My Favorite Low-top Paddling Shoe
For a long time, most of my paddling life, I struggled to find a good shoe that was comfortable, dried quickly, was grippy, and also didn’t look like I was wearing booties (you know, because looking your best while paddling is important). I’ve tried a few different options and nothing really ever fit all of my needs.
Then one day, not even really looking for paddling shoes, I came across a pair of Astral Loyaks. I didn’t even realize they were paddling shoes when I first saw them; I bought them because I thought they were a nice looking pair of low-top shoes. Then when I got home I was looking through the little info sheet in the shoe box and saw, “Oh, they were made to be water shoes.” That was the beginning of my love for Astral and the shoes they make.
It was six years ago when I bought my first pair of Loyaks. Since then, I have numerous reasons why I think they’re one of the best shoes you can buy, which I constantly preach to anyone that will listen.
The first reason is how incredibly durable Astral makes their shoes. Since buying my first pair I have only owned two pairs of Loyaks, and I still use both pairs regularly. The quality of craftsmanship and materials makes sure that if you buy a pair they will last you a very long time, provided you don’t let your dogs get a hold of them. The outsole is made with a flexible rubber Astral trademarked “Flexgrip.” In my countless hours of wearing Loyaks they won’t slip on ninety-nine percent of surfaces, barring you’re not always walking on moss-covered river-rock.
The soles also don’t mark up decks, making them a great option for sailors. But they’re also on the thinner side so if you’re walking on lots of sharp jagged rock you might be better off with shoes that have a thicker sole. A few people say that after strenuous use the sole becomes more slippery, however I haven’t noticed that problem.
One of the best features of the soles is the drainage holes located by the toe box, which allow the shoes to drain water and dry faster. The Loyaks upper is made of a hydrophobic canvas, with the tongue and vamp made of a stretchy mesh that helps them ventilate and fit more securely. The canvas is durable and I haven’t ever had the fabric tear from sharp rocks or anything else. While I have noticed that after years of use they will start to stink, the solution is to wash them with some deodorizer every so often.
Another unique design attribute is that they’re zero-drop. This means they have no extra heel cushion, which helps support a more natural way of walking by forcing you more onto the ball of your foot rather than your heel. This is something that can take some getting used to, so don’t go all out and walk 10 miles on your first day. They also feel a little wider in the toe box, which makes them a great option for people with wider feet like myself. If you’ve ever raun in a pair of Altra running shoes they feel similar. Word of note: I don’t recommend wearing Loyaks with a drysuit because there is a good chance they will slip off your feet if you take a swim. For that, try Astral’s Hiyaks.
All in all, the Loyaks are a fantastic pair of paddling shoes that I highly recommend. Whether you’re out all day on the water rafting, IKing, supping or kayaking, or just walking around town, you can’t go wrong with a pair of them. Hopefully this might solve a few people’s shoe crisis.
—Ty F. Rooper, salesfloor associate, Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe
