Nothing spoils a trip to the beach or a kayak adventure more than sore feet and a pair of waterlogged shoes. Wearing the best water shoes is crucial if you want to stay protected while making the most of your outdoor and aquatic activities.
Take note that you can’t just wear any shoe in the water: from the sand to the waves, the entire family will need footwear that provides the right amount of safety and traction. To ensure that everyone is safe and comfortable around the water, make sure they’re wearing the proper ones.
Safeguard Your Feet with These Shoes
While water-resistant shoes or flip flops can withstand your typical poolside activities, these shoes deliver a greater degree of protection if you want to take things to the next level.
Wearing them is a good idea if you plan to do the following:
- Boating
- Fishing
- Water sports
- Water aerobics
- Hiking on wet terrain
- River and ocean swimming
- Kayaking and other paddle sports
Getting ready for your next outdoor trip? These will give you some much-needed traction and protection from sunlight, while keeping the sand and rocks away from your feet.
High-performance Water Shoes for All Ages
To simplify the search for the best water shoes, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks for the entire family. Scuba.com carries a wide variety of water shoes from top brands, including Speedo, TUSA, and NRS. We’ve singled out the best water shoes for men, women, and the kids so that everyone can have a fun-filled aquatic adventure.
Best Water Shoes for Men
Men’s Speedo Fathom AQ Water Shoes
If you’re planning a high-intensity aquatic workout, slip on a pair of Speedo’s Fathom AQ Shoes. This water shoe feels incredibly lightweight, while its comfortable, superior fit will allow you to move around freely like you’re barefoot. It’s designed to repel water and dry quickly to keep your feet warm and happy. They’re also great if you plan to stand by the poolside since it offers superior sole traction for better grip on wet surfaces. Durable yet stylish, these shoes are perfect if you live an active outdoor lifestyle.
Product Features:
- Hydrophobic knit
- Lightweight knit construction
- Superior drainage technology
Key Benefits:
- Superior fit for a barefoot feel
- Maximum traction on wet and dry surfaces
- Less water absorption and quicker drying time
TUSA Sport Slip-On Aqua Shoes
If you’re looking for a lightweight, quick-drying slip-on water shoe, go for our TUSA Sport Slip-On Aqua Shoes. This pair is great for beaches, pools, boats, and other types of watersports. Since they’re made with jersey and mesh uppers, you won’t have to worry about getting your feet wet the next time you go for a dip.
Product Features:
- Easy-on-heel quick cinch
- Button-activated barrel lock
- Lightweight, quick-drying pull-lace shoes
Key Benefits:
- Durable, sure-grip rubber sole
- Easy and fast donning and doffing
- Fast-drying mesh and jersey upper for better strength and breathability
Best Water Shoes for Women
Women’s Speedo Fathom AQ Water Shoes
Don’t let mud, sand, or water put a damper on your active lifestyle. Get lightweight protection so that you can traverse sand and sea effortlessly with Speedo Fathom AQ Water Shoes for women. These high-performance water shoes are ideal if you’re always on the move or have to trudge through slippery surfaces since they offer superior rubber traction. This pair also features less water absorption and quick drying time so you can enjoy aquatic workouts all day long.
Product Features:
- Bungee lacing system
- Superior drainage technology
- H2Grip outsole with unique rubber compound
Key Benefits:
- Maximum traction on wet and dry surfaces
- Lightweight knit construction for a barefoot feel
- Less water absorption and quicker drying time
Speedo Women’s Surf Knit Water Shoes
Looking for water shoes that will keep your feet comfy and dry in the water? Consider wearing Speedo’s Surf Knit Water Shoes and rising tides won’t be a problem. These shoes absorb about 50% less moisture than the average water shoe. Perfect for water aerobics and aquatic fitness classes, our knit water shoes whisk away water so that you stay surefooted, whether you’re on damp or dry terrain.
Product Features:
- Hydrophobic insole
- Exclusive surf knit technology
- 360° ventilation and maximum comfort
Key Benefits:
- Built to absorb nearly 50% less water and dries faster
- Streams water away from shoes for serious traction on wet surfaces
- Enhances direct surface contact to improve traction and slip resistance
Best Water Shoes for Toddlers & Kids
Speedo Toddler SurfWalker Pro 2.0 Water Shoes
Is your little one a budding swimmer or a ball of energy who likes jumping around in mud puddles? The Speedo Toddler SurfWalker Pro 2.0 will keep them safe whether they’re in or around the water. If your kids want to frolic in the sand, these shoes have easy-to-adjust straps that allow your kids to easily put them on or take them off. And even if the shoes get drenched, they dry quickly.
Product Features:
- Heel finger loop
- Durable 4-way stretch upper
- Offers water management, maximum traction, and flow dispersion characteristics
Key Benefits:
- Extremely durable
- Easy-on and easy-off design
- Practical, comfortable, and stylish
Speedo Kids Surf Knit Water Shoes
Upgrade your toddler’s trippy flip flops and get them a pair of Speedo Kids Surf Knit Water Shoes. This lightweight pair of shoes provides 360° ventilation and comfort, so your energetic kids will get the airflow they need throughout the day. Available in multiple colors and sizes, your little ones will not only make the most of their dry land and water activities, but they’ll look stylish as well.
Product Features:
- Hydrophobic insole
- Exclusive surf knit technology
- 360° ventilation and maximum comfort
Key Benefits:
- Optimal water management and dispersion
- Designed to perform seamlessly on both dry land and water workouts
- Enhances direct surface contact to improve traction and slip resistance
Do Your Research Before You Take the Plunge
Ultimately, the right pair of aqua shoes will depend on what you’ll be using them for. One pair of these may drain quickly, for instance, but may lack the traction you need when hiking through streams. Hence, it pays to do your research about your water activities beforehand. From there, it’s easier to match your needs with our top picks.
