Astral Men's Loyak Water Shoes

Product Information

We performed more than 15 individual assessments on each pair during testing. The most critical metrics we assessed were comfort and traction, together equalling 50% of the total weighted score. We wore them on short canyoneering adventures, strode around sandy beaches, waded through shallow creeks, navigated mossy shorelines, and scrambled about an 18-foot rubber gear boat. We were on the water on days with weather ranging from 80°F and sunny to 25°F mornings with icy put-ins. We sought out the opinions of fellow water enthusiasts about what is important to them in their water shoes and kept these points in mind as we evaluated our lineup side-by-side. If you’re looking for stylish trainers that provide superior grip and a comfortable, sturdy fit on treks and trail walks, Astral’s Hemp Donner shoes could be perfect for you. Value depends on how you want to use your new water shoes. You can get a neoprene bootie for a lower price than a more versatile shoe, but those booties will be limited purely to boating. If you need shoes that can protect your toes on a side hike, you'll want something more versatile, but that increased versatility will likely come with a higher price tag. Suppose you're doing more of a water-accessed canyoneering or hiking trip. In that case, it's worth spending the extra money on a more durable shoe like the Salomon Techamphibian 5, which sacrifices a bit of sensitivity and flexibility on the water but offers improved comfort and traction over traditional booties.

If you’re looking for a casual trail-to-town shoe with an exceptionally comfortable fit and stylish look, the Hemp Loyak trainer is an excellent choice. This comfortable water shoe offers a wider toe box, and is best for gals with a bit wider feet looking for something that will last both on the river and off-trail We've tested a variety of footwear, including the best men's sandals and the best women's sandals, which might be a good alternative to water shoes. We also have recommendations for the best paddling gear, including vater vessels like the top-rated SUP boards and the best kayaks and our favorite paddles to go along with them.Upper Material: 77% Hemp / 23% recycled polyester with welded reinforcements on the heel, eyestays and toes. The G15 rubber is really one of the most important parts of the shoe. When Astral first introduced the Brewers, they used Stealth rubber from Five Ten. While that is a fantastic material, Astral decided to step up and improve on it. Thus, the G15 was born. I can attest that it has phenomenal grip. Possibly even more so than the Stealth rubber.

Our water shoe testing uses six different metrics with the following percentage weightings of the overall score: The first step to purchasing a solid water shoe is understanding the types you'll find on the market. Before we dive deeper into this section, take a moment and consider what you're buying your water shoes for, the weather you'll likely encounter, and any features that you need to suit your adventures best. Understanding your needs will help you narrow your search for the best shoe. Neoprene Booties We performed more than 15 individual assessments on each shoe. During testing, the comfort and traction tests were the two most important metrics, each corresponding to 25% of the overall weighted score. Throughout testing, we kept in mind what paddlers, canyoneers, and water-loving folks like about their shoes, often asking friends for their thoughts on the variety of water shoes. The Hemp Loyak is a revamp of Astral’s popular Loyak shoe, featuring hemp canvas material on the upper half and the brand’s G® Rubber on the outsole. Astral’s Flex-Grip ™ soles are designed to provide superior flexibility and balance and, with the inclusion of the innovative G.15™ compound, offer excellent grip and abrasion resistance. Adding to this is its wide surface area and wide-spaced divided 3mm lugs that are ideal for gripping on loose dirt you might find on the trails. We don't rate shoes on style, but using the Loyaks for months both on and off the water has convinced us that it might be worth calling out these shoes as notable for their looks. Our testers frequently get compliments about these shoes, and their good looks make them especially versatile. For the price, you get not only a great water shoe but a shoe that fits in at the bar and even at work. SensitivityOn a budget and looking for a deal? The Speedo Surf Knit Pro offers the best performance for the price. The simple slip-on design makes adding insulation and pulling it on and off easy. This will do the job if you need solid traction on slippery surfaces. We also appreciate its lightweight construction, which offers excellent sensitivity and can easily be stashed away. With two of the brand’s most popular hemp trainers in our collection, the Astral Hemp Donner and the Astral Hemp Loyak, we’ve taken a look into the specifications of each one to help you decide whether Astral hemp shoes could be the right choice for you. Seeking out a protective water shoe? Over the last four years, we've tested over 17 options of the top men's water shoes and women's water shoes, selecting a few top contenders that stand out among the rest. A desire to keep your feet protected during long days on the water is a need we understand. We used over 15 comparative tests to assess comfort, traction, warmth, versatility, sensitivity, and durability in the field. We wore different shoes on each foot to see how the performance compared while swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and canyoneering. After purchasing each pair, we have gathered the necessary details and data to help you find the best water shoe for your adventures.

Whether its the Hemp Donner or the Hemp Loyaks you opt for on your next venture, both Astral’s innovatively designed hemp trainers offer unrivalled comfort, fit and durability both on and off the trails. A minimally supportive water shoe with great drainage and traction that's perfect for a long day on the water The leather straps have a hook-and-loop closure for maximum adjustability, making these sandals easy to slip on and off. Although they’re one of the more expensive pairs on our list, we think their thoughtful, innovative design is worth the investment. Choose from two neutral color options that pair well with plenty of warm weather outfits. So, should you buy them? In my humble opinion, YES. These are without a doubt, some of the best water shoes on the market. They look great, are super comfortable, work extremely well for a variety of different purposes, etc. To really illustrate it though, I'll leave you with a quote from one of our team members, Clint. After wearing his Loyaks for a day or two, he had this to say: "I love my Loyaks so much, I might never take them off again." You don't get much higher praise than that. Astral shoes are designed with balanced geometry that enables the most natural positioning for your foot, as similar as possible to going barefoot. With a 1mm drop, the footbeds on the Hemp Loyak trainers are almost level and feature an extra wide forefoot that enables your feet and toes to spread out for extra balance and comfort.These unisex sandals come in neutral colors that match almost any outfit. Just note that the brand recommends sizing down if you usually wear a half size, meaning they may run big. Astral’s Donner Hemp trainers are similar to the Hemp Loyak in many respects but have several key differences that make them more suited for higher levels of performance. Like the Loyak, the Donner is created with high-quality hemp uppers that provide superior breathability, rot resistance and an exceptional level of durability to cotton. However, the Hemp Donner also features additional benefits such as water resistant laces, a padded ankle cover and welded reinforcement at key areas of the toe, heel and eyestays.

Proper traction for beach walking is important to prevent slips and falls, as well as to ensure comfortable walking, Pinker says. Both experts recommend wearing shoes with comfortable, supportive insoles and flexible rubber outsoles that have enough grip for mixed terrains. The versatile Loyaks aren’t just ideal for walking—they’d also be a good choice for water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, or snorkeling. Although they don’t come in as many sizes as other shoes on our list, we love their casual, stylish design that can take you from the boardwalk to the beach (and basically everywhere in between).For those on the hunt for a water shoe that functions just as well on the river as it does on a side hike, reach for this versatile shoe Designed for comfort, these roomy beach shoes aren’t ideal for high-impact activities—in that case, we’d recommend a more streamlined option like Astral’s Loyak Water Shoes. Our lead tester has a few friends that wear this shoe kayaking and has had to chase down their shoes multiple times after whitewater swims. These shoes definitely work for whitewater, but be sure to tighten them down and double-knot them - with such a low ankle cuff, they slip off easier than other water shoes, and it's a huge bummer to get off the river with only one shoe. Traction