While summer calls for sandals, swimsuits and more comfortable styles, water shoes are your best ally for a lot of outdoor activities. They not only protect your feet from getting burned on hot concrete, but they also keep you from sliding around on wet terrain and shield your toes from sharp objects while going down a natural spring.
The Shop TODAY team pulled together some shopper-loved water shoes for the entire family that will keep everyone comfortable, warm and ready for any outdoor undertaking.
Why do you need water shoes?
You might argue the need of packing another pair of shoes for your travel capsule wardrobe. However, water shoes can protect your feet from blisters during high-impact activities and keep your feet warm in cold water. They are great to wear in different water sports like tubing, boating, fishing, kayaking and more.
Water shoes also serve as a protective layer during floods, scuba diving and other areas containing rocks and stones. Aside from preventing any friction to your feet, water shoes also provide balance while walking around dangerous surfaces.
Related
Women's water shoes to shop
Vifuur Water Sports Shoes
Part water shoe and part yoga sock, this bestselling sock-shoe hybrid is a fun option for adults and kids. The shoes are super lightweight, can slip on and off easily and come in dozens of colors and designs. Note: While the soles remain protective, the top material can fray a bit after many uses, so be sure to air dry them outside instead of putting them in the dryer.
Seekway Quick-Dry Aqua Socks Barefoot
Break a sweat in these top-rated water shoes made with a smooth fabric to avoid chafing during water activities. Over 2,800 customers rated this pair five stars, with one person elaborating that "they feel just like socks and are more flexible" than most water shoes.
Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Sports Shoes
Any water shoe labeled with the words “quick-dry” automatically grabs our attention. These water shoes have over 16,000 five-star ratings on Amazon and are inexpensive at just under $15. The shoes are made with a material that has a slight stretch, so there’s no need to worry if your feet are going to fit correctly.
Lands' End Women's Slip-On Water Shoes
These Lands' End water shoes are constructed with a durable rubber sole for preventing slips and a lightweight mesh that will feel comfortable inside the water. They have an adjustable cord at the heel for a secured fit.
Aleader Women's Mesh Slip-On Water Shoes
These water shoes are the perfect combination of comfort and style that can go from water activities to a casual beachside dinner. The rubber sole will keep you from slipping and sliding around, while the integrated sock liner will keep your feet comfortable all day long. They also come in 14 different colors, so coordinating with your bathing suit will be a breeze.
Zhuanglin Quick-Drying Aqua Water Shoes
Another quick-dry option are these water shoes. They look more like traditional athletic shoes and come in a variety of bright colors. They also have a rubberized sole with mesh fabric for a comfortable feel without the fear of slipping.
Mishansha Webbing Bathing Shoes
These water shoes have garnered over 17,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, plus they're a huge steal at under $30. They can be worn season after season since they are salt-resistant and have plenty of drainage holes to get excess water out. The shoes are made with neoprene and rubber material for a comfortable fit.
Speedo Surfwalker 3.0 Water Shoe
These Speedo water shoes are made with a super stretchy material that allows you to pull them on easier but also keeps the shoe in place while wearing them. Whether you're into water sports or are just looking for something to protect your feet at the local water park, these are a good option.
Native Shoes Lightweight Sneaker
Slip-on water shoes just got even cuter with this pair from Native Shoes. Available in 23 colors, they're ultra-lightweight and covered in small holes so water can escape effortlessly. Note: These kicks run small, so be sure to order a size up to play it safe.
Teva Hurricane Drift
These Teva water sandals will take your outdoor adventures to the next level thanks to its feminine and versatile design. The shoe is made with recyclable materials with a molded silhouette that feels lightweight on your feet. The sandal can be easily worn from the beach to the lobby with ease.
Keen Closed Toe Water Sandals
Modeled after their classic sandal design, these water sandals from Keen strike the perfect balance between breathable and protective. With a closed toe near the front and gaps in the straps throughout, your feet will stay protected from harsh edges and rough rocks.
Children's water shoes to shop
L.L. Bean Kids' Rafters Hilo Strap Water Shoes
These L.L. Bean water shoes are a deal at less than $20. Available in teal and dark blue variations, they have a non-slip rubber sole and velcro straps to make sure the shoes actually stay on. They're also made with a synthetic mesh that gets rid of water quickly.
Aleader Kids Youth Sport Water Hiking Sandals
This water shoe/hiking sandal hybrid is a fun option for kids who love the outdoors. Even better is that they have a secure lacing system that keeps your kid’s feet in place.
Ubfen Water Shoes for Kids
Available in sizes for toddlers, little kids and big kids, these water shoes will give your little water guppy the support and style they crave. The design comes in 23 different colors with a quick-drying material that is comfortable for their feet. With more than 5,200 five-star ratings, these shoes are ideal for avoiding blisters, burns and calluses. One customer said these ones were "super grippy and have held up in cold rivers and hot rocky mountains of Arizona."
Teva Original Universal Sandal
These Tevas currently come in toddler and youth sizes, and kids can pick their favorite design from three different options. There are multiple straps on the shoes, so parents might need to help their kids get in and out of them. However, once their feet are strapped in and secured, you won't have to worry about putting their shoes back on for the rest of the day.
Nike Aqua Sock 360 Water Shoes
Nike is primarily known for its superior athletic shoes for kids, but they also make some excellent water shoes for their growing feet. They have a non-slip sole and are made with a stretchy material, so your kids won’t have any trouble pulling these on for a day of fun in the sun.
Men's water shoes to shop
Crocs Swiftwater Mesh Deck Sandals
Enter: everything you love about Crocs, but now in a water shoe that makes it even easier to soak up the great outdoors. Crafted with their iconic rubber material, these water shoes (like most Crocs) are easy-to-clean and provide a secure fit with the included back strap. "It is comfy and sturdy, yet light and airy," said one reviewer about the versatility of this shoe.
Reef Water Coast Shoe
For water shoes that don't look like water shoes, meaning you can easily wear them into a grocery store or restaurant without weird looks, opt for these shoes from Reef. These slip-ons feature a cushioning footbed, perfect for fishing days. Reviewers rave over these "comfortable, stylish and easy to wear" sneakers.
Columbia Drainmaker Water Shoe
Breathable, supportive and provides good traction — what else could you ask for in a water shoe? How about one with ample cushion to keep feet comfortable during long hikes or days camping near the lake? This sneaker from Columbia features all of those factors, and reviewers love them because they "work great in tough conditions."
Eddie Bauer Amphib
Reviewers love this shoe, especially during the summertime, thanks to the ankle strap, further securing feet on paddle boards and pontoon boats. Reviewers also noted that these water sandals are great for keeping small items like pebbles out thanks to the minuscule gaps throughout the shoe.
