The Top 5 Water Shoes

When you live by the beach like me, you spend a lot of time doing water-related activities. I love to swim, surf, paddleboard, and just generally hang out near the water. Sandals are great but don't work for these activities, especially when you come across hidden rocks in the sand. I decided to look for my first-ever pair of water shoes and tested the top 15 available. I was looking for a shoe that was waterproof, lightweight, dries quickly, is comfortable, and will allow me to walk on any terrain. After my tests, I picked the top 5 water shoes, to share with you and save you the trouble of testing a bunch out before finding the good ones.

VIFUUR Water Sports Slip-On Shoes

Great water shoe that's reasonably priced and comes in a ton of colors

The VIFUUR Water Sports Slip-On Shoes are great for surfing, paddleboarding, yoga, beach walks, gardening, and more.

Best Overall

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If you’re looking for an inexpensive, all-around good value water shoe that can be used for many occasions, check this one out. These were my favorite because they serve their purpose while preventing you from slipping, and don’t take forever to dry.

Some water shoes chafe your ankle and are hard to get on and off, but these have a pull tab and elastic upper to prevent that. You almost forget you’re wearing shoes. I live near the beach and hate slogging through sand in regular shoes, but these shoes made it easy to walk across the sand, in the water, and on rocks. I recommend sizing up from your usual shoe size.

Pros:

Unisex
Available in 40+ colors and designs
Breathable, flexible material
Does not chafe
Dries quickly
Rubber non-skid sole

Cons:

These shoes lack arch support

WateLves Womens and Mens Kids Quick-Dry Water Shoes

These machine washable, packable water shoes are great for taking on vacation

The WateLves Womens and Mens Kids Quick-Dry Water Shoes come in a bunch of sizes and cool designs so you can look and feel better in the water.

Most Stylish Designs

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If you want shoes that don’t feel like shoes and make you feel like a mermaid instead, try these from WateLves. I picked the black fish scale pattern because the colors remind me of the sea and they look beautiful underwater.

There’s a huge range of sizes available, from a 1 US little kid to 13 US men, so you can probably find a pair that fits you. I brought these shoes on a trip and was pleased to find they are really easy to pack into a small bag, taking up almost no room.

Pros:

Large range of sizes
Very light and flexible
40+ very cool designs
Machine washable
The back tab is light but makes them easier to get on and off
The toe box feels very cushioned
Easy to pack

Cons:

There is no rubber sole covering the very front part

SIMARI Womens and Mens Water Shoes Quick-Dry Aqua Socks

Snug fit, quick-drying shoes do not hold water

The SIMARI Womens and Mens Water Shoes Quick-Dry Aqua Socks really do feel more like socks - so much that you'll forget you're even wearing them.

Fastest Drying Water Shoes

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I tested these water shoes out on a day of paddleboarding on the Pacific ocean. Many people don’t know this, but paddleboards get really hot and are uncomfortable to stand on after sitting in the sun for a while. I was very happy that I brought these because they prevented my feet from burning and did not rub on my ankles.

Of all the water shoes I tried, these dried the fastest. They also included a water-resistant bag to stash them in when you’re done with your water adventures.

Pros:

Quick-drying
Soles are made from TPR material, so they breathe and don’t slip
Comes in 30+ colors and designs
Available in many sizes from kids to men
Neckline seam is soft and doesn’t rub
Lightweight

Cons:

There is a small tag inside which is annoying but can be removed
The bottoms are not as thick as other water shoes

Mishansha Mens Women’s Water Shoes

Breathable shoes that you can take surfing, hiking, paddleboarding, and more.

Mishansha Mens Womens Water Shoes look like real shoes, dry fast, and can be used for almost any purpose.

Most Versatile Water Shoes

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When I was trying these water shoes, I hadn’t initially planned on wearing them in my day-to-day life. These shoes have a thick bottom but are still lightweight, so I ended up wearing them while walking the dog, running errands, and doing other everyday tasks. They look like regular sneakers, so nobody was the wiser that these are actually meant for water use.

There are drainage holes at the bottom, a squishy sole, and elastic straps to adjust the width easily. For these reasons, I decided these Mishansha shoes were the most versatile overall.

Pros:

Comes in 40+ colors
Well-ventilated and fast draining
Easy-grip pull tab on the back to get them on and off
Elastic straps for easy adjusting
Salt-resistant material
The inner sole is spongy

Cons:

The grip on these soles isn’t as good as some other water shoes

NING MENG Mens Womens Water Barefoot Quick-Dry Shoes

Feels like wearing ocean socks that dry fast and don't drag you down while swimming

The NING MENG Mens Womens Water Barefoot Quick-Dry Shoes feel more like socks than shoes due to their lightweight. They are packable, easily washable, and a good buy for any adventurer.

Most Lightweight Water Shoes

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I tried these water shoes on a day where I went snorkeling off the coast and was surprised to find that they actually fit inside snorkel fins. They are so thin you actually forget you’re wearing shoes – they’re more like grippy socks that hug your feet.

The sole is thick enough to protect you from ocean floor rocks and coral, but not thick enough to wear on a regular jaunt around your neighborhood. These were the lightest, thinnest water shoes we tried and for this reason, they’re great to take on a trip with you.

Pros:

Very light and flexible
Feels like wearing socks
Dried quickly
Easy to fold and travel with

Cons:

The rubber sole is not thick enough to wear on a regular walk
Finding the right size was tricky since these are meant to fit like socks

Frequently Asked Questions

How are water shoes supposed to fit?

Water shoes are supposed to fit snugly on your feet so they don’t come off while swimming. Be sure to check the reviews to see other customers’ recommendations on sizing.

Where should I wear my water shoes?

There are many different occasions and places you will want to wear your water shoes.

Here are a few: