Post by leadbelly on Jun 7, 2024 10:23:28 GMT -8
We live close to a large river, so footwear that works for walking in/out of the water and paddling matters. Some of the sandals I wear, and why I like them:
-Bedrock Cairns: these are relatively minimal, zero drop sandals with a three-strap system that includes a toe post, like a flip flop. Their DNA is very skinny soles that offer a lot of interaction with the ground, but they've added versions with thicker midsoles. Still, these offer limited arch support. The 'pro' versions have particularly sticky rubber soles, good for wet rocks, and close solely with sliders and hooks - no velcro to get fouled with silt. I have an old pair with skinny midsoles, and a newer pair with a medium-thick sole. Resoleable.
-Chaco Z/Clouds: though I still have a few pair of old, original Chaco Z/1s and Zongs (more like a slide, no heel strap), the Cloud (softer midsole) is what I reach for. Chaco's basic sandal and Z/2 (strap over the big toe, good for stability in water) also have the advantage of no velcro closures. Chaco's basic sole configuration has a fairly robust arch. Though it costs more, you can build your own sandal, choosing from a pretty good variety of straps and hardware. Chacos are on the thicker/heavier side of the spectrum; they last a really long time and can be resoled, i've done it.
-Keens: my faves for canoing because the bumper covers and protects my toes. They have neutral but not super-aggressive contour to the footbed, and the soles have pretty nice grip. The pairs I wear are the Solr, a slip in with an elastic cord to tighten them, and the Zerraport, an open strap design that's great for draining water and drying fast, and they have enough space to accommodate a neoprene sock for cold water conditions.
-Olukai: they sell shoes and other things, but their flip flops are what I like best. They're comfortable, very durable, and better for walking on trails that aren't too rugged than I ever would have expected from a flip.
-Birkenstocks - not a water shoe, and I think of them as a casual option, not for hiking or paddling, but I have to mention them because I do wear them a lot. The pair with the ankle strap is better for light trail walking. I resoled a pair myself over the winter, which was an interesting project. The contoured Birkenstock footbed works very well with my feet; I strongly prefer the 'soft footbed' models, as they're more comfortable in my opinion.
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a few others I've worn, and why I wear them less:
-Chaco classics - I still have few pair, as I mentioned. Nothing wrong with them, straps are basically the same as newer models. The fairly hard midsole/footbed is fine, but I think the Cloud version is a big improvement. I only wear the classics once in a while.
-Xero Z-Treks - these are very thin-soled minimalist sandals. If you like feeling barefoot, give these a look. My feet have little to no arch, so Xeros tend to leave my ankles feeling sore. They're comfortable and well-made, just not the best for me.
-Scott Hawaii flips - If you like the idea of wearing robust flip flops but don't want to spend seventy dollars (!) or more, this is a longtime Hawaii-made brand that are a bargain, and they're pretty darn comfortable and durable. My pair is pretty old and worn; I still bang around in them from time to time. You can often find them for under $30 - for a flip with polyester fabric straps that will never rip or pull out, a nicely-contoured footbed, and a sturdy sole, that's really good. I think Olukai is more comfortable and has better/grippier soles.
-Keen flips - flip flops with a small toe bumper. The bumper doesn't cover all my toes and rubs against the toes that aren't fully covered. I wear them sometimes around kayaks and paddleboards, but they aren't a great choice for me if I have to walk any distance in them.
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things I no longer wear:
For years, I wore Tevas as my primary water sandal. I liked how they fit, felt, and performed...until those plastic triangles that hold the straps together started breaking. The first time, I chalked it up to wear and tear, but the second time, I started feeling like the design has issues - or maybe it's just me. I figured that two blown out pair in two years meant they weren't for me. I also don't like the multiple velcro closures. if you're in and out of a river and getting sand and mud on your feet a lot, velcro tends to accumulate grit, and it eventually compromised the performance of the strapping system for me.
Reef flips - they're a solid choice; to me, they were stuck in the middle between expensive Olukai flips I like best and Scott flips that offer virtually the same experience as Reef, but for a better price.
-Bedrock Cairns: these are relatively minimal, zero drop sandals with a three-strap system that includes a toe post, like a flip flop. Their DNA is very skinny soles that offer a lot of interaction with the ground, but they've added versions with thicker midsoles. Still, these offer limited arch support. The 'pro' versions have particularly sticky rubber soles, good for wet rocks, and close solely with sliders and hooks - no velcro to get fouled with silt. I have an old pair with skinny midsoles, and a newer pair with a medium-thick sole. Resoleable.
-Chaco Z/Clouds: though I still have a few pair of old, original Chaco Z/1s and Zongs (more like a slide, no heel strap), the Cloud (softer midsole) is what I reach for. Chaco's basic sandal and Z/2 (strap over the big toe, good for stability in water) also have the advantage of no velcro closures. Chaco's basic sole configuration has a fairly robust arch. Though it costs more, you can build your own sandal, choosing from a pretty good variety of straps and hardware. Chacos are on the thicker/heavier side of the spectrum; they last a really long time and can be resoled, i've done it.
-Keens: my faves for canoing because the bumper covers and protects my toes. They have neutral but not super-aggressive contour to the footbed, and the soles have pretty nice grip. The pairs I wear are the Solr, a slip in with an elastic cord to tighten them, and the Zerraport, an open strap design that's great for draining water and drying fast, and they have enough space to accommodate a neoprene sock for cold water conditions.
-Olukai: they sell shoes and other things, but their flip flops are what I like best. They're comfortable, very durable, and better for walking on trails that aren't too rugged than I ever would have expected from a flip.
-Birkenstocks - not a water shoe, and I think of them as a casual option, not for hiking or paddling, but I have to mention them because I do wear them a lot. The pair with the ankle strap is better for light trail walking. I resoled a pair myself over the winter, which was an interesting project. The contoured Birkenstock footbed works very well with my feet; I strongly prefer the 'soft footbed' models, as they're more comfortable in my opinion.
xxxxxxx
a few others I've worn, and why I wear them less:
-Chaco classics - I still have few pair, as I mentioned. Nothing wrong with them, straps are basically the same as newer models. The fairly hard midsole/footbed is fine, but I think the Cloud version is a big improvement. I only wear the classics once in a while.
-Xero Z-Treks - these are very thin-soled minimalist sandals. If you like feeling barefoot, give these a look. My feet have little to no arch, so Xeros tend to leave my ankles feeling sore. They're comfortable and well-made, just not the best for me.
-Scott Hawaii flips - If you like the idea of wearing robust flip flops but don't want to spend seventy dollars (!) or more, this is a longtime Hawaii-made brand that are a bargain, and they're pretty darn comfortable and durable. My pair is pretty old and worn; I still bang around in them from time to time. You can often find them for under $30 - for a flip with polyester fabric straps that will never rip or pull out, a nicely-contoured footbed, and a sturdy sole, that's really good. I think Olukai is more comfortable and has better/grippier soles.
-Keen flips - flip flops with a small toe bumper. The bumper doesn't cover all my toes and rubs against the toes that aren't fully covered. I wear them sometimes around kayaks and paddleboards, but they aren't a great choice for me if I have to walk any distance in them.
xxxxxxxx
things I no longer wear:
For years, I wore Tevas as my primary water sandal. I liked how they fit, felt, and performed...until those plastic triangles that hold the straps together started breaking. The first time, I chalked it up to wear and tear, but the second time, I started feeling like the design has issues - or maybe it's just me. I figured that two blown out pair in two years meant they weren't for me. I also don't like the multiple velcro closures. if you're in and out of a river and getting sand and mud on your feet a lot, velcro tends to accumulate grit, and it eventually compromised the performance of the strapping system for me.
Reef flips - they're a solid choice; to me, they were stuck in the middle between expensive Olukai flips I like best and Scott flips that offer virtually the same experience as Reef, but for a better price.
