SALOMON TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 Review: Versatile water shoes for fun in the summer outdoors
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
When it comes to the main focus of summer outdoor activities, water activities are on riverbanks, valleys, lakesides, and beaches.
In this case, simple sandals are usually enough for light water play, but if you want to walk safely in the water, such as boating, canoeing, rafting, fishing, or if you want to walk safely in the water, such as light river climbing or canyoning, you will need solid amphibious "water shoes."
the TECHAMPHIBIAN series , a long-selling model that is easy to walk, soak, and relax, with a wide range of adventure areas, among the water shoes that will add color to the summer, and have a good balance of good walking , so we decided to try it out on the 5th generation of the river and walking on the mountain paths along the stream.
table of contents
Main features of SALOMON TECHAMPHIBIAN 5
These water shoes are versatile and can be used for a wide range of purposes, from outdoor activities by the water to light hiking. The upper is made of moderate reinforcement to protect your feet and a mesh that is excellent for ventilation, drainage and quick drying properties, providing high comfort and protection even in water. The outsole is made of highly adhesive compound with special sipes, and provides excellent grip even on wet roads and off-road. It also offers many conveniences for everyday use, including a folding heel that can be adjusted with straps, a quick lace system that can be easily attached and detached, and a sockliner made from recycled S.Café® material that has moisture-regulating and deodorizing properties.
Recommended points
- An amazingly tenacious and anti-slip outsole even on wet roads
- Midsole with comfortable cushioning and rebound force
- Mesh upper with excellent ventilation and drainage properties and quick drying properties
- Foldable heels for easy relaxation
- Versatile for a wide range of occasions, from everyday wear to hiking in the summer
Points that interest me
- The adjustable heel straps will loosen slightly while walking (not too loose) even if they are tight.
- Although it has high drainage properties, fine sand particles can inevitably enter.
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | SALOMON TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 |
|---|---|
| weight | Nominal weight: 301g (285g per foot measured 27cm) |
| drop | 9mm (Toe 17.9mm / Heel 26.7mm) |
| upper |
|
| Midsole |
|
| Outsole | Water Contagrip® |
| Comfort (fit) | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| Drainage and quick drying | ★★★★★ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| grip | ★★★★★ |
| Versatility | ★★★★★ |
Detailed review
Outsole provides extraordinary grip even on wet rocks
This is the first thing that surprised me when I tried wearing the TECHAMPHIBIAN 5
As someone who has worn a lot of shoes for climbing streams and fishing for streams, I have mostly tweeted in my mind, no matter how many times I was told in advance that it's not slippery! When I actually tried wearing them (well, that's how it is), but this time it was really different. If you're not good at it, you might not notice it if you say it's mountain stream shoes! ? That high grip gave me a cheer in my heart.
The compound used in the outsole of this work is the Contagrip® FD, which has a proven track record in authentic trail running shoes, and is highly durable and sticky. The rug pattern is designed to have shallow bumps to ensure a firm grip on wet roads and smooth, slippery rocky areas, and provide a rug pattern that will make the contact area as wide as possible (photo below).
Furthermore, when you spread this convex part thoroughly, it is covered in a special sipes that look like snow tires, making it possible to maximize grip as a water shoe that is not slippery on wet roads, or as a walking shoe that can be stepped firmly on uneven terrain (photo below).
This slip-resistant feeling (although I was actually unable to wear it on a full-scale stream climb, so this is a bit speculated), although it is not exactly the same as the sole of a mountain stream shoe, it is useful for a small stream walking or fishing for a mountain stream on a day trip (even stream shoes will slip slightly on mossy rocks).
By the way, on paved roads, this shallow rug pattern is definitely easier to walk in and less wear-out than the deep rugs seen in many Salomon trail running shoes, so in that sense it is a very advantageous feature as a daily wear.
Midsole with comfortable cushioning and rebound force
It is also the most Salomon-like part, and I'm just a bit of a favorite part, and it's equipped with EnergyCell™, which has excellent shock absorption, rebound and durability. This cushion material, which has been installed in many running shoes, is placed in a fairly solid thickness, with a heel of 26.7mm and a forefoot of 17.9mm (9mm drop), making it difficult to feel damaged by uneven road surfaces or get tired from walking for long periods of time (photo below).
That said, the entire sole is not so stiff, but rather flexible, and the unevenness of the road surface is just right.
In other words, you can see that these shoes are well-balanced not only from the water, but also from the entrance, from the field, playing in the water, hiking, camping nights, and even until you reach home. This is one of the great attractions of Salomon water shoes, which cannot be imitated by water shoes that are targeted for boats, kayaks, etc.
It has excellent ventilation and drainage properties, and provides a comfortable fit for both socks and barefoots
Since water shoes are designed with the premise of underwater activities, it goes without saying that comfort is required to get wet with the shoes, but this also gives the impression of the same comfort on both the water and the land, as if there are no barriers between water and land.
The toebox plays slightly less, and it holds your feet perfectly regardless of the foot you wear, from thin socks to bare feet. The familiar quick lace system from the forefoot to the instep gives it a simple and secure fit (photo below).
The adjustable heel strap-type heel allows you to adjust the hold to suit the situation (photo below). This is because you can adjust the heel hold to suit your socks and not wearing them, so I was in great shape at first.
It tended to loosen up quite early on, making it difficult to keep wearing it for a long time while being torn and tied up. However, it won't be loose and you won't be able to wear it, so it's fine as long as it's not used that strictly, but it's a bit of a shame because it's a structure I've always liked.
Another advantage of the strap-type construction is that the heel can be folded to create a slip-on. It's super convenient when you want to relax and use it casually.
Furthermore, the heel collapse means that it can be packed compactly. The ease of being able to pack your bag as a sub-shoe when staying in a tent or traveling is quite attractive.
Mesh upper with excellent ventilation, drainage and quick drying properties
Anyone who has ever got soaked in regular shoes will understand, but what about the discomfort when water gets inside your shoes and it stays in place for a long time... In other words, for water shoes that are supposed to get water in, it is no exaggeration to say that the quality and quality of drainage and quick-drying are a matter of life and death for the comfort of the shoe.
However, in order to improve drainage, the shortest way is to avoid covering the upper with fabric as much as possible, but if you go too far, it will lead to lower protection for your shoes. This is not enough shoes for walking along mountain paths.
Therefore, TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 takes a balanced drainage measure by mapping the upper with a material that is quick-drying and durable, and mesh that is highly drainable (breathable) to the right place.
For example, moderate reinforcement is made from the toes and outer circumference to prevent injury even if you interpose your feet between stones and rocks, and in between, the mesh drainage area is placed at pinpoint. In this way, each function is evenly scattered to ensure both durability and drainage in every location (photo below).
In addition, the mesh on the sides was made larger to maximize the drainage speed as much as possible, and this was carefully taken into consideration, providing excellent drainage no matter what orientation the shoes were in and in any condition. Of course, this drainage performance can provide a good windy feel when worn on a daily basis, and will remain comfortable even when worn in the city during the sweaty summer.
On the other hand, the ease with which foreign objects flowed in from outside was a bit disappointing.
Even if the fine mesh parts of the toes and tongues can prevent pebbles and debris from entering, it is inevitable that they will not be able to prevent the rough mesh on the sides and grains of sand entering through the slits on the heels (photo below).
So, if you want to avoid the appearance of foreign objects such as gravel as possible on the riverbank or the ocean, personally I feel that the best way to wear it is to wear it with some quick-drying and heat-retaining socks, such as quick-drying materials or neoprene (photo below).
Sockliner that is great for long-term use
The problem with the smell is a problem that is inevitably troublesome when it comes to water shoes that are often wet. Therefore, TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 uses a recycled material called "S.Café®", made from coffee powder, as the insole. It combines odor control and humidity control functions, making it an excellent product that eliminates discomfort while taking into consideration the environment.
Summary: Convenient midsummer shoes that can be worn from outdoor activities by the water to hiking and everyday wear
At first, I focused on using TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 I haven't tried it, but it's sure to be useful for outdoor festivals too. It's lightweight, has excellent water drainage and breathability, and is comfortable to wear, has a stable grip from paved roads to wet and uneven terrain, and its quirkless design will fit you without any discomfort even when worn in a variety of situations. However, as mentioned in the main text, the heel hold is not as specialized running or hiking shoes, so be careful not to use them too aggressively.
In any case, depending on how you use it, these are easy-to-use, versatile water shoes that can be used for a variety of outdoor activities in the summer, with just one pair. These shoes are definitely worth trying for those who are full of minds with summer plans.
Details and purchase of SALOMON TECHAMPHIBIAN 5
For product details, please also check the official online shopping sites for each of the TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 (men's) and TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 (women's)
