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I'm planning an 11-day trip this summer that will involve a lot of wading in a swift & rocky river.
I'm looking for a lightweight water shoe, perhaps similar to the Keen Newport, with a toe protector but most importantly something with a built-in arch support. I have custom orthotic inserts, but I don't think it would be feasible to have them in a water shoe and definitely don't want to chance loosing them!
Any ideas?
And if you can't find one, which if you currently have customs will be a challenge, consider a cheaper OTS insert.
You will limited by the volume and tighness of the water shoe. You 'probably' need a very thin orthodic, of which the Superfeet, Gray, custom moldable is one of the thinnest. $70 +/-.
Take the water shoe and your current orthodic to someone who does this stuff, like REI, get whatever size best matches your arch, then confirm it will fit in the water shoe, and that the shoe has enough remaining enclosure to grip your foot in a raging torrent.
If you find a model that seems like it will work try inserting a (smaller, if necessary) out-of-the-package unit into the shoe and trying it on. You'll learn a lot at no cost. If it works, then mold. Your fitter can grind/cut away width to help fit the final product into the very tight-fitting water shoe.
This is all pretty straight-forward to someone who does it on a regular basis.
And it worked well for me on the Escalante.
I got some Technicas on Steep and Cheap not long ago for $18 that are very nice. I tried some Salomons, but they fit me wrong.
These are inexpensive shoes that weigh about 6 oz apiece and very firm.
http://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Mens-Buoy-Water-Shoe/dp/B0010OH8W8/ref=pd_sbs_a_img_1
(if wrapped around: http://preview.tinyurl.com/3ctsgn )
Speedo Men's Buoy Water Shoe
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