Water shoes. Aqua socks. Swim shoes.
You know what I’m talking about. Usually they were the hilariously unsightly rubberized socks you wore while strolling along the beach.
Although those early versions of water shoes weren’t the best things to look at, their function was undeniable. They’d protect your feet from the rocks, the pool deck, or wherever else you were 4×4’ing with your feetsicles.
More importantly, the shoes were waterproof. Give them a good rinse after use and you were back in business.
But they just didn’t look all that great.
Fortunately, in recent years the design and selection of water shoes has drastically improved, making them a respectable piece of your swimming gear.
You still have the bulkier “Croc” style water shoes, but there is also a water proof shoe that might as well be a sock it is so slim-fitting, you have the Vibram shoe-socks that fit your feet like a glove, and much more.
Whether it’s walking on the beach, the pool deck, or just being able to play around at the local water park, today’s water shoes are light years better in function and style than yesteryear.
Here’s our collection of the best water shoes for all your aquatic related activities.
1. Speedo Surfwalker Pro 3 Water Shoe
You knew that Speedo would come packing when it came to putting together a top pair of water shoes. Their entire brand is based on the aquatic lifestyle, from Speedo’s distinctive line of swimming goggles to their high performance racing suits for swimmers, Speedo has their finger on the aquatic pulse.
Their water shoes, and our top pick for best waterproof shoes, is the Surfwalker Pro 2.
It’s got a super simple looking design that is clean. The bottom is made of a rugged thermoplastic that is improved on earlier editions of their shoe (they tended to wear out quickly). The grip of the bottom of the shoe is specifically designed for wet and slippery surfaces.
The toughened up 3.0 has a pull-on entry (no laces) which is perfect when you are scrambling to get in and out of them. They are surprisingly comfortable as well, with the lightness and foot comfort reminiscent of my Nike Free running shoes (which I friggin’ love).
The Speedo Surfwalker 3.0 is available in a variety of slick-looking colors, is comfortable, durable, and yes, even stylish.
2. Vibram FiveFingers
These bad boys look more like gloves for your feet, and that is kind of exactly the point. By simply wrapping your feet with a protective layer and allowing for a more natural ability to walk, you get a more comfortable fit.
One of the key features of Vibram FiverFingers is that they come in half sizes, which is kinda key given how snugly they are supposed to fit in order to achieve a comfortable snugness around your toes and foot.
As you might expect, the Vibram FiveFingers gloves, err, water shoes are on the pricier end of the spectrum.
3. CIOR Water Shoes
When it comes to color combos, CIOR has got it dialed in. No matter what your color palette there is a design and set of colors for you. (29 different kinds last time I checked.)
The CIOR water shoes is a cheap water shoes ($10-20 usually) that is designed for maximum protection from the water. There are 7 little holes on the bottom of each shoe sole to keep water flowing out and from pooling inside.
The sole is rubberized to give you some serious grip and the shoes were surprisingly breathable, making them ideal for soggy and warm hikes or beach-strolling.
They are also thick enough that they can double as socks for your fins. They do run a little large so order a size down.
4. NORTY Wave Water Shoes
The NORTY’s are essentially a knockoff of the Vibram FiveFingers shoes. While the toe snugness isn’t the same as the more expensive Vibrams, the comfort is similar.
The shoes have non-slip rubber grip soles, easy in-and-out design so that you can slip them off in an instant, and the mesh fabric is surprisingly breathable.
There’s a drawstring at the top of the neoprene collar that you can tighten to make sure that the water shoe stays strapped to your feet no matter where you end up.
The NORTY’s come in ten different color combos and the shoes are advertised as being true-to-size (so, if you are a size 13 order a size 13).
5. Classic Clog Water Shoes
Sure, you might get some grief from some of your pals for rocking out in Crocs. But no matter how much they rib you, we both know how comfortable and function they are.
Crocs are essentially clogs, but rubberized, breathable and with a grippy bottom.
Their design is distinctive and as simple as it gets.
They crush it when it comes to getting soaked (they also float, so you won’t lose them in the pool or in the waves) and you’ll be having the last laugh when it comes to comfort and standing for long stretches at a time in them.
The Classic Clog Crocs come in so many different colors and patterns it is dizzying.
