PM on May 12, 2011
posted by deep thought sunstar at 1:23 PM on May 12, 2011
Nthing Keen sandals. You've got toe and heel protection and they'll stay on your feet in muck, they don't get gross when wet, they don't make my feet hot, I've never gotten a blister from them, and the bungee adjust thing is handy if your feet swell at all.
posted by desuetude at 9:22 PM on May 12, 2011
posted by desuetude at 9:22 PM on May 12, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
These shoes make all around great summer sandals as well.
Or are you looking for something more shoe-like?
posted by bluedaisy at 10:58 PM on May 11, 2011