As an oc-1 paddler I have used these shoes before (kneeling on a saddle) in a Probe 12 (Mohawk canoe).
Overall, they are a solid pair of shoes. They have great traction, and make waking through the river, or climbing on slippery rocks a breeze. (I especially like the toe-cover as a small protection against submerged undercut rocks in the stream bed.)
However, to swim in, these shoes are a hassle. For an open-boater, that has occasionally flipped and had to swim (either through whitewater, or on still water) I DO NOT RECOMMEND THESE SHOES FOR PADDLING. The water rushes through the shoe and gets between the footbed, and the foot- this creates drag and makes it difficult to swim against the current, or to swim at all.
All in all, these are amazing hiking shoes with fantastic arch-support, but they are not good shoes to paddle in.
