Up to now I’ve always gotten along wetfooting with my Chaco Odyssey sandals. On a lot of occasions, they get rocks and twigs stuck in them along the portages. I’ve been thinking of trying the Astral Rassler 2.0 and wondering as I look at them how well they drain. They look as if they might have trouble draining water and they also look like they would have trouble drying out even overnight. Can anyone shed some light and give me insight into the Astrals?

Thanks in advance…

You might peruse this thread: Wet foot boots

Kind of where I'm leaning, but was able to glue my Chotas to prolong them for now.

Our group all use different models of Astrals. They are purpose made for getting wet. I can only speak for the Loyaks that I wear, which are a little thin in the sole over rocky portages, but they use a rubber footbed that does not absorb water and have side drains and toe drains. With decent weather they will dry overnight, but also have had no issues when putting on slightly damp. You'll be wet pretty quickly anyway. Rasslers seem to remain a little warmer compared to the TR1's, but that's just for when your feet are out of water paddling.

You'll be best off wearing thin wool socks with them. You won't be disappointed.

Rasslers drain very well, they have the best wet-to-dry weight ratio of any portage shoes I ever tried. And their soles provide as good protection from rocks as one can desire.

Rasslers are great, a little more protective than loyaks. I have both and would not enjoy loyaks on rough portages but the Rasslers did great. Drains fine, not super protective but enough that I generally dont think about my feet when portaging unless something is particularly difficult. Also better than chota hybrids which I trashed in one 12 day trip.

Uh oh. Just found this on Outdoorgearlab, a site that I find very useful.

“Traction: The Rasslers would have done well in this metric were it not for their poor performance on hard, wet surfaces. We tested them across the sand, a side hike with smaller particles, a rocky stream, and through a canyon and found them slippery when wet.”

That’s not a good sign to me as most of the BWCA contains “hard, wet surfaces.” I also found this review on the same site for the Salomon Techamphibian 5:

“Our Verdict on the Salomon Techamphibian 5: With excellent adjustability, a wider toe box, a cinched heel, and excellent footbed padding and protection, the Salomon Techamphibian 5 Water Shoe is one of the most comfortable water shoes we've tested. Not only do they dry more quickly than many other models (2.5 hours in the sun), but they also drain well and offer excellent protection from sharp rocks and pokey sticks. The Contagrip FD rubber is highly durable and gives good traction on soft and hard surfaces. The lug depth is notable, too, allowing us to keep forward momentum on a sandy beach without walking in place.”

I’m over here in Hefei, China and there is a Salomon store next to my hotel and they have the Techamphibian 5 for a ridiculously low $89.95. I think I’m gonna pick up a pair today.

Edit: Done! Bought them! Portages, here I come!!

I have the Rassler 2.0s and have never had any problem with them not drying out, either draining while in a canoe or when I get to camp. Most trips I understand my feet will just be wet after a portage, and change when I get to camp. They've always dried faster than everyone else's shoes. The fabric is tough but very thin and light.

I also don't understand the bad review about walking on wet rocks. I've picked up canoes in the water and balanced on rocks with them, as well as carrying my 65 pound dog across some rocks to help him in the canoe with no problems. To me they're the best option for BWCA trips.

Rassler wet traction is very impressive, never had a slip.

I'm guessing the complaint is that the Rassler doesn't have much for lugs like the Astral TR1 and other shoes do. It's more like a skateboard shoe. The sole compound is stickier though. Should be better on most rocks, I would think, but not in all situations. Sole flexibility is a subjective thing. A flexible sole will tend to conform and stick better on uneven surfaces but can be uncomfortable over long distances.

The Salomons should work well.