#3 on this list
Hydro Moc
Merrell
The Merrell Hydro Moc is an injection-molded EVA cage shoe that has carved out a dedicated following among flatwater paddlers, kayak anglers, and casual river walkers. It is designed around simplicity: single-piece foam construction that absorbs zero water, weighs next to nothing, and cleans up with a quick dip in the lake. If your priority is slipping in and out of a recreational boat or walking pebbled beaches without soggy fabric, the Hydro Moc delivers. Because the shoe is molded entirely from foam, drainage is immediate. Ample cutouts across the upper and sidewalls let water rush out as soon as your foot leaves the surface, eliminating the heavy, sloshy sensation common with fabric-heavy shoes. The material floats, so if you capsize or lose one while launching, it will not sink to the lake bed. It also doubles as a fantastic, stink-resistant camp shoe after a long day in wet boots. The trade-offs emerge the moment terrain gets demanding. The rear articulated strap provides only basic retention; in deep, viscous portage mud, the suction will pull the Hydro Moc right off your heel. The sole offers decent traction on smooth, damp rocks, but lacks the razor siping and specialized sticky rubber compounds required for greased river boulders. Friction between bare skin and the EVA material can also create hot spots if you hike long distances with grit inside. **Highlights** * Single-density injected EVA foam absorbs zero water and dries instantly * Buoyant construction prevents shoes from sinking if lost overboard * Large cutouts provide exceptional water drainage and ventilation * Articulated heel strap allows quick slip-on or locked-heel wear * Extremely lightweight and easy to lash onto boat decks **Watch-outs** * Suction mud easily pulls the shoe off the heel * Rubber compound lacks true wet-rock bite on slimy riverbed boulders * Bare skin against wet foam can cause friction blisters on long walks
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#4 on this list
Z/2 Classic
Chaco
The Chaco Z/2 Classic is an enduring icon on commercial whitewater rivers and rocky canyon trips. River guides favor this sandal for one fundamental reason: total security. The continuous pull-through webbing strap runs through the midsole, allowing you to tighten the upper directly against the precise contours of your foot. The integrated toe loop locks your forefoot down hard, preventing your foot from sliding forward over the front edge on steep descents or in heavy river currents. The LUVSEAT polyurethane footbed provides exceptional arch support and stability, far outlasting EVA-based footbeds that compress and pack out over time. If you are hauling heavy gear down steep switchbacks or wading through waist-deep eddies, the Z/2 feels anchored. The ChacoGrip rubber outsole provides solid all-around traction across dry dirt, gravel bars, and damp stone, making it a true do-it-all summer footwear piece. Open-toe sandals carry inherent risks on technical river trails. With no front bumper, kicking a submerged boulder or root can ruin a trip. The dense polyurethane sole is also notably heavy, weighing down your pack if carried as a secondary shoe. When fine sand enters the strap channels inside the sole, adjusting the straps can require soaking and aggressive flossing to free up the grit. **Highlights** * Continuous pull-through webbing system creates a fully customized, secure fit * Toe loop anchors the forefoot firmly during river wades and steep descents * Firm, podiatrist-certified LUVSEAT footbed provides unparalleled arch support * ChacoGrip non-marking rubber compound balances durability and wet-rock grip * Bulletproof overall construction that withstands years of river guide abuse **Watch-outs** * Exposed toes leave feet vulnerable to impacts with hidden rocks * Heavier and stiffer than most water shoes * Sand and river grit can jam the strap channels in the sole
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Hydro Moc | Z/2 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Material | Single-density injected EVA foam | Polyester jacquard webbing |
| Outsole | Integrated 2mm molded EVA lugs | Non-marking ChacoGrip rubber (3.0mm lugs) |
| Closure | Articulated slingback heel strap | — |
| Flotation | Fully buoyant in fresh and salt water | — |
| Drainage Style | Continuous open-cage perimeter vents | — |
| Weight Per Pair | Approximately 14.4 oz (Men's size 9) | — |
| Weight | — | 1 lb 14 oz per pair (men's 9) |
| Footbed | — | Podiatrist-certified LUVSEAT PU |
| Toe Protection | — | Open toe (none) |
| Repairability | — | Resolable and restrappable via ReChaco |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Hydro Moc
- Zero water absorption ensures instantaneous dry times on and off the water
- Fully buoyant construction prevents shoes from sinking if dropped overboard
- Generous sculpted toe bumper guards against submerged river rocks and logs
- Single-piece injection mold eliminates glued seams and stitching that can fail
- Viscous portage mud easily pulls the loose heel strap off the foot
- Molded EVA outsole lacks the biting wet-rock traction of sticky rubber
- Coarse sand trapped against the bare EVA interior causes quick friction blisters
Z/2 Classic
- Continuous pull-through webbing locks the foot down securely in heavy current
- Dense LUVSEAT polyurethane footbed provides unmatched arch support
- Open construction drains instantly and will not get sucked off in deep mud
- Resolable and restrappable through Chaco factory repair program
- Zero toe protection leaves feet vulnerable to submerged rock impacts
- Noticeably heavy and stiff compared to modern water shoes
- Fine sand and silt can jam the internal adjustment channels
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