Columbia Drainmaker III water shoe review

[@perrinayebarra]

I love these shoes so much. I’ve had them for almost 10 years and I still wear them. Even used them in my landscaping business for 2 years on hot days cause they ventilate so well.

[@michal.ochedowski]

I enjoyed watching this review, especially the sounds from the footage under water. Thanks for sharing.

[@Kroma1986]

These are by far the best shoes I have ever owned. I even swim with them when stones or rock are near the shore. I also wear them as just regular shoes when i don't want to wear sandals.

[@jeffm5808]

i have a old pair of Columbia water shoes that is stareted using for canoeing a couple years ag i was using Dive boot for the longest time . i love the columblia shoes i pair them with Darn tought no show socks and the work perfect on portages . i just ordered a new pair on drain makers 4s from amazon as a back up for my old columbia water shoes that are still going strong.

[@Aleadergear]

Good review. I also wear them as just regular shoes when i don't want to wear sandals.

[@toddburnett4853]

Best review I've seen. Actually in water use to show performance.

[@TheOneCanoe]

Hey Todd, thanks for checking out my review.

[@oldfishermanplus]

Does it have high energy return in the midsole? That's one of my favourite Columbia features, and I've never felt anything like it in other shoes.

[@1SaG]

Bought a pair of these in 2017 for fishing and they're still going strong today, three years later. Unlike some other, more expensive, wading shoes/sandals I've owned, these weren't phased at all by long stints in the ocean. I had a pair of super-fancy Simms wading sandals that literally fell apart on the second fishing trip I used them on. My Drainmakers OTOH still look pretty much like they did on day one. And they cost less than half of what the Simms cost. The soles really work in providing you exceptional grip on wet, slippery surfaces and the shoes are way more versatile than sandals. Plus they do protect you pretty well from sharp rocks, sea urchins, etc. In fact, I just bought myself a pair of Drainmaker IVs (which seem even more comfortable but a bit more "chunky") for an upcoming fishing trip to the Caribbean. I don't plan on bringing any other shoes on that trip (except for a pair of flip-flops of course) because they are so comfortable, versatile and well made.

[@TheOneCanoe]

Well said!

[@L0n3W0lfBl4ck]

Completely agree. Super sad that Columbia discontinued them

[@jt24817]

Great review. I've been looking into a better option when I'm backcountry camping and you have sold me on these shoes. Thanks.

[@emre-jm1lg]

How are they for running? I bought these shoes but I cant go track or river side anymore ı want to use them on asphalt for about 5k or 5 mile run will it be bad use of those shoes?

[@boxrick57]

I wear thin Merino wool socks, quick drying. I don't think they are hot, wear them in Florida during the summer wade fishing.

[@LiquidSnake1988]

i have ventslip II and conspiracy switchback II. my first time to buy columbia. What does they men waterproof and what does their name means? like drainmaker, switchback, ventslip etc...

[@stevepodraza6363]

I'm headed to Anna Maria island Florida, how would these be for walking around town? I'm looking for a cooler shoe airy. Thank you

[@ChrisFontenot]

Have you had a problem getting too much sand, grit, dirt, etc. build up in the shoe while wading around in the water?

[@TheOneCanoe]

+Chris Fontenot asked "Have you had a problem getting too much sand, grit, dirt, etc. build up in the shoe while wading around in the water?" Chris, no I have not had any problems with sand and dirt. From the outside the shoe looks like it has large mesh openings that would allow sand in, however on the inside the mesh is very small, so grains of sand and dirt cannot enter. But like any shoe, grit can easily get in around the top of your foot/ankle. Most of the time I wear these shoes in rocky rivers where small sand is not a problem, however in lose sand like at a beach it might be more problematic.

[@ChrisFontenot]

+TheOneCanoe thank you sir

[@bob3651]

How’s the fit of the shoes? Should I stick to my true sizes when ordering them?

[@TheOneCanoe]

Hey Bobby. The fit is great. I just got them in my ‘normal ‘ shoe size and they fit just fine.

[@bob3651]

TheOneCanoe thank you 😊

[@bitcoinbuffalo8771]

Thank you for the Q+A. Will be ordering my pair soon.

[@WisconsinEric]

Do you wear them without socks? They seem nice, and I am interested in these, but I likely would not wear socks with them. Do they cause blisters without socks? Thanks for the review.

[@TheOneCanoe]

***** Hi there WisconsinEric, I'm glad you liked the review. To answer your question, I always wear these Columbia water shoes without socks, (when I'm out canoeing)and have never got a blister from them. In the evening, around camp I wear them with socks, this keeps my feet warmer and helps keep the bugs from biting too.

[@FattyMateo]

+TheOneCanoe how long do you spend wading/walking in the water? Since I'd wear these fishing and wading for 4+ hours straight, I'd be more concerned about blisters. have you ever put that much time in with your feet wet?

[@TheOneCanoe]

+FattyMateo I will typically wear these for half a day, getting in and out of the water constantly and never had any issues with blisters. The nice thing is, on a hot summer day they don't take too long to dry out when out of the water.

[@wrench6746]

I was wondering when you put it in the water then it dries does it start to stink a little

[@TheOneCanoe]

Have not had any "stinky" issues. A good idea is to rinse them under a fresh water hose after using them. I'm sure if you walk through a swamp and don't clean them up, they are going to stink.

[@wrench6746]

TheOneCanoe okay thanks for the respond and sorry for being so late

[@shahidbaig4]

Can I use this for morning walk?

[@MyTrainerBryan]

Great review! Thank you for posting!

[@onefive151515]

Does this shoe smell stink after couple times in the water?

[@TheOneCanoe]

No, unless of course you trudge through swamps all the time and never rinse the shoe out.

[@taylorparrish7638]

Yeah, Anytime you put something man made in water you should rinse it off with clean water afterwords.

[@FuadKerimov]

Hi. May I use water shoes like normal shoes to walk on city roads in hot summer? Is it normal? or this shoes only intended to water?

[@TheOneCanoe]

+Fuad Kerimov These work great as 'normal' shoes. I've walked many kilometers in them over all kinds of terrain. These shoes are not just for use in water.

[@FuadKerimov]

TheOneCanoe thank you for answer. and what you think about real water shoes? For example this one. www.amazon.com/dp/B00U4HGG4I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TebnxbP7E2DN4

[@TheOneCanoe]

+Fuad Kerimov I have never used that particular brand of shoe. Those shoes look good, but they are different. The mesh is larger and the soles look flat and the tread is not very aggressive. Those are probably best for just watersports, like on a paddleboard or in a kayak. They don't look like they would give much support or traction if you had to use them on trails, whereas the Columbia Drainmaker III works well for me on rugged portages as well as the constant in and out of the water I encounter when walking the canoe through shallow streams.

[@FuadKerimov]

TheOneCanoe thank you!

[@istvanf7357]

The best shoes to walk with in hot summers. I use them on city walks and also do a great job even inside the forests. Easy to clean and maintain. After 3 years of wear and washings it's time to buy another Drainmaker, IV this time. Actually you can feel your foots breathing inside these shoes. :)

[@pemay1750]

Have you seen the tropic feel canyon shoes on kickstarter? Do you think those are any better than existing water shoes like Columbia has made?

[@TheOneCanoe]

Pema D I just checked out the tropic feel canyon video. They look like a pretty nice shoe, basically a hybrid similar to the Columbia Drainmaker series, but having not tried them I cannot say how well they feel/ perform. They seem to have a nice quick lace system and are styled nicely.

[@pemay1750]

@@TheOneCanoe thanks for replying. 😄✨ Will check out more of your reviews. Might just end up buying one of these Columbia shoes

[@erwinvizcarra2772]

very durable and reliable shoes.

[@TheOneCanoe]

Yes, I have had mine for several years, and still going strong!

[@JeremyClow]

Good review...just purchased them. Thanks!

[@trappenweisseguy27]

Just bought a pair of these without even knowing what a water shoe is. I presume water from rain puddles or light slush will also enter the shoe?. Definitely not the experience I'm looking forward too. Perhaps I should return them?

[@maxpal27]

curious about your comment. what ended up happening lol?

[@YosefElgart]

how this shoes acting on wet tiles? slippery? i found that iv version is very slippery on wet slick tiles at home

[@TheOneCanoe]

I’ve only used version III, so cannot comment on version IV. Never used mine indoors, always outside on rocks, rivers lakes etc. where they work very well

[@thequeensconquerer316]

Do these work well for running as well?

[@TheOneCanoe]

you could probably do a lot of 'light' running with these shoes, but if you are a serious runner I'd get shoes designed specifically for running.

[@tunkunrunk]

+TheOneCanoe dust , goo and little stones are going to fill the holes on the shoe's outsole

[@nelsonnguyen5894]

Triathlon shoes?

[@Aesop101]

Would u recommend these for kayak fishing too?

[@TheOneCanoe]

Yes, for sure. Perfect for kayak fishing!

[@Aesop101]

Thank you.

[@tooxlent]

Sand and pebble issues?

[@TheOneCanoe]

Sand is always an issue with water shoes, but these Drainmakers have a fine mesh behind the drainage holes and upper fabric holes so I find I don’t get a lot of sand inside these shoes.

[@a.new.viewer9519]

Wonder how they are on sandy beaches..........

[@blu7855]

spray the water shoes with neverwet, make it even more waterproof

[@phoenixamaranth]

Just what I was thinking

[@TheOneCanoe]

Interesting idea, but why bother? After all these shoes were not designed to be "waterproof"...the idea is that the water flows through them.

[@phoenixamaranth]

It's not an attempt to seal off the feet from water but to make the material more waterproof. The hydrophobic sprays make them truly not get wet by putting an electrostatic layer between material and the water. The water beads and rolls of faster leaving the shoe truly dry when it comes out of the water..

[@taylorparrish7638]

There has to be some side effect... I’ve never tried it though so idk. Does it make it feel different or smell like a chemical or run off into water and cause problems with fish?

[@Aleadergear]

Great shoes for adventure

[@MrAmstelbeer7]

can you wear am on salt water

[@TheOneCanoe]

Yes, I have used these shoes in salt water on several occasions. They work fine. It’s always a good idea to rinse the shoes with fresh water after your time out in the ocean.

[@jaymeez]

Very Good Video Buddy 👍

[@TheOneCanoe]

Thanks!

[@inferno2132]

Is it comfortable wearing it without socks

[@TheOneCanoe]

Yes, these Columbia Drainmaker water shoes are very comfortable to wear with or without socks, in or out of the water.

[@inferno2132]

Ok thank you I’m going to buy a pair.

[@TheOneCanoe]

Good, I don't think you'll be disappointed. They are a very good quality shoe. If you want to help support my channel and future reviews, you could purchase them through the Amazon link I've provided in the description under the video - Thanks.

[@DarkWingNuck]

getting them now!

[@nagu8663]

Que son impermeable?

[@skylilly1]

Great idea!

[@Abdulrahman65440]

Amazing

[@philipbuckley759]

could one hike all day on all types of trails...

[@TheOneCanoe]

No, I wouldn’t. If you want to hike on all types of trails, get yourself a good pair of hiking boots. These are good for less rugged trails or short portage’s, but they are best trudging through rivers and lake bottoms.

[@milagros6845]

PARA RIACHUELOS

[@TheOneCanoe]

Translation... For Streams.

[@milagros6845]

BAJO AGUA!!!!

[@TheOneCanoe]

Translation ....Under Water !!!

[@МаксПауэр]

only salomon )