Footwear for a kayak

[CountryboyinDC]

If you're sure you're not going in the water, @TnRiver46 has the right idea, nothing like going barefoot.  I will usually kick the shoes off in my pedal kayak after I launch, whatever they are if it's warm about.

 

If you will be wading, I've had a lot of shoes over the years, and here's my 2 cents.  It's hard to beat an old pair of tennis shoes.  I have Keen Newports at the moment, and while they have toe protection, they're mostly good at letting rocks between the sole and your foot, but not letting them wash out unless you take the shoe off.  

 

If you really need something grippy on slick rocks, they're expensive, but Astral Rasslers are the best thing going.  Not super durable; I go through a pair pretty much annually.  I use these on whitewater trips.

 

Booties do keep you warm, some have a little ankle support and maybe some grip on the soles.  I use them sparingly - I'm known to swim at inopportune times, and inevitably my booties come off, go down river staying submerged before depositing themselves in an eddy 3 weeks later.  Sucks to be barefoot when it's in the 30s.  

[Darth-Baiter]

8 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I

 

If you really need something grippy on slick rocks, they're expensive, but Astral Rasslers are the best thing going.  Not super durable; I go through a pair pretty much annually.  I use these on whitewater trips.

 

 

thanks.  I've been searching for a good pair of shoes to wear hiking the shoreline of the Russian River!!  Simms seemed like overkill.  these might fit the bill perfectly!  Astral Rasslers!!  I also slipped and feel a few times shore fishing for Stripers.  thanks for the recommendation. 

 

my friend just had the wildest mole/sun damage spot taken off his foot.  he showed it to me and I immediately gave him time off to go see his doc.  he sent her a pic, and she said, "yea, maybe come in today".  they cut it off, and sent a sample to the lab.  results pending.  they also froze a big swathe of skin on his bald head.  now he walks around wearing a boonie hat 100%.  it freaked him out.

 

my feet burn so easily.  I keep them covered.  YMMV

[CountryboyinDC]

10 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

these might fit the bill perfectly!  Astral Rasslers!!  I also slipped and feel a few times shore fishing for Stripers.  thanks for the recommendation. 

These are real grippy.  Not real durable, but you see them on practically everyone carrying up Flake from O-Deck when they run the VA lines at Great Falls.  That carry, in my mind, is more likely to kill you than the VA lines themselves.  Mine are always hanging somewhere in the garage drying off this time of year.

 

[cascade]

If you are around rough bottom with sharp rocks or reef...or fishing industrial/urban water with possible rusted junk on the bottom:

https://www.amazon.com/ForEverlast-Reef-Boot-Size-Beige/dp/B005329TXE/

 

These are pretty weighty and hot out of the water and work best when wading but depends on the location if you need good protection they might work for you.  I use them on a kayak at times when I expect to step in some iffy bottom or around jetties where I might need to walk around some rough concrete/rock. Keeping them wet makes it more bearable.

[J Francho]

On 5/21/2022 at 2:33 PM, padlin said:

Looking for another option for footwear for one who has to step in the water before and after each trip. I primarily fish from a canoe and I'm guessing those who kayak are the same where you at least step in the water getting in and out of the boat most of the time. I currently use a cheap pair of rubber boots that have got to go. There's nothing quite like wearing rubber bots all day in the 90 degree sun. Some of the put ins have a muck bottom so something like flip flops won't cut it.

Keen Newport H2O.

[dickenscpa]

I've got three pair of water shoes, the good kind that drain, etc and after a couple trips they stink so bad I can't take it and they drain slow and I get water in my truck when loading and leaving. I don't have a foot odor problem, it's nasty lake water.

 

I also have three different pair of Crocs, all terrain, etc. If I spit and step in it I hydroplane and bust my tail. Mossy, slimy boat ramp and I've went under a time or two.

 

Barefoot is a no go for me. Too much glass and rock loading and unloading. Plus I tan well but I will only sunburn in two spots. Top of my ears and top of my feet. Seems liberal sunscreen does little to help. I wear long sleeve fishing shirt, gloves, hat and a buff. I have moles and don't want cancer.

 

The only good thing I've used is NRS neoprene boots almost knee high. JUST ALWAYS WEAR SOCKS. But when the weather gets hot those black boots will cook your feet and taking them off is hard to store while fishing and back to sunburned feet.

[Darth-Baiter]

On 6/3/2022 at 6:01 PM, CountryboyinDC said:

These are real grippy.  Not real durable, but you see them on practically everyone carrying up Flake from O-Deck when they run the VA lines at Great Falls.  That carry, in my mind, is more likely to kill you than the VA lines themselves.  Mine are always hanging somewhere in the garage drying off this time of year.

 

thanks.  i ordered a pair.  i think these will work for dragging my kayak thru shallows and bank fishing rivers.  the bigger surprise for me are the various PFD's they make and sell. they have a very innovative strap over the shoulders.  i love how they snap out of the way the second you let go of them.  smart.

[NYWayfarer]

Crocs or lately, Ozark Trail Men's Adventure Outdoor Closed Toe Sandals from Walmart. very comfortable, water resistant, drain well, great traction and don’t slip off like Crocs. Best of all $20
 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Men-s-Adventure-Outdoor-Closed-Toe-Sandals/832434424

[Jmilburn76]

I just ordered a pair of Brewster ATR from HUK to try, $20.48 shipped.https://www.hukgear.com/products/huk-brewster-atr-sharkskin

[VirginiaKayakBasser]

I use Crocs.

[Darth-Baiter]

On 6/3/2022 at 6:01 PM, CountryboyinDC said:

These are real grippy.  Not real durable, but you see them on practically everyone carrying up Flake from O-Deck when they run the VA lines at Great Falls.  That carry, in my mind, is more likely to kill you than the VA lines themselves.  Mine are always hanging somewhere in the garage drying off this time of year.

 

update.  I have taken my shoes on water about 8x now.  my only regret is not getting them earlier or even knowing about them.  they are fantastic.  I hike and drag my kayak more than I care to admit.  these are superior.  slip/sliding down a greasy boat ramp is much easier.  I tend to suck gravel into them sometimes, but I pull them off and rinse them and good to go.  the ankle hole is tiny, so stuffing your feet into them requires you take your time to fully loosen the laces - a lot.  

 

I am so much cooler on the water in the summer now.  no more hot feet.  no stink yet.  I sun dry them quickly and bring them in.  

[CountryboyinDC]

On 7/22/2022 at 2:54 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

update.  I have taken my shoes on water about 8x now.  my only regret is not getting them earlier or even knowing about them.  they are fantastic.  I hike and drag my kayak more than I care to admit.  these are superior.  slip/sliding down a greasy boat ramp is much easier.  I tend to suck gravel into them sometimes, but I pull them off and rinse them and good to go.  the ankle hole is tiny, so stuffing your feet into them requires you take your time to fully loosen the laces - a lot.  

 

I am so much cooler on the water in the summer now.  no more hot feet.  no stink yet.  I sun dry them quickly and bring them in.  

Glad they're working.  I wash mine (along with the skirt, PFD, helmet) with a hose everytime I go out.  They don't stink badly this way.  

 

When you see them on sale, order another pair.  They don't last, but man do they give you grip on wet rocks.