Astral Brewess 2.0 water shoes. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
If your escapades take you anywhere on, in, or near the water, you’ll want a reliable pair of water shoes to help you transition from land to sea and back again. One good choice? The excellent, female-specific Astral Brewess 2.0 water shoes ($125).
We recently published The Best Women’s Water Shoes of 2024, where I had the opportunity to test eleven different pairs of water shoes. Of all the shoes I tested, the Astral Brewess 2.0s were my top pick thanks to their cool aesthetic and versatility. Read on to learn more about why the Astral Brewess 2.0 sits at the top of our list.
| Pros | Cons |
| Zero-drop and wide toe-box | Rubs on longer hikes |
| Look like a sneaker, but drains like a water shoe | Not easy to slip on/off |
| Super grippy outsoles |
First Impressions of the Astral Brewess 2.0
The Astral Brewess 2.0s look nothing like the cheap, mesh water shoes of my childhood. In fact, I didn’t know it was possible for a pair of water shoes to look so cool. The Brewess 2.0s gives way more “cool sneaker” vibes than “shoe your dad wears to the pool” vibes.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the Brewess 2.0s were, in fact, mesh throughout. I assumed the shoes would be breathable and allow water to drain through easily. Furthermore, they had decent traction on the bottom, and they looked like they would double nicely as hiking and water shoes.
If you are looking for water shoes that also come in men’s sizes, Astral makes a wide array of shoes and sandals designed for an amphibious lifestyle, such as the popular Loyak water shoes.
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The Astral Brewess 2.0s have zero-drop construction and a wide toe-box. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Astral Brewess 2.0: Notable Features
Weight: 14.7 oz.
Stack Height: 16mm
Upper: Canvas/mesh
Midsole: EVA
Outsole: G.15 rubber
Design: Zero-drop, wide toe-box
Astral advertises the Brewess 2.0 as “the most versatile sneaker ever.” Marketing hyperbole aside, the brand isn’t far off. I had the opportunity to test out these water shoes near my home on Oahu, and they also accompanied me on a recent trip to Guam and Palau, where I did lots of hiking and kayaking.
Designed For Submersion
For starters, the Brewess 2.0 was designed for submersion. The shoes feature mesh uppers that allow water to pass through easily. There are also ventilation holes in the fronts and backs of the midsoles to further drain out water.
While my feet didn’t overheat on short walks or while kayaking, they did get toasty on a challenging hike in the heat (I wasn’t wearing any socks). The mesh also allowed these shoes to dry quickly. So even when I did get them wet on hikes, they didn’t stay that way for long.
Terrible cave lighting. Excellent in water performance. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Zero-Drop, Wide Toe-Box Design
A lovable land-specific feature of the Brewess 2.0 is the combo of zero-drop design and wide toe-box.
“Zero-drop” means that — unlike most shoes — the cushioning under the heel and forefoot is the same thickness. Zero-drop enthusiasts claim this construction leads to better stability and a more natural stride. Stability is particularly important when dealing with the slippery conditions normally found while wearing water shoes. And the Astral Brewess 2.0s were fantastic in that regard, providing a stable and flat platform for all my amphibious activities.
Most of the time, I’m not a fan of wide toe-boxes because I have extremely narrow feet. But the Brewess 2.0s are slim throughout the heel and forefoot, only widening out at the toe-box. Somehow the fit worked in a way most wide toe-box shoes don’t for my feet. I had plenty of room to wiggle my toes while still enjoying a secure fit.
Grippy Outsoles
The grip on the outsoles of the Brewess 2.0s is exceptional. When it comes to navigating wet and slippery surfaces, it’s important to have a grip you can rely on and the Brewess delivered on both wet and dry surfaces. Normally, when crossing wet and mossy surfaces, I tread cautiously to ensure I don’t slip, but with the Brewess 2.0s my concerns were unnecessary.
One of the hikes I wore these shoes on involved dry terrain, scrambling up and down slippery rocks using ropes, and spelunking through a water filled cave. They performed well across the board — exactly what I’m looking for in such a multi-purpose piece of footwear.
The Astral Brewess 2.0 provides reliable traction on both wet and dry surfaces. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Drawbacks of the Astral Brewess 2.0
While the Brewess 2.0s are designed for both the water and the trails, I wouldn’t wear them on longer hikes. For short detours in and out of the water, they worked great, but when I wore them on a hike that was approximately three miles, I had some hot spots afterward.
The built-in sock liners and soft foam make the shoes feel comfortable against your feet and minimize rubbing, but it’s not the same as wearing socks. If you plan on doing any actual hiking in the Brewess 2.0s, my recommendation would be to wear a pair of hiking socks to prevent rubbing.
Another downside of the Brewess 2.0s is that they’re not as easy to slip in and out of as traditional water shoes. They do have step-down heels that are helpful when you’re traveling a short distance or need a platform to stand on but to get the shoes fully functional, you must lace them up.
It’s not a big issue, but if you plan on taking your water shoes on and off regularly, it can get annoying. That’s the downside to the on-point, sneaker-type styling that makes the Astral Brewess 2.0s stand out from other water shoes in their class.
The Astral Brewess 2.0s work well for hiking, too — on hikes less than three miles. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Final Thoughts on the Astral Brewess 2.0
The Astral Brewess 2.0s look like a stylish pair of sneakers but perform like rugged water shoes. They have a wide toe-box and a zero-drop design, breathable mesh uppers, grippy rubber outsoles, drainage holes in the midsoles, and built-in sock liners. While they lose a few performance points on longer hikes, they are just about perfect for every other application. Whether your chosen amphibious adventure is rafting, kayaking, or lounging creekside, the Astral Brewess 2.0s will get the job done and look good doing it.
CHECK PRICE ON REIEditor’s Note: Water shoes are a crucial element of a successful paddle. But you’ll also need, you know, something to paddle. Give our Best Stand Up Paddleboards of 2024 story a read for a little inspo. And if you like your boats a little more portable, don’t miss our Best Inflatable Paddle Boards of 2024 roundup. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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