Aqua Upstreams

The Aqua Upstreams is built for water you walk through rather than around. The upper is open air mesh, so it drains about as fast as it soaks and keeps drying while you walk. Underneath is a natural rubber outsole cut for wet stone, which is the surface that ends most river days early.

Materials and build

Air mesh through the whole upper, with welded overlays holding the shape where the lacing pulls. The lace runs through those overlays and closes in one movement, so the fit stays put in moving water instead of loosening as you walk. The insole is perforated PU: it cushions, and the holes let water leave rather than sit against the foot.

Fit and sizing

True to size. Take your usual number. The run goes from EU 36 to 46 and the same shoe is made for men and women. If you wear a thicker sock in cold water, open the lacing rather than sizing up.

Terrain and use

Made for upstream walking, river crossings, rock hopping and wet trails in warm weather. Natural rubber grips wet stone better than the harder compounds used on dry trail shoes. This is not a waterproof shoe and it is not trying to be. It lets water through on purpose, because a shoe that keeps water out also keeps it in.

Care

Rinse the mesh with clean water after a river day and dry it in the shade. Take the insole out to speed that up. Keep it away from direct heat, which stiffens rubber.

Size chart coverage

Our current conversion chart covers EU 39–47 and shows US men’s equivalents. For EU 36–38 or a US women’s conversion, contact orders@rax.shoes for model-specific sizing help before ordering.