When deciding what type of footwear to sport on the river, it may seem overwhelming. Everybody on the river is wearing something different. You have your sandal people, your close- toed shoe people, your tattered sneaker people, and even your barefoot people. Not to mention that you just saw multiple shoes floating down the river, which begs the question of how much you REALLY want to spend on shoes.
While all these things make the decision harder, it also can bring things to light for you. Your feet are going to be the MOST important thing if you find yourself in a situation where you are hiking or you are in rescue mode. It is important to always consider this when deciding what shoe you will be wearing. Shore can be scattered with cactus, sharp rock, and even rattlesnakes. You don’t want to find yourself shoeless in this environment. (Speaking from experience, I tend to manage to step in cactus WITH shoes on!) So, take our word for it.
Astral has consistently been the leading name in whitewater footwear, but what shoes should you choose from them? That is an excellent question. We looked at three different Astral models to help you decide what the best closed-toed whitewater shoe is for YOU.
The Astral Loyak
This shoe stands as the #1 best selling shoe from Astral. The Astral Loyak is a sleeker fitting shoe that has a lining that aims to hug the foot so that you are able to feel secure in them. Whether you are hiking, swimming, or putting your feet in the water, they are definitely more likely to stay on your feet.
These shoes, like other Astral shoes, are made with a rubber sole that is designed to grip on rocks. This feature is something that we would highly recommend making sure that your shoes have. If you’re going with the old tennis shoes route, definitely check the grip on those! The most dangerous part of the river can often be the slippery rocks on shore. We’ve found ourselves wishing we had more grip on our shoes plenty of times, so prioritize this!
If you are a kayaker who is looking to have a close-toed shoe, these are a great option because of their low profile and sleek design. The smaller sole allows for kayakers to more comfortably fit into smaller playboats, without dealing with the bulkiness of a lot of other shoes. If you are a raft guide who is constantly jamming your foot into thwarts, there is definitely some more wear and tear in the toe box. This means you will most likely be getting a new pair sooner rather than later, but this is normal with any shoe that doesn’t have the extra reinforcement.
These shoes, while being great for on the river, are also a very comfortable and “dressier” shoe for us river guides. You can wear them on the river, and their quick-dry ability will leave them dry in time for that dinner date. This feature is especially appreciated for us light packers, looking to prioritize minimalism on all of our adventures.
The Loyak is a well-reviewed shoe, but one feature to consider is the sizing and fit. The Astral Loyak does not come in half sizes, which makes the tighter fitting shoe a bit more uncomfortable. If you are sizing down, you may end up with a bit of a struggle to get these on. The Loyak is designed out of a canvas-like material, making it very stiff at first. On the other hand, if you are sizing up you may find yourself with rocks and sand coming into your shoe more frequently. Which is not a feeling that is highly recommended by many.
The Astral Brewer and Brewess 2.0
This shoe is a great option and a fan favorite. It found itself being named “Editors Choice from the 2024 Gear Lab”. This accolade is definitely something to consider if you’re deciding on purchasing the Astral Brewer 2.0 or the Astral Brewess 2.0. These shoes really, truly, elevate a sneaker in the best way. They are very comfortable and well cushioned, while still having the necessary grip for all adventures.
If you’re a boater who isn’t looking for the sleekness of the Loyak, the Brewess 2.0 is going to give you a much more reliable outsole and a thicker layer around the whole shoe. The material of the Brewess 2.0 is a lot more versatile with the outer layer being made of mesh, rather than the canvas material. This allows for the breathability, along with the durability.
In relation to overall foot and arch support, the Brewess 2.0 takes the cake over the Loyak. It has a more cushioned sole and is a shoe that you won’t mind wearing for the entire day. This is a shoe we would highly recommend if you are somebody who is spending everyday in the water, or going on a longer river trip. With more arch support than other models, these are definitely going to be your more side-quest happy shoes.
These shoes are a much more versatile option, as they allow for you to fit a pair of wool or neoprene socks underneath them much more easily. Not only that, but they are better for year-round boaters if you find yourself in a drysuit. The looser fit around the heel and foot of the Brewess 2.0 gives you enough space to be properly layered for even the coldest adventures. These shoes are also great for summer boating, as the mesh material allows you to tighten down your shoe snug enough to keep rocks and sand out of your shoes. We definitely recommend these for the people getting after it in every season.
However, like any shoe, these will experience wear and tear. The toe box seems to become worn much faster than expected, as well as the shoe laces. We would recommend keeping an extra set of laces handy, as they seem to unwind and break quickly. Not only that, but you may want to replace the insole of the shoe at some point, as the insole has been known to tear with a lot of wear as well.
The Astral Loyak All Weather
The newest shoe from Astral is the Loyak All Weather. These shoes are the upgraded version of the Loyak. They are made from 100% recycled upper and lower liners, making it a more sustainable option on the river, while still having all the qualities that are loved about the Loyak.
These shoes start off strong. They still have the grip that is known and loved about Astral. Astral’s grip is known for the way that it performs in all different types of terrain, whether this be rocky, dry, or wet. The sole is designed to give you a feeling close to being barefoot. This keeps you more grounded, and helps you make a better next step when out adventuring.
The main difference between the Loyak and the Loyak All Weather is the water-resistance and reinforcements. These shoes are much more water-resistant than the Loyak. They maintain their flexibility, but the material is much more water wicking than the previous model. It has been noted that they are not as breathable due to this upgrade, but nothing that has steered people away from this model.
Another upgrade has been the addition of the tongue that moves on the Loyak All Weather shoes. The previously mentioned problem of putting these shoes on has been mitigated with the addition of a tongue, giving the shoe more maneuverability. Not only that, but there is more support in the heel and the arch, giving you a more comfortable feel for hikes and everyday use.
One of our favorite additions to this shoe is the reinforcements made around the toe box and outer edges. When spending money on a shoe, reinforcements in the places that they tend to fall apart is a game changer. Astral took the previously mentioned problems and came up with a new shoe that provides more support and more durability.
Last but not least, the colors of the Astral Loyak All Weather shoes are off to a good start. (The pacific teal is wonderful.)
Note: The Astral Loyak All Weather shoes are a newer model, so there are not as many reviews on these as previous models, especially on longevity.
Some final things to note
When deciding on a shoe, make sure to look at what you will be doing this season. Realistically, it is hard to predict how long a shoe will last if you are wearing them consistently on and off the river. Look for those reinforcements and colder weather shoes if this is the case.
Take care of your feet and footwear! Your feet are the base of all that you do, make sure to take care of them and take care of the footwear that takes you places. Store them in a dry place and don’t leave them stuck in a wet bag if you can avoid it.
These are only a few options! Tennis shoes and sandals are also great options for people as well, depending on what you’re doing and what season you find yourself boating in. Just remember if you’re going the tennis shoe route, make sure to dry them out! You don’t want to be getting foot rot or athletes' feet from the wet climate.
Best of luck on your shoe journey! And come on down to River Station Gear to try them on for different sizes and styles.
By: Sam McKiernan
Check out our Footwear HERE!
