[Review] The Astral W’s TR1 Mesh

When I first saw the TR1 Mesh shoes by Astral I was very intrigued! I have extremely sensitive feet and even the simplest of creek crossings seem to scratch up my feet. Between my sensitive feet and my ability to lose my balance at all the right times while crossing bodies of water, I can say without a doubt the TR1 Mesh shoes have really improved my water experiences. Between the water drainages, comfort level, and ability to dry quickly and not stink, if I head out on a hike and think there’s even a slight chance of a water crossing, the TR1 Mesh shoes are the shoes I grab. The versatility really adds to the value of these shoes and will let you pack lightly when traveling.

There are a lot of cool features with the TR1s but the most notable has to be the drainage design. Not only are these shoes designed to withstand the abuse from constant soaking, water funk, and tough rock surfaces, the drainage is key for all-day comfort. You can see that on the front of the toe there are drain holes for water to escape. I thought it would feel weird wearing these shoes through the water but it doesn’t at all. The water immediately drains from the front of the shoes and it doesn’t feel like you’re walking around in a sopping wet mess.

The drainage allows the water to escape properly but the materials also add to the quick drying capabilities of the TR1 Mesh shoes. The mesh is a Ripstop 2D mesh so while it’s going to work wonders after being soaked, it’s also going to stand up to abuse out of the water. I also really like how Astral has reinforced the toe cap and heal with TPU overlays. For the last month I really feel like I put these through the wringer and they are showing little signs of wear.

Another benefit to the water drainage holes is the fact that sand can easily escape. With the desert comes a lot of sand. I felt like these did a really great job of letting sand escape where as my other hiking shoes would’ve just continued to collect the sand.

The insole of the TR1s is treated with Polygiene, which is supposed to help with odor control. I feel like these are as far from nasty river shoes as it can get! We can go for a long hike and then head into town and I don’t feel like I’m wearing “water shoes” nor do I feel like they stink at all! I’d like to think my feet don’t stink but add some nasty water to a confined space and I’m not sure that’s going to bring out the best in anyone. I’ve not noticed a nasty smell and I think I can attest to the Polygiene doing its job. Tyson will really be the one to test this technology!

As far as sizing goes, I’m usually a size 8-8.5. I went with the 8 in these and I’m glad I did. They’re a perfect fit. I personally don’t wear socks with them and that’s how I broke them in. I would give them a bit of a break in period but like I said I have sensitive feet. If your feet are super tough, I’d say go crazy! When I first threw on the TR1 Mesh shoes, I thought they would be a bit wide for someone with a normal width. They’re not too wide when they are on and the width really helps with stability when you’re traipsing through uneven/slick surfaces (seriously, it’s noticeable).

I love that the TR1 Mesh shoes don’t feel like a “water shoe,” look really cute, and are super functional. If I were heading somewhere super humid or moist I would definitely take these as my hiking shoe of choice. On a river or canoe trip I would live in them and in the desert, they’re perfect. It’s easy to justify the price, as they’re such a versatile and comfortable shoe that won’t turn into a nasty river shoe after the first wear. Be sure to check out the various models of Astral shoes available for all types of adventures by heading over to their website!