The Best Water Shoes for Women
In order to be considered high quality, water shoes should have a few key components. You'll want them to be breathable, dry quickly, and fit your feet well. It helps if they are lightweight so as not to weigh you down, and ideally, they'll fit your sense of style, too. Think it's a tall order to find all of the above? Actually, it's not. We've done the research to find the best water shoes out there. And though we came across a number of duds, there are some fantastic options out there. Here are a few of our favorites.
Mishansha Quick Dry Water Shoes
Tough, Durable, And Waterproof
These guys hit all the must-haves for water shoes. Ultra-lightweight, these won’t weigh you down no matter how wet they get. And even when you wear them in and out of water, they dry quickly and remain comfortable. Versatile, they work for just about any water sport from boating to swimming to beach volleyball. What we really love them for, though? Hiking. With a tread that’ll grip some pretty tough terrain, you can wear these up mountains, through water-logged valleys, and along trails that hug waterways. With a toggle-closure, these shoes pull on with a durable pull-tab and close tightly for a secure, comfortable fit. If you’re in the market for a tough-but-comfy water shoe, this one really does have it all.
Pros:
- Flexible, durable sole
- Multiple color choices
- Form-fitting shoe fits well and stays put
- Breathable fabric
- Ultra-lightweight
Cons:
- If you’re wearing these on a sandy beach, expect them to collect a fair amount of sand
Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Shoes
Flexible Pool Protection
Water shoes for the pool? You bet. Keeping you safe from falling on slippery pool patios, these shoes are effortless to slip on, they stay on, and they’ll keep your feet protected. Made with a lightweight rubber sole that moves with your foot, these shoes are the next best thing to being barefoot. Ultra-lightweight and unbelievably comfortable, these suckers may not win any fashion awards, but they’re awesome for those poolside days.
Pros:
- No-slip rubber sole
- Breathable upper fabric that stretches to fit
- These shoes will bend easily, making them a great option for travel
- Budget-friendly option
Cons:
- Not the most durable, but at this price, why not grab a few?
Vifuur Water Sports Shoes
Flashy Footwear Fun
Even though these shoes are specifically made for water sports, they’re cool in that futuristic kind of way that makes it fine to wear these out and about, too. And because they dry so quickly, you can actually totally do that without worrying about walking around in water-soaked shoes. With a smooth-neck design to prevent chafing and blisters, a flexible rubber sole, and fashion-forward color and design choices, this is an excellent pair for water sports and waterside lounging alike.
Pros:
- Breathable protection for all water sports
- Non-slip sole
- Quick-dry features
Cons:
- The fit is a bit snug
Native Shoes Jefferson Water Shoes
Water You Waiting For?
If you’re not trying to play any extreme water sports nor go running along the beach, these waterproof shoes from Native are your best bet. Why? They are trendy, of-the-minute shoes. In fact, it doesn’t really matter if you plan on seeing any water with these — they’re trendy enough to wear out to lunch and comfortable enough to wear while walking the pup. With holes throughout the entire shoe (save for the rubber sole, of course) these shoes are breathable, waterproof, easy to clean, and they resist odor that often plagues sockless shoes.
Pros:
- No laces for easy-on, easy-off
- Multiple fashionable color choices available
- Durable, quality rubber
Cons:
- These can run on the pricier side for a pair of rubber shoes
Keen Women’s Newport Sandal
High-Tech Water Sandals
Keen has an excellent reputation and an army of devotees who will choose pair after pair of the company’s shoes. There’s a reason for this: the shoes they make are reliably durable, well-made, comfortable, and versatile beyond compare. Take, for example, the Newport Sandal. With Keen’s signature footbed (wide at the toe, narrower at the heel), this shoe has a rugged sole that works as a hiking sandal. The upper, which is webbed for quick-drying convenience, is comfortable and breathable. Overall, this sandal’s design results in a high-quality pair that can be worn from the mountains to the lakes and everywhere in between.
Pros:
- Designed to shed water
- Excellent traction provides grip and stability on wet surfaces
- Unparalleled cushioning with a dual-density PU insole that fits a woman’s unique footbed
- Eco Anti-Odor, probiotic-based technology
Cons:
- These shoes are a bit chunkier and heavier than typical water shoes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep water shoes from getting stinky?
Because water shoes are meant to be worn without socks, they can get that notorious foul-smelling odor that comes from waterproof rubber shoes. This is typically due to the fact that water shoes collect bacteria, which is what makes them smell. The best thing you can do? Let them dry fully in between wear — preferably in the sun. Spray a vinegar solution on them if you need a little extra odor-killer.
What should I look for in a water shoe?
Water shoes should be water-resistant, dry quickly, and be lightweight. They should also have a comfortable, fitted upper to protect against chafing and blisters. As for the lower, make sure that the sole is slip-proof. You do not want to be running alongside a slippery pool and have no gripping power under your feet. And while it’s not necessary to have a trendy, fashionable shoe, it certainly doesn’t hurt to like what you’re wearing.
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