From fantastic paddling to river parks, Asheville has plenty of opportunities to hit the water, and the unseasonably warm forecast this week has us dying to get our toes wet. It doesn’t hurt that we’ve just received a shipment of water ready footwear from Astral. Their designs are awesome for paddling and just general kicking around. And did we mention they’re based out of Asheville? From new styles to old standbys, here are a few of our favorites.
Rosa (Women’s) & Filipe (Men’s)
We’ve gotta confess, with the abundance of flip-flop choices in the outdoor industry, when we heard Astral was coming out with a flip-flop, we were a bit skeptical. But then we met the Rosa & Filipe and it was love at first wear. These flips are lightweight with plenty of arch support and feature Astral’s signature super sticky G15 rubber and razor siping on the sole. We’d be so bold as to say that they’re the grippiest flip flops on the market. But what really sets these guys apart is the convertible heel strap. It’s a breeze to add and remove and makes it a cinch to take them from flip flop to sandal anytime you need a little extra support.
Lowyak (Men’s & Women’s)
Low-profile enough to fit in any boat and stylish enough that you’ll want to wear them around town, the Lowyak is the whole package. As if that’s not enough reasons to make them your go-to shoe, their incredibly lightweight construction makes them a fantastic choice for travel or an ultra-lightweight camp shoe.
Brewer (Men’s) & Brewess (Women’s)
Grippy, water-ready, and supportive, we think the Brewer & Brewess are the ultimate outdoor sneakers. Need to portage your boat, fit in an unexpected hike, tackle a stream crossing, or just kick around downtown? The Brewer & Brewess have your back. With great features like insane grip, quick drainage, and balance-promoting midsoles, these are legit water shoes, but once you try them, they’ll quickly become a part of your everyday wardrobe.
Photos: Spencer Cooke, Effort Inc.Instagram Facebook
