7 Best Water Shoes for Women

Water shoes are built for providing protection, support, and comfort in any water-based activity. Some people like to call them Aqua shoes, but we can all agree that they’re designed to be tough and resilient yet light and trendy.

They’re made of water-resistant materials that protect your feet from activities that expose or submerge your feet in the water. Do you plan on going out to the beach? Or perhaps you want to go out with your friends on a light hike? These shoes are definitely for you.

So, do you plan on buying water shoes soon? Well, we’ve got the ultimate buying guide for you!

Why should you get water shoes?

Water shoes are designed in a variety of styles and made with different materials. Choosing from this wide array can be a daunting task. The first question you have to ask is: for what activity are you going to use your water shoes?

We definitely recommend water shoes for activities like beach volleyball, swimming, kayaking, and fishing. They can also be used for hiking and trekking in tropical forests or trails where you’d expect bodies of water.

Water shoes protect the feet from getting waterlogged and blistered. Some shoes have built-in drainage holes to make water and moisture flow out from the shoe faster. Some are designed to be easy to remove and put on. And with their superior grip on slippery surfaces, they help prevent accidents and falls. Ultimately, these shoes suit you best if you live an active (and wet!) lifestyle.

Types of Water shoes

Every water shoe is made different and suited for a different purpose. Water shoes can be categorized based on the activity they’re going to be used for. This categorization is helpful since you won’t have to follow a complicated scheme in choosing your next pair of water shoes.

• Light activity water shoes: Sandal water shoes are the perfect shoes to wear on the beach or by the pool because they have thicker soles than flip-flops. Therefore, they’re able to provide more protection. On the other hand, if you’re into snorkeling or scuba diving, you can opt for aqua socks that protect your feet from hot sand. You can also fit these inside your swim fins!
• Moderate activity water shoes: These are the mid-rangers of water shoes. Closed-toe water shoes provide more protection than barefoot water shoes. Designed to be a cross between running shoes and sandals, these shoes are great in almost any activity and they’re set in place with fasteners. Barefoot water shoes, on the other hand, are built for sandy terrain. They’re made of protective rubber with each toe in its own space. This type of water shoe is lightweight and durable and drains really well. I’m sure surfers who use this would agree that it’s a good choice.
• Heavy activity water shoes: If you’re planning to go on a challenging hike to a mountain trail or if you’re going on a trip to a lake or a beach, this category of water shoes is for you. Most of the shoes under this category are lightweight but are made of heavy-duty materials. They’re made to be as comfortable as running shoes but are designed so that water can easily drain out.

What about the water shoe material?

Most water shoes are made from some kind of synthetic material or mesh that allows for easy drainage and ventilation. Materials that make up water shoes differ according to the activity they’re going to be used for.

Mesh water shoes make for more general water-related activities because these allow more water in while allowing proper drainage of the feet. Some shoes, on the other hand, are made of neoprene. Neoprene is usually used in aquatic shoes and they’re suitable for hikes and water-related activities in colder climates.

The anatomy of a water shoe

The three most important parts of a water shoe are the upper, the outsole, and the lacing system (or the absence thereof). These main parts play a huge role in the protection, drainage, and support your water shoe will provide you.

Uppers are made of either neoprene or mesh. If you want to know which shoe you should use, research on the activity or the climate you’re going to be in would be a big help to decide which material suits you best.

As for the outsoles, matching your shoe to the amount of protection you need from the terrain is a smart choice. Thicker soles with drainage holes spread throughout the shoe, while grip lugs are perfect for hiking and stepping on shells or rocks. Meanwhile, breathable, thinner, and more flexible outsoles are more ideal if you plan on spending most of your time in a boat or a kayak.

But what about the lacing systems? The slip-on type of water shoes is great for light activities that don’t require a lot of support and hold. Despite that, they’re still made with materials designed to withstand hot sand — totally recommended to wear for beach and underwater activities!

Lace-up type water shoes provide ankle support and have more built-in functions to keep the wearer secure and stable in rocky and wet terrains. If you plan on trekking through trails with streams and creek beds, opt for shoes with lace-up support.

Lastly, bungee-cord laces are a hybrid between slip-on water shoes and lace-ups. They’re easy to put on just like slip-on water shoes, but they also provide the protection and support of lace-up water shoes.

What to look for in water shoes

Protection and safety

Most water shoes tend to cover the entire foot as a protective barrier from rocks and shells. Look for a style of water shoes that have built-in toe guards to prevent toe stubbing.

Traction and support

You’ll need a lot of traction and support when going out to tread on slippery and/or rocky surfaces. Get a shoe with specialized outsoles to help you stay safe and secure while you’re on boat docks, boat decks, or near water equipment.

Size

Your water shoe should have a snug fit as shoes tend to give when wet. Your shoe also shouldn’t come sliding off while you’re in the water because that just means trouble. Brands have wide or slim notations on their websites, so keep an eye out for those. Most brands carry standard sizing, but different makers have their own designs and templates, so it’s best if you have your feet measurements taken before you go shop for water shoes.

Drainage

The best water shoes shed water quickly. We recommend styles with drainage holes that are evenly distributed around the shoe. Also, if you’re going to be in the water for quite a bit, you’d really need a shoe that drains and dries easily.

Durability

Everyone needs a tough shoe. But when you’re into some wet activities, it’s essential that you get a good water shoe that could handle both wet and dry terrains without them breaking. Just remember that water shoes with thicker soles last longer, while water shoes intended for swimming shouldn’t have any bulky soles. Also, before buying your pair of water shoes, you better check them for stitching or gluing problems before proceeding to checkout.

Breathability

Most water shoes are made of mesh for breathability. But of course, as we’ve said, if you’re off to some colder places, neoprene is still your best choice.

Flexibility

Great water shoes should be flexible or else your feet will not bend naturally while you move around. When your foot arch is stressed, you really can’t perform well. On the other hand, thicker soles add padding for toes, heels, and soles but limits flexibility. It’s all about the purpose, but if you find alternative water shoe shapes suited for your comfort, it’s great, too!

Comfort and warmth

A great water shoe needs to be comfortable whether it’s dry or wet. We suggest that you research the cushioning level, design, and materials that you need and want so you’d be able to pick a shoe that really suits you.

Women’s water shoes buying tips

• Always check the sizing charts. Different brands may have minute differences in their sizing charts that might mean discomfort or injury for you.
• Check the material. Always check if the shoe you want to buy is well-made and composed of durable materials. If you compromise on the quality, it might cost you your safety. Though, it really depends on the use you have for your shoes.
• Comfort is key. Your comfort is the most important thing to consider when buying your water shoe. Check the padding, the fit, and how it’s built to be water-resistant.
• Water shoes are water-resistant, not waterproof. Waterproof materials aren’t comfortable for outdoor water activities. It’s like wearing your rain boots to a hike. Water shoes are water-resistant, which means that they allow water to go in and out easily while protecting the feet from the elements as well as the weather.
• Fashion, but make it functional. Who doesn’t love a pretty shoe? But we all have to face the fact that functionality comes first before fashion. But with the wide array of designs to choose from nowadays, you always have a choice.
• Opt for a quality shoe with a reasonable price tag. Don’t aim for really expensive pairs of water shoes if you’re using them for light water activities. Always make sure that the shoe is suited for your activities.

Water shoe maintenance and care

Water shoes are generally easy to clean and maintain. The rule of thumb here is to always rinse your shoes with clean water and dry your shoes out in a well-ventilated spot after every use. However, if the manufacturer has specific care instructions, it’s best to stick to those.

If your shoe has a removable sole, remove it from the shoe and rinse it separately. Because of bacteria build-up, the shoes will take on a weird smell, so the emphasis here is on consistency. Again, you need to clean and dry your shoes regularly. Don’t keep them in bags or boxes because they’ll remain damp. However, you can use antibacterial deodorizers if the smell really stays.

Wet shoes are really fun and versatile shoes. Ultimately, the most important thing to remember when buying a pair is to suit your shoe to your purpose and your comfort.