Water Shoe Review
Hi-Tec Rogue River
Rogue River, Hi-tec
www.hi-tec.com
Hi-Tec's Rogue River is a pleasure to pull on for whitewater or flatwater paddling. It has a buttery elasticized neoprene upper that's perforated for enhanced airflow and drainage. An antimicrobial lining keeps your feet sweet. Open layered mesh side panels and holes in the sole drain water and improve drying. Heel, forefoot, and instep straps lock your foot in place. The non-marking carbon-rubber outsole has variegated tread patterns, including siped rubber circles for ultimate traction. The Rogue River is best on the river and not on the beach because it will fill with sand, but the midsole pulls out to reduce drying time and make cleaning easy. $70
In-Boat Comfort: 3.5 Drainage: 4 Grip: 4
Columbia Tigrit
Tigrit, Columbia
www.columbia.com
As amphibious as an alligator, the Tigrit is built with a water shoe upper on a trail-worthy sole for the best of both worlds. The shoe has one of the most aggressive soles we've seen on a hybrid, making it portage-ready. A synthetic leather skeleton feels almost like a sandal, with large cutouts that drain water and vent your foot. The anti-odor foot bed hides a supportive molded dual-density midsole with a nylon shank. The Tigrit does sacrifice drainage for support, so it's a shoe that you can get wet, but not one that you want to soak in. $80
In-Boat Comfort: 3 Drainage: 2 Grip: 2
Montrail Upper Ocoee
Upper Ocoee, Montrail
www.montrail.com
A streamlined neoprene bootie, the Upper Ocoee wraps around your foot like a barnacle on a fishing pier. This bootie has a polyethylene protection plate and an EVA midsole for flexion when you're walking and protection in the heel. Gryptonite rands wrap around the toes to protect your piggies from both river hazards and pressure from your boat. Velcro midfoot and ankle straps make sure that the booties stay on even if you're swimming. You have to pull hard to get these booties on and off, but once in place, they are as comfortable as a second skin, and will meet any challenge that you come up with. Reinforcement in the heel and toe means that you'll own the Upper Ocoees for a long time. $75
In-Boat Comfort: 3.5 Drainage: 4 Grip: 4
Keen Water Bootie
Water Bootie, Keen
www.keenfootwear.com
Superbly comfortable and simply designed, Keen's stretch neoprene Water Bootie is a great all-around shoe for the paddler who doesn't want to slip-slide away. Two elastic straps cross over the ankle and behind the heel. A rubberized toe guard protects your feet and the booties. These boots are easy to get on and off. While not as secure as some other booties, they're good for most situations. The siped rubber sole is superb on river rocks, and the bootie has enough grip at the collar that sand stays on the beach. $49.95
In-Boat Comfort: 4 Drainage: 2.5 Grip: 4
Adidas Waterra
Waterra, Adidas
www.adidas.com
A trail-running shoe on a diet, the Waterra is the shoe of choice for the paddler who likes to jog her portages. The Waterra is constructed like a running shoe. The compression-molded midsole with Adidas' ClimaCool Torsion bar and a lugged outsole give traction on land and in water. Nothing rivals the Waterra for support and multisport activities. The synthetic leather upper has open side panels and a mesh front, and metal mesh drainage ports in the sole. When we wore this shoe on the trail, the forefoot drainage ports clogged. Back at the water, they rinsed clear with a little help. The Waterra stays fresh with an antimicrobial moisture-wicking sock liner with a molded heel cup. $74.99
In-Boat Comfort: 2.5 Drainage: 3.5 Grip: 2
|
|
 |
|
|
||
|
||||||
|
During this special online offer, you can get a TRIAL ISSUE and receive 6 more (a total of 7 issues) for only $17.95 - you save 35% off the cover price! Outside the US? Canada or International GIVE A GIFT |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
