Author
Katherine Englishman
It’s the summer of 1990 and the season’s hottest new accessory is an oversized super soaker, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is at the top of the box office, and Nike’s neon-colored aqua socks are on every beachgoer's, pool lounger's, and river floater’s feet. (Unless they're already wearing a pair of Speedo’s iconic water socks that is.)
Although Nike's fluorescent footwear has become a colorful relic of a bygone era, the appreciation for the functional water shoe remains the same—and water shoes are nothing but functional. As the name implies, water shoes are made for being in, on, and around water; they have excellent traction for a good grip on slippery surfaces, usually a mesh upper that dries fast when you get out, and an easy slip-on design meant to fit and feel like a second skin that's helpful when submerged so it stays on your foot and won’t chafe or cause blisters. Again, functional, but not necessarily stylish.
Today’s iteration of the water shoe does better on looks and performance by blending the two together for versatile, style-forward footwear that functions well in and out of the water while looking good enough to wear almost anywhere. They aren’t just for keeping you upright around the neighborhood pool’s perimeter; purpose-built water shoes outperform regular sneakers and sandals while whitewater rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, and doing any other water sport you can think of by keeping you comfy and dry all day.
If your summer plans include aquatic adventures, we're here to help you narrow down your footwear search: here are the best water shoes that check off all the boxes including style, performance, and long-lasting active comfort in and out of the water.
The 11 Best Water Shoes for Aquatic Adventures
Best Overall: Keen Newport H2
A pair of rugged hiking sandals that Keen hilariously called “the world’s ugliest sandals” (their words, not ours) are the brand’s claim to fame. Part water sandal, part hikers, these OG trekkers still hold up today as one of the best on the market for hybrid aquatic adventures. Wet shoes are no problem thanks to a breathable webbing design with a quick-drying lining and eco anti-odor properties. It has a large rubber toe bumper and multi-directional lug pattern for exceptional grip and durability in rugged terrain. Stay outside all day thanks to an EVA insole with arch support for long-lasting active comfort.
Men’s Option: Yes
Price: $130
Best for River Adventures: Stio Cut Bank Shoe
Stio designed this unique pair of water shoes with mesh webbing for the upper in place of a full piece of material. As a result, this shoe will drain out quickly and dry in a flash, so you won’t feel waterlogged after wading through rivers or stepping in streams. A rubber traction outsole provides plenty of cushy comfort and stability, and if you’re just using these to transition, a fold-down heel provides easy on/off, while the adjustable ankle straps allow you to secure the shoe for rougher waters.
Men’s Option: Yes
Price: $99
Best Coverage: Teva Outflow Universal
Combine Teva’s iconic Universal Strapping System with the stretchy comfort of a water sock and you’ll get the versatile Outflow that’s perfect for day hikes and aquatic adventures. The water sandal-esque design channels the best selling Teva sandals with a super-soft mesh upper and recycled polyester microfiber lining that’s treated with a peppermint-based antimicrobial to fight off odor. You might not be off on your most epic watery adventure in these, but you’ll definitely be comfy and dry.
Men’s Option: Yes
Price: $110
Best Comfort: The North Face Flypack Hybrid Shoes
The Flypack Hybrid lives up to its name as an ultralight and versatile quick-drying water shoe sporting a classic black and white look that solidifies it as a go-anywhere type of footwear. This good-looking sneaker has a soft perforated bottom for excellent drainage paired with a durable mesh upper with a recycled polyester spandex spacer that has the stretch and pliability of a neoprene wetsuit. These women’s water shoes look great on and feel so comfortable they might just become your go-to sneaker in and out of the water.
Men’s Option: Yes
Price: $109
Best Grip: Danner Rivercomber Water Shoe
An adventure-ready pair of shoes that’s made to tackle wet and rugged terrain, Danner’s Rivercomber watersports shoes feature a unique wave pattern etched into a grippy sole to literally push away water underfoot. The footbed is designed to drain quickly, while the fast-drying cordura mesh upper provides extra durability in challenging conditions. Whether you’re stepping into a rocky riverbed or walking around slick streets, these shoes have you covered.
Men’s Option: Yes
Price: $90
Best Sustainable Water Shoe: Merrell Hydro Moc Drift Water Shoe
These crocs look-alikes are ideal slip-on water shoes for camp, beach, or water crossings that fare better than flip-flops thanks to a secure heel strap that gives the wearer a secure fit. The innovative BLOOM foam material is crafted from 10% algae biomass bloom that assists in cleaning our waterways — and making top-shelf water shoes that feel comfy and soft. Easy to clip onto a backpack or hang up at camp when they get wet, these dry in a flash so you’re always ready for the next adventure.
Men’s Option: Yes
Price: $60
Best Beach Shoe: Vans Slip-On Trk Shoe
Get the iconic look of a Vans slip-on shoe in a single-piece injected construction that’s comfortable, easy to take on and off, and most importantly for this list, a water-friendly slide that’s perfect pre and post surf. This unisex shoe has drainage holes for breathability and an oversized reverse waffle sole for traction.
Unisex
Price: $55
Best for Everyday Wear: Astral Loyak Water Shoes
If at first glance, you mistook the Astral Loyak Water Shoes for a regular pair of street shoes, you wouldn’t be totally off base. The upper portion is crafted from a hydrophobic canvas material and stretch-mesh that looks a lot like a sneaker so it’s a super versatile shoe to wear in and out of the water. Add to that a flex-grip rubber sole that features drainage holes to encourage the outflow of water, silt, or sand, and you’ve got a great everyday shoe that’s quite literally always ready for watery adventures.
Men’s Option: Yes
Price: $95
Best Affordable Water Shoe: Sperry SeaSock
Sperry delivers with a classic water sock shoe for all those who want a modern take on the classic Nike aqua sock. With a sleek silhouette and monochromatic colorways, this no-nonsense water shoe has a simple mesh construction for fast-drying performance paired with a grippy rubber outsole in a form-fitting design. Comfy and practical that’s easy to slip on or off, it’s a great water shoe for a budget-friendly price.
Men’s Option: Yes
Price: $50
Best for Hiking: Salomon Tech Amphib 5
Sure, you could use the Salomon Tech Amphibs for a casual paddle but these high-performance water sports shoes are packed with features like a fast-drying, anti-debris mesh that keeps out dirt and rocks so they can easily double as hiking shoes or running shoes on wet, rugged terrain. Confidently tackle slippery rocks and muddy surfaces thanks to ultra-grippy, durable rubber sole and single-pull laces that can give you a snug fit in seconds. Although it doesn’t appear obvious, the back heel collapses to transform these burly kicks into easy slip-on water shoes.
Women’s Option: Yes
Price: $110
Best for Travel: Tropicfeel Canyon Sneakers
Billed as a “water-friendly travel sneaker”, the unisex Tropicfeel Canyon Sneakers are a lightweight pair of water shoes disguised as a stylish everyday driver. The upper is crafted from a quick-drying, lightweight mesh made from recycled plastic bottles and the high grip rubber outsole has drainage holes to quickly shed water while providing stability on wet surfaces. As a bonus, it has an antibacterial treatment to fend off odors that can accumulate while you’re traveling.
Unisex
Price: $129
Published 04-26-2023
