Activities The Great Outdoors 6 Vibram FiveFingers Booties for Kayaking and SUP Paddleboarding Share PINTEREST Email Print The Great Outdoors Climbing Gear Basics Health & Safety Highest Mountains Hiking Skiing Snowboarding Surfing Paddling Fishing Sailing Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Learn More By George Sayour George Sayour is an American Canoe Association–certified kayak instructor. He regularly leads workshops on paddling basics, techniques, and safety. our editorial process George Sayour Updated May 14, 2018 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 of 06 FiveFingers Signa Photo used with permission, VibramFiveFingers.com 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 of 06 FiveFingers Maiori Photo used with permission, VibramFiveFingers.com 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 of 06 FiveFingers KSO Photo used with permission, VibramFiveFingers.com 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 of 06 FiveFingers Flow Photo used with permission, VibramFiveFingers.com 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 05 of 06 FiveFingers TrekSport Photo used with permission, VibramFiveFingers.com 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 of 06 FiveFingers Treksport Sandal Vibram FiveFingers Treksport Sandal. Photo used with permission, VibramFiveFingers.com 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