Astral TR1 Junction Review

If you've read any reviews of ours, seen us on the river, etc, you will be well aware of our love for Astral products. In addition to their fantastic pfds like the Green jacket and Bird Dog, in our opinion, they have taken river shoes to an entirely new and versatile level with their Brewer, Loyak, Hiyak, Rassler, etc. Those are all fantastic shoes for amazing traction on damp rocks as well as bringing the style off the river. The only downside is that it would be nice for some additional models that are even more oriented for hiking and lifestyle, as well as other activities... Well, the good people at Astral have not been idle and have been busy expanding their product line. We will be writing reviews for some of those offerings, starting with the TR1 Junction. 

The Junctions are described by Astral as a "burly yet lightweight hiker" and we would tend to agree. If you are familiar with the Brewers, the Junctions incorporate some of the same features with a few key differences. They still maintain the quick-drying material, drain holes in the sole, trendy looks (mine are the Deep Water Navy color), etc but add some more substantial hiking oriented qualities. These include Hydrophobic canvas with protective TPU overlays at the toe and heel cap, removable Polygiene® treated insole, a top shank to help with foot fatigue and some gnarlier 5mm lug tread. Don't worry though, they still use the absolutely phenomenal G® Rubber, one of the biggest draws, for us, for Astral footwear. 

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I have managed to spend some good quality time with the Junctions over the last few months. The PNW offers many diverse landscapes to try them in and we wasted no time putting them to the test on the beach, by the river, in the rainforests, hiking on volcanoes, etc. For damp rocks, the grip seems just as good as the Brewers. Meaning, amazing. I was a little bit concerned about that due to the more agressive treads but happy to report no problems. On top of that, for dirt trails with loose soil, you can really feel the welcome addition of the more rugged sole for much appreciated superior traction. They are also a bit more comfortable on rocky terrain with the new top shank and slightly thicker sole.

In addition to using them off the beaten path, the Junctions have become my normal around town footwear of choice, whereas the Brewers were pulling triple-duty for that, some light hiking and time on the river. The Junction's good looks, comfort (the soft material around the ankle and removable insole really help) and versatility really lend themselves to it. It's also really handy to be able to dip off into the woods/beach/river/etc at a moment's notice without worrying about changing footwear. Just keep in mind that while the mesh on them helps with breathability and weight, they will let in moisture in damp conditions. 

Really the only thing I haven't done yet is use the Junction's while kayaking and I'm not sure if I will or not... I am blessed to have other Astral's for that and while they would work, I feel like the Junction's thicker soles and sturdier build would not be as advantageous for that particular use. The extra burliness of the Junction's also result in heavier weight than say the Brewers. While absolutely not "heavy" per say, there is a very noticeable difference. I personally like to stay as light as possible on the river. In short, in my opinion, while my Brewers feel like they SHOULD get wet, the Junctions feel more like they COULD. 

To sum it up, the TR1 Junctions are another great addition to an already fantastic shoe line. These fill a void in my personal gear for a lightweight hiker and stylish around town shoe, with exceptional traction as usual. Visit the Astral website to order some for yourself, you won't regret it. 

Pros: 

• That phenomenal Astral traction works even better off the river
• A more substantial sole with top shank smooths out rough terrain
• Soft inner liner adds even more comfort than previous models
• Ability to drain water when the going gets wet
• Durable
• Stylish as always

 Cons:

• Burlier build makes them heavier than say the Brewers, but still very lightweight
• The mesh on them will let in moisture so keep that in mind 
• Might not fit as well in tighter boats due to sturdier construction and thicker soles

Specs:

• Uppers: Hydrophobic canvas with protective TPU overlays at toe and heel cap. Supportive EVA heel cup. Removable Polygiene® treated insole. Heel tab. Includes alternate color laces.
• Midsole: Level heel to ball, with Top Shank™ to reduce foot fatigue.
• Outsole: G.15™ high friction Rubber with aggressive 5mm lugs. Non-marking.
• Foot to Ground Distance: 21mm heel, 20mm ball
• Weight / shoe: Men's 9 = 309g (10.896 oz)