Sperry SON-R Sounder Shandal Sperry SON-R Sounder Shandal

I’ve been using the Sounder Shandals for the past 6 months. As I typically wear a drysuit, these shoes are worn over a sock underlayer and the drysuit sock. The most important thing for me in a kayak fishing shoe is that it is not at all bulky in the footwell, and that my feet are comfortable just sitting there, as that is what I’m going to be doing 90% of the time. These shoes fit the bill and then some. I’m used to wearing booties, which are about as thin of a profile as you can get, but at the same time offering good insulation. The Shandals maintain a thin profile, at slightly less insulation, but at a much higher level of comfort

The next thing I look for is that they drain well. I’m a dangler. My feet are in the water often. The mesh construction of these shoes allows water to be shed quickly, so I don’t get that soggy foot feeling I get from booties.

Well, you still have to walk in these shoes. I’ve put these shoes through the paces, including sandy beaches, muddy bays, rocky shorelines, and cobblestrone stream banks. These shoes were up to the task across all scenarios. About the only ding I can give the Shandals is the use of bungee laces that provide less support in challenging situations. That being said, it is a compromise. Those same bungee lacings are part of what keeps these shoes comfortable while fishing. They also provide for easy on and off capability.

I’m hard on shoes. Salt water is hard on shoes. The constant wetting and drying is hard on shoes. These shoes have held up well. I see no evidence of abnormal wear, no stiches coming out, and no glue pulling loose. That’s quality construction.

As I typically have lots of layers on, I don’t get to appreciate the SON-R foot bed technology very much. That being said, I also have a pair of Sperry SON-R Pulse Thongs. If the Shandals are similar to the Pulse Thongs, you barefoot warm water users will really appreciate the “feel” these foot beds offer.

All in all, I’ve been trying out a number of kayak fishing shoes this year. The Sperry SON-R Sounder Shandals are the ones I’ve been reaching for most. While I’ll still reach for booties in the coldest of conditions, these shoes have opened up a whole new dimension for the conditions I encounter the majority of time.