Astral Loyak Water Shoes Review
A lightweight and versatile water sneaker for paddling, beach days, and everyday summer wear
April 1st , 2026
Home → Gear Reviews → Footwear
Our verdict
Astral calls the Loyak its “#1 bestseller,” and it’s easy to understand why. This is the kind of shoe that makes a lot of sense for paddlers, travelers, beach-goers, and anyone who wants one lightweight summer sneaker that can handle camp, casual wear, and plenty of time around the water.
Its biggest strengths are its comfortable barefoot-style fit, sticky grip on wet surfaces (thanks to the razor-siped outsole), and drainage ports that let water escape quickly without leaving you with that heavy, sloshy feeling. After wearing it for creek crossings, paddleboarding, river hangouts, on docks, sand, gravel trails, and around town, what stood out most was how seamlessly it moves between land and water.
The tradeoff is that its versatile, lightweight, flexible feel comes with less support, less protection, and slower dry time than more trail-focused or water-first shoes.
Bottom line: buy the Astral Loyak if you want a stylish, packable amphibious shoe for paddling, travel, and summer everyday use, and skip it if you need more cushioning, better protection for rough terrain, or a shoe designed more specifically for in-water use (like the NRS Kicker Wetshoe).
Astral Loyak Water Shoes
We create reader-supported, mission-driven objective gear reviews that are independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission — without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Astral Loyak Water Shoes Specifications
Price: $110
Weight (per shoe): 5.7 oz (women’s size 7); 7.4 oz (men’s size 9)
Drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 11 mm
Upper materials:100% rPET canvas and mesh
Drainage design: Toe/heel ports and mesh upper
Outsole material: Non-marking, razor-siped G.15 Rubber
Footbed & midsole cushioning: Removable, closed-cell EVA foam midsole with level footbed and minimal arch
Fit notes: True to size; wider toe box; size down for half sizes
Vegan-friendly: Yes
Sizes available: Women’s 6-11; Men’s US 8–14; whole sizes only
Best for
Paddleboarding and canoeing
Beach days, travel, and river hangouts
Camp shoes and everyday summer wear
People who want lightweight, quick-draining footwear
Folks who want a barefoot-style water shoe with a flexible, zero-drop feel
Comparison table
Men’s
| WATER SHOE | MSRP* | WEIGHT (PAIR) | CLOSURE | SOLE | WIDE AVAILABLE? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astral Loyak | $110 | 7.2 oz | Laces | G.15 G Rubber with Flex-Grip razor siping | N |
| Astral Loyak AC | $120 | 13.8 oz | Laces | Nonmarking, razor-siped, G.15 Rubber | N |
| Astral Brewer 3.0 | $150 | 16.0 oz | Laces | Nonmarking G.15 Rubber | N |
| Salomon Techamphibian 5 | $110 | 1 lb 5.2 oz | Quicklace | Water Contragrip | N |
| HOKA Hopara 2 | $140 | 1 lb 9.8 oz | Single-pull laces | Durabrasion rubber | N |
WOmen’s
| Water Shoe | MSRP* | WEIGHT (PAIR) | CLOSURE | SOLE | WIDE AVAIL? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astral Loyak | $110 | 5.2 oz | Laces | G.15 G Rubber with Flex-Grip razor siping | N |
| Astral Loyak AC | $120 | 13.8 oz | Laces | Nonmarking, razor-siped, G.15 Rubber | N |
| Astral Brewer 3.0 | $150 | 16.0 oz | Laces | Nonmarking G.15 Rubber | N |
| Salomon Techamphibian 5 | $110 | 1 lb 5.2 oz | Quicklace | Water Contragrip | N |
| HOKA Hopara 2 | $140 | 1 lb 4.8 oz | Single-pull laces | Durabrasion rubber | N |
What we liked
The canvas upper does a great job of absorbing the sun’s heat and keeping feet warm post-dip. Photo by Steve Redmond.
Comfortable to slip on barefoot, with no rubbing around the heel
Lightweight, travel-friendly design that transitions well to everyday summer wear
Sticky, razor-siped outsole delivers great traction on slippery docks and wet rocks
Drainage holes let water spill out quickly without taking the shoes off
What could be better
Not as supportive as a more hiking-focused water shoe hybrid
The upper doesn’t dry as fast as mesh-only water shoes
Better for around-water use than prolonged in-water use
Toe and underfoot protection are minimal for rougher terrain
How we tested
Submerging the Loyak during testing. Photo by Steve Redmond.
I tested the Astral Loyak over the course of about a month in and around Squamish, British Columbia, wearing it alongside other water shoes, including the Astral Loyak AC, the Astral Brewer 3.0, the NRS Kicker Wetshoe, and the HOKA Hopara 2.
Testing included creek crossings, river hangout days, docks, sand, gravel trails, a paddleboard session, and casual wear around town. Most of the use involved wading in shallow water, both moving and still, rather than swimming in the shoes. I also paid close attention to how the Loyak transitioned from wet to dry terrain, how it compared with the more supportive Brewer 3.0 and the more water-ready Loyak AC, and how it felt worn barefoot.
Performance in the field
Testing the Loyak on a rocky river shoreline. Photo by Steve Redmond.
Fit and comfort
The Astral Loyak only comes in full sizes, so I followed the brand’s guidance which recommends sizing down if you are between sizes. I’m typically a women’s 7.5, went with the size 7, and am glad I did because it felt secure and never felt like it was going to slip off in the water.
On foot, it has a barefoot zero-drop feel (meaning the heel and forefoot are the same height), is very flexible underfoot, and roomy through the forefoot without looking as squared-off as some barefoot shoes.
The perforated insole is both comfortable and removable for a more barefoot feel. Photo by Steve Redmond.
The heel felt snug and secure, and I didn’t have rubbing around the back of the shoe, which is always something I pay attention to when testing shoes barefoot. The toe box sits in the wide category, though not ultra-wide; if you prefer an especially broad, foot-shaped forefoot, you may find it rounds off earlier than some other barefoot-style shoes.
We found the Loyak to be more comfortable on dry land than in the water. The Loyak can handle getting wet, but the upper feels more like a casual amphibious sneaker than something made for swimming, snorkeling, or spending long stretches fully submerged. However, a small elastic band helps keep the shoe snug at the ankle, which does a great job of keeping out sand and silt and adds a lot of comfort.
Drainage and drying time
The mesh upper allows water to escape through the top of the foot. Photo by Steve Redmond.
Drainage is one of the Loyak’s best features. The upper is a combo of mesh and canvas, which is paired with drainage holes at the toes and heels, and works well for dumping water out fast.
Once the shoe was soaked, I could usually just point my toes downward and let the water spill out, which helped eliminate that sloshing feeling you get when water has nowhere to go. The upper still held some moisture, though. Compared to the Loyak AC, which sheds water faster thanks to its more open mesh build, the standard Loyak stays damp longer. But it also dried faster than the beefier Brewer 3.0.
I wouldn’t call the Loyak especially fast drying, but I also wouldn’t call it slow. In the sun, the upper dried reasonably quickly, and we found that the canvas material absorbed the sun’s heat and helped warm our feet post dip. If I came home with them wet, though, I’d generally expect them to need overnight to fully dry. The ability to pull the liner out helps.
On wet to dry transitions, the shoe felt fine underfoot because it didn’t stay waterlogged inside, but you still notice the damp upper, especially on cooler days.
Traction and stability
The minimal outsole gives a connected-to-the-ground feel. Photo by Steve Redmond.
Like with most Astral footwear, traction is a standout in the Loyak. The shoe features a non-marking, razor-siped Flex Grip outsole made from G.15 Rubber, which works particularly well on slippery docks and wet rocks.
The siping is a big part of why it works so well. Those thin cuts in the outsole let the rubber flex and bite into wet surfaces more effectively, a bit like how rain tires use channels and edges to improve grip. Combined with the softer, sticky-feeling rubber, it gives the shoe a lot of confidence around the water.
On sand and typical shoreline terrain, the outsole worked well. On muddier or more uneven ground, the Loyak’s limitations showed a bit more. It doesn’t have the deeper lugs or more structured platform of a hiking-oriented hybrid, so while the flexibility helps it adapt to the terrain, lateral stability is just okay. That barefoot, barely-there feel is part of the appeal, but it also means less structure when the ground gets rougher.
Protection
Protection is minimal. There’s no real toe bumper here, just some extra canvas reinforcement up front, and underfoot coverage feels more barefoot than armored. That’s fine for paddleboarding, canoeing, travel, dock use, creek crossings, and beach days, but it’s not the shoe I’d reach for if I expected lots of submerged obstacles, sharp rocks, or long hikes along the water.
The heel, however, feels snug and secure, which helped the shoe feel locked in even without much structure elsewhere.
Durability
So far, the build quality has been impressive. Astral uses recessed lilo-stitching, meaning the upper is stitched directly to the sole in a protected channel, which helps the shoe hold together better over time. The shoe also has side stitching that adds to the overall build.
After my testing, I didn’t see signs of snagging, premature outsole wear, or issues with the glue or overall construction. The upper has held up incredibly well so far, and the outsole is still fully attached with no early red flags.
Based on how they’ve held up so far, a few summers of solid wear doesn’t seem unreasonable.
Weight and packability
This is an easy shoe to pack. Astral lists the women’s Loyak at 5.7 ounces per shoe in a size 7 (as confirmed by my kitchen scale), and that light feel is obvious on the foot.
The flexible build makes it easy to flatten in a bag, toss in a duffel, or clip outside your pack with the heel pull tabs when wet. It also works well as a camp shoe or travel shoe because it doesn’t scream “water shoe” visually, which makes it much easier to wear casually than more technical-looking options.
Versatility
The Loyak is both practical around water and stylish enough for everyday wear. Photo by Steve Redmond.
The Loyak works well as a crossover shoe for travel, everyday summer wear, and around-water use. It feels more like a casual water sneaker than a dedicated hiking water shoe, making it a strong option for something you can wear paddling, hanging around the river, crossing a creek, or walking around town afterward without changing shoes. The style helps a lot here. It looks more like a summer sneaker than a water shoe, which gives it more everyday appeal.
Features
100% rPET canvas and mesh upper
The upper blends recycled hydrophobic canvas and mesh, so it looks more like a casual sneaker than a typical water shoe while still allowing some airflow and drainage.
Drainage design for quick water release
Drainage ports in the toes and heels allow the shoe to quickly dump water. Photo by Steve Redmond.
A mesh upper along with drainage holes at the toes and heels help water escape quickly so you don’t get that heavy, sloshy feeling after stepping out of the water.
Flex Grip outsole with non-marking, razor-siped G.15 Rubber
Tiny razor slices in the outsole add exceptional grip on slick, wet rocks. Photo by Steve Redmond.
This sticky rubber outsole has thin cuts in it that help the shoe grip better on wet surfaces, kind of like how rain tires create extra edges for traction.
Zero-drop Level Footbed with minimal arch
The shoe keeps your heel and forefoot at the same height, with very little built-in arch support, which gives it a flatter, more barefoot-style feel.
Removable 45C closed-cell EVA midsole
The insole can be taken out if you want to change the feel, but left in place it adds a bit of comfort without making the shoe feel bulky.
Wider toe box / barefoot-inspired shape
There’s more room up front than in a typical sneaker, which gives your toes space to spread out naturally, though it still looks more streamlined than many barefoot shoes.
Flexible heel
A collapsible heel allows you to slip the Loyak on easier with wet feet. Photo by Steve Redmond.
The heel is soft and pliable, so it packs down easily and can even be stepped on if you want to wear the shoe more casually.
Standard lace-up closure
The Astral Loyak features a standard lacing system. Photo by Steve Redmond.
A regular lace system makes it easy to fine-tune the fit and get the shoe feeling snug through the midfoot.
Heel pull loop
The pull loop makes the shoe easier to get on and off, especially when your feet are wet.
Recessed lilo-stitching for durability
Astral stitches the upper directly to the outsole in a protected way, which is meant to strengthen the build and help the shoe hold up over time.
Lightweight, packable build
The Loyak is flexible, packable, and ready for travel. Photo by Steve Redmond.
The Loyak is light and flexible enough to flatten down in a bag, which makes it especially handy for travel, camp, and backup-shoe duty.
Whole sizes only
The shoe only comes in full sizes, so people who normally wear a half size will need to follow Astral’s sizing guidance rather than ordering their exact usual size (the brand recommends sizing down if you’re in between sizes).
Sustainability/ethics
The Loyak uses 100% rPET materials (derived from recycled plastic bottles) and Astral uses less heat and glue in production to cut down on chemicals and energy use. Learn more about their sustainability practices on their website.
Should you buy the Astral Loyak?
Drainage ports in the toes allow for quick water evacuation. Photo by Steve Redmond.
Buy the Astral Loyak if you want a comfortable, lightweight, flexible, barefoot-style water sneaker for paddling, beach days, travel, and casual summer wear.
Skip the Astral Loyak if you want a more supportive, protective, fast-drying shoe for hiking, rough terrain, or prolonged in-water use.
Where to buy the Astral Loyak water shoes
The Astral Loyak water shoes are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Astral
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Returns and advice on where to buy
In general for shoes, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Similar water shoes
Astral Loyak AC
MSRP: $120
Weight (per pair): 13.4 oz (men’s size 9)
Closure system: Laces
Outsole: G.15 rubber with Flex-Grip
Upper: Ultrafine ripstop mesh, TPU reinforcements
The Astral Loyak AC is named one of our best wet wading shoes for fly fishing. It’s the better pick if you want a shoe that leans more fully into water use. Compared with the standard Loyak, it has a more breathable, water-friendly mesh upper that sheds water faster and dries faster, making it the stronger choice for wetter outings and more in-water use. The standard Loyak is the more lifestyle-friendly option, while the Loyak AC is the better choice for someone who wants a similar low-profile fit and grip but with better in-and-out-of-the-water performance.
Read more in our in-depth review of the Astral Loyak AC.
Astral Loyak AC
MSRP: $150
Weight (per pair): 1.1lb (for W10/M9)
Closure system: Laces
Outsole: G.15 rubber with Granite Grip
Upper: 100% recycled (rPET) canvas quarters with breathable recycled mesh vamp, tongue, and liner
The Astral Brewer 3.0 is the better option for people who want more structure, more support, and a more hiking-capable feel. In our testing, it felt beefier and more walking and hiking focused than the Loyak, which makes it a better fit for mixed terrain, longer days on foot, and users who do not want such a barefoot-style ride. The trade-off is that the Loyak feels lighter, more flexible, easier to pack, and more seamless for casual summer wear.
Read more in our in-depth review of the Astral Brewer 3.0.
Astral Brewer 3.0
Why you should trust us / About the author
I’ve spent the past decade testing outdoor gear and writing about it for places like The New York Times’ Wirecutter, Outside Magazine, REI Co-op Journal, Forbes’ Vetted, and The Wall Street Journal Buy Side—along with years of in-depth gear coverage here at Treeline. I’ve also written about the best child hiking carriers, best women’s hiking shoes and best men’s hiking shoes for Treeline Review.
Over that time, I’ve talked with many outdoor experts about what actually matters when choosing the right footwear. I've tested water shoes, recovery shoes, hiking shoes, hiking boots, trail runners and winter boots across every season in the coastal mountains of British Columbia. My goal is always the same: to provide honest, real-world insights so you can find the right gear that suits the way you enjoy the outdoors.
You can see all of Ebony’s Treeline Review stories on her Treeline author page.
