Astral Footwear?

[sday207]

Anyone wear the Brewer? Or even better, the new Aquanaut? I was about to buy a pair of Brewers when all of a sudden, they announced the new line, and now I'm torn between the two.

Aquanaut: http://astraldesigns.com/footwear/aquanaut/

Brewer: http://astraldesigns.com/footwear/brewer/

Cheers,
Sam

[Paddle Power]

never tried or seen but the Brewer is lighter and its "heel has slit at bottom for sand/water drainage and easily folds down for clogging."

the newer aquanaut seems to be a little beefier.

[ohioboater]

I poked fun at the way the Brewers look when they first came out, but I actually own a pair now.

They are durable, fit securely, have decent grip, dry quickly and so far do not seem prone to perma-stink. They're also insanely easy to put on over drysuit booties - if you loosen the laces, the foot opening can be spread really wide.

Only downside is the drain ports let sand in. Might not really be any way to avoid that with a shoe that isn't high-topped and neoprene, though.

[Wendy]

I preordered the Hiyak from Astral coming out in Mid May. It is a high top with sticky rubber recessed laces, and slits in the front and rear.

[chuck naill]

Would not fit easily in the Atom or Gala slalom boats.

[Wendy]

The Hiyak has been reported to be lower profile, made for kayakers. We will have to see when they arrive mid May.

[rainfoot]

This is my third season in a pair of Brewers. Comfy. Sole really sticks well. I wish it featured a rubber toe box but the fabric is holding up fine. They do run small. I have heard good reports on all Astral footwear. Their Wrassler also looks appealing.

[oldschoolpiton]

been wearing them since summer of 2012. they are awesome for grip and they hold up really well. I should've gotten them a half size bigger due to them running slightly small but no complaints there.

[sbroam]

The Brewers are all the rage with the local kayakers, but I'm concerned about how they wear on the *top* as that is how I wear paddling shoes out...

[ohioboater]

Can't help you on the top durability, since my left knee won't tolerate C1, and I use the balls of my feet against the pegs in OC. I do lay my feet flat when kneeling in my flatwater OC, but I don't spend that much time on flatwater...

[Paddle Power]

maybe some of you who are Astral footwear uses should approach Astral about making a OC/C1 shoe, with a tough toe box that OC and C1 paddlers can use without wearing down the top side of the toe area?

[sbroam]

I just sent them this picture :



The C-boater shoe struggle is real...

[Wendy]

http://www.astraldesigns.com/footwear/hiyak/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
When mine arrive in a few weeks I'll review them.

[sbroam]

Picked up a pair of Loyaks - good so far, like the construction and material. Comfortable in the c-1. Next up - open boat foot pegs and long term durability...

[chuck naill]

Looks to me like a pair of low top Chuck Taylors would work just as well. L.L. Bean used to have a canvas high top that had a nice toe cover and sticky sole.