Your New Favorite Water Shoes

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Astral Hiyak Kayak Shoes Review: Your New Favorite Water Shoes

I’ve by no means been a fan of water footwear. At the same time as a child, I most well-liked to go barefoot (and I’ve by no means been robust sufficient to run round shoeless) or put on an previous pair of tennis footwear when romping round within the water. Nonetheless, the Astral Hiyak Kayak shoes are actually my go-to for all water-related actions as a result of they’re snug, sturdy, and preserve the tiny, annoying pebbles out. However are they best for you? Discover out on this Astral Hiyak Kayak footwear evaluation.

Astral Hiyak Kayak Footwear Assessment

First Impressions

I first ran throughout Astral Footwear on the Paddlesports Trade Coalition in Oklahoma Metropolis. I used to be instantly drawn to them as a result of they jogged my memory of wrestling footwear (I grew up wrestling and nonetheless coach youth wrestling). After speaking with the Astral rep, I used to be satisfied I wanted a pair. I’ve been discovering their advantages and disadvantages for the final six months after Astral was sort sufficient to ship a pair for testing.

Proper out of the field, I really like how they feel and appear. I didn’t want any time to interrupt them in to keep away from blisters. The dimensions was spot on, however Astral doesn’t supply half sizes, so if that’s you, you’ll must order a measurement up.

Score: 9 /10

Consolation & Match

I’ve by no means discovered water footwear to be snug, properly, till now. Once I pulled my footwear out of the field and noticed the skinny soles, I didn’t count on them to be very snug. I anticipated to really feel each little poke whereas strolling over the gravel, and my ft to harm after a couple of minutes of sporting them. Nonetheless, I’ve been blown away by how insanely snug these booties are, irrespective of the place I put on them. I’d reasonably put on these than my tennis footwear (even round city) as a result of they’re that snug.

I’ve already talked about that the Hiyak footwear resemble wrestling footwear, however this high-ankle design wasn’t meant solely for aesthetic functions. It’s nice at holding these pesky pebbles out and supporting the ankles. My greatest frustration with tennis footwear, sandals, and water footwear is what number of rocks get into them. I’ve but to get a rock in my Hiyak’s on my adventures.

Score: 9 /10

Traction

At first look, the outsoles seem slick, however upon nearer inspection, the Flex Grip + G.ss rubber have small slits that open and shut together with your foots actions. This retains you from slipping on moist rocks. The one time I slipped whereas sporting these footwear was in slick mud, which I’ve all the time slipped on prior to now.

Score: 8 /10

Sturdiness & Supplies

Astral makes use of high-quality supplies like Fast Dry canvas with 1060 ballistic nylon, 3mm quilted spacer-mesh lining, water resistant laces, 45C closed-cell EVA foam, and G.ss Rubber, which equates to a sturdy water shoe.

After a number of kayak journeys by way of the mud, rock, and water, the one indicators of damage are the mud stains. I count on to proceed sporting these footwear for a number of years.

Score: 8 /10

Breathability

One other draw back of sporting tennis footwear as water footwear is how lengthy it takes for them to dry. Astral designed the Hiyak footwear to empty and dry shortly. This helps preserve them from smelling like spoiled water and makes strolling round in them after stepping within the water extra pleasant.

The Astral Hiyak footwear aren’t waterproof, however they dry shortly (so long as you’re not sporting socks). My ft didn’t get waterlogged, not like once I put on different water footwear. After a number of journeys to the lake and river, these footwear nonetheless don’t stink as a result of they’re extremely breathable.

Score: 9 /10

Weight & Agility

At 9.6oz, they’re ridiculously light-weight. Even after trudging by way of the water, they don’t weigh my ft down as a result of they don’t take in additional water. These footwear have by no means slowed me down on account of weight or agility causes.

Score: 9 /10

Aesthetics & Fashion

Some individuals are not followers of the high-ankle assist, however I believe these footwear look slick as a result of they remind me of my high-school wrestling days. The largest draw back to the aesthetics is that they’re solely out there in two colours: Driftwood Grey and Black/Crimson. The Driftwood Grey will match extra clothes choices when you put on them to city.

Whereas these footwear match my quirky character properly, I perceive they gained’t be for everybody.

Score: 7 /10

Worth for Cash

Whereas I’m comfortable to reward these footwear, they’ve a few downsides. The primary is the value.

At $150, they’re costly footwear. Perhaps I’m simply frugal, however I not often pay greater than $100 for footwear (my work and looking boots are the exceptions). On high of that, paying $150 for footwear you propose to show to the water, rocks, and dirt appears a bit of extreme to me. I’d choose to see them about half the value, however, once more, I’m low-cost.

The standard and supplies do assist justify the value, particularly since different high-quality water footwear, just like the NRS Storm Boots, are equally priced. I’ve already bought different Astral footwear, so perhaps I’m not as low-cost as I as soon as thought.

Score: 8 /10

General Verdict

After sporting the Hiyak booties round city, on the farm, on the lake, and on the river, I’ve turn into a giant fan as a result of they’re surprisingly snug, grippy, quick-drying, and shield my tender ft. The Astral Hiyak footwear are my new favourite kayak and water footwear. I couldn’t discover a lot unfavourable to say about their efficiency, and I’ll proceed to make use of them whereas floating the river, fishing on the lake, and operating round on my property.

General Score: 8.4 /10

Closing Ideas: Astral Hiyak Kayak Footwear Assessment

Apart from the value, the Astral Hiyak shoes are the best choice for kayaking and frolicking within the water. I additionally don’t thoughts sporting them round city as a result of they’re extremely snug and classy (in my retro opinion). I’ve put my cash the place my mouth is by buying two different pairs of Astral footwear and have discovered them to be simply as comfortable and much more trendy.

Astral Hiyak Kayak Footwear Scores