24 Best Water Shoes in 2022

Over the years, water shoes have evolved in terms of design, material, and even technology. One good example of how far that evolution has progressed is the Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve, a high-end water shoe that is maybe the most versatile one on the market today.

Technically, the Blaze is a pair of water sandals with a closed-toe design that has so much more to offer than your average pair of water shoes.

If you are an active outdoor enthusiast who often explores both on land and water–everything from kayak touring, boating, fishing and hiking to travel–these will interest you. They are in the higher-end category in terms of price, but they will meet or even exceed your expectations.

Because of the Vibram sole, they can be used on different terrains, and worn for longer periods of time without discomfort that you get with (especially) neoprene water shoes.

From Adidas, an unconventional boat shoe has been making waves. The Terrex Boat S.RDY demonstrates how sailing and boating has become a less elitist hobby. Most boat shoes look like Sperrys, slip-on moccasins with non-marking, rubber soles. Not these.

The Adidas Boat Shoe is also a more sustainably produced water shoe that brings a bit of sport into boating with a spillover into all water sports. In fact, it looks more like beach-walking, kayak-friendly water shoes. But is it a reliable footwear for all water activities or just a non-marking boat shoe with good grip?

We tested these water shoes, putting it through its paces to answer these questions.

The Waterpro Maipo 2 is known for its flexibility, lightweight profile, quick-dry properties, strong grip, and versatility.

The Maipo 1 was often praised for its comfortable and snug fit, and performance in amphibious terrain. What upgrades warranted a sequel by Merrell?

Let’s dive in to discover more about it and its features, and if it makes a good choice for hiking!

For hassle-free diving, snorkeling, or kayaking, go for the Wave Runner quick-drying water shoes. Mesh materials around the foot are stretchy and slip-free while the whole shoe is ridiculously light.

The outsole of the shoes is thick and anti-skid, which leads to durability, whereas the drainage hole sole helps to keep your shoes as dry as possible.

We know first-hand how important it is for beginners to feel confident wearing their equipment, and this model of water shoes gives you that much-needed boost. You don’t have to worry about losing your grip when walking on slippery surfaces, and neither do you have to worry about getting blisters.

You will have to order them at least a full size smaller than your normal shoe size.

Wearing water shoes will save you from cuts and provide comfort over rocks and shells.
Moreover, they improve your traction on wet surfaces. They help prevent you from accidentally slipping off a boat dock, jet ski, and other slippery surfaces.

One of the best pairs you can get today is the NRS Men’s Kicker Remix Wetshoes.

These water shoes have all the basic features you need to enjoy your time in the water without worrying about your feet. Let’s dive in to learn more about them!

When you think about water shoes, Zhuanglin may not be a brand that registers in your mind. However, one of its products, the Xdrain Cruz for both women and men has gained favor for its price and performance.

We tested the mens version, which upon inspection is almost exactly like the womens. Our review includes how they held up against easy going use as well as harder abuse.

Ideally, these water shoes are designed for activities like river walking.They mostly appeal to casual users who just need a pair of water shoes for vacation or at the cottage.

Let’s dive in to find out more about them and whether or not they are the perfect water shoes for your outdoor activities!

The Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch water shoe is a mouthful of a name that describes exactly what it is and what it’s for. Its stitching creates 3 toe compartments with a barefoot feel, intended to appeal to surfers and water sports enthusiasts.

With decades of history, there’s a lot of design that has gone into this particular water shoe to attempt to thread the needle between protection and performance. For kayakers, paddle boarders and sailors that need to tread through water, over stony beaches every once in a while, these might hit a sweet spot.

But for runners, especially barefoot athletes, the 3T Barefoots could be the performance panacea to make everything possible. They feel a little like climbing shoes.

Our review details what our test of these Body Glove water shoes can and cannot do for you. We tested the mens water shoe type, but there is also a model available for women that we have but have yet to test.

Known for its quality, Crocs Men’s Swiftwater Mesh Water Shoes does not disappoint! This shoe is tough, lightweight and quick-drying which makes it perfect for paddleboarding on the lake, noodling for catfish in the river or searching for agates on shore.

If you’re looking for the perfect water shoe for hikes along the river or any activity involving a splish splash of water, then ALEADER Mesh Slip-on is the best for you!

This shoe is designed with a solyte midsole that provides an exceptionally lightweight feel, excellent bounce-back and durability. Its open-air mesh on the upper and holes on its sole enables it to quickly dry after being soaked in water and is incredibly breathable (which is perfect for humid to hot temperatures). Along with exceptional traction in wet and slippery terrains, you can never go wrong with this pair!

Innovative water shoes that offer protection like no other! Speedo Men’s Surfwalker 3.0 Water Shoe is definitely a game changer on water shoes. This shoe is designed with a four-way stretchable upper that helps in easy on and off and is equipped with mesh panels for ventilation and quick drying. The outsole comes with an S-Trac that gives excellent traction and water management.

With three thickness options to suit your seasonal or year-round activity, Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Wetsuit Boots is perfect for an adventurer who goes from warm to cold water temperatures! Its multi-purpose neoprene boot comes with a puncture resistant sole that provides thermal protection. The boot is also designed with a zip up uppers glued unto its high traction sole makes this water shoe a perfect choice for boat decks, sandy beaches and any wet or muddy surface.

KEEN Men’s Evofit One Water Sandal is definitely putting up its game. With features that will definitely catch any adventurer’s “keen” eye. Equipped with a moisture-wicking EVOFIT fabric to provide adaptive comfort and breathable protection, acting as a second skin. Keen also features their TPU inserts for targeted stability with a uniquely formulated PU midsole that provides heightened ground-feel for agility across any terrain. With excellent traction, even in and out of the water and lastly its metatomical footbed design that gives this shoe arch support like no other!

Speedo Men’s Seaside Lace 5.0 Athletic all-purpose water shoe is designed to perform daily activities in the water or on land whilst providing maximum comfort. Made with a breathable mesh and features a lace-up inspired bungee cord closure for a secure fit. It also comes with a rubberized S-Trac outsole which manages water flow and improves traction for a no-slip experience.

The sneaker-like water shoe that can take you from town to water splash. Best for multi-use, Quicksilver Men’s Amphibian Plus Athletic Water Shoe is designed with well-placed drainage ports that makes it suitable for low level water and creeks. The pair also comes with a rubber pod on its outsole that creates excellent grip and traction added with a quick-dry mesh upper.

Adidas Outdoor Jawpaw 2 Water Shoe has the performance and style you’d expect from this company. Unfortunately, the price of this water shoe seems out of step with the market.

This slip-on water shoe is actually quite nice in and out of the water. Made with textile and rubber, this shoe comes with a ventilated climacool upper that has easy pull-on tabs, a snug fit and perforations in the midsole and outsole for maximum water drainage. Its genuine rubber outsole gives it an excellent grip and the climacool wins it high marks for summer fun. If you got the cash for it, you’ll enjoy it.

Columbia Men’s Drainmaker III Water Shoe is a cool-looking hybrid shoe with a sneaker-like feels but works on both land and water making it a multi-purpose footwear that can cope on both rocky terrains and on water. It is lightweight and breathable and is designed with an open-mesh with a protective toe bumper and single-pull lacing that adds to the shoe’s unique feature.

With Nike’s sporting credentials, Nike gives you their Aqua Sock 360 Mens Slippers that provides foot protection while maintaining comfort and durability. Designed to give your feet an airy, sock-like, almost barefoot feel with its two-layer mesh upper with a foam heel and rubber outsole. It also comes with a TPU heel clip, elastic collar, and strategically placed rubber pods on the outsole for flexibility & traction.

Vibram as being a trusted leader in performance and innovation has introduced their Vibram Men’s Signa Athletic Boating Shoe. This signa is an ultra-thin, flexible and lightweight footwear with its signature five fingers water sport shoe. This shoe is ideal for rowing, surfing, kayaking and any other water sport or water adventures. With its grip and comfort, you’d have your water adventure like no other!

A pair to surely enhance your outdoor performance with the versatile Teva Omnium Closed Toe Men’s Water Shoe. Equipped with a quick-drying, breathable upper and gripping Spider Rubber outsole, your feet will be prepared for wet and wild conditions on water or on land. It also comes with a quick-release buckle that aids for an easy on and off use.

Designed with a quick-dry upper that comes with a webbing brace that provides midfoot support, RYKA Hydro Sport makes it to the top picks for the best water shoes in the market. Made with chlorine resistant material, a removable, perforated nitracel footbed and drainage ports in sole, a sticky rubber for better traction on wet surfaces and a webbed midfoot cage provides medial and lateral support.

Be it sidewalk strolling, river trekking, kayaking, or beach strolling, Keen Whisper’s waterproof sandal is the perfect choice for your footwear needs. This waterproof sandal is specially designed with a quick-draw elastic cord lacing system adjusts to a comfortable and secure fit. Its upper features a washable polyester with odor-reducing Aegis Microbe Shield®.

Sperry shoes are a well established brand. The Sperry Men’s Flex Deck Water Shoe is a modern take on a boat shoe that looks more sneaker than slip on nautical. The quality and comfort is there. It’s more a question of whether or not the style is to your liking.

It comes with an adjustable bungee lace with a toggle that gives you security and function for easy on/off use. It has a removable compression-molded foam footbed that does a pretty good job on comfort. A molded hydro grip rubber outsole with adaptive wave-sipping disperses water underfoot to reduce slippage on wet or dry surfaces.

Drainage could be better making it not a sports water shoe as much as casual beach footwear. Price is actually quite reasonable too.

Lightweight and comfortable are boldly offered by Easy USA Womens Aqua Wave Water Shoes. Its design features a paneled mesh upper for drainage and breathability that comes with an extra thick durable rubber sole for rocky terrains and even on river hikes and beach strolls. One highlighted feature is its easy slip-on style and adjustable loop heel.

Flexible and comfortable! CIOR Quick Dry Water Sports is your affordable water shoe with the right quality. Equipped with its unique and top-quality sole with seven holes on each bottom to ensure proper water flow and quick-drying. The rubber soles are made with a comfortable and thick foam arch-support that are flexible yet thick enough to protect your feet from stepping on rocky terrains along with a breathable and smooth fabrics with fine stretch on uppers.

Quick-drying and breathable with a single-layer, open air upper mesh paneling. Speedo Hydro Comfort 4.0 has a quick-fit toggle to secure its laces with a pull-tab on heel for easy on and off use. It also comes with a perforated, removable insole, a non-marking rubber outsole and a lightweight midsole with great drainage.

Made with lightweight mesh and a midfoot webbing system that integrates with slip on for lightweight breathability and an adaptive, supportive fit, Zhuanglin Women’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes is surely not a disappointment. It comes with a soft cushioning and breathable RB/Eva outsole, an articulated flex grooves offer plush comfort and natural range of motion plus its water grip outsole provides exceptional traction in wet and slippery conditions.

The Dynamo Rapid water shoes by Body Glove present an impressive take on amphibious footwear. They almost trick you into thinking they’re a running shoe.

With so many water shoes on the market, most competing with each other by being cheaper, that often translates into poor quality. Many also promise to be everything for everyone, which is where a water shoe that means to wander further away from the beach rightly does. But not all can cut it.

The Dynamo Rapid model for women and men is Body Glove’s take on a water shoe with a little more substantial sole than their barefoot models.

Let’s dive in to find out more about them and what they have to offer!

The Dynamo Vortex River Sandals are an interesting water shoe by Body Glove. They have the drainage and cooling effect of sandals with the protection and utility of a water shoe.

As the name suggests, the Dynamo Vortex River Sandals are ideal for river walking, but their application goes well beyond waterway use as our testing proved.

Check out the review to see what they can do.

When you think about water shoes, Zhuanglin may not be a brand that registers in your mind. However, one of its products, Zhuanglin Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes, has really gained popularity lately.

This pair is one of today’s best-selling water shoes, particularly because they are so affordable.

Ideally, these water shoes are designed for activities like river walking.They mostly appeal to beginners who have little to no idea about water shoes or only need such shoes occasionally. If you are a novice outdoor enthusiast, you will likely love what they have to offer.

Let’s dive in to find out more about them and whether or not they are the perfect water shoes for your outdoor activities!