Dragon Boat West

Hey all, so I've been rocking either sneakers, bare feet or occasionally flip flops for the past 3 seasons and it's time to get some more functional dragonboating footwear for this season, especially as I'm more serious about paddling than I have been in the past.

I HATE the waterlogged sneaker thing and am tired of getting false creek water all over my good runners or wearing my crappy old runners. Also trying to plan for the increased caneoing and kayaking I plan to do this year.

I'm trying to decide between:

Columbia "Drainmaker" running shoe (I like that it's a full shoe and has that support/coverage, but don't know if I really need that much draining capability as I'm not exactly sticking my foot in the water often)

http://www.columbia.com/Women%27s-Drainmaker%E2%84%A2/BL3673,default,pd.html#

Merrell Waterpro Maipo (I like that it's gnarly and grippy but do I really need all those technical features?)

http://www.merrell.com/CA/en-CA/Product.mvc.aspx/19092W/0/Womens/Waterpro-Maipo?dimensions=0

Teva Tirra Sandals (I like that they're actually cute, and when it gets hot out I prefer not to wear shoes, also I played with a pair and they seem really grippy, not sure if it's going to offer enough support though?)

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442632323&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302734057

What are your opinions?

 Alot of paddlers now use croc's or similiar  ...you can wear neopreme socks w/ them or sealskins if cold or just go on e-bay and type "water shoe" and lots will come up but problem may be sizing .You can have them shipped to a Point Roberts mailbox business such as " the letter carrier " ( google them ) and they will recieve them for you and charge you a couple of dollars handling fee when you pick them up ....just have to deal w/ a short 10 minute border line up and don't smuggle them as the penalty if you get caught is not worth it .They won't change you anything now if its less than $100 and usually 1/2 the price of canada outlets

I've always been partial to KEEN brand sandals (own 3 pairs/different styles), great for everything and sturdy.  Check them out.

http://www.keencanada.ca/wall/shoes/women/waterfront


Right now i'm looking at purchasing a pair of Vibram water socks for warmer weather paddling. 

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442623151&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302700471

I paddle dragon boat with simple Chaco flip flops.  They are unlike any flip flop I have ever worn.  The are pretty snug and it's very difficult to slip sideways off the sandal.  I can also jog with them (for prerace/practice warmups). No smell, looks good, functional and dripping awesomeness.  They'll last you multiple seasons and will go with almost anything (not so good with a suit and tie). The only downside is they are a tad expensive. 

http://www.chacousa.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/15601M/0/Mens/Flip-Ecotread?dimensions=0

Depends on whether you do intense warmups. If you guys run/jump/bounce a lot, stay away from sandals and flipflop for sure unless you've caught onto the barefeet fad! My team does a lot of running/jumping/footwork drills before practice so sandals/flipflops are out for me. I use this year round for the last three years (look for the women's version):

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302734099&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442629144

It's lasted me through countless warmup runs, survived being late for marshalling, and is pretty damn comfortable in my experience. It's also quite breezy in the summer times if you're not one to go barefeet or sandals. Drains and dries fast too, although the price may seems a bit steep if buying from MEC.

Big fan of the Keens, myself. At times, you can get them on sale for less than $100 (mine were $70). I use neoprene socks from MEC with them in the winter. They are cheap, $9.99'ish. For winter OC-1, I use MEC paddling booties.

@LARDcore you really run in those?! dunno if I could do that.

And crocs are definitely out. Just too ugly for me, I'm sorry!

I think I'll have to try on a pair of Vibram's to decide howI feel about them....doesn't it feel wierd between your toes?

I want to give the Vibram's a try too.

I have relatively wide feet and I have to go barefoot in the warmer months in pretty much every OC1 I have access too as the foot wells aren't wide enough for my feet when wearing flip flops.  In winter I'm fine with the neoprene booties from MEC but I can't wear them year round.  I need flip flops on to get the boat down to water (especially at low tide), but then have to take them off and either stash them on a dock, or under a bungee cord on the boat deck.

Anyone on here use them at all and have some feedback?

I`ve been rocking a pair of native shoes. http://nativeshoes.com/ (http://nativeshoes.com/) They`re a local company, made the same way as crocs but a lot steezier!

"In the winter"!!! Winter paddling!  You coastal people are so spoiled! 

Keens could be used in the winter.   :)
I've know people that have worn merino wool socks under the Keens.  Generally, the merino socks stay warm and can handle a bit of splashing & rain.

The neoprene Vibram Five Fingers 'shoes' are also pretty good - but a little pricey.  You could get Injinji toe socks (wool) to add a little more warmth for winter paddling, but I've been OK without them. 

I usually wear Crocs or Keens with socks in colder weather. Sometimes in warmer weather (without socks). But I LOVE my Vibram Five Fingers for everything, especially paddling, but they aren't without a couple of problems:

1. They stink. Bad. Especially when you get them wet. I wash mine with bleach every now and then and they still stink. My Keens stink too, though, so that's not really a deal-breaker.

2. They're difficult to get on in a hurry or when they are wet. So once I put them on, I usually leave them on. And when you're feet are wet (like in between races), I really want to take them off and put on flip flops, but I usually don't bother.

I still wear them though. Not just for paddling. They're actually great for swimming in rocky areas too. And really fun to run in on trails. Not so much a fan of running on pavement in them. Anyway, just know that for some people, they take some getting used to if you're going to be walking around a lot in them. That being said, I got mine right before Alcan and wore them everywhere (walking to and from the race site from our hotel and around town) that weekend and had no issues with them. I probably walked at least 10 miles on Saturday too...