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It’s hard—if not impossible—to enjoy a trip to the beach, lake, or river if your feet are taking a beating the whole time. Luckily, the best water shoes will prevent your toes from stubbing, your feet from slipping, and won’t leave you soaking wet by the end of your outing. These booties and sandals are obviously key gear if you’re paddleboarding, canoeing, or kayaking, but they can also be nice options for warm weather hikes that involve stream crossings (unless you have a great pair of waterproof hiking boots, that is).
Some water shoes are highly protective and rugged, while others are lightweight and almost socklike. Not sure which pair is right for you? We found the best options to try, according to experts, SELF testers, and online reviewers.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Merrell Hydro Moc
- Best Budget: Teva Hurricane Drift
- Most Protective: Keen Newport H2
- Best Minimalist: Bedrock Cairn Evo Sandals
- Best Lace-Up: Astral Loyak
- Best Traction: Arc’Teryx Norvan SL 3 Shoe
- Most Supportive: Chaco Classic Z/1 Sandal
- Best for Colder Water: NRS Kicker Wetshoe
In this article
The best water shoes
Ready to dive in? Check out the best shoes and sandals for your favorite water sports below, then read on for advice from outdoor experts on what to look for when you’re shopping for your next pair.
Last year, our Sneaker Award testers wore their Hydro Mocs in the sand and surf at beaches along the East Coast and were pleasantly surprised. “I'm blown away by how soft and cushioned they are,” one tester wrote. “I think these outpace Crocs in terms of color (and style)—the arch is far more supportive and they feel like walking on cushioned foam.”
Honorable mentions: The large holes throughout the shoe help with drainage, while the outsole has shallow lugs for traction. Our testers also noted that Moc’s backstrap felt secure, even though it isn’t adjustable, and that the shoe was really easy to clean when mud and sand got inside. We’ll just note that, while the Hydro Moc is great for most water activities, it isn’t the most technical option on our list—so if you’re a very experienced paddler, you might want another pair for more challenging trips.
- Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)
We’re big fans of Teva’s Hurricane line, and the Drift model is the lightest style of the bunch: Clocking in at six ounces per shoe and made solely of cushy, supportive foam, they’ll actually float alongside you if you kick them off on your next tubing trip. But just because they’re wonderfully lightweight doesn’t mean they’re flimsy: “Went to a waterfall in a jungle with slick rocks everywhere. Wore these bad boys and did not slip once! 10/10,” wrote one Teva reviewer. The fact that they cost about half of some of our other picks certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
- Sizes: US 6 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA
Travel photographer Kathryn Cooper previously told SELF that Keen’s quick-drying Newport H2 sandal sees her through long work days and fun weekend outings. “They’re easy to slip on and off [and] have the ability to go in and out of water,” she said. “I wear them both to the supermarket and on six-mile day hikes.” She also shouted out the fact that their closed-toe design keeps her feet safe from debris—and Keen really did not skimp when it comes to this pair’s protective features. The toe cap is reinforced with burly rubber, while the thick, lugged sole is designed to channel away water to help you maintain a solid grip.
- Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Polyester, synthetic materials, EVA, rubber
Courtney Sweeney, a former river guide of 11 years and the office manager at Northwest Rafting Company in Hood River, Oregon, tells SELF that Bedrock’s lighter-weight hiking sandals are by far her favorite water shoes. “I wear my Bedrocks for short hikes that have water crossings (less than five miles), whitewater rafting on a moderate day, and beach trips,” she says, adding that their Vibram rubber soles are extremely grippy. Sweeney also notes that their minimal design lacks the common contact points that tend to chafe and cause blisters—plus, they dry fast and easily.
- Sizes: US 6 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Polyester, nylon, EVA, rubber
Lots of water shoes are slip-ons or have adjustable straps or bungee cords to make them easier to put on and take off. But if you want a super secure fit, go for a pair with laces, like Astral’s best-selling Loyak. Reviewers love it for sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, rafting, and just bopping around—it affords them enough sensitivity to feel what’s underfoot while providing plenty of traction on wet and steep surfaces.
- Sizes: US 6 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Canvas, mesh, EVA, rubber
When Sweeney wants to wear closed-toe shoes, she opts for Arc’Teryx’s Norvan SL 3 sneakers. They’re technically trail running shoes, but she says they feel exactly like a good pair of performance-driven water shoes should: They’re lightweight (for sneakers), easy to fit to your foot, and super grippy on wet ground. Their Vibram soles are so sticky that the brand actually recommends them for scrambling and climbing approaches, in addition to off-road runs. Plus, Sweeney says the Norvans are easy to wear with or without socks (so you can go without in warmer weather, then layer up when it gets chilly).
- Sizes: US 5 to 10 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic fabric, EVA, rubber
Outdoor experts, podiatrists, and SELF staffers have recommended Chaco’s OG sandal over the years for just about every reason. It’s durable, grippy, and comfortable enough to wear all day (it has a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, which indicates that experts have determined its design can promote good foot health). Even this writer (and her pancake-flat feet) loves Chaco’s signature arch support.
As a water shoe, the Classic Z/1s are just as impressive. “During a four-day rafting trip down the Rogue River, they were super secure during rapids, on hikes, while wet, and on uneven, slippery surfaces,” travel blogger Hanna Ashcraft previously told SELF.
- Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Polyester, polyurethane (PU), rubber
Top paddling brand NRS made this low-profile wetshoe with a grippy, textured outsole; easy pull tab behind the heel; and a spacious toe box. It has a closed design, so you can wear it with socks, but thanks to its lightweight layer of insulation, it’s pretty warm on its own too. “Just what I was looking for to take on an Arkansas river float,” wrote one REI reviewer. “Good traction on the rocks. Feet stayed warmer in the cool water.” For even more coverage, NRS also makes bootie-style wetshoes.
- Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Neoprene, rubber
More great options
If none of our top picks speak to you, there are still more shoes from beloved brands like Crocs and Speedo to consider. Check them out below.
Everything the All-Terrain has in common with Crocs’ Classic Clog make it great for puttering around camp. But its outdoorsy upgrades (like a higher-traction sole and an adjustable heel strap) also make it a solid option for water activities.
- Sizes: US 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA, proprietary foam
This straightforward water shoe costs less than $50 and has a stretchy, breathable upper. It probably won’t stand up to rougher conditions, but it can help you keep your footing on slippery surfaces in calm waters.
- Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic fabric, EVA
With plenty of grip and sensitivity, Xero’s Aqua X Sport shoe allows you to feel every bit of the ground (you can even remove the insoles to feel closer to the ground). It’s flexible and light, so even though it’s a closed-toe shoe, it still provides a barefoot feel.
- Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Mesh, synthetic fabrics, PU, rubber
What to look for when shopping for water shoes
Shopping for water shoes isn’t all that different from shopping for hiking boots, Maggie Peikon, manager of communications at the American Hiking Society (AHS), tells SELF. Your priorities should be traction, protection, and support.
- Traction: This is the most important feature to consider, Sweeney says. A grippy outsole will help you avoid slipping and potentially injuring yourself when navigating wet and watery terrain (for more on making safe stream crossings, check out AHS’s guide). She recommends buying shoes with Vibram rubber soles for traction you can trust. For even more grip, you’ll want a pair with lugs along the sole, Peikon says. Just keep in mind that “the thicker the rubber of the outsole, the less you’ll feel the rocks, shells, [and other debris] that you’re trekking over,” she adds.
- Protection: The conditions you plan to be in will help you decide how protective you need your shoes to be: How cold will the water be? Do you need to be mindful of jagged or large rocks? Are you hoping to keep sand out of your shoes? Insulation, rubber toe caps, and less permeable fabrics like neoprene (in that order) can keep your feet safe and comfy. The caveat here is that your shoe shouldn’t be so covered and protective that it doesn’t drain well. Pairs with vents, perforations, or mesh uppers are best for shedding lots of water, Peikon says.
- Support: Most water shoes aren’t really considered supportive the way a sneaker with a firm arch is, but they can still provide some structure for your foot if they have a sturdy sole and a secure fit. Choose a pair with reliable fasteners that’ll help the shoe fit snugly around your foot (whether that’s a system of straps, bungee cords, or laces). And make sure they don’t loosen when they get wet, Sweeney says, since a loose shoe is more likely to cause trips and slips.
Whatever your activity of choice, and whichever shoes you buy, make sure to break them in and try them on brief outings before wearing them on a full-fledged trip. As Sweeney puts it, “Test your gear!”
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