Palm Rock shoes
When you want something a little more durable for paddleboarding and kayaking/canoeing with your kids, you need something built to last. You won’t find many smaller sizes in wetsuit shoes or boots until size 1 for kids.
As we know, little ones’ feet grow so quickly. Who is buying expensive shoes? At some point, the growth slows a bit, and it’s worth a look..
We moved my daughter to a drysuit this winter and will continue until at least May. We needed a better boot or shoe to protect her feet and her drysuit.
Palm Rock shoes are a great option for a first-quality water boot, offering support and a chunky sole for protection.
Now, honestly, I don’t think there’s much you can say in a review about shoes, but let’s have a look.
The 3mm neoprene is ample and warm enough for most climates, yet not too warm for summer. Palm uses limestone neoprene, a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products. The stitching is great and does not cause any scratching or irritation. A small colour pop is used for Palms branding, which keeps it a nice neutral colour too.
The sole is chunky, featuring a diamond-patterned grip. It’s a pretty stiff sole with toe and heel reinforcement, which helps especially when sitting in a kayak or canoe, but less so on a SUP. Because of this, the show, which is more of a boot, sits above the ankle and has little stretch, so sizing is important. We originally ordered a size 1 but ended up exchanging for a size 3, as it was a much better fit, especially since the shoes have a strap across the bridge that you can tighten anyway.
Take a look at Palms’ sizing on the website, as the length measurements are super important; don’t just rely on shoe size. Draw around their foot and measure to support getting the size. You have sizes 1-3 in kids’ shoes before moving to the standard version, so plenty of sizes are available. I’d definitely say if your kids are under a size 1, still consider trying a size 1 in a shop, it may fit.
In use, my daughter loved the grip on her board and the ability to hop on and off without worrying about what’s on the bank, especially these days, which is essential. We do mostly canal routes, and the banks aren’t always the nicest. The sole is nice and thick, so they won’t feel stones when walking on land.
In conclusion, this is a good, well-supported shoe that will provide plenty of grip, protection, and support when completing a range of paddle sports. One that comes in junior sizes, too!
Price: £53.00
