Best Water Shoes for Any Occasion: Beach to Pool
Choosing comfortable footwear makes a big difference while planning for a water sport. Water shoes can help you stay cool and comfortable while going for a water adventure in the summer. They also save your encounter with rock and hard-core objects emersed in the water bodies.
Thankfully fashion has evolved so that you can go for various water sports without compromising comfort and style. The best water shoes are lightweight with sleek designs that are comfortable to wear while scuba diving, kayaking, boating, etc. They are well equipped with special features like thermal protection, underfoot traction, and water drainage.
There are tons of options available in the market for purchasing water shoes depending on your lifestyle and adventure needs. In this article, we have listed the best water shoes that complement your adventure and shopping needs. Continue reading further to explore a wide range of water shoes and their technical specifications.
10 Best Water Shoes
We have listed the top 10 picks of the best water shoes for men and women below:
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Salomon men’s cross amphibian swift 2 hiking water shoes are one of the best shoes for water adventure. Their lightweight makes it easier to use for multiple watersports like whitewater boating, kayaking, canyoneering, etc. Apart from water adventures, you can opt for these shoes if you just love to walk on the beach side.
They are well-equipped with a great drainage system that doesn’t allow the water to retain inside the shoes. They dry quickly and provide the best if you are looking for running shoes in super wet places. They feel like snug-fitting socks on the feet that protect your feet against debris and other harsh objects present inside the water. You can also adjust its fitting as per your comfort level through adjustable laces and tongue.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Rubber sole
- Weight: 7.41 Ounces
- Color Availability: Aqua Grey, Urban Chic, and Vanilla Ice
Pros
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It is lightweight and comfortable for various water adventures.
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It is made with mesh and prevents debris from entering the shoe.
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It drains and dries quickly.
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It can be worn both in and out of the water.
Cons
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It has a low grip on slippery surfaces and wet rocks.
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The interior material of the sole can be harsh on the feet.
Merrell men’s speed strike leather sieve water shoes are specially designed for water adventures in hot weather. They are highly comfortable and keep your feet cool inside. Merrell speed strike leather sieve water shoes are very durable if kept with utmost care. They prove to be one of the best choices for water sports lovers. They come with elastic cords that make lace adjustments easy.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Full-grain leather and mesh
- Weight: 2 Pounds
- Color Availability: Earth, Olive, and Black
Pros
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These water shoes are highly comfortable to wear in and out of the water.
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Their elastic laces provide a comfortable snug fit that keeps the debris away from the feet.
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Their traction level is higher as compared to many other water shoes.
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They provide a strong grip over slippery and rocky surfaces.
Cons
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They are relatively difficult to clean.
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Frequent and heavy adventures make their soles wear out quickly.
Xero launched the best water shoes for water sports lovers – Men’s Aqua X Sports Water Shoes. These shoes are highly suitable for fun activities, whether in or out of the water. They protect your feet against harsh objects available in the external environment making your day filled with fun and adventure. You can either wear them for outdoor games like tennis or water adventures like beach walking and whitewater boating.
Though the sand gets inside these shoes, it doesn’t get trapped inside. They are easy to clean and dry. They come with a zero-drop sole to provide the utmost comfort for extended periods. Moreover, they have elastic cords with a lace lock that allows you to adjust the fitting as per your comfort level.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Rubber sole
- Weight: 1.28 Pounds
- Color Availability: Black, Surf, Steel Grey, Blue, and Moonlit Blue
Pros
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They are very comfortable and suitable for multiple water adventures.
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They are well-equipped with multiple drain holes that allow the water to trespass and keep the feet free from moisture.
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They exhibit excellent traction.
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They are the best choice for fashion freaks. Their style is incomparable to any other water shoes available in the market.
Cons
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They are heavy on the pocket.
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A little crease in the tongue of the shoes can sometimes cause pain and abrasion on the upper side of the foot when worn for extended periods.
Women’s Canyonlands water shoes by Chaco are one of the best water shoes for land-to-water fun activities. Their lightweight and versatility make them the perfect choice for a day full of fun-filled activities. Their sneaker-like look makes them a stylish choice for the fashion freak out there. You can easily carry them either for trekking or diving. Their rubber sole allows excellent traction on all types of surfaces and provides grip both in and out of the water.
Moreover, they allow frequent cross-ventilation so that you can easily wear them for extended periods. It includes removable arch support that you can easily attach or remove according to your comfort level. Their mesh lining allows them to dry instantly, preventing the cuts and irritation caused due to moisture and wetness.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Synthetic polymer with rubber sole
- Weight: 1.65 Pounds
- Color Availability: Black, Zinc, and Storm Blue
Pros
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They come with removable LUVSEAT arch support.
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They are highly comfortable with a sneaker-like style.
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Their rubber sole allows maximum traction in and out of the water.
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They allow land-to-water versatility along with the utmost protection.
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They support quick drying.
Cons
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They are expensive compared to other water shoes available in the market.
Mizuno Wace Prophecy 12 water shoes fall under the luxurious and premium shoe category. They are well-known among long-route runners as they provide excellent traction and ultimate stability. They provide a Dynamotion fit that is easy on your foot. Their rubber sole makes it possible for you to move on harsh and rough surfaces easily. They come with an ultimate wave feature that provides a cushioning effect under the foot. All these excellent features make these shoes incomparable to other water shoes available in the market.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Synthetic leather with rubber sole
- Weight: 1.81 Pounds
- Color Availability: Black Oyster-Blue Ashes and Forget Me Not-Soleil
Pros
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They are very durable and ultra-premium shoes.
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They are highly ventilated and avoid constriction to enhance the comfort level.
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They provide significant heel compression.
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They have stylish designs to compliment your personality.
Cons
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They are highly expensive and unaffordable.
Sperry men’s wave rocker water shoes are the best water shoes with a dynamic sock-fit design. It is made up of hydrophobic mesh that allows excellent ventilation and instant drying. Their lightweight makes it possible to wear them for extended periods. They come with an innovative external TPU harness to provide lateral support and custom fit. They look very stylish with a sneaker-like look that you can wear for land or water adventures. They are extremely comfortable so that you can complement your day’s fun and enjoyment.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Mesh with rubber sole
- Weight: 1.76 Pounds
- Color Availability: White
Pros
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They provide excellent ventilation.
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They have a unique futuristic style.
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They provide excellent traction and stability both in and out of the water.
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They have a snug-soft upper fit to provide an extreme level of comfort.
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Their upper body is made up of mesh that allows quick drying.
Cons
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They are not meant for everybody due to their high range cost.
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They are problematic while cleaning.
Keen women’s whisper sandals are multi-purpose waterproof sandals for women. They provide higher traction for multiple water sports like beach strolling, river trekking, kayaking, etc. They are well equipped with elastic laces to adjust comfortable and secure fit. They come with toe bumpers to prevent frequent water injuries. You can easily wash them in a washing machine without any hindrance. You don’t need to put in extra effort to clean them.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Textile with rubber sole
- Weight: 8.8 Ounces
- Color Availability: Black, Blue Depth, Chalk Violet, Magnet, Medium Grey, Original Tie Dye, Red Dahlia, Sea Moss, Smoke Blue, Coral, Timberwolf, Peach Whip, Navy Blue, Blue Shadow, Coffee Liqueur, Redwood, Tango Red, and Beige
Pros
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They are highly comfortable and lightweight.
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They are super easy to clean.
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They provide excellent traction and grip on slippery and rocky surfaces.
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They protect your feet against water blisters.
Cons
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They are inconsistent in size.
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They don’t provide any protection against debris as they have spaces on the sides.
Astral women’s loyak are comfortable for various water adventures like canoeing, kayaking, short-wet hiking, etc. They are built with environmentally-friendly recycled and vegan polymers. They contain multiple drain holes to help them get dry quickly. They come with maximum sole-to-surface contact to provide the highest friction and grip on smooth surfaces like boat docks and racks.
They are super comfy and easy on the feet as they don’t leave any marks even after wearing them for extended periods. They have laces that help you to adjust them to get a snug fit. Their excellent traction and water-resistant built material make it easy for you to enjoy and run on a rainy day.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Cordura Nylon with mesh lining and rubber sole.
- Weight: 6.4 Ounces
- Color Availability: Navy Blue, Olive Green, Midnight Black, Turquoise Grey, Grey, and Rosa Red
Pros
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They are made with high-quality and vegan raw materials.
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They are easy on the feet and don’t leave any marks.
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They are designed with drain holes that allow them to dry quickly.
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They have the most versatile designs out of all water shoes available in the market.
Cons
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They don’t have a tongue at the openings, which makes it hard to slip the feet inside the shoes.
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They are prone to catching sand and grit.
Merrell women’s Waterpro Maipo 2 water shoes are considered to be the best water shoes for multiple water adventures. They make your day more fun-filled with their flexibility and strong grip. They are highly versatile and well-known for their style. Maipo 2 is a more upgraded version of Merrell Waterpro Maipo 1 that is known for its comfortability and high-end performance in amphibious terrain.
They are designed for long-lasting comfort during water adventures, which makes them a good choice for river running and hiking. However, the only drawback associated with Maipo 2 is its synthetic toe bumper that provides minimum toe protection, making it unsuitable for wild wandering.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Textile with Vibram sole
- Weight: 1.54 Pounds
- Color Availability: Navy Blue, Rock, Black, Ocean Blue, and Velvet Morning
Pros
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They have midsoles that provide comfortable cushioning.
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They are lightweight and comfortable to wear for long hours.
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Their lace-up closure design provides a comfortable snug fit.
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They come with multiple size options depending on the structure of your foot.
Cons
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They provide minimum inner protection to toes with synthetic toe bumper.
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They are a little tricky to clean due to their design.
Keen women’s Newport H2 closed-toe water sandals are an excellent choice for water adventures. They are specially designed to provide the comfort of sandals and the protection of water shoes. They have a quick dry lining and webbed design that support quick drying and easy cleaning. Its iconic toe bumper acts as a super saver that saves your toes against harsh external objects like rocks and other elements. It has a lace-lock bungee system that allows you to adjust its fitting according to your feet’ structure. Apart from all this, it provides highly reliable arch support.
Specifications & Features
- Material: Polyester with rubber sole
- Weight: 1.72 Pounds
- Color Availability: Banyan Tree, Black, Raspberry Wine, Drizzle, Fawn, Fjord Blue, Fujirock, Grey, Smoke Blue, Groovy Orange, Navy Blue, Monochrome Sea Moss, Fawn, Safari, Raya Black, Papaya, Coral, Smokey Bear, Mulch, Slate Black, and Plum
Pros
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They have a stylish design.
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They provide excellent traction and grip on different surfaces.
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They are suitable for both land and water adventures.
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They provide high-degree protection to feet in challenging environments and rough surfaces.
Cons
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They are heavy and uncomfortable in the long run.
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They have size issues.
Comparison Table for Water Shoes
| Product | Material | Weight | Color Availability | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salomon Men’s Cross Amphibian Swift 2 Hiking Water Shoes | Mesh with a rubber sole | 7.41 oz | Aqua Grey, Urban Chic, Vanilla Ice | Lightweight, great drainage, quick-drying, adjustable fit, suitable for water adventures, and beach walking | Low grip on slippery surfaces, potential discomfort on the feet interior |
| Merrell Men’s Speed Strike Leather Sieve Water Shoe | Full-grain leather and mesh | 2.0 lbs | Earth, Olive, Black | Comfortable, elastic laces, strong traction, suitable for wet surfaces | Difficult to clean, soles wear out quickly |
| Xero Shoes Men’s Aqua X Sport Water Shoe | Rubber sole | 1.28 lbs | Black, Surf, Steel Grey, Blue, Moonlit Blue | Comfortable, multiple drain holes, excellent traction, stylish design | High cost, potential creasing causing discomfort |
| Chaco Women’s Canyonland Water Shoes | Synthetic polymer with rubber sole | 1.65 lbs | Black, Zinc, Storm Blue | LUVSEAT arch support, comfort, maximum traction, land-to-water versatility | Expensive compared to others, no protection against debris |
| Mizuno Men’s Wave Prophecy 12 Water Shoes | Synthetic leather with rubber sole | 1.81 lbs | Black Oyster-Blue Ashes, Forget Me Not-Soleil | Durable, ventilated, heel compression, stylish design, premium quality | Highly expensive and unaffordable |
| Sperry Men’s Wave Rocker Water Shoes | Mesh with rubber sole | 1.76 lbs | White | Excellent ventilation, unique style, great traction, comfort, quick drying | High cost, problematic cleaning |
| Keen Women’s Whisper Closed-Toe Sport Sandals | Textile with rubber sole | 8.8 oz | Multiple Colors | Comfortable, easy to clean, excellent traction, water blister protection | Inconsistent sizing, no debris protection |
| Astral Women’s Loyak | Cordura Nylon with mesh lining and rubber sole | 6.4 oz | Multiple Colors | High-quality vegan materials, easy on feet, quick-drying, versatile design | No tongue at the openings, prone to sand and grit |
| Merrell Women’s Waterpro Maipo 2 Water Shoes | Textile with Vibram sole | 1.54 lbs | Multiple Colors | Comfortable cushioning, lightweight, adjustable fit, multiple size options | Limited inner toe protection, challenging to clean |
| Keen Women’s Newport H2 Closed-Toe Water Sandal | Polyester with rubber sole | 1.72 lbs | Multiple Colors | Stylish design, excellent traction, suitable for land and water adventures, high-degree protection | Heavy and uncomfortable, size issues |
Buying Considerations
You need to examine multiple factors while choosing the best water shoes for your water adventure. Apart from budget, several other factors can influence your buying considerations. We have mentioned some top elements that you need to research before purchasing your pair of water shoes:
Purpose
The main purpose of purchasing water shoes is to enjoy the water adventure to the fullest extent. However, the design and features may vary depending on the type of water adventure you prefer. Starting from beach walks to kayaking, the design of the shoes may vary.
So, it is necessary to identify the purpose before you opt to purchase any specific water shoes.
Style
Some people give priority to style over anything else. If you are more concerned about your style, make sure to balance your choice of water shoes. The best water shoes should be able to satisfy your adventure while being stylish at the same time.
Durability
Heavy expenditure makes no sense when you have to compromise the quality and durability of the shoes. You should ensure that your water shoes must be durable enough to provide you with the maximum return on your expenditure.
Comfort
Comfort is the biggest factor that you should consider while purchasing water shoes. You can only enjoy your water adventure as long as you are comfortable with what you are wearing. Comfort should be your priority over style if you want to wear your water shoes for an extended time.
Material
Material is the next thing that you watch carefully before buying water shoes. The material of your water shoes should be water-repellent to keep your feet cool and dry. Ensure that your water shoes are easy to dry and don’t absorb water.
Traction
Traction is another important factor that you need to consider before buying water shoes. Style and comfort become useless if your shoes are unable to provide a strong grip on multiple surfaces like mud, rock, etc.
Foot Security
People wear shoes to protect their feet against harsh surfaces and extremely hot weather. Ensure that your water shoes can safeguard your feet against rock-hard surfaces and other hazardous objects present in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water shoes help to keep your feet dry and safe during various water adventures like beach walks, kayaking, canoeing, whitewater boating, etc. They prevent you from experiencing cuts, abrasions, and other injuries caused while walking in water and on rocky surfaces.
Unlike regular casual or formal shoes, water shoes are specially designed to protect your feet against wetness. They are made of water-repellent material like rubber and mesh that doesn’t absorb water and keep your feet dry during water sports.
Water shoes not only protect your feet from staying moist all day long, but rather they are also extremely comfortable for wearing over extended periods. Water shoes provide you with an extreme level of comfort so that you can easily enjoy your water adventure to the fullest.
If you often go for water adventures, a good quality pair of water shoes can last for about 8 to 12 months. However, if you try water sports occasionally, then you can easily store your water shoes for as long as 5 years or even more.
Soak your water shoes in soapy (use shampoo, detergent, soap, etc.) and lukewarm water. Scrub it to remove all the dirt and impurities. You can add a pinch of baking soda to get rid of the smell. Let them dry completely before storing.
Some water shoes that are made up of fabric/material that wrap around the feet without any spaces don’t allow sand to get inside and protect your feet against the sand.
You should always opt for water shoes that are made up of skin-friendly materials like mesh, rubber, leather, and textile. The sole of the best water shoes should be made up of rubber to maintain grip and traction in the water or slippery surface.
Remember that you should never use soap or detergent on water-resistant material. You can easily clean it with the help of a soft cloth, a soft brush, and some water.
Though waterproof shoes resist water from getting inside for a longer time, they are not suitable for water adventures for extended periods. They hold water for a long time once they start getting wet from the inside. Wearing wet waterproof shoes can cause rashes and itchiness on your feet. Sometimes they might also result in abrasions caused by moisture.
Sun drying is the most suitable method for drying water shoes. You need to keep them in the open sun for 3-4 hours to let them dry completely. Drying water shoes in the washing machine can damage their sole.
No, water shoes should snuggly fit on your feet with very little or no space between the feet and the shoe interior. This tight fitting is required to avoid chafing and blistering caused by the water.
Final Verdict
People who exhibit a love for water sports and water adventures are inclined toward purchasing water shoes. The best water shoes help them to enjoy their water adventure to the fullest extent without any worry. However, choosing the right pair according to the requirements of the water adventure is one of the most typical tasks. Not all water shoes are meant for all water sports.
The best water shoes are designed to get wet once you step inside the water. However, they are well-equipped with a drainage system to direct the excess water out of the shoes. Hence, they keep your feet protected against injuries and abrasions caused by moisture and wetness.
