Therefore, for a water shoe to be great it must keep the sand out. It seems to get into everything and I absolutely hate when it gets in my water shoes. However, I’m more impressed by the fact that the Brewers passed my second, more-important test…keeping the sand out! Sand has been the bane of my existence as a kayaking instructor. We’ll see just how long they hold up but they’ve already exceeded my expectations! There’s not even a trace of wear on them including the stealth rubber soles which are just as gripy as they were the day I took them out of the box. That’s everything from walking around the shop, kayaking, SUPing, even over to my girlfriend’s house for dinner. I won’t lie…I was concerned about the durability of the Brewers when I first saw them but they have put my anxiety to rest! I’ve been wearing my Brewers every day for the past two months. This is a tall order considering that kayaking is my life in the summer months and I tend to “put a lot of miles” on my gear. The first is to survive an entire paddling season without blowing apart at the seams. There are at least two tests in the function department that each of my past water shoes have failed. Stealth Rubber soles provide amazing grip! The docks at the shop can get slick but the Brewers make it feel like carpet! Next-in-line after Comfort is Peace-of-Mind which the Brewers provide in spades with their “stealth rubber” outsoles. The “balanced geometry” mid-sole is just that firm enough to provide sufficient support while cushy enough to keep your feet happy.
Otherwise, I’ve found the Brewers to be extremely comfortable. Thankfully, Astral recognized this and made their Brewer water shoes for walking! I’ll admit that the upper part of the heel rubbed me a little raw in places that first week but my feet got used to it and the experience was no worse than breaking into a good pair of hiking boots. It’s as if the designers focused so intensely on making a cheap shoe that could get wet that they forgot that the bones of the project was to make a SHOE that people will be walking around in. The one thing that I could never figure out about water shoes is why so many of them are so uncomfortable. Unfortunately, a good pair of water shoes is hard to come by but I’m happy to report that I’ve finally found “the one” in the new Brewer water shoe by Astral Buoyancy! Why are the Brewers so great? Well, because they’re wicked comfortable, highly functional, and they have that “cool factor” that makes paddlers want to wear them! I’ve seen my share of nasty foot wounds in my guiding days and you don’t want any part of dealing with them…that’s why I never step into my kayak without my water shoes on and I require all of my clients to do the same. Some may be surprised that the piece of safety gear most often left behind by paddlers is not a PFD, pump, or paddle float…it’s a good pair of water shoes! Close-toed shoes protect your feet from many ground-level hazards including sharp rocks, broken glass, and the occasional razor clam shell. Colors: Black/Lime, Navy/Azul, Grey/Maroon, & Black/White.Sticky rubber on the outsole and the insoles prevent foot slippage.“Technical performance and classic style blended perfectly to bring you the shoe whitewater kayakers have been waiting for.” –Astral Buoyancy Now you can hop along boulders, or run around the woods in your flip-flops! This super cute flip quickly converts to a sandal by attaching the “super strap”. An array of fun colors makes Rosa essential summer footwear for the adventurous girl! Sticky rubber on the outsole and the insoles prevent foot slippage.