Men’s Astral Webber Review

Bottom Line

The Astral Webbers earn their place on our best hiking sandals for men guide as an easygoing, water-loving sandal built for casual adventures. Editor Ian Krammer reaches for these when he’s headed on water adventures in Colorado, like paddle boarding on a lake, rafting on the river, or lounging at the local hot springs. 

A durable build means they’ll last multiple seasons of use, and the grippy soles perform well on wet surfaces. The Webbers have a slightly raised toe bed and good arch support, making them a comfortable choice right out of the box. The wide buckles are both aesthetic and functional, so we recommend this pair from creek to coffeeshop.

However, these sandals have a unique fit with a narrow footbed and a non-adjustable heel strap, so they won’t work for everyone’s feet. The large buckles don’t offer a precise fit compared to the competition. We found the slightly rounded edges of the outsoles can make them feel tippy on technical and high-angle routes, so you’ll want to skip the Type 2 fun in these, and the straps can trap debris.

Still, for water-centric fun in the summer and mellow hikes followed up with time on a patio, the Webbers are affordable, comfy, and fun.

How We Tested

Editor Ian Krammer used the Astral Webbers for paddleboarding, swimming, and hitting the local hot springs. In total, Ian’s racked up over 200 miles on his pair over nearly two full seasons. With dozens of days of romping in these sandals, he’s learned their limits – and where they thrive – when it comes to important factors like comfort, traction, stability, and more.

Comfort

The Webbers are comfortable right out of the box. Soft webbing and a padded interior hugged our feet without feeling restrictive. Ian likes these because the wide recycled polyester webbing only gets cushier with time, molding around his feet the more he wears them. The padded heel and side panels are nicely cushioned feel, reducing hot spots over hours of wear in and out of the water.

Testing finds the soles start off firm, but they break in after a few miles for a balance of flexibility and support. A subtle toe ridge cradles the forefoot, and they offer decent arch support as well.

However, their fit is a bit unusual, and they won’t work for everyone – which is why they earn a lower score for comfort. Our biggest complaint is the footbed runs narrow and this model doesn’t come in wide, which may be an issue for wider feet. Combined with a higher stack height, the Astrals can feel a bit tippy on high-angle trails and technical terrain, especially rocks and roots. For narrow-footed folks, the non-adjustable heel strap can feel a bit floppy.

The added coverage from the webbing on each side of the foot is a nice touch, but we find stones and sand gets caught there, making it a hassle to clean out. We usually remove the sandals debris loose, which can be annoying. But, for casual water-based outings, these are comfy for hours of wear.

Traction

Keeping your footing on slick surfaces is where the Webbers shine. The rubber outsoles are decently tacky. Combined with wide, well-placed lugs, your sole will stay in contact with the ground to maintain stability. These non-obtrusive lugs also thrive on flat and moderately uneven trails. For adventures with stream crossings or damp trails, these sandals offer dependable traction.

But, that grip falters in steep and technical terrain. Keep in mind these are sandals intended for use with water, so the shallow lugs don’t dig into loose dirt or gravel as well as sandals with a busier lug pattern and more depth. With a high stack height, less flexibility than others, and a narrow platform overall, the Webbers aren’t our first choice for off-camber or rocky trails.

Stability

The Webbers deliver stability in a few key ways. The slightly raised insole, combined with meaningful arch support, creates a secure cradle that stops our feet from shifting inside the sandal. A diamond-patterned insole at the toe and heel adds subtle texture for a bit more grip and control. The wide, shallow lugs provide maximal contact with the ground to maintain balance on moderate trails, and large, sturdy buckles cinch down tight enough to make these sandals feel solid on most terrain.

That said, the Astral Webbers are not stable on demanding routes. Our biggest issue is with the outsole design. The soles are fairly thick and stiff, which reduces ground feel, and Astral made the edges of the soles rounded – as opposed to a more right angle. This makes them feel tippy, especially on technical terrain and high-angle trails. 

Ian finds that because of his narrower feet and the Webber’s non-adjustable heel, they didn’t effectively lock his foot into the heel cup. This made them feel loose at the back when going up steeper ascents. They work well for all-day wear on mixed surfaces, days on the water, and moderate terrain, but they aren’t our first pick for long, rugged trails.

Adjustability

Dialing in the fit on the Astral Webbers is as simple as it gets. Two oversized buckles with one-and-a-half inch polyester webbing lets you adjust the tension over the toes and across the top of the foot in seconds. Once set, the straps hold position well, so we didn’t have to keep readjusting throughout the day. The broad straps also help distribute pressure evenly and reduce hot spots. If you prefer an easy, no-fuss system, these are the ones for you.

However, we were a bit underwhelmed by this design. It doesn’t offer much nuance. As a result, the Webbers earn lower marks for adjustability. The side material goes higher up the foot, so the wide straps only have a couple of inches of travel. The bulky buckles can’t be fine-tuned, making the whole system feel clunky rather than customizable. We’d like to see an adjustable heel on the next iteration, as narrow-footed hikers may find the heel is too loose.

Durability

Some sandals feel like they’ll fall apart after a season, but not the Webbers. With over 200 miles on his, Ian’s found the webbing, stitching, and insoles have held up well, even after extensive use and hundreds of times in and out of water. The oversized buckles are practically indestructible, surviving countless adjustments without any signs of failure.

Astral applies the same rugged design philosophy from their life jackets to their footwear, resulting in an impressively durable but lightweight build. The webbing uppers have held up for two years and counting.

The outsoles, however, don’t live up to the rest of the build. After significant mileage, our testing shows the rubber lugs and wear down the fastest, further reducing traction on tricky terrain.

Versatility

The Astral Webbers are best used for shorter, mellow hikes on established routes and adventures with lots of water – they’re awesome for creek crossings, lazy river floats, and beach days. The polyester straps dry most of the way within an hour. At only one pound for the pair and packing relatively flat, they’re a great choice for stowing in a backpack or luggage without taking up too much space.

They’re city-worthy, too. We’ve rocked these at breweries, barbecues, or neighborhood hangs. the low profile and laid-back style make them a good fit whether you’re chilling on land or water.

For long, dry hikes, though, they fall short. The narrower design and rounded outsoles make the Webbers feel a bit unstable on anything other than packed dirt and moderate terrain. Their limited adjustability can lead to hotspots when feet swell. We’ve taken them on longer hikes – up to 10 miles – and survived, but there are other sandals we’d choose instead. Still, if your plans involve water, chill adventures, and shorter distances, the Webbers will last for years of regular use.

Should You Buy the Men’s Astral Webber’s?

The Astral Webbers are best for water, casual hikes, and low-key weekend outings. If you’re crossing streams and rivers, hanging at the lake, or meandering along the coast, their quick-drying materials and lightweight design makes them a good pick. Casual hikers will enjoy the straight-forward adjustments and padded interior for a comfy ride on shorter distances on established routes. Their casual aesthetic makes the Webbers a versatile sandal that transitions seamlessly from trail to town, and they blend in well with almost any outfit for summer in the city. Plus, their bombproof buckles and long-lasting webbing mean they take a beating and still hold up.

However, they aren’t the best choice for hardcore hikers or those who want a super stable sandal. We find the rounded edges of the outsoles makes them feel a bit wobbly compared to other sandals. Shallow lugs offer the best traction in and out of the water, so these aren’t our first pick for dry, long miles or technical trails with lots of roots and rocks. Webbers also have a unique fit, and the lack of adjustability due to the large, oversized buckles don’t allow for the most precise fit. Still, when it comes to water adventures and casual outdoor hikes and hangs, the Webbers deliver.

What Other Men’s Hiking Sandals Should You Consider?

Check out our best hiking sandals for men guide to see out how the Astral Webbers stack up against the competition. Also take a look at these other great alternatives:

KEEN Newport H2 Review: The KEEN Newport H2s share the Webbers’ water-ready design and comfortable fit. However, these have a closed-toe design for much better foot protection, and are more stable as well.

Teva Terra Fi 5 Review: These offer a similar design with two straps on top of the foot, although they’re more adjustable and wider. For better support on and traction on longer hikes and challenging terrain, choose the Terra Fi 5.

Chaco Z/1 Classic Review: The Chaco Z/1 Classic aren’t specifically water shoes, but they’re so versatile they’re excellent for wet adventures. The Z/1’s are much bulkier, though they offer better stability and superior adjustability.