NRS Velocity Water Shoe

Wore these boots canyoneering at Zion national Park. Great traction on wet rocks and did not feel the stones through the soles.

Use to teach water rescue classes.

I had to order a size up for length and they are still a narrow/straight lasted boot, not really foot shaped. Other than the narrowness, they were quite comfortable and warm and had decent traction on the rocks. Definitely slow to dry. Seem durable but only a few days on the river so far.

I am a Class 4 inflatable kayaker and I get out an average of 5-6 times a month. A fair number of my trips involve difficult put-ins and take-outs and often numerous portages. I have worn these about 10 times in the last month and am very happy so far. They seem very durable, thoughtfully constructed, good traction (dirt, rocks, underbrush) and really good ankle support. They are slow to dry, but I'll take that slight inconvenience considering how good they are at everything else. They are probably too big for hardshell boaters, but for IKing and rafting they are great so far. Can't comment on long-term durability, but they appear very stout and I expect they will last a long time.

I have tried a number of solutions for boating shoes, each with their strengths and weakness. I bought these ahead of a very low water Selway trip where I knew I was likely to spend a lot of time lifting boats and dealing with submerged cobble. These shoes, combined with neoprene socks were perfect! Traction on a variety of surfaces was as good as could be expected. Ankle support in cobble was better than anything else I have tried. Drainage, warmth and comfort were great.
When walking on shore, these were quite comfortable. They lack some arch support, but it was never my intent to go on long hikes.
They will collect sand between the sock and shoe, so be sure to wear a neoprene or hydroskin sock for max comfort and less abrasion.
They should work well over my drysuit bootie as well.
I plan to use these anytime I will be doing technical boating, and am not working on my "Teva tan".

I have been using neoprene boots for the last couple of years and decided to try these water shoes after good comments from some friends that use this product. They work better on rough or uneven surfaces like rock that the soft bottomed neoprene boots. Having laces rather than a zipper helps to adjust the fits better. These boots are used over the booties from my dry suit and I found that you should order a full size larger than you normal to accommodate the booties and socks underneath. Overall, I find these very comfortable, cannot speak to durability issues since they have only been used for one month. To expedite drying these shoes, I use a electric boot dryer, about $30 and easily dries overnight.

I have three pairs of these shoes. The first pair convinced me I needed to buy a couple more pairs before they become extinct (when on sale). I wear a size 10.5 USA and this is the size I bought. I use a Doctor Scholls heel insert and a neoprene sock when wearing these and it's a perfect fit. Heel insert highly recommended! Don't kick these shoes off using your heel to toe they will eventually separate the sole from the rest of the shoe. Lightest quietest shoes ever.

Great shoes and a great price

Here are some precautions in using this excellent water shoe:
Sand and grime inevitably gets into the NRS Velocity shoe in spite of its snug fit and gusseted tongue. However a neoprene sock keeps irritating material away from your bare feet, and provides cushioning and warmth. Insertion of an insole (orthotic or other) provides additional comfort and support for an already comfortable shoe. Keep in mind that the Velocity shoe is not a hiking or hunting boot for rugged terrain. The shoe's material and very small drainage ports keep your feet from getting hot and sweaty with-and-without socks. The comfort of the Velocity shoe will encourage you to wear a pair for prolonged sporting uses around water and for casual wear. The sole does not guarantee traction. I have slipped on wet trails with the shoe. Highly recommended with these precautions!

I used these shoes for a 3 day hike up Mount Ena in Costa Rica. I bought them a half size larger than my regular boots, and during the down hills they pressed uncomfortably against my big toe. I'm going to order a second pair a full size larger than normal. The boots were very lightweight and comfortable except downhill. The tops are dense nylon, and combined with snake gaiters I felt fairly well protected against snakebite. They didn't collect water like most boots, but if you want dry feet on an extended trip, wear waterproof socks. The newest Sealskinz ones are terrific for hiking.