Palm Equipment have a large selection of footwear suitable for sea kayakers, from socks to shoes and boots. Sitting at the pinnacle are their recently upgraded flagship Gradient 3.0 boots. With over two years of design, development and testing with Vibram and the staff and team athletes at Palm.
The custom developed Vibram sole is made from ultra-sticky Idrogrip rubber, with specially developed traction lugs to keep your feet secure on wet and slippery rocks. The dual-density foam midsole adds cushioning to the heel, while the denser foam in the forefoot aid control in your boat.
Designed with a standard removable insole as well as a fit pad, they can be adapted to fit bare feet in the summer and drysuit feet with thick socks in the winter. The durable upper includes a neoprene cuff to prevent debris getting inside.
Palm team athlete Bren Orton oversaw every detail of the Gradient 3.0, from concept to design to putting them through countless hours of testing. With vibrant, movie-inspired colours and a touch of his own waterfall art, the Sherbet+Turquoise Gradient 3.0 is more than just a shoe it’s Bren’s dream realised. Cool, bold, and unmistakably stylish, it’s his signature version.
Tragically, we lost Bren to the river in May 2024. Honouring his memory, a portion of every sale goes to a cause for his family and legacy.
By Philip Clegg
With over two decades of working in the sea kayaking industry, Phil can be found on a daily basis coaching on the sea around Anglesey. That's when he's not researching and writing on all things sea kayaking.