Outside of your terminal fly fishing gear, footwear might be one of the most important things you’ll purchase. You could make the argument that whatever you’re walking, wading, and standing in for hours on end is more important than a lot of what is in your fishing vest.

Over the past five years I’ve been wet wading in Astral shoes. The Astral Brewer is an excellent light sneaker that was designed for paddlers moving in and around the water. Initially purchased to replace some sandals, they turned into my go-to wet wading shoes. The shoes are lightweight, quick drying, and boast the best traction of any sole I’ve ever used.

They are till going strong five years later. But I decided to add another pair of shoes to my gear closet. I went with the Astral TR1 Mesh. They’re built more like a light hiker than a sneaker. Their form and function seems to be a better fit for the environments  and  fly fishing I find myself in these days.

Suffice it to say, I think I’ve found my new favorite fly fishing shoe.

Here’s how the TR1 Mesh excels in every way that have made the other Astral shoes so great on the water.

First and foremost is the outsoles – the bottom of the shoe. The sticky rubber makes for safe, stable wading. Couple that with the highly flexible midsole and you’re able to push your way up inclined rocks and hold fast to rounded boulders. Of course some surfaces, such as wet logs or slimy stones, are going to be slick unless you have spikes. The tread pattern on the TR1 Mesh is moderately aggressive. This allows for versatility as you move from trail to streambed to off trail hiking.

Along with the sole of the shoe, the overall build of the TR1 Makes for a versatile light hiker. My first trips in the shoes were 8-mile hikes into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Not noticing brand new footwear is a good gauge of their comfort. A padded tongue and collar are unique in shoes designed for water. There is a remarkable amount of cushion, protecting feet as well as absorbing the pounding that can impact knees and lower back. With or without socks, the TR1 Mesh felt great.

These shoes, like other models from Astral, are built for the water. They drain and dry incredibly quickly. The upper of the TR1 Mesh is comprised of a ripstop mesh, covered with a durable plastic around contact points like the toe and heel. The mesh allows for your foot to dry, and is aided by the draining ports in the toe. With a proper fit, lacing, and tie, only the smallest debris will get into the shoe.

The single criticism previously offered was this: “The only hesitation that I would have in recommending the Brewer to someone would be the impact protection that it offers. Wading boots are usually so heavy duty that you are able to slam your toes and ankles into rocks with very little pain or damage to show for it. You’re not going to be able to do that with these shoes…” That issue is significantly mitigated with the TR1 Mesh. I do want to be clear that the shoes are still ultra light and nothing like a traditional wading boot. However, the structure of the toe, ankle, and heel provide enough protection  for the incidental bumps and nicks encountered on the water. Anecdotally, my feet have been just fine after stubbing  toes a handful of times on the trail in the TR1 Mesh.

As long as my feet can tolerate the temperatures, I’ll choose wet wading. I prefer to simply walk into the creek, the shoreline, and the surf. And I still love my Brewers. However, the TR1 Mesh has a little more versatility  built in for the kind of hiking, wading, and fishing that I enjoy. I suppose that makes it my new favorite fly fishing shoe.

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Check out the TR1 Mesh over at Astral’s website, and try on a pair at one of their local dealers near you.

Want to hear what I had to say about the Brewer four years ago? Read my review – which I still stand by – here.

Have questions about either model? Please comment below or use the contact form on the site.