At first glance, the Helly Hansen Hydropower 4 shoes look like I remember my football boots looking when I was at school. All black and long, with a perforated leather look top.
This is entirely planned as many of the current footwear fashion trends follow this look but, paired with white soles, update it enough to be contemporary.
Unlike their much loved HH5.5’s, the Hydropower is an out and out water shoe.
Quick draining mesh sides, minimal padding and a lightweight, white sole all mark this shoe as a full on sailing shoe built primarily for use on water and ready to get soaked through at a moments notice. Indeed, it’s marketed as one of the worlds best selling sailing shoes.
It’s non marking soles won’t leave marks on gel coat or decks and they grip well, even when wet.
The shoe fits like a glove and hugs the foot. The laces have a quick cinch toggle for speed lacing and I found this very effective in keeping the Hydropower 4 securely on my feet, even when jumping around the cockpit.
The innersole is anti bacterial and works as claimed so far. How it copes with a season of Poole Harbour silt only time will tell.
One thing I did find slightly irritating is that, when worn with bare feet, the innersole tends to bunch up when you try to remove your feet. This problem goes away with wet feet, but it’s worth noting.
All in all a very capable, functional shoe.
Manufacturers description:
The Men’s Hydropower 4: one of the worlds best selling and most versatile sailing shoes has become even better.
This low-cut features open-mesh construction that enhances breathability, and flexibility, whilst the engineered structural overlays protect the feet from both deck hardware and rocks.
It has a comfortable, internal, molded EVA removable midsole which boasts a quick-drying and antibacterial surface.
This sleek performance shoe is designed for all watersport activities and has a best-in-class outsole with superb grip for boat decks.
Specifications:
- Upper: Synthetic/Mesh for support and breathability
- QuickDry mesh
- TPU stability and protection frame
- HellyWear protection
- Midsole: Molded EVA sockliner
- C-ZONE
- Serdia, Clarino Antibacterial technology
- Outsole: Multi-directional grip system
- Ultra Storm Grip
- Flex Groove