The 10 Best Water Shoes for Men in 2023: Expert Buying Guide

Jun 07, 2023

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Summer fun in the sun actually isn’t, well, all that fun without the right gear. Your weekend getaway bag should have a few essentials to cover all the bases: Alwaye be extra-prepared and save yourself from any hassle—especially if you plan to explore an ocean or river. Which is why a pair of the best water shoes belongs in your carryall.

More durable than espadrilles, more suited for adventure than classic sandals, and more ready for a rocky shoreline than any other summer stomper, the best water shoes can take your next outdoor excursion from good to great. After all, it’s no fun trying to traverse a slippery, jagged water destination barefoot (although, to each their own). And if you can’t ditch your summer sneakers, there are some water shoes that are designed more like sporty slip-ons. During my own summers growing up in Michigan (Pure Michigan!), durable water shoes were a downright necessity.

The great news is that the options available boast even more technical features and more style than the pairs of my youth—and that’s enough to make me want to get back out in the water ASAP. If you feel the same, check out the best water shoes for your next outdoor excursion.

Water shoes are as technical as the best sneakers on the market these days—and with the specs to prove it. Here’s what to keep top of mind.

Style: The best water shoes vary in terms of style, but they tend to stick pretty closely to a straightforward design: Most styles these days lean toward the slip-on variety, all the better to slide into with ease on breezy, sunny days. There are also some water shoes that feature lace-up, sneaker-like construction. Note: The best designs almost always hit at or around the ankle, often with elastic for a snug fit.

Material: Unlike leather sandals or sneakers, water shoes are supremely lightweight and actually designed with, well, water-ready material in mind. That means the best water shoes are, in fact waterproof, commonly made with super-quick-drying mesh or mesh-nylon blends. Your new pair can also be made of rubber, perhaps with a super-grippy sole for traction, ideal for rocks and jagged surfaces. Some are also made with a neoprene collar at the ankle, or with a collapsible heel.

Drainage: Water-logged shoes defeat the purpose of wearing a pair in the water, so drainage is a crucial factor. Some rubber water shoes feature drainage holes along the upper of the shoe, while others are made of material such as ripstop mesh, which allows liquid to seep out naturally while keeping out debris. Less common are pairs that feature perforated footbeds.

Most Reliable Water Shoes: Sperry SeaSock Water ShoesMost Stylish Water Shoes: Vilebrequin Solid Waterproof ShoesBest Hybrid Water Shoes: The North Face Flypack Hybrid Water ShoesBest Rubber Water Shoes: Vans Slip-On Trek Water ShoesBest Water Shoes for Day Hikes: Teva Outflow Universal Water ShoesBest Water Shoes for Fishing: Orvis PRO Approach Water ShoesBest Water Shoes for the Beach: Speedo Tidal Cruiser Water Shoes Best Sneaker-Style Water Shoes: Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport Water ShoesBest Loafer-Style Water Shoes: Swims Braided Lace Waterproof LoaferBest Clog-Style Water Shoes: Merrell Hydro Moc Water-Friendly Clog

Most Reliable Water Shoes

Sperry doesn’t just make classic, preppy boat shoes and loafers (although, we’d argue you need a pair for the summer months). The brand’s easily packable water shoes check all the boxes, from the quick-drying, ventilated mesh upper to the no-fuss slip-on design. Plus, they’re lightweight enough to store in your beach bag alongside sunscreen and shades. The SeaSock, in particular, makes use of the Sperry’s highly functional Adaptive Wave Siping technology, which ensures a secure fit, both on land and while fjording crystal-clear streams.

Material: Quick-dry mesh upper. Drainage: Ventilated quick-dry mesh.

Buy Now on Sperry: $50

Most Stylish Water Shoes

Water shoes require, well, waterproof construction first and foremost, but this doesn’t mean you have to forgo style that doesn’t miss a beat on dry land. Vilebrequin might be better known for its vivid printed swim trunks, but these low-key, loafer-style water shoes are more than ready for a day at a cabana or a poolside bar at an all-inclusive resort. They feature the sporty-yet-streamlined build of driving shoes, complete with a blue, contrasting design between the upper and the sole.

Material: Polyurethane.Drainage: Ventilated upper.

Buy Now on Vilebrequin: $195

Best Hybrid Water Shoes

There’s a time and a place for every type of water shoe, including those moments when you’d rather not change out of your hiking boots. Keep your trek through a woodland path moving in an efficient manner with a pair of hard-wearing water shoes that can do a little bit of both (wading and hiking, that is). The recycled PET ripstop mesh upper dries quickly, while a toecap offers much-needed protection through potentially treacherous streams. The footbed is even perforated for additional drainage, and a micro-lugged rubber outsole offers best-in-class wading traction.

Material: Recycled PET. ripstop mesh and recycled polyester-spandex spacer mesh.Drainage: Ventilated ripstop mesh upper.

Buy Now on The North Face: $109

Best Rubber Water Shoes

Vans already makes instantly recognizable slip-on shoes with a celebrated reputation, and here, the company has tried its hand at a water-ready, first-of-its-kind take on its classic silhouette. Made from a single piece of injected rubber for durability, the upper has been outfitted with breathable vents right atop your foot, which means they drain with every step while keeping out debris. They’re also incredibly easy to wash and rinse, thanks to that vented design.

Material: Ventilated rubber. Drainage: Rubber ventilation throughout upper and ankle.

Buy Now on Zappos: $28

Buy Now on Vans: $55

Best Water Shoes for Day Hikes

Trade in your Teva sandals for a pair of water shoes that seriously mean business. The key here is the blending of a durable recycled rubber outsole with a quick-dry mesh upper. But unlike Teva’s standard slip-ons, these take a hybrid approach with snug straps for a secure fit. This will prove especially useful if your outdoor pursuits involve a hike to a secluded stream, and then perhaps a river crossing. For good measure, they’re made with an anti-microbial treatment and quick-drying mesh for all-day comfort.

Material: Quick-dry mesh upper and recycled rubber outsole.Drainage: Ventilated quick-dry mesh.

Buy Now on Teva: $110

Best Water Shoes for Fishing

While true fly-fishing is going to require gear such as waders, other watersports (think: wading, hiking, or boating) should work perfectly fine with a rugged pair of Orvis water shoes. The outfitter was founded with an emphasis on sports in the field, after all, and its water shoes reflect this heritage. They’re built more like ankle boots, with a ventilated polyurethane cage and a breathable Ariaprene sock upper for a no-slip fit. A Michelin Outdoor Extreme outsole delivers all the traction you need in streams and on dry land, too.

Material: Ventilated PU upper and rubber outsole. Drainage: Ventilated PU upper.

Buy Now on Orvis: $169

Best Water Shoes for the Beach

If you have fond memories of wearing Speedo water shoes as a child (as I certainly do), it’s time to turn back the clock to summer camp with this highly reliable pair. This low-profile set features a sleek design with ventilated knit mesh for quick-drying performance. The neoprene collar delivers a snug fit around your ankle, and the ridged rubber outsole provides helpful traction, which will take you from your beach chair to the coastline and back. They’re also suitable for fishing or traversing shallow waters or lakes without any hassle.

Material: Mesh upper, neoprene collar and rubber sole. Drainage: Ventilated knit mesh upper.

Buy Now on Speedo: $35

Best Sneaker-Style Water Shoes

Some of our favorite water shoes appear like sneakers at first glance, and that’s never a bad thing to have handy in your beach bag. Here, Xero Shoes uses a drainable mesh upper in a vivid blue, then sets it atop its proprietary FeelTrue rubber sole for flexibility and grip—great for any terrain. Even better are the quick-dry liners and non-absorbent tongue that gives it a super-lightweight feel underfoot. Plus, the insole is completely removable.

Material: Mesh polyurethane and rubber. Drainage: Mesh holes on upper.

Buy Now on Rei: $130

Best Loafer-Style Water Shoes

Water shoes call to mind rugged adventures offshore, but what about more refined days lounging by the pool? This is where a loafer-style water shoe comes in, an elegant style perfect for reclining in a cabana or walking the shoreline at sunset. This option from Swims boasts the look of spiffy loafers but feature ventilation and drainage throughout the side and upper of the shoe. Indeed, the lace detailing and slim profile call to mind classic driving shoes, but the performance specs are certainly water-ready.

Material: Natural rubber and TPU.Drainage: Drainage slots on shoe sides.

Buy Now on Zappos: $160

Best Clog-Style Water Shoes

As you’ve seen already, some water shoes skew closely to the style of classic loafers, while others look like a hybrid between hiking boots and sneakers. Then there are those that defy convention altogether. It’s wise to consider all possible options when you’re on the hunt for the best water shoes. If you want something eye-catching and futuristic, but can also perform on rugged terrain, check out these durable and lightweight clogs from Merrell. They also offer plenty of arch and back-ankle support for day-long adventures.

Material: Synthetic rubber upper.Drainage: Cutout drainage slots.

Buy Now on Nordstrom: $55