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I have found that the more that I've hiked, the more I have gravitated towards canyoneering. Its more of a welcome challenge for me, but I'm lacking in the proper footwear department. So I'm looking to my fellow HAZers to steer me in the right direction on the purchase of a pair of canyoneering/water shoes. (other than sandals) Sorry Joe.
I've looked into the 5-10 Canyoneer and the Saloman Tech Amphibian. They both seem like great shoes, but I would like to get some feedback from the other swim/boulder/scramble junkies on what you prefer.

ah come on!

I went 14 miles in tevas over countless boulders without ONE blister!

Okay, I had a little help from pete's duct tape
mid-way I taped up just to be sure I didn't wear my o'natural pads

Sorry Joe, but I have this thing about stubbing my toes on rocks. I did this a few times at the Tonto Narrows.

Gotta agree with Joe. I am mostly in the canyons and I always wear my Teva's. I find that unless the weather is too cold or the terrain too rocky, they are the best all purpose shoe. I used to lead 'corporate challenges'. Those weekends that big companies put on for their employees to do something different and 'destress'. We did anything from rock climbing to bouldering to ropes courses and of course hiking. I always wore my Teva's. If you get the right one the sole is stickier than anything you can find with the exception of a climbing shoe, they are light and dry fast. My only complaint may be pebbles between my foot and footbed but those are easily shaken out. I haven't had any problems stubbing my toes. Are you sure your wearing the right size? :roll: On the other hand, if you have to have a shoe, Teva has a decent line. Problem is you have to order them as they don't carry too many of the other models in the stores. I don't care for Solomon's. I've had three pairs and my kids have had them also. They have all fallen apart before their time.

Teva Joe moves real quick in those tevas, but no matter how much stock he has in the company, I still dont believe they are the best for EVERY hike. I think Joe would try to wear them up Everest. :roll:

I guess it is a matter of personal opinion, so here's mine:

Those solomon shoes look great. Would love to hear how they work.

I have tried every variation of shoe/teva/sock/sockless, etc. IMHO what works is a low quarter hiking shoe that has low drains and sticky soles while wearing good wicking socks.

The Teva type sandal is good but has two drawbacks
1. It has less surface area covering your foot (laterally and front to back) so it can slide around on your foot no matter how much you tighten the straps which can lead to slipping, blisters, and less sure foot placement across boulders. Since canyoneering is generally uneven, this is important to me.

2. If you are doing water crossings- it is very easy to get little rocks in your tevas- and for some reason, they dont come out.

SHoes (to me) tend to be much more stable and wearing socks keeps rocks from getting in(mostly).

Bring extra socks and let your feet/shoes dry at breaks ( like you should on any hike) and change to dry socks.

Although........ if you dont like wet feet, wear the tevas

For the record- I havent had a blister in years.

I've been looking online at REI in their water shoes section and still can't make up my mind. Although the Teva Gamma caught my eye. It is an enclosed water shoe not a sandal. Looks like a trip down to REI this weekend. Hope I walk out of there with my wallet intact!

The best hiking shoes I've had were a pair of Solomon half high boots. The soles were grippy and I could put on my gaiters to avoid hitchhiking pebbles. I wore the tread off and then couldn't find them locally. I'm not big on mail ordering footwear so I had to switch. I have hiked quite a bit in my Teva sandals but the sole is just not grippy enough for me to feel confident on exposed climbs. I know there are grippier ones out there but I haven't worn these out yet. I have not stubbed my toe or had a hint of blister from the Teva's. I wear them loose so I can kick out pebbles that climb aboard. They did do well in some dry grasses, no socks to capture the grass seeds so they could irritate my feet. If you like heavy packs you could take both, a good pair of hiking shoes and a pair of sandals for the water crossings. Good luck on your search!

I was just down at REI trying on some of their canyoneering shoes, I think that the mesh shoes would be a big hassle in the field. (they felt great in the store though) I have worn sandals on some water trips and have never had a good experience. I always end up with blisters on the top of my feet, where the straps rub. Wearing socks helps but the socks inevitable tear through at the toe (from stubbing my toes on almost every rock. Recently I used a pair of short-cut all leather uppers vibram soles (the soft kind not the lugs) and they were really great. In the future that's probably what I will stick with.

I agree with the negative comments about Tevas for canyoneering. Since your foot is always slipping and sliding a little as you rock hop, the straps tend to rub against and abrade the skin. Even with perfectly fitted Tevas this happens somwhat. You might get by with it on a day hike but on a longer backpacking trip the abrasion builds up. I had a couple large chunks missing from my foot after my first Wet Beaver hike.

I've used an old pair of trail running shoes for canyoneering and these seem to work well. However some of the shoes designed specifically for canyoneering look might intriguing to me. I might have to pick a pair up.

Chris

The 5.10 Canyoneer gets my vote. It has 5.10 sticky rubber, the same as on climbing shoes. They climb rock very well, the first time you try them out it feels like you are glued to the rock. Also, when in cold water the rubber does not get hard. Some water shoes (like the pair of Columbia's in my utility room) get hard when exposed to cold temps, and then it feels like you are scrambling in dress shoes.

I just sent in for a pro deal on a pair of Teva Ricochet II's - will report back when I find out how they perform. I'm pretty excited about them, they look really good for canyoneering.
Also I was just reading in a trade magazine about a new brand of sport sandals called Keen's which look awesome, but might not be available for awhile. The magazine called them a "true design innovation" - they look like they have better lateral support than your average Teva's, and they have the ever important toe protection which Teva's lack.

.....will report back when I find out how they perform

Let me know where a when u r ready to test them, then lets boogey

cactuscat wrote:they look like they have better lateral support than your average Teva's, and they have the ever important toe protection which Teva's lack.

Boy Joe, thems sounds like fightin' words.

I checked out the teva ricochet II online. They look like pretty good shoes. But for me the strap system in the heel just doesn't appeal to me only because the solomon tech amphibian has the same type of system. They just rubbed my feet the wrong way. literally! I'm seriously looking at the 5-10 canyoneer. Marlee has a pair and let me take a look at them and they seem quite rugged and comfortable. Let us know how the tevas turn out.

I bought a pair of Five-Ten Water Tennies just prior to when ever other manufacturer decided to come out with their own version, so now there are so many relatively inexpensive choices.

Look for "Sticky" or "Stealth" soles as opposed to your standard Vibram - the difference they make on wet rock is amazing. Sandals are bad and good: stones get in easy, but they also get out easy. With a lace-up or velcro model make sure the ankle is snug (some have a cinch) so nothing gets in.

I think most important is to buy them a bit snug. Almost every material will stretch and tend to get a bit sloppy when wet.

After reading Joe B.'s summmary of Upper Pumphouse wash and that he rarely wore hiking boots and only wore Teva's I tried it. Man, I'll never go back to hiking boots. I started off with a pair of 'Hurricanes' but later purchased the 'Terra Fi' model which were way more comfortable and have sticky 'Spider Rubber'. I also used to carry hiking poles to keep my balance in the water, but after falling down and busting an expensive pair of 'Super Makalu's TS' I now carry a hiking stick. After getting new parts for the poles, I only use them on trails now and use the stick for canyoneering. Yeah, thats it, walk softly and carry a big stick.
Joe and Sara

I did a rim to rim in late may, they say you should wear hiking boots in the Grand Canyon. So I switched to hiking boots for this one, the whole time I hiked I wished I had my Teva's on!

Well thanks for everybody's feedback! I just ordered a pair of Five-Ten water tennies. Can't wait to try them out this weekend.

Aaron, Where did you find the Five Ten's? I have had Five Ten climbing shoes and have been happy with them. Even though I am pretty dedicated to my Teva's I'd like to take a look a these.

Here you go Cindy.
( 2018-08-28 dead link removed )

Thanks Aaron