Topic: Shoes

[GregCravens]

I need new river shoes.  My last pair were 5.10's 'Nemo' or something like that.  They got old and finally came apart on me (during a swiftwater rescue class.  How embarrassing.) 

I've been out of the loop so long, I don't even know what shoes are available, much less what might be good to get.

So, I'm throwing the question out to all the hip young boaters who know their stuff.

What's a fine river shoe that holds up, fits in a boat (important, yeah?), and doesn't allow too damn much sand to get in it?  And won't get sucked off my feet during a swim.

[MW]

I'm assuming you're shopping for a trip coming up in June? I'm shopping as well. We need a shoe we can wear 12 hours a day for 15 days with enough support to go on side hikes. I've got a feeling neoprene will grow some hideous bacteria in only a couple days and booties never have any good soles for major walking. I'm thinking running/water shoe combo. The trick is to find us big enough boats to contain them.

This is what I'm thinking right now:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0054279824316a&navCount=1&podId=0054279&parentId=cat420014&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20564-cat420014&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat420014&hasJS=true

[Boyd]

The merrels are awesome except for a lack of traction on slippery rocks and they still allow sand in (at least mine did)...

My recent favs:
http://www.keenfootwear.com/product_detail.aspx?sku=1116
http://www.keenfootwear.com/product_detail.aspx?sku=1223

I'm a bit bias as my input and R&D went directly into both designs  but they're my favorites yet...
Also Stohlquist is coming out with a sweet new river bootie me and Sam have been testing...  my favorite is still the keens.

Boyd 

[Bill Fordyce]

You might look at the 5.10 Canyoneers.   A bit larger than your old 'Nemo' but still the same grippy rock grabbin' sole...

[MW]

Boyd, the Waterfront bootie looks better than any other shoe I've seen in a while but Greg and I are headed to the Grand Canyon and I'm thinking we need something much more breathable than neoprene. I'll definitely look into a pair of those for weekend paddling though.
The 5.10 Canyoneers look like ski boots. I doubt very seriously that they would fit into a kayak. Look good for canyoneering though.

[Bill Fordyce]

The 5.10 Canyoneers look like ski boots. I doubt very seriously that they would fit into a kayak. Look good for canyoneering though.

They do look big.   Freddie wears them in his Mega Rocker (the Big Pickle)--Big boat big feet.

[DrSonny]

I'm old school.  I wore these in the canyon and loved them.  I bought a spare pair to keep in the closet, just in case they ever discontinue them. http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/24061850/reviewcount/15.html

[MW]

Bill, I'm shocked that those shoes fit into any boat! they must look bigger than they actually are.

Sonny, since Tevas were born in the Canyon, it makes since that they would be perfectly at home there. I personally need a little more coverage.

[madapple]

Mike
Teva makes some excellent full coverage shoes as well.

I used to have a pair very similar to the Merrell's but with excellent traction on slippery rocks

http://www.teva.com/ProductDetails.aspx?g=m&categoryID=338&productID=6170&model=Arenal
http://www.teva.com/ProductDetails.aspx?g=m&categoryID=338&productID=6965&model=Sunkosi

definitely worth checking out

[DrSonny]

  Mike, don't worry so much about your feet...here is what you really need.

[MW]

 ...and I need to stay away from these....
That's my size 11 boot next to him.

[GregCravens]

What does anyone know about these things:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_824316&id=0054386824265a

[shamen]

A couple years ago on a ten day trip in the Boundary I wore a pair of Teva  Cayoneering  shoes, as did 15 other folks all with no complaints. They drained well and allowed air to flow through and protected the toes. They supported carrying 90 pound portage packs and exploring on  dry land and had a very sticky sole which grabbed very well . I combined them with smartwool socks which dried easily over night.
Peace vincent/shamen

[GregCravens]

What were you paddling when you did this trip, V?

[shamen]

We were paddling the sweetest boat of any kind I have paddled  Wenonah Minnesota II that were Kevlar. They just glided through the water regardless of whether they were loaded or empty and even when just as a solo they were amazing despite their size. In 9 days on the water we covered 108 miles, with basically no current at all. We had 3 people in the canoes with the person in the middle doing no paddling just enjoying it all. I was the only person in the group that had any real paddling experience and definitely the only person in shape yet we were able to be off the water between 2-3 PM everyday to do whatever we wanted for the next 6-7 hrs.
As far as the shoes go. We portaged about 3-4 times a day with one day having 17 portages and the shoes stood up to the test. I still have mine as does my son. I can wear them in my QCC but no other kayak they are just to big. Since we bought them as a group We were able to get them for about $55 from the now out of business Ascent Outdoors.
Peace vincent/shamen