Choosing The Right Shoes for Kayaking "Astral Rassler 2.0"

[@WadeHarrison]

👇Get Yours Here 👇 Rasslers 👉👉amzn.to/3Jsfp6h Hiaks 👉👉amzn.to/3uR3vim Loyaks 👉👉amzn.to/3rXKo4x

[@PenelopeRose238]

Thank you. My club paddled a creek that was way lower than we thought - 60 portages through mud and uneven surfaces. I had these cheap Tevas and they absolutely were dangerous - the velcro came undone and the soles doubled over. So I am getting some Astrals because you and others recommend them for creeks and rivers. Good point about drainage and being able to get back into the boat too.

[@WadeHarrison]

Oh I hate sandals for paddling definitely look into a decent pair of river shoes

[@PenelopeRose238]

@@WadeHarrison Are these OK for cold water though?

[@TheOfficialDOP]

So I picked up some rasslers this week, love em. Super comfortable and even better with the seal skinz socks, thanks for the recommendation on these wade.

[@WadeHarrison]

awesome DOP

[@TheOfficialDOP]

@@WadeHarrison can you recommend which lubricant to use for dry suit zippers to keep them functioning smoothly?

[@WadeHarrison]

@@TheOfficialDOP t zip lub is the best highly recommend www.thepipershut.com/T-Zip-Bagpipe-Zipper-Lubricant_p_429.html

[@ishee6789]

I really like the Rassler 2.0 as well. I got a new pair for 90 bucks not long ago to replace the ones I've had for over a year now. The tread has worn down and the loops ripped off the back, but I think that's pretty normal. I tried some Brewers, but they are not good for swimming. Brewers fell off my feet as soon as I hit the water. The rasslers do not come off. I've also used them for hiking when traveling abroad to avoid bringing a ton of shoes. They are definitely better than sneakers for hiking.

[@WadeHarrison]

Thanks For the feedback Adrian

[@TheOfficialDOP]

I’m picking some of these up for sure. Have you tried the astral brewsters by chance?

[@KZ-yu4jz]

I got the astral brewsters 2.0. They are comfortable, I used them as a daily shoe, and the grip is amazing. Good for short hikes too. Unfortunately, they are not really durable and they dont dry well. I hose them down and place by a fan for best results.

[@TheOfficialDOP]

@@KZ-yu4jz ahhhh ok good to know

[@WadeHarrison]

Yes I have a pair of those also and exactly what KZ said great kick around and light day hikes but Not a true kayaking shoe. I also have the Hemp Donners for when I do kayak trade shows or night outs type stuff.

[@TheOfficialDOP]

@@WadeHarrison let me ask you both this, what are your thoughts on the NRS water shoes?

[@barry4fish19]

Wade, thanks as always for your contributions. I totally understand about durability issues and heel bone being exposed on some water shoes. But, here is my take. I have wide feet, usually wear 2E or 4E sizes, and need an arch support,many water shoes are too narrow. Those issues are just as important to me and many other kayakers. For Astral, there is no substitute for the Brewer, I wear the 2.0 version. Best solid water shoe for wide feet, and they have a built in arch support. They dry fast, seem to be durable thus far but I don’t know about long term durability if you hike long distances with them. I had assumed all these water shoes should be made with a waterproof glue, but these days who knows. I spend more time on day trips in my kayak than walking but on rough terrain, they have same sole grip as the others. I was going to try a higher shoe to cover ankle bone, but can’t find anything for wide feet, the Loyak and others seem too narrow compared to the Brewer.

[@WadeHarrison]

I have the brewers also I wear those with my dry

[@icelandicwhitewater]

I´m using the Palm Gradient and really liking them. Also heard good things about Bestard Wildwater Pro.

[@WadeHarrison]

those Palm Gradients look great wish they were here in USA

[@icelandicwhitewater]

@@WadeHarrison just come over to Europe to get them. Go through Iceland and I´ll guide you around.

[@jeffgoatley]

I just bought the same thing at the USWWC this weekend. I did come out of my boat once and they climbed the wall well and stayed on my feet.

[@WadeHarrison]

They definitely stay on just sometimes I have to double lace them because they come untied

[@trevorpearce3227]

Great content 👌 I would happily listen to a long video from your channel 😃

[@WadeHarrison]

hey thanks buddy

[@darrenprice7662]

I've been using the Palm Gradient for paddling in cold weather with my dry suit and Astrals in warmer weather. I got the Palms from Watersports Outlet online and they are located in NY. The Palms are awesome for the rough ins and outs of East TN.

[@WadeHarrison]

thanks for the feedback I wish palm would start bringing all their gear Over USA market!

[@rivertrashmedia]

Been using the Hiyak for almost 2 years now and love them. I like that the hiyaks soles are glued and stitched as apposed to just glued like the rasler. Seem to be much more durable.

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah my hiyaks sole had held up longer but they did bust on the sides but I have had these like 2 years now

[@rivertrashmedia]

@@WadeHarrison had mine about two years and all the stitching is just now blowing out. Definitely be getting another pair.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

yeah...hitting the ankle bones hurts like mad! I love the Astral Assler 2.0, overall a great kayaking shoe. thanks Wade for spreading the word.

[@WadeHarrison]

For Sure Sean! Now if they make them more durable they will have the prefect shoe they are the best I have used so far.

[@davmas87]

Are you still using it? Was wondering how long the sole of rassler or hiyak could last using it as everyday shoes, I love barefoot shoes but they are flimsy, this one with cordura outside and stitched outsole looks better than any other barefoot shoes out there

[@WadeHarrison]

I still have both of these and yeah astral shoes don't hold up the best but not many kayaking only shoes do? but what has helped is I use Rasslers in creeks and river running and hiyaks for summer when play boating ect

[@nicksinderson3302]

Absolutely!, one of best pieces of safety gear you can buy.

[@WadeHarrison]

Totally agree with you on whitewater A good water shoe is such a overlooked piece of safety gear

[@kevinhill.8]

Nice review! I’m still rocking a pair of 5.10 Water Tennies that I love!! However they aren’t really available any more, so I do my best to keep them dry to prolong their life. 😁 Buddy who had Water Tennies just had his finally give out and he went w Rasslers. He seems to like them, but said they don’t grip as well as the 5.10s. Maybe it’s the stealth rubber on the 5.10s, but he thought maybe those large lugs on the Rassler (vs the small dots on the 5.10) might be part of it. Btw, those little cuts in the rubber to add traction are called sipes. Siping is used in tires too.

[@chris_paulo]

Yes! The 5.10 Water Tennies. I noticed yours on Concussion. I have the same black pair waiting for me once my blue/black ones fail. I bought two pairs of the high tops and three pairs of the low tops a couple years ago when I found out they were discontinued.

[@WadeHarrison]

Dude for sure the 5.10 Stealth rubber there's nothing like it I had a whole rant about in in this video and decided to not add it and went and edited it out because astral cant get it anymore now that adidas owns it I had the water tennies which were amazing shoes but I think they discontinued them from lack of sales now that adidas owns 5.10 Thanks for info on the sipes yeah I think 5.10 has a patent on whatever the rubber make up is on the Stealth and I know astral struggled to figure out something that was remotely close. so my guess astral lowered the durometer of the rubber and added those little sipes and probably the dots are also patented by 5.10 and did what they could. And Really that rubber patent is probably the only real reason a company like adidas wanted 5.10 because looking at the sales of a monster like adidas compared to 5.10 its nothing. but to have a lock on that stealth rubber technology is what I would think every shoe company would love to have.

[@WadeHarrison]

Smart man 👆

[@kevinhill.8]

@@chris_paulo I didn’t even remember that they made a low top version. Nice move snatching up a few!! 👏🏼🏅🧠

[@DAllan-lz3lg]

If wearing over a dry suit do you need to go up a size ?

[@WadeHarrison]

Yes I upsize on another pair for drysuit

[@DAllan-lz3lg]

@@WadeHarrison thanks

[@tomz7259]

Wade, have you done a review of the Astral Hiyak?

[@WadeHarrison]

I mentioned them in another video but no not officially a review

[@elijahevans124]

Been rocking the five ten water tennies. I like em alright. They are kinda hard to get onto my wide feet and I’ve torn up a sole.

[@WadeHarrison]

yeah I had a pair of those for a season

[@choadboater]

Adidas terrex with 5.10 rubber. Tennis shoe style that very comfortable in 1/2 slice and creeker, has a mesh upper that drains well. Bought them beginning of ‘20 summer and no issues. They stick to rocks wet/dry climbing shoes and comfortable for scouting and hikes. Cons….smell like a pile of dead bodies when wet.

[@WadeHarrison]

That Five Ten Stealth rubber oh yeah that's where astral got their start its awesome and I did have a pair of those adidas terrex i was walking and the entire bottom sole ripped complete off but those were the very first ones I have seen the newer ones and they look good and with Stealth rubber?

[@SergeyVoynov]

I just bought exactly same pair last week. We will see what happens

[@WadeHarrison]

Just to know if you got them new and have proof of purchase astral is extremally good with customer service if the tread and proof of purchase all good they will do a complete replacement if any issues within certain time frame

[@SergeyVoynov]

@@WadeHarrison I will take the to gauley this weekend

[@douglassexton1100]

I have the AC Loyaks because I can wear them without socks and the heal does not get caught in a full slice.

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah I have a pair of Loyaks also my main issue is they just don’t protect the ankle

[@Nottomorrownotyesterday]

I feel like for $130 the toe box should be more durable. I’ve only used the original Rasslers and will probably continue buying them because they are awesome…until they blow out. I’d like to see the stitches sealed under a rubber toe protector maybe?

[@WadeHarrison]

Totally agree and FYI if you keep your proof of purchase and get them new astral customer service is awesome they have always took care of me as long as it’s in a warranty time frame so that’s what you get with that higher upfront price tag

[@josh8058]

I had Astral Hiyaks and they fell apart really really quick. Wasn't impressed. Only lasted about 5 outings before the stitching failed.

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah My Hiyaks are year old here in the video and the stitching failed on the toe but they are still holding up so far I agree the Hiyaks are not as durable as the other astral I have used but if you got them new and still have proof of purchase astral has been extremally good with replacements

[@heryyohans6005]

How to sale in indonesia

[@WadeHarrison]

you would probably have to order them amazon?

[@Chris_Burkhardt]

The astrals are comfortable but if your doing long hikes with a creek boat they don’t compare to the Palm Gradient boots.

[@WadeHarrison]

Oh I have seen those palm ones Online they are not sold here in the USA but I really like the look of them?

[@Chris_Burkhardt]

@@WadeHarrison I had no problem getting a pair shipped to Chattanooga but that was just before Covid messed everything up. They’re solid for the long rocky paths. I liked the astrals but on the rocky paths they still let you feel pointed rocks. The palms have a solid sole. They might be overkill for short dirt paths. And I doubt they fit in anything smaller than a half slice though. Also I didn’t have to pay international shipping either.

[@WadeHarrison]

@@Chris_Burkhardt wow that’s awesome news I’m going to look into that?

[@MTmixer84]

Personally use the same shoe. Love it.

[@WadeHarrison]

awesome

[@イモ虫-p3u]

Astrals dry the quickest because they don't use neoprene. Only if they were more durable then they would be the perfect paddling shoes.

[@WadeHarrison]

Exactly what I said below I totally agree with you Right Now these are the best I have found but yeah there's some room for improvements

[@johneskew798]

I love the shoes, but they make them too narrow.

[@WadeHarrison]

So true they fit very narrow

[@ef01mw]

..oh I thought this was wrestling thing for some reason. I just saw the term rassler.

[@WadeHarrison]

😂 I could totally see that