At A Glance
These new shoes from Body Glove have won awards, and rightfully so, these aren’t just your usual beach shoe, there is far more tech going on than that. They feature an easy on, three-toed design that improves your grip and balance no matter what you are doing. There is an elasticated cinch closure system, a stretch fit upper, an ultra-grip outsole with anti-microbial footbed and an integrated drainage system that keeps water out and regulates the temperature inside the shoe.
On The Water
These are perfect for the paddlers who have to do a bit of walking to get to the water's edge; they are ideal for river paddling too. The three-toed design allows for optimal balance and grip while giving you a feeling of almost having nothing on your feet. The stretch fit works well, and once on these shoes hug your foot and inspire confidence when walking across slippery rocks.
On the board, the added control from the split toe system gives you plenty of balance while the sole offers plenty of grip. The best thing about these shoes is they take up very little space, so if you are heading out for a day adventure and don’t want to wear them on your board, you can slip them in your bag with ease and then use them as and when you need them.
The drainage system works well, without leaving your foot exposed to any sharp objects, something a lot of water shoes overlook.
Overall
If you need a pair of shoes for paddling, then these fit the bill perfectly, comfortable to wear, light and with a low volume they dry quickly and offer excellent balance both on and off the board.
This review was in Issue 3 of Tonic Mag.
For more information visit Body GloveBy Rou Chater
Rou Chater has been kitesurfing for over twenty years, paddleboarding for the last six years, and was there testing the first wingsurfer from Naish in Tarifa when it arrived on the continent. He is passionate about riding waves and exploring new places. As the publishing editor, he oversees everything at Tonic but also our sister magazines IKSURFMAG and IMB. He's been on the water since he was born and has never looked back, in the winter you'll find him chasing swells in the Caribbean and during the summer he can be found all over Europe at various SUP, Kitesurf and Mountain Bike events getting features for the magazines.