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Astral Hiyak Kayak Shoes Review: Your New Favorite Water Shoes
I’ve never been a fan of water shoes. Even as a kid, I preferred to go barefoot (and I’ve never been tough enough to run around shoeless) or wear an old pair of tennis shoes when romping around in the water. However, the Astral Hiyak Kayak shoes are now my go-to for all water-related activities because they’re comfortable, durable, and keep the tiny, annoying pebbles out. But are they right for you? Find out in this Astral Hiyak Kayak shoes review.
Astral Hiyak Kayak Shoes Review
First Impressions
I first ran across Astral Shoes at the Paddlesports Trade Coalition in Oklahoma City. I was immediately drawn to them because they reminded me of wrestling shoes (I grew up wrestling and still coach youth wrestling). After talking with the Astral rep, I was convinced I needed a pair. I have been discovering their benefits and drawbacks for the last six months after Astral was kind enough to send a pair for testing.
Right out of the box, I love how they look and feel. I didn’t need any time to break them in to avoid blisters. The size was spot on, but Astral doesn’t offer half sizes, so if that’s you, you’ll need to order a size up.
Rating: 9 /10
Comfort & Fit
I’ve never found water shoes to be comfortable, well, until now. When I pulled my shoes out of the box and saw the thin soles, I didn’t expect them to be very comfortable. I expected to feel every little poke while walking over the gravel, and my feet to hurt after a few minutes of wearing them. However, I’ve been blown away by how insanely comfortable these booties are, no matter where I wear them. I’d rather wear these than my tennis shoes (even around town) because they’re that comfortable.
I’ve already mentioned that the Hiyak shoes resemble wrestling shoes, but this high-ankle design wasn’t intended solely for aesthetic purposes. It’s great at keeping those pesky pebbles out and supporting the ankles. My biggest frustration with tennis shoes, sandals, and water shoes is how many rocks get into them. I have yet to get a rock in my Hiyak’s on my adventures.
Rating: 9 /10
Traction
At first glance, the outsoles appear slick, but upon closer inspection, the Flex Grip + G.ss rubber have small slits that open and close with your foots movements. This keeps you from slipping on wet rocks. The only time I slipped while wearing these shoes was in slick mud, which I’ve always slipped on in the past.
Rating: 8 /10
Durability & Materials
Astral uses high-quality materials like Quick Dry canvas with 1060 ballistic nylon, 3mm quilted spacer-mesh lining, water-resistant laces, 45C closed-cell EVA foam, and G.ss Rubber, which equates to a durable water shoe.
After several kayak trips through the mud, rock, and water, the only signs of wear are the mud stains. I expect to continue wearing these shoes for several years.
Rating: 8 /10
Breathability
Another downside of wearing tennis shoes as water shoes is how long it takes for them to dry. Astral designed the Hiyak shoes to drain and dry quickly. This helps keep them from smelling like spoiled water and makes walking around in them after stepping in the water more enjoyable.
The Astral Hiyak shoes are not waterproof, but they dry quickly (as long as you’re not wearing socks). My feet didn’t get waterlogged, unlike when I wear other water shoes. After several trips to the lake and river, these shoes still don’t stink because they’re incredibly breathable.
Rating: 9 /10
Weight & Agility
At 9.6oz, they are ridiculously lightweight. Even after trudging through the water, they don’t weigh my feet down because they don’t absorb extra water. These shoes have never slowed me down due to weight or agility reasons.
Rating: 9 /10
Aesthetics & Style
Some people are not fans of the high-ankle support, but I think these shoes look slick because they remind me of my high-school wrestling days. The biggest downside to the aesthetics is that they are only available in two colors: Driftwood Gray and Black/Red. The Driftwood Gray will match more clothing options if you wear them to town.
While these shoes match my quirky personality well, I understand they won’t be for everyone.
Rating: 7 /10
Value for Money
While I am happy to praise these shoes, they have a couple of downsides. The first is the price.
At $150, they’re expensive shoes. Maybe I’m just frugal, but I rarely pay more than $100 for shoes (my work and hunting boots are the exceptions). On top of that, paying $150 for shoes you plan to expose to the water, rocks, and mud seems a little excessive to me. I’d prefer to see them about half the price, but, again, I’m cheap.
The quality and materials do help justify the price, especially since other high-quality water shoes, like the NRS Storm Boots, are similarly priced. I’ve already purchased other Astral shoes, so maybe I’m not as cheap as I once thought.
Rating: 8 /10
Overall Verdict
After wearing the Hiyak booties around town, on the farm, at the lake, and on the river, I’ve become a big fan because they’re surprisingly comfortable, grippy, quick-drying, and protect my soft feet. The Astral Hiyak shoes are my new favorite kayak and water shoes. I couldn’t find much negative to say about their performance, and I will continue to use them while floating the river, fishing at the lake, and running around on my property.
Overall Rating: 8.4 /10
Final Thoughts: Astral Hiyak Kayak Shoes Review
Besides the price, the Astral Hiyak shoes are the best option for kayaking and frolicking in the water. I also don’t mind wearing them around town because they’re incredibly comfortable and stylish (in my unfashionable opinion). I’ve put my money where my mouth is by purchasing two other pairs of Astral shoes and have found them to be just as comfy and even more stylish.
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