The Best Water Shoes for Men
Some of the most fun activities known to man are water-based. Swimming, diving, snorkeling, boating, and fishing are just a few of many aquatic activities that come to mind. While these pastimes are indeed a blast, there is no getting around the fact that humans just weren’t built to thrive in the water. In particular, our feet have a hard time with the rough, slippery, and jagged floors of rivers, lakes, and oceans. However, a simple and fashionable solution exists: water shoes. Water shoes are specially designed to handle submergence in water along with the unpredictable terrain of riverbeds and the like. Whether you’re a kayaker tired of slipping and cutting yourself on jagged river rocks or a fisherman looking to get a little more traction while reeling in, let our list of the best water shoes for men help you get your feet wet.
Vifuur Water Sports Shoes
Find Your Footing
Vifuur truly has something for everyone with this magnificently varied array of designs and styles. With over 38 to choose from, you’ll be able to find a personalized pair for everyone in your family. The sleek, minimalist design of the Vifuur is meant to give you protection while also providing breathable fabric for a comfortable wearing experience. Chafing is a thing of the past thanks to the smooth neck design on display here from Vifuur. The rubber sole is flexible enough to allow for comfortable walking, yet sturdy enough to protect from jagged rocks and sharp seashells. If you intend to swim in your water shoes, these lightweight beauties from Vifuur would be your best bet to go with.
Pros:
- 38 designs and color schemes to choose from
- Breathable fabric
- Lightweight enough to swim in
Cons:
- They run a little small
Doussprt Men’s Water Shoes
Get Your Feet Wet
If you’re looking for a water shoe that’ll dry quickly and give you a comfortable wearing experience, look no further than these gems from Doussprt. It’s lucky that these water shoes are so quick to dry because they look cool enough for you to wear them out on the land. This ultra-fast drying is due to the breathable polyester mesh lining that drains water effectively while keeping airflow moving throughout the shoe. Water drains through holes in the Doussprt’s soles, which also provide sturdy slip-resistance. What’s more, the elastic rubber shoelace allows you to tighten or loosen quickly while underwater or on land. And with 12 eye-catching designs to choose from, you’re sure to find one you love.
Pros:
- Ultra-fast draining and drying
- Slip-resistant sole
- Cool designs that you’ll want to wear out of the water
Cons:
- Not the sturdiest shoe out there
DLGJPA Men’s Athletic Water Shoes
Athletic and Aquatic
If you’ve liked the look and sound of our previous picks but need something a little sturdier, these water shoes from DLGJPA are right up your alley. These shoes provide the same kind of breathable mesh fabric, promoting quick-drying and draining, but with a little more arch support. They also provide toe protection, and their soles drain effectively and are slip-resistant. Whether you’re a water park addict, beach bum, or boat lover, these water shoes will give you the protection and comfort you need.
Pros:
- It’s esy to fasten the elastic laces
- Soles with top-notch drainage and slip resistance
- Impressive arch support
Cons:
- They run big
Hiitave Water Shoes
Swim Sleek
Some of these shoes we’ve seen are nice enough looking, but nothing really to write home about. These water shoes from Hiitave, however, are a different story. These are the kind of water shoes that will prompt people on-land to ask where they can buy a pair. And with four slick color-matching combos to choose from, you’ve got a color scheme for every occasion. Hiitave’s water shoes utilize the five-toe box design, which gives your toes more wiggle room and helps prevent blistering and chafing. The well-ventilated mesh fabric promotes quick drying and draining as well. We can’t recommend these fashionable aquatic kicks from Hiitave enough.
Pros:
- Fashionable designs
- Five toe box design that fights against chafing and blistering
- Affordable
Cons:
- The five-toe box may be a bit wide for some
Body Glove Men’s 3T Barefoot Water Shoe
Dip a Toe In
Every aquatic enthusiast’s footwear dream would be to feel the freedom of being barefoot while having the protection of water shoes. These shoes from Body Glove don’t get us there entirely, but they’re close enough for us. Body Glove’s three toe design allows for independent movement for your toes, which maximizes grip and comfort. These shoes have remarkably slip-resistant soles, in part because of the three toe feature, and in part because of their enhanced ultra-grip design. If you’re looking for a cheap water shoe to protect your feet at the beach, this might not be your pick. These shoes are ideal for aiding in balance and traction on slippery rocks in riverbeds during kayaking and rafting. For kayakers, rafters, and those willing to spend more, these shoes are a perfect fit.
Pros:
- Three toe box design promotes comfort and grip
- The soles are enhanced with an ultra-grip design
Cons:
- On the pricy side
- Can get stinky after a few uses
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim in water shoes?
This depends on the shoe and the swimmer’s experience level. Some water shoes are heavy-duty and feel more like sneakers. These would way you down while swimming and make it harder to move around comfortably. Other kinds of water shoes are lightweight and might not bother some swimmers that much. As a general rule of thumb, we’d say that water shoes are best kept to water activities that don’t call for swimming in water in which you can’t stand up.
Why not just use my sneakers as water shoes?
You might be able to get away with doing this a few times, but after a while, constant waterlogging will ruin any pair of sneakers. They just aren’t built for submergence the way water shoes are. Water shoes are made from materials that breathe and drain water far more effectively than sneakers. More importantly, water shoes are specifically crafted to give you more balance while standing on slippery rocks underwater. Sneakers will not give you this kind of protection. Save yourself a pair of sneakers (and a lot of falling over) and use water shoes while you’re in the water.
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