Our verdict: A versatile and high-quality water shoe with a secure fit, suitable for both trails and water-based adventures
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First impressions
Out of the box, the Techamphibian 5 water shoe oozes the sleek, sporty and stylish aesthetic we’ve come to expect from the Salomon brand. They appear to have a high-quality construction and sturdy, grippy soles. They’re more robust — and expensive — than your typical beach-friendly, slip-on water shoe.
Fit
The water shoes offered a perfect, true to size fit for our size five reviewer. There are some reports online of the shoes being on the large side however.
Thanks to the quick lace system, you can tighten the design for a more secure feel. This added benefit also helps prevent shingle stones and unwanted debris from entering the shoe.
If you’re new to the brand’s quick lace system, you may find it quite fiddly and a bit confusing at first, but after a couple of wears (and the help of an online video tutorial), it’s easy to get to grips with, and means you don’t have to worry about tripping over laces whilst exploring.
You can even flatten the heel and wear the shoes as a slip-on design. We didn’t find this the most comfortable of wears, however it’s nice to have the option if you’re looking to quickly nip across the street from the beach for a coffee.
Are they comfortable?
Yes, overall. Expect the cushion and support of a trainer with the Techamphibian 5. The shoes felt lightweight and responsive, yet solid enough to offer decent protection.
On our first outing, we felt some niggling and irritation, however this was perhaps down to the fact we didn’t have the protective sock layer we’re used to! Essentially, it feels like you’re wearing a pair of trainers without socks, but we soon became familiar with the sensation and were happily padding about on sand; through water and across pebbles in comfort in no time.
Are they grippy?
The Contagrip rubber sole is designed for both wet surfaces and trails, and you can really tell. Wave goodbye to flimsy flip flops and slippery, flat soles, this design offers great traction thanks to the siping on the rubber soles.
On a wild swimming trip, we fully submerged our water shoes into the river and had no issues with slipping.
Are they easy to pack?
The Salomon water shoes are effortless to pack thanks to a mesh fabric upper and overall lightweight design (250g). The chunky and sturdy sole means they’re not as flexible as some of the more squidgy designs on offer, but in no way will they weigh your pack down.
Plus, thanks to their versatility, you’re more likely to wear these shoes all afternoon and let them dry off, rather than pack them away.
Are they durable?
We had no issues with wear and tear on review, and thanks to the well-made structure and chunky rubber soles, we feel the Techamphibian 5 water shoes will last for years of beach trips, summer strolls and river swims to come.
Is there any toe protection for rougher terrain?
Yes, the shoes feature reinforced protective toe caps. This gave us the confidence to submerge our feet into a river without worrying too much about what lurked underneath! The toe cap is also a welcomed safety feature for when you’re scrambling on rocks or walking on rough terrain.
Good value?
There is no denying the Salomon Techamphibian 5 water shoes are more expensive than most designs available, however these shoes are not just for paddling. The solid, trainer-like construction means you’ll get plenty of wear out of this design, whether you’re a paddle boarder, wild swimmer, daily beach walker or summer hiker.
Best suited for:
Warm weather, casual walks which will likely involve a dip! Any beach goer, wild swimmer and water sport enthusiast will benefit from this wearable and versatile design.
Facts at a glance: Salomon Techamphibian 5 Water Shoe
- Range of sizes: 3.5 - 9.5 (women) | 6.5 - 13.5 (men)
- Range of colours: White Pepper / Bleached Sand / Living Coral and Laurel Wreath / Arctic Ice / Marine Blue
- Sole: Contagrip rubber
- Slip on? Yes - a collapsible heel allows for slip on wear
- Fabric: Synthetic/textile
For more design options, check out our roundup of the best water shoes.
