The Best Water Shoes for Women of 2024

The Salomon Techamphibian 5 Women’s Water Shoe ($110) is an all-terrain lightweight footwear option ideal for various outdoor adventures. Some unique, enjoyable features on the Techamphibian 5 include a collapsible heel, heel-tightening strap, and reinforced toe cap. 

The most innovative aspect is the collapsible heel, which makes it easy to slip on the shoe without using the heel piece, making it act more like a clog. The quick lace system also quickly tightens up the shoe, although our tester noticed that on days with prolonged use, she had to readjust and re-tighten them often. 

Despite this, another excellent design aspect was the ability to tighten the heel of the shoes (which didn’t periodically loosen). Most blisters come from shoes that wiggle around too much in the heel, either because the size is too big or just because the fit is wrong. The heel adjustment negates the need to worry about that. One downside is the extra flappy material since there is nowhere to tuck it. But it didn’t get in our way while wearing the shoes. 

Our tester noted that she tends to kick quite a few loose rocks when she hikes around. Thus, we found the reinforced toe cap extremely helpful. While the reinforcement on the toe cap is still moderately thin compared to a hiking boot, that toe cap is still a huge plus, especially since the other water shoes don’t include that feature. This feature alone is one of the reasons it edged out the Xero Shoes for best overall. 

In the quick dry test, these shoes were the third fastest to dry.

The Salomon Techamphibian 5 Women’s Water Shoe works best for day hikes with or without water crossings, river trips where you want more protection than a sandal, and casual strolls around town. It’s a high-performance shoe and will keep your foot snugly in place.

One of the best aspects of the DLGJPA Women’s Leisure Sport Shoes ($30) is the low price tag. This water-specific shoe quickly drains water and boasts a flexible construction with a foam sole. But it’s not the highest-quality shoe we’ve ever worn. If lost in the ocean or river (as we all know happens sometimes), it won’t be heartbreaking (or break the bank, either) since these shoes already have a short lifespan.

We hiked along a sandy shoreline for our first outing in these shoes. The DLGJPA is easy to slip on and adjust snugly to the foot. A unique feature of these shoes is that the sole drains via small holes throughout the bottom of the shoe. No other shoe had this feature, so we were not surprised that the DLGJPAs were the quickest to drain compared to the others on the list. (Putting the shoes in the sand was also a bit of a goofy experience, as the sand just drains straight through the holes).

Despite minimal material used in construction, the material did not dry quickly (nor does the product website state what specific materials comprise the upper). In our hour-long comparison test of dry times, the DLGJPA ranked in the bottom four next to the more sneaker-like shoes: Astral Brewess 2.0, Astral Loyak W’s, and Teva Women’s Outflow Universal Sandal.

A peculiar aspect of the DLGJPA is the mesh pattern, which imprinted on our tester’s foot after just a short duration of wear. While this is not a dealbreaker, it added to the uniqueness of the DLGJPA experience.

While we wouldn’t anticipate a pair of the DLGJPA Women’s Leisure Sport Shoes to last for years to come – if you’re on a budget and need a pair of shoes for a holiday to a waterpark or light use on a tropical vacation, these would be easy to stuff into a suitcase to do the trick. They’re flexible, low profile, and get the job done.

The Astral Brewess 2.0 ($125) is a versatile water shoe with a sneaker-like design. It automatically has credibility given it’s made by Astrail, a reliable brand popular with whitewater enthusiasts. These shoes offer a quick drain system, 3D air mesh to reduce sand entry, and a step-down heel for easy wearability.

Our thorough test of the Astral Brewess 2.0 began during an overnight rafting trip down Ruby-Horsethief, a scenic section on the Colorado River. Our crew battled less-than-ideal March weather conditions in the high desert, and we encountered freezing temperatures, torrential rainfall, and sporadic bursts of sunshine throughout the journey.

These shoes held up well on the trip through the mud, cold, and rain. Despite the harsh environment, they rinsed off quickly and didn’t have any notable signs of wear. We also found that the Brewess 2.0 fits well with socks, without socks, or with a drysuit/sock combo. This versatility is a crucial feature we look for in a water shoe because, in colder climates, it’s common to layer up.

There were some drawbacks, as these shoes did not dry out overnight. While the problem was exacerbated by the weather, in the later quick dry test under the hot desert sun, the Brewess 2.0 tied for last place with the Teva Women’s Outflow Universal Sandal.

Since the overnight rafting trip, our tester has been wearing the Brewess 2.0 as one of the shoes she swaps in and out of while commercial raft guiding. Despite being in the immediate sun, they continue to struggle with quickly drying.

Regardless, due to their versatility off the river, the Astral Brewess 2.0 will likely become our tester’s regular shoes for whitewater kayaking and other river sports. They’re also hardy shoes for hiking, traveling, or wandering around town.

The Merrell Women’s Hydro Moc ($60) reminds us of those hairless cats — so strange-looking that they’re kind of cute. Crafted as a comfortable slip-on, the Hydro Moc is constructed from lightweight foam and has a locked-in heel design that makes it perfect for wearing 24/7.

Our tester’s initial experience with the shoes left a lasting impression, to say the least. So much so that she wore these shoes for consecutive days without wanting to switch out for another pair. They’re comfortable, easy to put on, and, due to their unique holes, were quite the topic of conversation among friends.

The thoughtful design of the Hydro Moc includes a convenient foam heel strap that makes it easy to take the shoes off and on and secures the foot in place. However, the additional heel piece means the shoes are always in “sport” mode without a convenient way to slip them on like clogs.

These shoes are comfortable because of the unique combo of materials used to make them. The Hydro Moc utilizes BLOOM Performance Foam, an algae biomaterial, and EVA foam (often seen in yoga mat materials) to create the shoe. This combination ensures a comfortable fit that’s quick-drying since the material does not absorb water.

Emma, our lead tester, even ran around town in the pouring rain with the Hydro Moc. While she was initially concerned that the holes would lead to wet socks, she stayed dry walking from the car to the store a couple of times. (Just watch out for puddles since socks will immediately get wet.) However, if she were outside for a significant amount of time, the story might differ.

Our tester also brought the Hydro Moc on an overnight rafting trip as day sandals, and they slayed. They were super quick to dry and clean, easy to squish into the drybag, and stayed on her feet with no problem (however, it was too cold to swim with them).

Overall, the Hydro Moc shines for short walks, errands around town, or relaxing. They work well with or without socks, are lightweight and squishable, and are easy to clean off. If there are a lot of loose rocks on a path, there might be better options than these shoes.

With a snug and comfortable fit, the Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport ($130) is a unique low-profile water shoe ideal for someone looking for a pair of “barefoot shoes.” These are flexible, bendy shoes meant to move harmoniously with your foot’s natural curves.

When our tester opened the box, she had reservations about the Aqua X Sport. This was an unknown brand, and the shoes seemed minimalist in both coverage and foot protection. She changed her mind after one hike in the Aqua X Sport shoes. The design immediately fit snugly and comfortably against her feet with one point of adjustment—the quick lace system, which worked great to snatch up the foot shape.

The low profile design made it easy to squish the pair in a backpack and contributed to the overall lightweight design. These were also the third fastest in the quick dry test, just behind the Techamphibian 5, which has a similar snug-fitting, high-performance design. In the drainage test, these ranked in the middle of the pack. But, while wearing the shoes through the creek, the tight fit prevented water from getting into the shoe.

While our tester wouldn’t categorize herself as a dedicated runner, she noticed that these shoes worked great for trail running. Generally, she uses shoes that offer more support, so this was her first experience with “barefoot shoes.” While we can’t speak to the long-term differences between using these barefoot shoes versus regular runners, it will be an exciting endeavor to continue trying these shoes out on soft trails.

The Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport are great for someone looking for a high-performance, low-profile design for low-impact hikes, jogs, and trail runs. From their snug fit to quick-drying capabilities, the Aqua X Sport would be a great addition to any quiver of shoes.

Upon first sight, the NRS Women’s Kicker Wetshoe ($58) is a specialized product for running rivers in a raft, kayak, or canoe. Their 3 mm-thick neoprene insulation makes these water shoes a great option for keeping your feet warm against cool waters. They pair well with a dry suit or wetsuit. Thanks to the cushy, comfy neoprene, socks are optional.

The Kicker Wetshoe is easy to slip on, with Velcro straps allowing the user to tighten it quickly. But there will be some wiggle room, especially without socks or a dry suit. While the shoes have a low-profile design, they weigh a pound and can drag down the feet while swimming. When wet, the neoprene insulation provides warmth—a contrast to the many other water shoes tested in the cold Pacific Northwest.

When we tested which shoes dried the fastest, the Kicker Wetshoe won by a landslide and was completely dry in the direct desert sun within an hour. However, if not given time to dry and thrown directly into the back of a car or bag, the neoprene bag held on to a wet-dog mildew-type smell.

Our tester has raft-guided and been around whitewater for some time and recognized these shoes as the “booties” given to customers to wear down the river. They last a long time, and she can speak highly of their durability from years of professional use.

Despite the upsides, these shoes lack foot support. Thus, they don’t perform well on hikes, walks, or burlier portages on the river. While the shoe excels at day trips for aquatic activities, there are better options for multi-sport adventures (or even walking around town). Our tester is a true size 8, and these shoes ran a little big on her, making walking awkward.

For someone with limited space in the different variety of shoe options she can bring with her, the NRS Women’s Kicker Wetshoe wouldn’t quite make the cut. This product is best for day trips on the river or a lake.

The Astral Loyak W’s ($95) is a fashionable, low-profile footwear option that seamlessly blends into any occasion – from a day outside to a social hour at night. These shoes are great whether you’re on a sailboat, wading through small creeks, or traveling through countries from adventure to adventure.

While our tester doesn’t have the luxury of owning a sailboat, she can’t help but envision how great these shoes would look on them. The Loyaks’ real-world testing took place on hikes on the muddy trails in the Pacific Northwest. With cold feet and wet socks, the shoes turned the color of dirt, so perhaps that was a less-than-ideal situation for the Loyaks. Along a warm desert river, these shoes worked much better.

In the quick dry and drainage test, these ranked mid-pack with no significant results. Nevertheless, there are still lots of positive aspects about the design that make our tester keep wearing the pair. The Loyak is bendy and compressional, which makes it easy to squeeze into the last couple of open spaces in a travel bag or suitcase. The shoe is also stylish and available in colors beyond white.

While these shoes are charming, they lack the ruggedness and durability required for more demanding environments and outdoor pursuits. The evidence lies in the white pair that we tested, now stained from a singular hike on the dirt trails of the PNW. Our tester is hesitant to use these as a daily driver because of the lack of foot support – a trade-off for how lightweight they are.

Another thing to note is that the Loyaks do not offer half sizes. If you’re a half size, we recommend sizing up if you plan to wear socks or size down if you’re going barefoot.

Despite these considerations, the Astral Loyaks find their niche in casual settings. A night out dancing? Walking down a boardwalk? These shoes would be a cute addition to any outfit.

Out of all the water shoes featured, the Teva Women’s Outflow Universal Sandal ($110) stands out for the greatest sole support, characterized by thick rubber at the base. While the shoe’s design is cute, the overall experience left much to be desired from an athletic water shoe.

This shoe offers an appealing design complimented by a vibrant array of color options. The grippy rubber sole provides the necessary traction for navigating across rocky terrain.

However, we found three major design flaws that created significant drawbacks in the Teva Women’s Outflow Universal Sandal.

One of those is the Velcro straps, meant to create a tight fit around the foot. Each shoe uses three straps (two on the front and one encircling the heel), but our tester could not tighten any of them enough to fit her foot shape.

The shoes performed poorly in terms of drying capabilities. They tied for last in the quick dry test with the Astral Brewess 2.0. An hour in, there were still puddles of water on the rubber sole of the shoe.

Lastly, in the drainage test, the Teva Women’s Outflow Universal Sandals scored in the bottom three, only slightly better than the Astral Brewess 2.0. The non-absorbent nature of the rubber material led to increased water sloshing within the shoe. That same rubber material is bulky, heavy, and difficult to pack down for travel.

Despite the shortcomings, we recommend the Teva Women’s Outflow Universal Sandal for day hikes or water activities.