6 Vibram FiveFingers Booties for Kayaking and SUP Paddleboarding

A few years ago, outdoors athletes started walking around with these bootie-looking things with individual sections for their toes known as Vibram FiveFingers. They looked pretty cool but still questions came up when someone would stroll into a coffee house or just while walking around with them. Since they were made of rubber, neoprene, and mesh material, it didn’t take long for paddlers to jump on the product and try them out in their kayaks and canoes.

Besides their well thought out design and cool looking features, the Vibram FiveFingers actually serve a purpose for athletes. The individual toe sections help maintain the foots dexterity and balance that is often lost in typical shoes, sneakers, and booties. So the individual toe sections coupled with the lightweight construction and perfectly planned materials of the upper, footbed, and soles for specific activities has made them popular with hikers, kayakers and canoeists, cliff divers, and creek walkers.

With the continued success the of the FiveFingers product line more specialized Vibram FiveFingers have been developed for different activities, especially for paddling and water sports. Here is a list and highlights of six Vibram FiveFingers footware specifically found useful in kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddleboarding.

01

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FiveFingers Signa

The FiveFingers Signa is a very low profile, thin, and has drainage holes which makes it ideal for fitting in a kayak or packing up for use later.

Features:

Upper:Stretch Polyester Mesh
Sole: Vibram Performance Rubber
Drainage holes in sole to let water out
Rubber only on heel, ball of foot and toes.
Extremely light weight and thin

02

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FiveFingers Maiori

The FiveFingers Maiori sports "Bootie"-style construction that covers the ankle, with neoprene for warmth, and straps for added support making it ideal for whitewater or cold water kayaking.

Features

Upper: 2 mm neoprene (good for colder water applications)
Sole: TC-1 Rubber
Insole: Anti-microbial Drilex Sockliner
Connected 4th and 5th “pinkie” toe for added protection
“Hi-top” bootie-style for ankle protection and to keep sand out
2 Adjustable hook and loop straps for added support

03

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FiveFingers KSO

The Vibram FiveFingers KSO is widely considered the most versatile of the FiveFingers product line. The KSO is not specifically made for kayaking.

Features

Upper: Mesh Fabric
Sole: Vibram TC-1 Performance Non-Marking, Increased Flexibility
Footbed: Anti-Microbial Microfiber footbed
Rubber Molded over top of the toes for added protection
Adjustable hook and loop strap for added support
Comes up to ankle to prevent stuff from getting in

04

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FiveFingers Flow

The neoprene makes the Vibram FiveFingers Flow good for colder water applications. The sole offers good grip but is a marking compound.

Features

Upper: 2mm Neoprene, good for colder temperatures
Sole: Vibram-Indro grip sole for added slip resistance
Footbed: Anti-Microbial Microfiber footbed
Rubber Molded over top of the toes for added protection
Adjustable hook and loop strap for added support
Con: sole is a marking compound. May mark paddleboards and boats

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FiveFingers TrekSport

The Vibram FiveFingers Treksport is one of the more rugged models of the FiveFingers product line. The thick sole and midsole are not necessary for kayaking and might further make it difficult to fit in kayaks with tight cockpits.

Features:

Upper: “Coconut” Active Carbon Fiber Material
Sole: EVA midsole and Vibram TC-1 Rubber
Footbed: Anti-Microbial Microfiber footbed
Rubber Molded over top of the toes for added protection
Adjustable hook and loop strap for added support
4mm midsole for added foot protection

06

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FiveFingers Treksport Sandal

The Vibram FiveFingers TrekSport Sandal is a sport sandal modeled after the TrekSport for those times when you want your foot to be a little more exposed to the air while kayaking.

Features:

Upper: Polyeurothane
Midsole: 4mm Midsole for added foot protection and comfort
Sole: 4mm Vibram TC-1 Rubber
Cleating on the sole to increase grip
Con- sandal-like slits and openings from behind the toe to the heel