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Water shoes go back to 1990, when Nike’s neon-colored aqua socks and Speedo’s iconic water socks were trending to the point they were on every beachgoer's, pool lounger's, and river floater’s feet. 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.
Field Mag's Top Picks
- Best Overall: Keen Newport H2
- Best for River Adventures: Stio Cut Bank Shoe
- Best Coverage: Teva Outflow Universal
- Best Comfort: The North Face Flypack Hybrid Shoes
- Best Grip: Danner Rivercomber Water Shoe
- Best Sustainable Water Shoe: Merrell Hydro Moc Drift
- Best Beach Shoe: Vans Slip-On Trk Shoe
- Best for Everyday Wear: Astral Loyak Water Shoes
- Best Affordable Water Shoe: Sperry SeaSock
- Best for Travel: Tropicfeel Canyon Sneakers
The 10 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
Type: close-toe sandal
Material: polyester webbing, synthetic liner, EVA midsole
Weight (per pair): 1 lb 6.7 oz / pair
Sole: rubber outsole
Price: $125
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
Type: slip-on shoe
Material: quick-dry mesh, webbing, synthetic leather, bio-based EVA
Weight (per pair): 1 lb 1.2 oz
Sole: traction rubber outsole
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
Type: slip-on shoe with velcro straps
Material: quick-dry mesh, polyester lining, EVA
Weight (per pair): 1 lb 8.1 oz
Sole: spider rubber outsole
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
Type: slip-on shoe
Material: ripstop and spacer mesh, EVA
Weight (per pair): 14.6 oz
Sole: Surface CTRL rubber outsole
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 Vibram sole (yes, the same Vibram found in many hiking boots) 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.
Women’s Option: Yes
Type: sneaker
Material: Cordura upper, PlyoGo EVA midsole, nylon shank
Weight (per pair): 1 lb 6 oz
Sole: Vibram Wavegrip outsole
Price: $140
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 with lots of cushioning. 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.
Women’s Option: Yes
Type: EVA shoe
Material: EVA
Weight (per pair): 15.86 oz
Sole: EVA lugs
Price: $60 $45
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 (they make great pool shoes too). This unisex shoe has drainage holes for breathability and an oversized reverse waffle sole for traction.
Unisex
Type: slip-on shoe
Material: TPU
Weight (per pair): not specified
Sole: reverse waffle rubber sole
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
Type: sneaker
Material: canvas, mesh, EVA
Weight (per pair): 10.4 oz
Sole: Nonmarking G.15 rubber
Price: $95
Best Affordable Water Shoe: Sperry SeaSock
Sperry delivers with a classic water sock swim 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
Type: sock/bootie
Material: mesh
Weight (per pair): not specified
Sole: non-marking rubber outsole
Price: $50
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
Type: sneaker
Material: polyester mesh, EVA
Weight (per pair): 14 oz
Sole: rubber outsole
Price: $129
Water Shoe FAQ
What is the purpose of a water shoe?
Water shoes are designed to provide accessibility to aquatic environments by protecting your feet and in some cases providing additional traction without getting saturated and heavy like regular shoes do. To do this, water shoes use porous materials and designs that include drainage. Water shoes also typically feature quick-drying materials so that they don't stay wet for too long. You might wear water shoes for water sports, hiking, snorkeling, paddling, boating, and swimming in areas where there are sharp rocks.
Can you wear water shoes all day?
High-quality water shoes are comfortable and supportive enough for all-day wear. However, you probably wouldn't want to adopt a pair of water shoes as your everyday go-to.
What are the disadvantages of water shoes?
The tradeoff for the protection that water shoes provide is a loss of foot dexterity and swimming efficiency (if you've ever swam with shoes on, you know what this feels like). More specific disadvantages vary from one water shoe to another, as each model is designed for different uses and scenarios. Common complaints include blisters, poor drainage, and lack of support. Good water shoes that fit your foot well with the right shoe size should avoid these issues.
Published 07-18-2023
