ProView – Astral PFD Sandal
I’ve been guiding whitewater for 20 years and have used many different types of footwear from shoes to sandals and these are the best all-around whitewater sandals. The grip is perfect on slippery rocks, and the thwart pad makes is easy to wedge your foot under the thwarts. You have the freedom of a sandal with the fit of a shoe.
Astral PFD Sandal
Product Name: Astral PFD Sandal
Product Description: Free the feet without sacrificing a secure, shoe-like fit. The PFD Sandal™ combines the security and adjustability of Astral’s award-winning life jackets with the balance and grip of Astral’s world renowned Loyaks. Inspired by the needs of professional river guides, the PFD Sandal™ is built to run, jump, swim and climb in the world’s most demanding aquatic environments.
Offer price: MSRP: $125.00
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Quality
(5)
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Features
(5)
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Fit
(5)
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Durability
(5)
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Eco-Friendly
(5)
Summary
Mission Accomplished! This is the best whitewater sandal on the market.
Overall
5Pros
- Grip
- Fit
- Comfort
- Zero drop
Cons
- If you have to step off into muddy water they hold in dirt
Fit/Comfort
I love the way these sandals fit. They are adjustable both with the top straps and the heel making them the most secure fitting sandals on the market. Some cloth sandals feel tight until they get wet and then your foot slides around on the footbed. But the fact that you can tighten them in 2 directions will keep them secure even when soaking wet.
Look/Style
Astral has done a fantastic job combining their distinct shoe design with the classic sandal. It’s a legit head-turner.
Features
These are loaded with super practical features. The best feature of these sandals is the “super sticky” rubber sole. These sandals do not slip on wet rocks. In addition to this the thwart pad is ingenious for anyone used to securing themselves by wedging their foot under the thwart. Combine this with the straps and heel strap for a perfectly secure fit.
My favorite aspect of these sandals is the zero drop platform. I only wear zero drop shoes. I’m always wearing either Lems or Altras, but I’ve typically worn Chacos on the river. This is the only pair of zero drop sandals specifically designed for whitewater.
Weight/Packability
Super light and packable.
Function/Performance
These sandals perform as well as any whitewater shoe. All of the features add to its performance. These are the perfect whitewater sandals. The buckles keep them super secure on your feet even when wet and the sole really is super sticky on wet rocks which is really nice for when you have to hop out to pull your boat up onto the bank.
Durability/Construction
Super sturdy construction. The buckles are solid and tight and the heel strap is large and padded which provides comfort and stability.
Sustainability
The upper is made from 100% recycled material without sacrificing quality. Astral is leading the way in sustainability.
The Final Word
Astral has created the best whitewater sandal on the planet. They are the most functional and secure whitewater sandal.
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About the Gear Tester
Zach Mabry
Zach is a husband of 1 and father of 4. He is has worked in the outdoor industry for over 20 years and has led trips backpacking, sea-kayaking, whitewater rafting, and caving. He is an educator and a student and currently runs a college intern program for a camp in the Southeast.
Aloha, I love the astral sandals but only after two months the metal buckle broke. Great sandal otherwise but it seems like this could be fixed for the price you spend. Thoughts?
Hey Josephine! Thanks for reading the review and sharing your experience with the PFD sandals! That is a huge bummer. I would recommend reaching out to Astral to see if they could help you out with the broken buckle! I’m sure they’ll be able to fix them up 🙂