I’m only satisfied with paddling shoes in warm enough conditions when a drysuit isn’t needed. My gripe is that all these low top shoes, and even my Astral Rasslers leave so much of the dry sock exposed which seems like a weak point on the suits. When I wear a drysuit, I only wear neoprene wetsuit boots (NRS ATB or similar) because they are tall enough to cover most of the sock and give a nice slim surface for the over cuff to be velcro’d down without it riding up. The sock is 100% covered that way. Grip has never been an issue with them.
With my Gradient 2.0 the socks are fully covered especially when you velcro the bottoms shut so theydon't ride up, It would be most unlucky if the socks got damaged
You can see in the shots I put in the beginning that your socks are protected with these. I would try to avoid wearing the neoprene socks when creeking, but I definitely bring them out for cold water playboating.
Thanks for a great review! My regular shoes are normally size 9 (US). Do you think I should go with size 10 if i’ll use these mostly with a drysuit? Or would size 9 fit with removable insole?
Interesting. I was about to go down the La Sportiva route, but hadnt considered the potential for hotspots. Can the laces be hidden away? So far the ones I’ve seen in the wild suggest not. Thanks for the honest review and Happy Christmas and New Year to you.
With my 2.0's I added a toggle to both boots saves tieing lol and I tuck the remaining laces through the cross sections of the lacing, this prevents snagging so don't let that put you off them :)
If anything like the 2.0 versions then do not leave them in the sun as sole contracts slightly and the glue will start to come away and you will be forever repairing the sole, also the top layer on the sole will shrivel and crease, so I have learned from that. The other niggle is the lack of drainage, they really needed a few holes in them for better draining whilst walking, maybe a couple in the back and and some up the front end. Other than that, I love my 2.0's and will upgrade to the 3.0 in time. Alex, is the insole still removable? cause that was a great idea for when using ya drysuit and or thicker socks.
It is stitched and glued so I do not expect to see those issues. It came with a spare insol so you can order for your winter size then add another in as a shim in summer. I ran it as is barefoot and with the dry gear and didn't have any issues
@@AlexBarhamhi chap, thanks, I really like the new colour scheme so as soon as these die I will deffo get some, one thing I did notice, have they done away with the concave tread that ya get on the 2.0? I liked that idea as it aided grip over rocks :)
I have had maritimes for the past 2 years and have well over 300 paddling days on them. I love them, but I can only use them in creek boats and half slices. They are too stiff to fit in my RSV and my nova. I only get about 3 months out of astrals. Are the soles of the gradient stiff like Altamas or softer like astrals?
And Bingo was his name, oh. 🤙🏼
Hannah would stay with Patagonia Paddle Institute 1000x just for the free vacation pets
Dude, awesome review. Very likely sold me , run the peshtigo river in wisconsin(slippery,sharp hranite.
Thanks man!
I have the previous version. Very highly rate them.
Thanks for the feedback Josh!
@AlexBarham 👍good footwear is a totally underated safety item. Being able to move around fast and confidently on river banks is important.
Absolutely. Guilty of overlooking it in the past, but once you've experienced that grip you immediately see the value.
I’m only satisfied with paddling shoes in warm enough conditions when a drysuit isn’t needed. My gripe is that all these low top shoes, and even my Astral Rasslers leave so much of the dry sock exposed which seems like a weak point on the suits. When I wear a drysuit, I only wear neoprene wetsuit boots (NRS ATB or similar) because they are tall enough to cover most of the sock and give a nice slim surface for the over cuff to be velcro’d down without it riding up. The sock is 100% covered that way. Grip has never been an issue with them.
With my Gradient 2.0 the socks are fully covered especially when you velcro the bottoms shut so theydon't ride up, It would be most unlucky if the socks got damaged
I usually wear the thinnest neoprene socks I can over the dry socks under the shoes to protect the dry suit
@@steve6474 I do too (not neoprene though just some GUL stretchy socks) when on the river for the same reason
@@steve6474 @SubParPaddler seems like a good solution.
You can see in the shots I put in the beginning that your socks are protected with these. I would try to avoid wearing the neoprene socks when creeking, but I definitely bring them out for cold water playboating.
Thanks for a great review! My regular shoes are normally size 9 (US). Do you think I should go with size 10 if i’ll use these mostly with a drysuit? Or would size 9 fit with removable insole?
They come with an extra insole so I would probably do what I did and just go up half a size.
Interesting. I was about to go down the La Sportiva route, but hadnt considered the potential for hotspots. Can the laces be hidden away? So far the ones I’ve seen in the wild suggest not. Thanks for the honest review and Happy Christmas and New Year to you.
Are you asking if the laces get covered by fabric to prevent getting caught on a tree or something? These do not have that, no.
With my 2.0's I added a toggle to both boots saves tieing lol and I tuck the remaining laces through the cross sections of the lacing, this prevents snagging so don't let that put you off them :)
@ thank you. That’s exactly my concern.
Yes, but where do we buy?!?!
amzn.to/4fE4Nkq
If anything like the 2.0 versions then do not leave them in the sun as sole contracts slightly and the glue will start to come away and you will be forever repairing the sole, also the top layer on the sole will shrivel and crease, so I have learned from that. The other niggle is the lack of drainage, they really needed a few holes in them for better draining whilst walking, maybe a couple in the back and and some up the front end. Other than that, I love my 2.0's and will upgrade to the 3.0 in time. Alex, is the insole still removable? cause that was a great idea for when using ya drysuit and or thicker socks.
It is stitched and glued so I do not expect to see those issues.
It came with a spare insol so you can order for your winter size then add another in as a shim in summer. I ran it as is barefoot and with the dry gear and didn't have any issues
@@AlexBarhamhi chap, thanks, I really like the new colour scheme so as soon as these die I will deffo get some, one thing I did notice, have they done away with the concave tread that ya get on the 2.0? I liked that idea as it aided grip over rocks :)
Sure thing!
Based on what photos I can find of the old ones I would say yes. However the grip in these is top notch
@@AlexBarhamthank you, much appreciated :)
No problem!
I have had maritimes for the past 2 years and have well over 300 paddling days on them. I love them, but I can only use them in creek boats and half slices. They are too stiff to fit in my RSV and my nova. I only get about 3 months out of astrals. Are the soles of the gradient stiff like Altamas or softer like astrals?
The Gradient has a Vibram sole that seems stiff like the Altama most of the time, although I noticed they stiffen up more in winter weather.