SALOMON TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 Review: Versatile water shoes for enjoying the outdoors in the summer
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
The main focus of summer outdoor activities is undoubtedly water activities on riverbanks, valleys, lakesides, and beaches
In most cases, simple sandals will suffice if you're just doing some light water play, but if you're planning on spending long periods of time near water, such as boating, canoeing, rafting, or fishing, or if you're doing light stream climbing or canyoning and want to walk safely in the water, then a sturdy pair of amphibious "water shoes" is essential
Among the water shoes that add color to the summer, Salomon's long-selling TECHAMPHIBIAN series in that it covers a wide range of adventures, has been updated to its fifth generation, so we decided to try them out by playing in the river and walking along a mountain path next to a stream.
table of contents
Main features of SALOMON TECHAMPHIBIAN 5
These versatile water shoes are perfect for everything from waterside activities to light hiking. The upper features a mesh construction with moderate reinforcement to protect your feet and excellent breathability, water resistance, and quick-drying properties, providing high comfort and protection in the water. The outsole is made of a highly adhesive compound with special sipes for excellent grip on wet surfaces and off-road. They also offer many other conveniences for everyday use, including a collapsible heel with an adjustable strap, a quicklace system for easy on/off, and a sockliner made from S.Café® recycled materials with moisture management and odor resistance
Recommended points
- An outsole with excellent grip and durability, even on wet surfaces
- Comfortable cushioning and responsive midsole
- Mesh upper with excellent breathability, water repellency and quick drying
- Foldable heel for easy relaxation
- Versatile enough for everything from everyday summer wear to hiking
Points of interest
- The adjustable heel strap loosens slightly as you walk, even when tightened (but not too much)
- Although it has good drainage, fine sand particles inevitably get in
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | SALOMON TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 |
|---|---|
| weight | Nominal weight: 301g (27cm, actual weight: 285g per foot) |
| drop | 9mm (Toe 17.9mm / Heel 26.7mm) |
| upper |
|
| Midsole |
|
| Outsole | Water Contagrip® |
| Comfort (fit) | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| Drainage/quick drying | ★★★★★ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ |
| durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| grip | ★★★★★ |
| versatility | ★★★★★ |
Detailed Review
Outsole with exceptional grip even on wet rocks
This was the first thing that surprised me when I tried on the TECHAMPHIBIAN 5
As someone who has worn many shoes for mountain stream climbing and mountain stream fishing, even if most water shoes are said to be "non-slip!" beforehand, when I actually try them on I usually mutter to myself, "Well, that's about right," but this time it was completely different. If I hadn't been careful, I might not have even noticed they were mountain stream shoes! I cheered in my heart at how good the grip was
The outsole of this model is made of the durable and adhesive "Contagrip® FD" compound, which has a proven track record in full-scale trail running shoes. The lug pattern is designed to maximize the contact area with the ground, with shallow grooves to ensure a firm grip even on wet roads and slippery rocks (see photo below)
Furthermore, if you spread this convex part further, you will find that it has special sipes just like those on studless tires, which allows for maximum grip when used as water shoes to prevent slipping on wet surfaces, or as walking shoes that allow for firm footing on uneven ground (see photo below)
Although this slip resistance (this is only a guess as I have not actually worn them on serious stream climbing) is not exactly the same as that of the soles of mountain stream shoes, it is still sufficient for day trips walking in small streams or stream fishing (although even stream shoes can be a bit slippery on mossy rocks)
By the way, on paved roads, this shallow lug pattern is definitely easier to walk in and less prone to wear than the deeper lugs found in many of Salomon's trail running shoes, so in that sense it's a very advantageous feature for everyday wear
Comfortable cushioning and responsive midsole
The part that is most typical of Salomon, and one that I like quietly, is the midsole, which is equipped with "EnergyCell™" which has excellent shock absorption, rebound, and durability. This cushioning material, which has been used in many running shoes, is placed with a fairly solid thickness of 26.7mm in the heel and 17.9mm in the forefoot (9mm drop), which means that you are less likely to be damaged by uneven road surfaces and less likely to feel tired after walking for long periods of time (see photo below)
That said, the sole as a whole is flexible rather than hard, allowing you to feel the unevenness of the road surface just enough
This means that these shoes are not just suitable for the water, but are also well-balanced enough to be worn from the entrance to the field, playing in the water, hiking in the mountains, spending the night at camp, and even on your way home. This is one of the great attractions of Salomon water shoes, which cannot be replicated by water shoes specifically designed for boating or kayaking
The upper is highly breathable and water-repellent, keeping you comfortable whether wearing socks or barefoot
Since water shoes are designed for aquatic activities, it goes without saying that they need to be comfortable when wet, but in this regard, these shoes are equally comfortable to wear both near water and on land, as if there is no distinction between water and land
The toe box has a little less play, so it holds your foot snugly no matter what you wear, from thin socks to bare feet. And the familiar quicklace system from the forefoot to the instep provides an easy and secure fit (see photo below)
The adjustable heel strap allows you to adjust the heel hold depending on the situation (see photo below). This allows you to adjust the heel hold depending on whether you are wearing socks or not, so it worked very well at first, but..
They tended to loosen up quite quickly, making it difficult to wear them for long periods of time with them tightly fastened. However, they don't become so loose that they're unbearable to wear, so it's not a problem as long as you don't use them too harshly, but it's a bit of a shame since I really like the structure
Another benefit of the strap-type construction is that you can fold the heel down and turn it into a slip-on, which is super convenient when you want to relax and wear it casually
What's more, the fact that the heel is crushed means that they can be packed more compactly. The ease of being able to stuff them into a bag as a secondary pair of shoes for camping or traveling is a subtle but appealing feature
Breathable, water-repellent and quick-drying mesh upper
Anyone who has ever gotten soaked in regular shoes knows how uncomfortable it is when water gets inside your shoes and stays there forever... In other words, for water shoes, which are designed to get water in, it's no exaggeration to say that the quality of their drainage and quick-drying capabilities are vital to their comfort
However, while the shortcut to increasing drainage is to cover the upper with as little fabric as possible, going too far will result in a decrease in the shoe's protection, which is insufficient for shoes used on mountain trails
Therefore, the TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 provides a balanced drainage solution by mapping the upper with a quick-drying, durable material and mesh with excellent drainage (breathability) properties in the right places.
For example, to prevent injury if your foot gets caught between stones or rocks, the area from the toe to the periphery is reinforced appropriately, and mesh drainage sections are placed in specific areas between them. In this way, each function is evenly distributed to ensure both durability and drainage in every area (see photo below)
The mesh on the sides has also been made larger to maximize water drainage speed, and these aspects have been carefully considered, providing excellent drainage no matter what direction the shoes are facing or what state they are in. Of course, this drainage performance also translates into good airflow when worn daily, and they remain comfortable even when worn in sweaty summer streets
On the other hand, the ease with which foreign matter can enter from the outside was a bit disappointing
Even if the fine mesh on the toe and tongue can prevent pebbles and debris from getting in, it cannot prevent sand particles from getting in through the coarse mesh on the sides or the slits in the heel (see photo below)
So, if you want to avoid the feeling of foreign objects such as gravel on riverbanks or in the ocean as much as possible, I personally feel that the best way to wear them is to wear them with some kind of quick-drying, heat-retaining socks made of quick-drying material or neoprene (see photo below)
Sock liner for extended wear
One of the most troublesome issues with water shoes is that they tend to get wet. To combat this, the TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 uses S.Café®, a recycled material made from coffee grounds, in its insoles. This outstanding product combines odor control and moisture control, eliminating discomfort while being environmentally friendly.
Summary: Convenient midsummer shoes for everything from waterside activities to hiking and everyday wear
the TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 primarily on water use, but after wearing them in various other situations, I realized they're a versatile sneaker for almost any summer occasion, from waterside to work, the gym, weekends, travel, and camping. I haven't tried them yet, but I'm sure they'll be useful at outdoor festivals too. Their lightweight, water-repellent, and breathable design provide a comfortable fit, with a stable grip on both paved roads and wet, uneven terrain. Their simple design ensures a comfortable fit in a variety of situations. However, as mentioned in the article, the heel hold isn't quite as good as that of specialized running or hiking shoes, so you'll want to be careful not to use them too aggressively.
In any case, these are versatile water shoes that can be used for a variety of summer outdoor activities depending on how you use them. If you're already thinking about summer plans, these are shoes you should definitely try out
SALOMON TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 details and purchase information
For more product details, please also check out the official online stores for TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 (Men's) and TECHAMPHIBIAN 5 (Women's)
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