I put the Astral Tr1 Junction shoes to the test on a 90 day sea kayaking trip through Alaska and Canada’s Inside Passage. I can say with confidence- if you want comfortable, well draining, quick drying, sticky shoes, buy these! The Tr1 Junctions put up with constant sea water, sun, sand, razor sharp muscles and oysters. They allowed me to hop across boulder strewn coasts covered in slick seaweed with a confidence I had previously thought impossible.
In previous years I have worked during the summers as a sea kayaking guide, and I have literally had shoes fall apart over the course of a season. Three full months of daily salt, sun, gravely sand and constantly being wet will push most any piece of gear to its limits. My Tr1 Junctions didn’t seem phased. Some of the decorative stitching is worn down where the shoes rubbed my boat and of course, the sun faded them, but I’d take these shoes out again tomorrow.
Possibly the most incredible thing about these shoes is that they never stank. You know that special saltwater/sweat/foot smell that ocean water shoes get- and I can tell you with confidence, the polygiene treated insole actually works. My Tr1 Junctions Did. Not. Stink.
My only complaint is that the heel of the shoe is bulkier than necessary- this is only an issue if you paddle a very low volume boat as I do. I ended up cutting much of the heel off which solved my small space issues.
Pros:
- Incredible grip on wet slippery surfaces
- Quick drying
- Drains water well
- Polygiene® treated insole prevents odors
- Wide toe box
- Performs just as well on trail as in the water
Cons:
- Heel was too bulky for my low volume boat
Conclusion: I recommend the Astral Tr1 Junction with full confidence!