For the ladies...

So Sara and I were looking for some footwear options and I was blown away that there are not a lot for women with smaller feet. She is a size 7 (I think).

What is there that will cover the ankle? I'm not a fan of the astral series, as I feel they will come off in a decent swim.

Thoughts? 2 cents? Beer?

Cheers

Edited by tiziak - 07 Jan 2015 at 9:12am

Just got my lady a pair of Astral Brewess. She's not paddling whitewater but we each wore our Brewers in Hawaii while SUPing and surfing in reef zone. We like them but they will come untied during a decent pummelling if they're not double tied.

I barely sized up (I think mine is just a half size bigger than what I normally would wear). Mine fits fine w my drysuit and socks. It's all a little snug, but I'm used to even snugger climbing shoes.

If I had to hike a few miles in them snug like that, maybe that would be a different issue :) She should def try a size 7 if it's locally around you!


Edited by iamgretchen - 07 Jan 2015 at 10:56am

I went a half size up to accomodate socks under the drysuit bootie + a neoprene sock over the wetsuit bootie because it keeps my feet warmer and the neoprene sock over the drysuit bootie keeps sand away from the goretex seams ect.

Wondering what folks experience is with the differing types of water shoes. In particular, the difference between the enhanced neoprene shoes(like the Teva) vs the more boot like NRS workshoe vs the water tennis shoes and how they hold up to walking in riverbeds. 

I've only been at this for a short while, I've done a lot of swimming and I've tried all three, but really haven't hit on a perfect solution. 

I first bought a neoprene shoe/boot type from NRS, they kept my feet reasonably warm, but while swimming, they sure seemed like they might come off, filled with water and became loose, moved around on my feet and the didn't really protect me well when walking in the rocks. Didnt work well in the sub-freezing temps either, needed more layers and doesn't dry fast.

I then bought the NRS workboot, which is basically a boot with a thick neoprene liner.  Seems stout enough, allows for rock scrambles, and they secure tight. Can't imagine losing them.  Problem I got is I bought my size, so I can't add any layers for the real cold days. Heavier and more bulky than the other types, doesn't dry very fast and hard to get off.

I found a 50% off deal on some Astral Rasslers, bought a half size big, so I can layer, and to this point, they are my best solution.  They seem tough enough and I don't think they will come off in a swim....could be wrong on that. Love the stealth rubber and they dry thoroughly and quickly.


Edited by Slackkinhard - 12 Jan 2015 at 6:49am

I wear the canyoneers from 5.10 and love them! I do the same thing as JP suggested and my feet are always warm. I had the NRS approach shoe and wore chacos previous to the canyoneers. The NRS shoes disintegrated and were slippery on the rocks. So far my canyoneers have not started falling apart and I've had them for a year. They are also very grippy on the river rocks.

These are what I am currently using: http://www.backcountry.com/scarpa-crux-shoe-mens?ti=UExQIENhdDpNZW5cJ3MgQXBwcm9hY2ggU2hvZXM6MTo3OmJjc0NhdDQxMTAwMDMy&skid=SCR0233-SHA-S42

I forgot about the Cherrybombs. I had a pair for a season and I felt that they didn't hold up to punishment. I think I destroyed mine in less than a season.

At this point, I think we're just gonna look around for size 7 Canyoneers and hole for the best.

I bought a pair of the Five Ten Water Tennies in mens 10.5 and wore the for the first time yesterday.  I normally wear a 10.5 and they were snug with wool socks and booties, but definitely not uncomfortable.  I like them so far and  I'm glad I didn't size up because I'd rather have my boots a little tight for walking around on sloping rock surfaces.  I haven't tried them in my playboat, but they aren't bulky like other shoes I've tried portages in.  I think they'll work out well.