The best water shoes for women

May 24, 2023

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We all love a good day on the water. There’s nothing like it to make you feel like you are winning at your summer vacation.

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While we may fantasize about the sand between our toes, the truth is that most beaches can be pretty brutal on the feet. Pebbly sand with hidden shards of shells, rocky river beds or lakes with hidden sticks and other sharp objects can be murder on the feet. You need a terrific pair of water shoes to protect your feet this summer.

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Here are some excellent women’s water shoes that can help you make the most of an active summer day at the seaside. Whether you're scrambling across wet rocks to find some tide pools, or simply taking a stroll across the hot sand, here are our favorite women’s water sandals and water shoes for an epic summer.

If we were to give you a quick and dirty answer, it would simply be that water shoes are shoes that were made to be worn in and out of the water. That answer, however, oversimplifies things and is going to do nothing to help you make your choice when shopping for the right pair of water shoes.

Water shoes offer protection against hot sand as well as rocks and sharper underwater terrain elements, they dry quickly when out of the water and they have good traction to make them the kinds of women’s shoes that can easily transition to any activities you tackle when on dry land.

In shoes we’ve tested, we favor water shoes and water sandals that have a good strap system to keep them in place during all sorts of activities (nothing is worse than a water shoe that goes floating off into oblivion), have excellent drainage, good traction and offer loads of shock absorption.

Read on for some of the best women's water shoes we’ve found.

We have big love for the Keen Newport H2. To our product tester, they are the ideal water shoes for women, men, kids and anyone with feet!

Part water sandal and part hiker, these hybrid water shoes are built to perform. Their grippy traction makes it easy to scale otherwise slippery terrain. The thick soles provide shock absorption so they remain comfortable after long treks.

Their quick-drying fabric means your feet will never feel swampy. With a reinforced toe, these shoes protect against rocks and roots. Since ocean, lake and stream water frequently obscures anything you might stub your toe on, we find this to be essential.

As if that wasn’t enough, Keen Newport H2s are also machine washable. Sold.

Made from an injected EVA foam that is known for its shock-absorbing qualities, the numerous holes in these slip-on water shoes filter out water. That makes them ideal for any activities where full foot submerging happens on the regular.

The full-coverage, shoe-style build of the Merrell Hydro Moc gives your feet loads of protection from rocks and sticks, making them ideal for murkier waters like ponds and marshes.

These incredibly lightweight shoes have excellent traction for traversing rocks or even staying steady while boating. They also float, making them a perfect choice for sea-worthy adventures.

Chaco sandals were originally developed to be rafting sandals so water is part of their DNA, so to speak. These rugged water sandals have experienced a bit of a sartorial renaissance over the past few years, but that kind of fashion fanfare hasn’t gone to their head.

Designed with a multi-webbing system, these water shoes can be cinched in numerous places to give you a perfect fit. We like the toe loop that keeps them steady when caught in water movement—when your feet sink in mud or churned-up sand or when you’re using the force of your feet to push off. The sturdiness the toe-loop gives really does make a difference.

Plus, these shoes are podiatrist-certified with a LUVSEAT™ PU footbed, which delivers a light cushion and loads of shock absorption for comfort and support. These water shoes are designed to be worn all day.

Imagine a lightweight running shoe that has a quick-dry sole and upper to make them the perfect shoe for any water sport. Now, imagine that shoe costing less than $30.

The DLGJPA Women's Water Shoes are basically sneakers that you can wear in the water. The design covers the whole foot to keep out sand and pebbles. and They look as respectable and wearable out of the water as they do in it.

These water sneakers are made with a breathable hydrophobic mesh upper that keeps feet cool on strenuous walks, and dry after a day in the water. The barely-there slip-on style makes them ideal for water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding, and the grippy soles and enclosed upper make them a great choice for walking across pebbly coastlines.

They have tiny drain holes on the bottom, so you’re never left sloshing around with residual water once on land. The RB/EVA foam outsole gives them a lightweight “I can wear these all day” feel.

Incredibly wearable and incredibly affordable, these are a great choice for women who scoff at the “ugly shoe” trend and want something more under-the-radar wearable.

These water-ready Teva Hurricane Drift sandals are made entirely of vegan rubber and foam to make for a flexible, comfortable and lightweight sandal that holds its form in water and takes seconds to dry.

These water sandals may look unassuming but are bursting with features. The hook and loop velcro-lined strap is secure enough to make for a comfortable, yet supportive shoe that holds its positioning even in rugged activities.

The full-injection molded EVA foam footbed and midsole is praised by reviewers for having fantastic arch support. And the rubber outsole is made for traction and speed, which means this shoe is meant for action.

If a day by the water means a day at the pool for you, these slip-on style water shoes by Centipede Demon are perfection. The concrete patios of most in-ground pools tend to heat up to skin-scorching levels. These ultra-thin, lightweight sneaker-style water shoes feel like nothing but still protect your heels and toes without feeling clunky or wearing you down.

A series of holes by the toe beds ensure excellent drainage. And the grippy soles reduce slipping on your walk from the water to the margarita stand!

Adorable, functional and stylish summer shoes, the Sea Star Beachwear Espadrilles are also a pair of water shoes in disguise.

These double-duty water shoes are the ultimate choice for travelers who like to pack light and love a multi-functional product. With a neoprene upper, these shoes are not only quick to dry, but the soft fabric is easy to clean and takes no time to break in. They are immediately wearable.

Available in a range of pretty designs and with a non-skid deck shoe sole, these are the ultimate yacht-ready companion.

These athletic water shoes by Xihalook have similar qualities to the ones by DLGJPA and Centipede Demon. However, it's their ultra-athletic spin that makes them a favorite for folks that need to do a bit of trail walking before getting to their favorite swimming hole.

The ripcord lacings ensure a snug fit and the extra-padded tongue allows for added comfort. Two columns of drain holes on the anti-slip and wear-resistant soles allow these shoes to dry extra fast between activities.

Reviews say these shoes can stand up to hours of hiking, making them a great option for those that like treks. On top of that, these shoes just look cool. We love the vibrant look-at-me prints that add a bit of fun style to these high-performance shoes.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.