NRS Freestyle Wetshoe

A:

Usually on one of our men's sized shoes women wear one size smaller - your size 7 foot should be just fine in the size 6.

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These should work fine with the Smart Track foot pegs. I had these pegs until a couple of years ago, not with these shoes though,
the shoes I had at the time had about the same flexibility. I wear them with thin neoprene water socks.
My old shoes were a bit small. I think size 9. For Freestyle Wetshoes you're asking about I went with size 10. (I think I'm 9 to 9.5) I was concerned they might be too big. They're just fine, very comfortable, not loose at all. They're good while paddling and walking around in. After I paddle I go shopping in them. If they made sneakers like them I'd buy 'em and wear 'em everyday. They seem to be easy to put on and take off, but because of the height they don't slip off. The old shoes I bought 7 years ago, if they weren't too small I'd still be using them. They wear on the pegs and went bald after about 4 years, the tops got faded (I leave them in the sun to dry after I rinse them). I expect the booties to be about the same. Good value. If I had a complaint it's that they don't make a sneaker like them.
I have to add that I think foot pegs are awful. My typical paddle is three hours, I engage the pegs--they are the connection from the paddle to the kayak. My toes always fell asleep and cramped up. Tight shoes were part of the problem, but I still think pegs are a drag.
If you've ever worked on a step ladder for a long period of time, you'll know what I mean. If you don't than take a couple of pieces of pipe about the same cross section as your foot pegs and stand on them shifting your weight for as long as you can stand it.
To replace the SmartTack rudder pegs, I made a full foot brace (with a pump), which was an immediate improvement. I've since made a new foot brace with straps (2" nylon webbing, with mini cell foam on the sides. This gives me great contact, no cramps or feet falling asleep. I've got some pictures of the first version on my Flickr page, look for Nettles and kayak. It's ugly but it worked. (I'll try to get photos of the new brace up).
There aren't many commercially available full foot braces. Most are for surf skis, which should work. In the end it's a custom job.
Keep this in mind if your feet start bothering you, if not even better.
I also bought a cheap yoga mat $10 and cut it up to surface my foot brace. Very comfortable, great traction, holds up in seawater. I lay a piece down on the hull to pads my heels. Probably won't work on the pegs, but under the heels really helps, and is great in colder water.
Hope this helps. (I always seem to have to add my extra 2 cents. Maybe I should send my foot brace gripe and design to Smart Track….)
Happy paddling,

A:

The Freestyle is the redesigned Desperado Sock, and replaces it. Improvements are a HydroCuff top (that snugs around the leg to block debris and help hold in warmth, a more naturally shaped and roomy toe box, our new VaporLoft lining (that doesn't absorb water, so it dries quickly), rubber support bands (that help provide lateral stability, without adding bulk) and a redesigned sole that is siped to improve traction. The old Desperado Sock was sized S, M, L, etc, with the M being equivalent to a men's size 9. The Freestyle is sized in men's number sizes. So, if you wear a size 9 in other shoes, and are wearing it over bare feet, order size 9. If you have other layers in there, size accordingly.

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Carlos, the Freestyle is designed to give the flexibility of a sock, with enough sole thickness to provide protection for the put-in. You should order a size 11. The sole is siped to improve traction; I can't say how well it will work in your "slippery, muddy" approach.