Olukai Moku Pae Review | Tested & Rated

Nov 01, 2024

The Olukai Moku Pae was a joy to test, offering an excellent blend of comfort, performance, and style. These aren't as ideal for intense water sports, but this slip-on footwear does surprisingly well in many settings.

Since a shoe must be, first and foremost, comfy on one's feet, we gave this metric 25% of the total score of the Olukai Moku Pae. We tested this metric by logging hours in each water shoe, utilizing them in a variety of environments, from overland hikes to river boating. We kept detailed notes along the way, documenting any and all findings ranging from next-to-skin comfort to arch support. The Moku Pae came in towards the top of the lineup.

Simply put, the Moku Pae was a joy to wear. The generously cushioned midsole kept our feet happy for at least a couple miles of hiking, as long as the trail didn't get too technical. For in-water use, we were well-protected from rocky and sharp ocean bottoms and didn't experience any unwanted rubbing. The arch support also was a crucial aspect of all-day comfort, since many days on the water entail hours standing on one's feet.

One of the most noticeable setbacks of the Moku Pae was the lack of a true lacing system. While there are laces, these are effectively just aesthetic and cannot truly be adjusted. Fortunately, we were able to still go on hikes and several other sports, but these aren't as ideal for more technical use, whether on a white water trip or scrambling along a coastline.

Traction makes up 25% of the total score of the Moku Pae since water shoes are likely to be used in slick environments. We pushed each pair on a variety of wet surfaces that ranged from rock to gravel to wood to man-made surfaces in and around boats. We also challenged water shoes on dry land. This option came in towards the front of the pack.

The Moku Pae boasts an intelligently designed outsole that offers decent friction while also offering channels to usher water away from the contact points of the ground and shoe.

As previously mentioned, the lack of fit adjustment may cause a less secure feel, particularly when really testing this shoe's traction. While the outsole itself offers excellent security, it's best if you don't max out its traction in steeper terrain, as you run the risk of your heel sliding out of the shoe.

We gave warmth 15% of the total score of the Moku Pae. We conducted a 5-minute cold plunge in approximately 38-degree water, giving a warmth rating of 1-10. We also utilized each pair of shoes in a variety of settings over the course of several weeks to further get a grasp on each model's warmth.

With a more robust and multi-layered mesh upper, this shoe offers more warmth than many other shoes that utilize mesh. While the shoe overall didn't drain particularly well, the robust midsole offered a bit more insulation from the ground. Outside of simply being in cold water, we mainly got cold feet in the Moku Pae when waiting for the shoe to fully drain and dry, which was a common issue among any of our well-supported shoes.

We gave versatility 15% of the total score of the Moku Pae. We examined each shoe's ability to be used for various water sports, ranging from fishing to boating to shoreline hikes. We also sized up each option's on-land capabilities, including around-town hangs. This option came in towards the back of the pack.

The Moku Pae offers excellent versatility in casual water sports, whether fishing, SUPing in mellow water, or hanging out on boats in tame water. As mentioned previously, the lack of fit adjustability makes this shoe less ideal for more rigorous sports. One added benefit to the Moku Pae's style is that it can be used around town effortlessly, helping it slightly in this metric.

For sensitivity, we examined the feel of each option over gravel, rock slabs, river beds, and lake bottoms. Options that scored highest found a balance between sensitivity and protection, though some may prefer a more or less sensitive outsole in a water shoe.

The well-cushioned midsole of the Moku Pae was a joy for our testers, and it surprisingly still gave some sensitivity, though it prioritizes protection over sensitivity. If your intended use involves some sharper surfaces or you like a more cushioned water shoe, this is worthy of your consideration.

We investigated this metric by pushing each pair of shoes for weeks on end in harsher environments, taking detailed notes on observed durability and wear and tear. We also examined the materials and design of each shoe. Lastly, we performed some basic drag tests with each option across rock and wood surfaces. The Moku Pae came in above average.

The Moku Pae offers a fairly durable construction that held up to our rigorous testing process. The most robust parts of the shoe were the outsole and midsole, with the cloth and mesh upper more easily frayed/impacted by abrasion. This option is among the lighter shoes in the lineup, so we were particularly impressed with how well it held up in testing. However, if you're hunting for a pair of shoes for more intense use, we'd recommend you look elsewhere.

If your intended water shoe use is more casual, and you need a more stylish shoe for around-town hangs, look no further. As long as we weren't getting into too intensive of an environment, we loved the blend of performance and aesthetics of the Moku Pae and find it well worth the money.