REASONS TO BUY
Great style
Top notch cushion
Slip on design
Decent warmth
REASONS TO AVOID
No tightening method
Slower drainage
Olukai Moku Pae Review
A model that proves you can have both style and function in a water shoe
Credit: Carrie Mueller
RELATED: Best Water Shoes for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Olukai Moku Pae is among our favorite options we've ever tested in the context of style. Water shoes have historically been a particularly unsightly class of footwear, but options like this prove that we've entered a new era in water shoe aesthetics. The Moku Pae also offers decent performance across multiple metrics, boasting a comfortable mid-sole and effective traction. While we wish there was a method to adjust the lacing system, the slip-on design makes it easy to quickly take these on or off, whether on a boat or hanging on the beach. For shoppers hunting for a water shoe that can handle a day on the water or a night on the town, the Moku Pae is worthy of your consideration. For comparisons, see our full review article on men's water shoes.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Olukai Moku Pae | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Option for Style |  Best Overall | Most Versatile Option | Best for Paddling |  Best Value in a Water Shoe |
| Price | $120.00 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $82.73 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $125.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $69.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $45 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A unique water shoe striking a rare balance between functionality and style | Thoughtful design creates a snug but adjustable fit and high performance around water and even around town | A great option for going from water to land, and they look good enough for casual wear, too | These warm and comfy booties are ready for an adventurous day on the river and in chilly water | A no-frills water shoe that boasts decent performance when considering its price |
| Rating Categories | Olukai Moku Pae | Astral Loyak AC | Astral Brewer 2.0 | NRS Paddle Wetshoe | Speedo Surf Knit Pro |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Traction (25%) | |||||
| Warmth (15%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
| Quality of Construction (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Olukai Moku Pae | Astral Loyak AC | Astral Brewer 2.0 | NRS Paddle Wetshoe | Speedo Surf Knit Pro |
| Measured Weight (per pair, US size 10) | 1.37 lbs | 0.91 lbs | 1.2 lbs | 1.70 lbs | 1.18 lbs |
| Drainage Features | Mesh upper, no ports | Front/back/side holes, top mesh | Holes in sides of midsoles | None | Top mesh |
| Removeable Insole? | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Footwear Closure | Slip-on | Laces | Laces | Zipper, velcro | Slip-on |
| Upper Materials | Breathable mesh upper | Ultrafine ripstop mesh, TPU reinforcements, water resistant laces | Canvas, mesh | 3 mm neoprene | Mesh |
| Midsole | EVA | Removable, 45C closed cell EVA foam | EVA | 2 mm plastic shim | EVA foam |
| Outsole | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | S-Trac Rubber |
| Relative Fit | Generally wider fit in every aspect | Regular toebox, wider in midfoot and heel | Regular toebox, medium volume midfoot and heel | Wide toebox, and stretches to accomodate a wide variety of foot shapes | Narrow fit |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Olukai Moku Pae was a joy to test, offering an excellent blend of comfort, performance, and style. These aren't as ideal for intense water sports, but this slip-on footwear does surprisingly well in many settings.
Performance Comparison
We tested the Olukai Moku Pai alongside every other option in the lineup, creating as comprehensive of a water shoe review as possible.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort
Since a shoe must be, first and foremost, comfy on one's feet, we gave this metric 25% of the total score of the Olukai Moku Pae. We tested this metric by logging hours in each water shoe, utilizing them in a variety of environments, from overland hikes to river boating. We kept detailed notes along the way, documenting any and all findings ranging from next-to-skin comfort to arch support. The Moku Pae came in towards the top of the lineup.
Simply put, the Moku Pae was a joy to wear. The generously cushioned midsole kept our feet happy for at least a couple miles of hiking, as long as the trail didn't get too technical. For in-water use, we were well-protected from rocky and sharp ocean bottoms and didn't experience any unwanted rubbing. The arch support also was a crucial aspect of all-day comfort, since many days on the water entail hours standing on one's feet.
After logging miles in the Moku Pae, we were thrilled with the cushion and arch support, which kept our feet happy all day long.
Credit: Zach Lovell
One of the most noticeable setbacks of the Moku Pae was the lack of a true lacing system. While there are laces, these are effectively just aesthetic and cannot truly be adjusted. Fortunately, we were able to still go on hikes and several other sports, but these aren't as ideal for more technical use, whether on a white water trip or scrambling along a coastline.
Traction
Traction makes up 25% of the total score of the Moku Pae since water shoes are likely to be used in slick environments. We pushed each pair on a variety of wet surfaces that ranged from rock to gravel to wood to man-made surfaces in and around boats. We also challenged water shoes on dry land. This option came in towards the front of the pack.
The Moku Pae boasts an intelligently designed outsole that offers decent friction while also offering channels to usher water away from the contact points of the ground and shoe.
The rubber offered decent friction while the actual sole grooves helped maintain traction on wet surfaces.
Credit: Zach Lovell
As previously mentioned, the lack of fit adjustment may cause a less secure feel, particularly when really testing this shoe's traction. While the outsole itself offers excellent security, it's best if you don't max out its traction in steeper terrain, as you run the risk of your heel sliding out of the shoe.
For brief scrambling sections, our feet stayed inside the shoe, but any more technical terrain caused our heels to slide out. The traction itself of the outsole was excellent.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Warmth
We gave warmth 15% of the total score of the Moku Pae. We conducted a 5-minute cold plunge in approximately 38-degree water, giving a warmth rating of 1-10. We also utilized each pair of shoes in a variety of settings over the course of several weeks to further get a grasp on each model's warmth.
With a more robust and multi-layered mesh upper, this shoe offers more warmth than many other shoes that utilize mesh. While the shoe overall didn't drain particularly well, the robust midsole offered a bit more insulation from the ground. Outside of simply being in cold water, we mainly got cold feet in the Moku Pae when waiting for the shoe to fully drain and dry, which was a common issue among any of our well-supported shoes.
While we were generally warm in this shoe, it got chillier when back on land waiting for them to drain and dry.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Versatility
We gave versatility 15% of the total score of the Moku Pae. We examined each shoe's ability to be used for various water sports, ranging from fishing to boating to shoreline hikes. We also sized up each option's on-land capabilities, including around-town hangs. This option came in towards the back of the pack.
The Moku Pae offers excellent versatility in casual water sports, whether fishing, SUPing in mellow water, or hanging out on boats in tame water. As mentioned previously, the lack of fit adjustability makes this shoe less ideal for more rigorous sports. One added benefit to the Moku Pae's style is that it can be used around town effortlessly, helping it slightly in this metric.
Sensitivity
For sensitivity, we examined the feel of each option over gravel, rock slabs, river beds, and lake bottoms. Options that scored highest found a balance between sensitivity and protection, though some may prefer a more or less sensitive outsole in a water shoe.
The well-cushioned midsole of the Moku Pae was a joy for our testers, and it surprisingly still gave some sensitivity, though it prioritizes protection over sensitivity. If your intended use involves some sharper surfaces or you like a more cushioned water shoe, this is worthy of your consideration.
The sensitivity of the Moku Pae struck an excellent blend of feel and protection.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Quality of Construction
We investigated this metric by pushing each pair of shoes for weeks on end in harsher environments, taking detailed notes on observed durability and wear and tear. We also examined the materials and design of each shoe. Lastly, we performed some basic drag tests with each option across rock and wood surfaces. The Moku Pae came in above average.
The Moku Pae offers a fairly durable construction that held up to our rigorous testing process. The most robust parts of the shoe were the outsole and midsole, with the cloth and mesh upper more easily frayed/impacted by abrasion. This option is among the lighter shoes in the lineup, so we were particularly impressed with how well it held up in testing. However, if you're hunting for a pair of shoes for more intense use, we'd recommend you look elsewhere.
At 1 pound, 5.9 ounces, we were impressed with the overall quality of construction, since lighter footwear often means decreased durability.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Olukai Moku Pae?
If your intended water shoe use is more casual, and you need a more stylish shoe for around-town hangs, look no further. As long as we weren't getting into too intensive of an environment, we loved the blend of performance and aesthetics of the Moku Pae and find it well worth the money.
What Other Water Shoes Should You Consider?
If you're hunting for a more casual aesthetic like the Moku Pae, take a look at the Astral Loyak AC, which boasts excellent style and performance. The Astral Loyak even includes a better lacing system, allowing you to adjust the fit as you need.
—Zach Lovell
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