REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Versatile
Stretchy enough to layer
Drains well
REASONS TO AVOID
Loose on the heel
Lacks sensitivity
Astral Brewess 2.0 Review
Great if you're a water enthusiast looking for an excellent shoe both on and off the water and in any temperature
Credit: Sara James
RELATED: Best Water Shoes for Women of 2024
Our Verdict
The Astral Brewess 2.0 is a common site at all rafting outposts for a fair reason, as it strikes a great balance between function, fashion, and fortitude. The Brewess 2.0 is an amped-up version of Astral's Loyak, with the Brewess 2.0 featuring a thicker outsole, more room for layering, and a more durable mesh. They're incredibly comfortable, even with a drysuit and neoprene socks on, and stout enough for a somewhat longer side hike on our multi-day. They lacked a bit of sensitivity due to the relatively thicker outsole, but we think that was a good compromise for more durability, which makes them more versatile for hiking and creek walking. They have excellent draining out the soles, dry fairly quickly, and have nice arch support. We also found that their sneaker-like design works pretty well for casual wear.
Editor's note: After a new round of testing, we updated this article on October 31, 2024, with our findings.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Astral Brewess 2.0 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best All Round Women's Watershoe |  Best for Sensitivity |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||
| Price | $109.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $79.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $49.95 at Backcountry | $30 List $29.99 at Amazon | $37 List $29.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This shoe is comfortable with great traction and a stylish look that is suitable in many different environments | Superb flexibility and traction in a stylish shoe | Our go-to neoprene river bootie, but not great for land excursions | Great for a first water shoe, though may be lacking for more rugged terrain | A popular option thanks to its budget price tag, quick dry features and comfortable cushioned soles |
| Rating Categories | Astral Brewess 2.0 | Astral Loyak - Women's | NRS Kicker Wetshoe... | DLGJPA Lightweight... | Aleader Slip-on |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Traction (25%) | |||||
| Warmth (15%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
| Quality of Construction (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Astral Brewess 2.0 | Astral Loyak - Women's | NRS Kicker Wetshoe... | DLGJPA Lightweight... | Aleader Slip-on |
| Measured Weight (lb per pair, US size 8) | 0.92 | 0.87 | 1.7 | 0.44 | 1.25 |
| Drainage Features | Drainage and ventilation holes in fronts and backs of midsoles | Outsole is draining | None | Mesh on upper, drainage holes on sole | Mesh on upper, drainage holes on sole |
| Removeable Insole? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Footwear Closure | Laces | Laces | Velcro | Drawcord | Drawcord |
| Available Widths | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Upper Materials | Hydrophobic canvas | Hydrophobic canvas | Neoprene | Synthetic mesh | Synthetic mesh |
| Midsole | 52C closed cell EVA foam | 7mm thick, 45C closed cell EVA foam | None | None | Solyte Midsole Technology |
| Outsole | Granite Grip G.15 Rubber | Flexi-grip, G15 (Astral tech) | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
We reached for the Astral Brewess 2.0 on a day rafting trip down Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River and found them great for stuffing under a raft thwart from the back of the raft. We also loved the Brewess 2.0 on a canoeing trip in Minnesota. The shoes are suitable for a half-mile-long portage and flexible enough to navigate a solid canoe floor without swamping the boat. While the mesh is likely to break down with heavy use on rough terrain, the Astral Brewess 2.0 is an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile, proper water shoe that's stretchy enough for layering to use year-round.
Performance Comparison
The Astral Brewess 2.0 is one of the top all round performing water shoes we tested
Credit: Sara James
Comfort
The Brewess 2.0 scored high in comfort due to Astral's cushy EVA midsole, which offers a bit more protection from sharp sticks or rocks than lower-volume shoes. We were also able to wear them with layers and bare feet without any issues. They have a bit more arch support than we were expecting, but we still wouldn't take them on anything longer than a couple of miles due to foot fatigue.
The spongey mid sole provides a cushioned feel, making them more comfortable than some of the thinner shoes we tested.
Credit: Sara James
The generous volume toe box gives your toes space to spread, and we found these comfortable to wear, even in hot environments. We did find that the heel of the shoe was prone to slipping down, and we were concerned about this coming off our feet when we were swimming through rapids.
Small rocks can be the most uncomfortable to walk on, but the Brewess handled them with ease
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The Brewess 2.0s offer good traction thanks to the G.15 rubber, which we found quite grippy when wet or dry. In addition, the flexibility added to further proprioception.
The Brewess delivers good grip on granite rocks.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The lug depth on the Astral Brewess 2.0 is enough to bite into sandy surfaces without sacrificing too much on dry, hard surfaces.
The soles of these shoes are great for various slick or muddy surfaces.
Credit: Sara James
Warmth
The Brewess 2.0s were comparable to some of the highest-scoring shoes when it came to warmth. Their stretchy mesh upper also allows for nice layering with neoprene socks or a dry suit. We found the G.15 rubber outsole to insulate our feet from the cold ground while on a chilly side hike.
The Brewess 2.0s also drained well, featuring drainage and ventilation holes in the fronts and backs of the midsoles. This allows for less soggy feet when worn on the water with bare feet.
The drainage holes at the front and rear of the Brewess 2.0 help to drain these shoes quickly
Credit: Sara James
Versatility
The Brewess 2.0s scored high on versatility. They transitioned well from shore to water to raft to town with ease. We even wore them to work with jeans. This is due to their sneaker-like design and good traction across a variety of surfaces. We took these shoes rafting, kayaking, creek-walking, and canoeing and found they worked pretty darn well across all of those activities. We even saw multiple members of a bridal party rock them in style.
Water shoes for weddings! We really did consider all potential uses
Credit: James McLeod
On longer hikes, such as the side hikes we took on the Grand Canyon, we noticed our feet getting a bit sore after a couple of miles, but not as much as they would in something like a water bootie. We think they strike a good balance between versatility and sensitivity.
Sensitivity
The Brewess 2.0s were smack dab in the middle when we evaluated sensitivity. While they aren't as flexible as some other shoes we tested or a water bootie, they made up for this lack of sensitivity in the midsole to offer a bit more protection and durability than less beefy models, Astral's and other brands alike.
We comfortably added thin neoprene socks inside the Astral Brewess 2.0 to add some extra warmth for when you know your feet are going to be wet
Credit: Sara James
Quality of Construction
Astral shoes are not necessarily known for durability, but the Brewess 2.0s are a step up from years past. The thicker midsole was great for more abrasive rocks and sticks, as well as jamming under a raft thwart.
After a whole season using the Brewess 2.0s, we noticed a bit of separation between the outsole and the uppers, which is a common complaint amongst Astral users. Yet that was with heavy usage; for those who don't intend to be so hard on these shoes or consider themselves weekend water warriors, you shouldn't worry about that kind of breakdown.
The Brewess 2.0 has a thicker outsole, making it more burly than some other options.
Credit: Sara James
Should You Buy the Astral Brewess 2.0?
We enjoy the Astral Brewess 2.0s for a good reason: they strike a balance between versatility and utility, are comfortable, and are lightweight. For adamant rafters or those looking for a water shoe that can do a little more, we think the Brewess 2.0s are the move.
What Other Women's Water Shoes Should You Consider?
If you want a shoe with a bit more flexibility or sensitivity, you may look toward the Astral Loyak or a neoprene bootie like the NRS Kicker Wetshoe. Likewise, if you're a traction-or-bust kind of boater, you may check out Astral Rassler for a bit more tackiness on hard, wet surfaces.
Credit: Sara James
—
Monica Nigon and Sara James
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