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Best Water Shoes for Men

Updated May 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Speedo Men's Water Shoe Surfwalker Pro 3.0
Speedo
Men's Water Shoe Surfwalker Pro 3.0
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Great for Swimmers
Bottom Line

These sleek, stretchy pull-ons from Speedo are designed to protect your feet.

Pros

Easy to slip on and off. Breathable neoprene uppers used in wetsuits and swimsuits. Grooved rubber sole grips wet surfaces. Cushioned insole for comfort. Dries quickly.

Cons

Not designed to be worn far outside of the pool or ocean.

Best Bang for the Buck
ALEADER Men's Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
ALEADER
Men's Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
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Color Options
Bottom Line

Lightweight and airy, this shoe has a breathable and flexible all-purpose amphibious design.

Pros

Quick-dry mesh drains quickly and dries fast. Can be worn for hiking, kayaking, and walking on rocks. Sock liner for custom fit. Available in 19 different colorways.

Cons

Can be narrow in the toe box. Some people don’t like the plasticky feel.

Body Glove Men's 3T Barefoot Cinch Water Shoe
Body Glove
Men's 3T Barefoot Cinch Water Shoe
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Three-toe Protection
Bottom Line

This shoe has protection and a barefoot feel while swimming, walking, or trail running.

Pros

Three-toe design recreates the feel of being barefoot. Low profile sole provides grip. Drains quickly. Easy slip-on design with adjustable lace and strap.

Cons

Can be tough insert toes at first.

Merrell Men's Tideriser Sieve Water Shoe
Merrell
Men's Tideriser Sieve Water Shoe
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Good for Trails
Bottom Line

Thick-soled and great for splashing through rivers or wading into streams while hiking or fishing.

Pros

Offers Vibram sole for cushioning, shock absorption, and grip. EVA insole is removable and water-friendly. Large ports allow water to drain quickly. Easily laces with integrated loops for secure fit.

Cons

Heel cutout can irritate in some situations.

Columbia Men's Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoe
Columbia
Men's Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoe
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Great on Deck
Bottom Line

Go from the water to the deck to the boardwalk and beyond in these casual slip-ons.

Pros

Combination canvas and leather uppers treated for water and stain resistance. Quick draining, ventilation, and breathability. Grippy rubber sole is non-marking to protect decks.

Cons

Not designed for swimming or constant immersion.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
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109
Consumers
Consulted
8
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Researched
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Buying guide for Best water shoes for men

If you spend a lot of time at the beach, pool, or lake, then water shoes are a good investment. They protect your feet from sharp objects and make walking around wet, slippery areas easier.

Water shoes for men are slip-on style, though some have laces with a plastic lock to adjust the shoe fit. Materials are flexible, breathable, and lightweight for comfort, not only when walking, but also when doing water sports. Vents or holes and quick-drying materials ensure you can use the shoes every day, and even keep wearing them after you get out of the water. Some water shoes for men don’t have much or any arch support while others run narrow, wide, large, or small. Also, not all styles are durable enough for rougher sports like kayaking and windsurfing.

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Water shoes are not waterproof. They allow water into the shoe, then drain and dry quickly, letting your feet get wet without getting dirty.

Key considerations

What activities do you want to use your water shoes for? Will you wear them on a mountaintop, on a beach, or at the pool? Finding the right water shoe for you means answering these questions and examining the various qualities of different water shoes.

Traction and protection

Most water shoes have a flexible rubber or foam sole that provides some traction. A shoe designed for beach strolls, swimming, or surfing has a thin, flat sole that doesn’t slip on wet surfaces, but it could struggle with more challenging terrain. Shoes meant for hiking have rubber lugs that dig into dirt and rocks. While some water shoes are so light on your feet that it feels like you’re barefoot, tougher shoes designed for activities like hiking are somewhat heavier. However, many of these shoes have a sturdy rubber toe box to protect your toes, which other water shoes do not.

Support and insulation

Many men’s water shoes provide no support beyond a thin layer of rubber and virtually no insulation. This is intentional because a water shoe is meant to be light on your foot and worn in warm weather. If you want a water shoe that you can use for activities like hiking or running, look for one with arch support and a moderately insulated upper. This could mean the shoes will drain less easily and take longer to dry, but you’re also less likely to submerge your feet frequently when hiking or running.

Quick drying

How efficiently a water shoe drains is crucial because slopping around in waterlogged shoes is uncomfortable and can result in smelly feet – or worse. If you plan to spend most of your time in the water, you need shoes that allow water to quickly pass through so the shoes stay relatively dry. Most water shoes have a water-resistant mesh made of synthetic materials like nylon and polyester that is highly breathable and drainable. A good water shoe should dry in 24 hours or less. If a shoe holds on to moisture for too long, it could mildew, resulting in an unpleasant smell and increasing the risk of a fungal infection.

Buoyancy

If you plan to take your water shoes to the beach or the pool, look for shoes with foam soles, which enable the shoes to float. You don’t want your brand-new water shoes sinking to the bottom of the ocean when you go out for a swim.

Weight

When it comes to water shoes, lighter is better for most activities. But a lighter shoe often means thinner materials, so shoes meant for hiking are an exception. The thicker soles of these water shoes can increase their weight significantly, but a hiking water shoe is still lighter than most regular hiking shoes.

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Did you know?
Some activities that water shoes go well with include paddle boarding, kayaking, skimboarding, and snorkeling.
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Water shoe features

Many water shoes have different lacing systems, which are often suited to specific activities. In addition, there’s no limit to the colors and styles available for water shoes.

Fasteners

How a water shoe goes on and fastens affects not only how quickly you can slip in and out of it but also how snugly the shoe fits.

Pull-on: These water shoes have a pull tab on the heel so you can easily pull them on your feet. The fit should be snug but not tight. These shoes are best suited to swimming, surfing, and other water sports. The pull tabs are also useful for hanging your shoes up to dry.

Laces: Water shoes that lace up can have either traditional laces or a quick-lacing system that tightens with a single tug.

Hook-and-loop straps: Shoes with hook-and-loop fasteners are easy to adjust, though they might loosen over time. The straps can also be prone to catching pebbles and sand.

Style

Water shoes come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Some are sleek and black, molding to the contours of your feet, while others are vibrant and eye-catching. Your water shoes should fit your tastes and perhaps complement the rest of your gear. Consider finding a pair of water shoes that match your surfboard or swim trunks.

"Water shoes may fasten with laces or hook-and-loop straps or slip on with pull tabs."
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Men’s water shoe prices

Inexpensive

Basic water shoes that cost $5 to $15 are usually slip-on shoes with thin rubber soles that provide little support or traction. While they work well for beach strolls and swimming, these shoes aren’t durable enough for sports or hiking. Some water shoes in this range have foam soles that enable the shoes to float.

Mid-range

Water shoes that cost $15 to $30 have more durable construction, and many have thicker soles for activities like hiking or running. Water shoes in this price range are made of synthetic materials that easily repel water and drain quickly.

Expensive

High-end water shoes that cost $30 to $80 are generally suited for hiking and have mesh to allow water to pass through the shoe. Many shoes in this range have superior arch support and toe protection.

Care tips

Caring for your water shoes isn’t quite as simple as throwing them in the dryer. Follow these steps to prevent mold and mildew in your water shoes.

  • Shake as much excess water off the shoes as you can.
  • Rinse the shoes with clean water.
  • Shake off the excess water, and pat the shoes with a towel.
  • Hang the water shoes in a well-ventilated area. They will drip, so avoid putting the shoes above anything you don’t want to get wet, such as carpets or furniture. Never leave your shoes filled with water –always hang them up to dry.
  • Watch out for mold or mildew. If a smell develops, consider purchasing a shoe deodorizer or sanitizer.
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Expert Tip
The ventilation in water shoes not only allows water to flow through the shoes but also allows air into the shoes to keep your feet cool.
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Water shoes come in a wide variety of styles and colors so you can stand out at the beach, or you can opt for an understated look.

FAQ

Q. Can I wear socks with water shoes?

A. You can, but it isn’t recommended because most socks are made of cotton and will therefore retain moisture.

Q. Do all water shoes float?

A. No. Many water shoes with heavy rubber soles will sink. It’s unlikely that your shoes will slip off your feet, but when you’re swimming, you probably want something as light as possible anyway. Look for water shoes with foam soles if you want a pair that floats.

Q. Do water shoes keep out sand and rocks?

A. That depends on the size of the holes in the mesh. Look for shoes with a fine mesh if you need to keep small pebbles out. Or opt for a shoe with large holes in the upper that allow debris to pass in and out of the shoes freely as you swim or wade.