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Paddle Shoes
Reivers Dustin
06/20/19 #25079
I just got some paddle shoes I think might be good.
rd
Reivers Dustin
06/20/19 #25080
I've only worn these once paddling. A little early to give review, but… They will pick up small rocks (got one already - pebble came out easy). It's a game changer to have the water drain out the sole. Awful tired of walking around with shoes full of salt water until I get changed. These are very light weight, very soft cushion soles - top fabric is also soft on the foot. Size seems to be true. I'm wearing 11's and these are more roomy than my NRS booties. Note: the soles are maybe a touch thicker than the normal NRS booties. (This matters for leg length in the boat.) In my case I like the thicker sole. I can't handle any kind of rocks with bare feet. They are styled like loafers or dock shoes. So they aren't super grippy on your feet. Probably not super stable for running across big boulders.
I can't compare to those five toed shoes, never tried any. I don't even like flip-flops with that thingie between my toes.
rd
Michael Lampi
06/21/19 #25081
While my situation is a bit different from most, I find Keen cycling sandals to make excellent water shoes. Toes are protected, the straps allow for a range of customization for foot size, water drains out immediately, and the soles are extremely sturdy for walking on rocks. Keen makes non-cycling sandals, too, that are probably more appropriate for paddlers.
Michael Lampi
Reivers Dustin
06/21/19 #25082
Keen has some excellent sandals. But the soles are too thick or wide to fit in the footwells of most surfski boats.
John Rybczyk
06/21/19 #25083
Regarding Keen Sandals. Indeed most Keen sandals are just too wide and thick for practical surf ski use, however, Keen now makes a model called the Clearwater with an un-Keenlike narrow, thin sole. They fit into my surf ski even better than my neoprene booties. I like them very much for paddling. I wouldn't want to walk twenty miles in them, but I don't want to walk 20 miles anyway. Next, Michael Lampi, I'm sorry to report that, as far as I can tell, Keen is not making that cycling sandal anymore. If you know differently, please let me know, because I have been trying unsuccessfully to purchase a pair.
See you on the water,
johnr
Nicholas Cryder
06/21/19 #25084
I've never used shoes, can't imagine not being able to feel the small inputs on the foot board and rudder pedals. In the winter, I just use 2mm to .5 mm neoprene socks depending on the temps. One pair normally lasts the winter. When I was doing the crazy long Vancouver Island days, I did start to paddle with thin cycling socks to prevent the gnarly abrasions / sea sores from spending 16 hours in a ski. Also always use a neoprene strap cover to keep the footstrap from cutting my feet and to make it more rigid.
Michael Lampi
06/21/19 #25085
Oh, no! Why is it that shoe companies always discontinue making shoes that fit me?
Here is a possible alternative:
