In a lineup of women’s water shoes, finding the right pair to match the outdoor activities has never been easier. In a game-time decision about which shoes to bring on an overnight river trip down the Colorado River, I knew the Astral Brewess 2.0 would be the perfect choice.

　　They’re rugged enough to wear while paddling in my whitewater kayak, and also provide support and comfort for hiking around the rocky trails. Astral’s proprietary grip mixture gripped the sandstone in slot canyons as well as the slippery, wet rocks in the river.  

　　The Brewess 2.0 is one piece of the lineup from Astral Designs, a company dedicated to creating innovative whitewater gear without compromising on sustainability. The company uses 100% post-consumer recycled material rPET in the construction of the liners and upper section of its footwear. Astral is also dedicated to removing all PFAS from its designs and boasts that 95% of its footwear is completely PFAS-free.

　　In short: The Astral Brewess 2.0 is a great footwear choice for a river runner in any season of the year. Their Earth-friendly construction makes it easy to wear multiple layers of clothing for the snowy cold months or to go foot-commando in the hot summer days. I’d suggest this pair of shoes to canoeists, SUPers, raft guides, or really anyone looking for a shoe that blends water and land performance.

　　Personally, the Brewess 2.0 has become my go-to shoe for any river-related activity from whitewater kayaking to raft guiding. In my tests along creeks and rivers, these shoes were put to the test in a variety of weather conditions from below freezing to nearly too hot to handle. Weighing a total of 1 pound for the pair, these shoes clock in as a lighter-weight option that balances hardiness with easy travel capabilities.

　　Astral Brewess 2.0 Review

　　Kayaking down the Colorado River with the Astral Brewess 2.0; (photo/Molly Quinn) In a kayak, where stability is the name of the game, the shoe’s sole provides enough support to comfortably maintain leverage against the bow’s foam. Whether you’re cruising around on a flat lake, paddling through giant rapids, or surfing a river wave on a SUP board, the Brewess 2.0 leaves you feeling safe and secure in whichever watercraft is used for fun-having.

　　On our personal trip, when I transitioned from the kayak to the sandy shore, the Brewess 2.0 continued to prove its versatility once again. Sand? Pebbles? Unknown pointy object? Not an issue I had to worry about, as my feet stayed protected thanks to the rugged and thick material.

　　While hiking the trails (including finding a secret slot canyon!), the sneaker-like design of the Brewess 2.0 kept small rocks and debris out of the shoe. It was amazing. My friends wearing sandals frequently had to stop in order to take out bits of rock and debris that got stuck between the soles of their shoes and their feet, something I didn’t have to do.

　　Shimmying down a slot canyon; (photo/Molly Quinn) The downside to the Brewess 2.0 is that its material doesn’t always dry as fast as I need it to — but maybe that’s also because I wear them so often. In a quick-drying test of all the water shoes for the Best Women’s Water Shoe Buyer’s Guide, the Brewess 2.0 scored nearly last in the test, unable to dry out significantly compared to the others in an hour underneath the hot desert sun. 

　　The material used in construction is a quick-dry canvas (tightly woven recycled polyester fabric) coupled with 3D air mesh (a synthetic material allowing airflow through the design). Regardless of the material, the sneaker-like design of the shoe is thicker than the other water in the Best Women’s Water Shoe Buyer’s Guide, which means it’ll take more time to dry out. On the positive side, this gives the foot more protection.

　　The heel loop addition makes it quick to get the shoe on; (photo/Emma Renly) True to the website specs, the design of the Brewess 2.0 provides medium arch support, something I look for in medium-long hikes. While some shoe styles offer a removable footbed insert for customization, this particular shoe opts for a different approach.

　　The arch support came from the midsole created from EVA foam, a squishy synthetic material often used for the construction of yoga mats. I actually appreciated this design consideration, because, in water shoes with detachable inserts, the pieces of fabric would often slip around when wet.

　　The outsole is a proprietary mix of Astral’s own creations (Granite Grip Outsole and G.15 Rubber) that maintains grippiness when wet. I don’t particularly know how to quantify how well a shoe’s rubber can grip, but I can say that I did not have any difficulties moving around dry or slippery rocks. I trusted and felt confident in the grip of the shoes to do their job.

　　Hiking in the desert; (photo/Molly Quinn) The design of the drainage holes is an innovative feature of the Brewess 2.0 that can also be seen in the entire selection of Astral Design footwear. The shoes are created with the understanding that in water adventures, you and your shoes will get wet. In order to combat stepping around with sloshy water stuck in your shoes, there are strategically placed drainage holes throughout the shoe’s design.

　　There are three small holes in the front, one in the back, and four in total on the interior and exterior sides of the shoe. This makes it easy for the water to drain out in whichever way you’re using them — wearing it on a hike, sitting on a kayak, or lounging on a river shore.

　　Three front drainage holes; (photo/Emma Renly) The Astral Brewess 2.0 is a perfect option for outdoor enthusiasts looking for sustainable footwear that thrives on both land and water. With the earth-friendly approach to material sourcing, these shoes prove that you can design a product that doesn’t compromise on performance.

　　Still, if you’re seeking a shoe that’s easy to compress into luggage for travel and doesn’t have water activities as a primary activity, you should look to Brewess’s minimalist sister shoe, the Loyak.

　　A Precise, Supportive, Light-on-the-Foot All-Arounder: SCARPA Arpia V Climbing Shoe ReviewThe SCARPA Arpia V proved to be a great all-around intermediate shoe adept at both gym climbing and outdoor cragging. Read more

　　Buying Guide Inclusion

　　In the lineup of the Best Water Shoes for Women, the Astral Brewess 2.0 scored top in the class for its versatility, durability, and focus on sustainable materials. If you’re looking for footwear that’s got grippy soles and excellent foot protection, the Brewess 2.0 is the right choice.