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Astral Loyak AC Review

These water shoes are top-notch for their flexibility, traction, and around-town style
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Astral Loyak AC Review
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Price:  $110 List
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Manufacturer:   Astral
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 31, 2024
79
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 15
  • Comfort - 25% 8.6
  • Traction - 25% 9.1
  • Warmth - 15% 5.0
  • Versatility - 15% 8.5
  • Sensitivity - 10% 9.2
  • Quality of Construction - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Astral Loyak AC are top-performing water shoes that also offer the stylish aesthetics of a designer casual shoe. Their low cut, stretchy tongue, low weight, and neutral footbed make them feel like a natural extension of your feet. They stick better than most shoes we reviewed in slick environments and work well for both spending hours on the water and roaming around on land. While they aren't the most durable option and are less than ideal for activities like canyoneering, they are an excellent water shoe at a reasonable price and with great looks. To compare it to the competition, check out our review of water shoes.
REASONS TO BUY
High traction
Flexible
Snug fit
Great drainage
Stylish
REASONS TO AVOID
Not warm
Not a durable upper
Editor's Note: Astral offers a couple versions of the Loyak. This model, the Loyak AC, focuses more on breathability and weight savings with more mesh utilized in the upper construction than the classic Loyak.

Compare to Similar Products

 
astral loyak ac
This Product
Astral Loyak AC
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall
Top Pick Award
Most Versatile Option
Top Pick Award
Best for Paddling
Top Pick Award
Best for a Minimalist Design
Best Buy Award
Best Value in a Water Shoe
Price $82.73 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$125.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$69.95 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$129.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
$45 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line Thoughtful design creates a snug but adjustable fit and high performance around water and even around townA great option for going from water to land, and they look good enough for casual wear, tooThese warm and comfy booties are ready for an adventurous day on the river and in chilly waterThis is a shoe that doesn't do great on land or in the cold, but has the grip and drainage to make it excellent for a hot day of swimming or boatingA no-frills water shoe that boasts decent performance when considering its price
Rating Categories Astral Loyak AC Astral Brewer 2.0 NRS Paddle Wetshoe Xero Aqua X Sport Speedo Surf Knit Pro
Comfort (25%)
8.6
8.0
7.5
7.5
7.7
Traction (25%)
9.1
7.0
8.3
9.0
7.0
Warmth (15%)
5.0
7.0
9.5
5.0
5.0
Versatility (15%)
8.5
8.7
4.0
7.0
7.0
Sensitivity (10%)
9.2
7.0
8.0
8.5
9.0
Quality of Construction (10%)
5.0
8.0
7.5
6.0
6.0
Specs Astral Loyak AC Astral Brewer 2.0 NRS Paddle Wetshoe Xero Aqua X Sport Speedo Surf Knit Pro
Measured Weight (per pair, US size 10) 0.91 lbs 1.2 lbs 1.70 lbs 0.90 lbs 1.18 lbs
Drainage Features Front/back/side holes, top mesh Holes in sides of midsoles None Top mesh, toe guard drainage holes Top mesh
Removeable Insole? Yes No No Yes Yes
Footwear Closure Laces Laces Zipper, velcro Lace-lock bungee system Slip-on
Upper Materials Ultrafine ripstop mesh, TPU reinforcements, water resistant laces Canvas, mesh 3 mm neoprene Synthetic mesh, PU Mesh
Midsole Removable, 45C closed cell EVA foam EVA 2 mm plastic shim None EVA foam
Outsole Rubber Rubber Rubber FeelTrue rubber S-Trac Rubber
Relative Fit Regular toebox, wider in midfoot and heel Regular toebox, medium volume midfoot and heel Wide toebox, and stretches to accomodate a wide variety of foot shapes Foot shaped foot bed, fits true-to-size Narrow fit

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Loyak AC is a minimalist, low-cut water shoe. They feature a thin sole, thin upper, and a tongue design that snugs them comfortably against the midfoot. Their siped rubber soles stick well on slick, wet rock. That traction, combined with the thin soles' excellent proprioception, gives them a great feel in and out of the water.

Performance Comparison


astral loyak ac - the loyak ac is an excellent option for both outdoors and...
The Loyak AC is an excellent option for both outdoors and around-town use. We thoroughly enjoyed testing this model across a variety of settings.
Credit: Carrie Mueller

Comfort


The Loyak AC has a small but stretchy opening at the ankle and no real tongue. Instead, a sock-like cuff wraps around your foot as you slip it into the shoe. The footbed is foam but has a bumpy top that somehow lets your foot slip into the shoe easily. Once weighted, it keeps your foot in place.


The interior is mostly mesh and feels fine on bare feet with minimal stitching. With a thin sole and minimal heel-toe drop, you notice the undulations of the ground surface as you walk. We found that our feet had to work more than in more traditional, stiffer shoes for long walks over river cobbles. The Loyak AC favors a more flexible ride in exchange for foot protection. We had no problem portaging over giant boulders or wading through shallows, but we had to be more aware of where we placed our feet to avoid injury, at least compared to burlier shoes.

The upper materials and drainage ports on the front, back, and sides of the shoes make them excellent for transitioning in and out of water. With a snug fit, they let out water quickly and manage moisture well. After a day of boating, we liked that these were comfortable to wear barefoot right after getting off the water - a great quality in a shoe for hanging around camp on a raft trip.

The Loyak AC boasts excellent drainage, furthering its great comfort.
Credit: Zach Lovell

Traction


The Loyak AC is one of the stickiest options we tested. They feature a siped G15 rubber outsole that is more than capable of carrying a boat across slick, wet rocks or walking over cobbles in murky shallows.


The relatively flat, non-aggressive lugs reminded us of approach shoes, which favor surface area over deep lugs that maintain traction on soft surfaces. Like approach shoes, the Loyak AC stick well to wet rocks and logs but suffer slightly in muddy conditions.

astral loyak ac - these aren't the highest performing outsoles in muddy terrain, but...
These aren't the highest performing outsoles in muddy terrain, but they offer great traction on most other wet or dry surfaces.
Credit: Carrie Mueller

We noticed no significant loss of traction on firm dirt or duff on soft surfaces, but we started slipping more than we'd like on mud. The widely spaced lugs do clear easily, though, once they reach water, so it's easy to get the dirt off and restore traction on hard surfaces.

astral loyak ac - we pushed these in many settings, and found excellent foot security...
We pushed these in many settings, and found excellent foot security even when scrambling over rocks.
Credit: Carrie Mueller

Warmth


The Loyak AC is mainly made of mesh and hydrophobic canvas with lots of drainage and minimal insulation. They rely on being adjustable enough to allow for adding insulation, like thick socks. While the lack of a tongue inhibits adjustability slightly, we didn't find that we had problems stuffing our feet in these shoes, even with thick socks. The AC version of the Loyak particularly focuses on breathability, making them even more chilly to wear in cold water.


The removable foam insole is relatively thick, at 7mm, compared to many shoes, and opens the shoe up quite a bit if you want maximum space for insulation. Our lead tester stuffed his feet in these shoes wearing thick wool socks under his drysuit socks and a thin polyester sock over his drysuit sock, maintaining warmth on a frigid fall morning paddle. The wide toe box characteristic of Astral shoes helps keep toes from feeling squished when packing in lots of insulation, but it all depends on how you choose to size your Loyaks.

astral loyak ac - the loyak ac particularly prioritizes breathability, making them...
The Loyak AC particularly prioritizes breathability, making them great for hot days, but not ideal for chillier environments.
Credit: Carrie Mueller

Versatility


The Loyak AC is marketed as a casual shoe with serious whitewater chops. We totally agree with that. They are considerably more stylish and comfortable on land than booties and perform nearly as well in whitewater (provided you can insulate well enough on cold days).


We wore the Loyak AC hiking during testing, walking along steep mountain streams, boating, and around town. We would definitely not recommend them for canyoneering, but they'd do in a pinch as long as you took care not to tear them apart. We'd not hesitate to take them traveling as a primary boating shoe or even as a backup that also works great on hikes and around town. They also slip on easily, making them a stellar camp shoe.

We don't rate shoes on style, but using the Loyak AC for months, both on and off the water, has convinced us that it might be worth calling out these shoes as notable for their looks. Our testers frequently get compliments about these shoes, and their good looks make them especially versatile. For the price, you get not only a great water shoe, but a shoe that fits in at the bar and even at work.

astral loyak ac - across both the women's and men's water shoe categories, we enjoyed...
Across both the women's and men's water shoe categories, we enjoyed the versatility of the Astral Loyak line.
Credit: Sara James

Sensitivity


The thin, neutral soles of the Loyak AC are nearly as sensitive as some of the neoprene booties we tested. They provide excellent proprioception, enabling good balance and awareness of the terrain. The super-low profile of these shoes also made them excellent for swimming and wading, as they have a low drag in the water and allow feet to flex easily.


They feel similar to minimalist, barefoot-styled running shoes, especially with their relatively flat lugs. While there isn't much protection from the upper, the outsoles kept our feet happy when walking on sharp rocks.

astral loyak ac - these offer decent sensitivity while not compromising too much on...
These offer decent sensitivity while not compromising too much on bottom of foot protection.
Credit: Carrie Mueller

Quality of Construction


While we loved wearing these, they are by no means burly, durable shoes. This version of the Loyak has even more mesh than the classic version, further identifying these as water shoes that should stay away from abrasive rocks and bush-whacking hikes.


Besides the considerations that come with mesh, the Loyak AC is very well constructed, with stitched and glued soles, clean lines, and noticeably high-quality craft. The rubber outsole wraps around the entire shoe, providing somewhat of a bumper to guard against punctures or abrasions. The AC version of the Loyak also makes the shoe lighter.

astral loyak ac - at only 14.7 ounces, which is under one pound, these are an...
At only 14.7 ounces, which is under one pound, these are an excellent addition to the Loyak line.
Credit: Carrie Mueller


While the Loyak AC won't last particularly long in harsh, rockier environments, they'll offer longevity for kayaking or rafting. They are resistant to moisture damage with excellent drainage, and the snug fit does well at keeping out sand and debris that can abrade a shoe from the inside.

astral loyak ac - all of our testers felt these held up well as long as the brunt of...
All of our testers felt these held up well as long as the brunt of the wear and tear was put on the outsoles.
Credit: Carrie Mueller

Should You Buy the Astral Loyak AC?


The Astral Loyak AC blew us away with how much performance we could squeeze out of such a tiny shoe. With super-grippy outsoles, a comfortable interior, and a snug fit, they keep feet happy on land, in a boat, and even outside a boat (accidentally or not). They offer good versatility and performance in a minimalist and stylish package for a very reasonable price. The Loyak AC gets high-value marks because it not only performs superbly in whitewater, but also works well for wet hikes and hanging around town. While booties can be slightly warmer and stickier, they don't have the on-land performance and foot protection (at least the bottom of the feet) of the Loyak. For considerably less than the premium-priced pairs, you can get a well-made, comfortable, and high-traction shoe for boating or just hanging around wet places.

astral loyak ac - this shoe offers excellent all-around performance and style, making...
This shoe offers excellent all-around performance and style, making them worthy of your consideration.
Credit: Carrie Mueller

What Other Water Shoes Should You Consider?


This shoe is hard to beat as an all-around jack of trades. However, a more durable shoe that offers more warmth and versatility is the Astral Brewer 2.0. This shoe feels more durable, even if it is a little less impressive for traction. If traction is less of a concern, the Brewer can save you some money and offer more versatility and durability for the long haul. If budget is a concern, or your needs are not as vast, you can save some money with the simple neoprene bootie design of the NRS Kicker Wetshoe. This shoe is warmer and more durable than the Loyak, but it isn't as versatile. Depending on your plans, it could save you money and keep your feet warmer.

Zach Lovell