The Best Water Shoes of 2026

Full disclosure: We have tested the Astral Brewer shoe literally for years, purchasing pairs long before testing for GearJunkie. Why the Brewer and now the Astral Brewer 3.0 ($135)? Simple: versatility, style, and performance. This lightweight water shoe drains water quickly and lasts a long time.

We used these shoes on many paddleboarding adventures on Wyoming’s Snake River, getting chundered in Arkansas River whitewater trying to river surf, on side hikes during multiday rafting trips, and more. The Brewer 3.0 is not just a water shoe, but also a multipurpose tool one can use with flat pedals on mountain bike rides or one-wheeling down to the local brewery after work.

The latest iteration of the Brewer improves upon a water shoe we already prized as our favorite. Astral improved the heel lock so these shoes stay in place even more securely, and the upper is now made of 100% recycled materials in a blend of breathable mesh with durable canvas. We usually wore these shoes without socks anyway, but now Astral improved the inside for a softer feel.

On a trip to see brown bears in Alaska, we wore these on a 20-hour day through three airports, three flights, and 3 hours of driving. Our feet remained comfortable the whole trip. Once at our destination, we wore the Brewer 3.0 to hike to waterfalls, wade in streams, and even to dinner at the brewery. We are sold on these shoes and even spent cold hard cash to get them for our friends and spouses, the ultimate compliment from a gear tester.

The only downside is that the Brewer 3.0 doesn’t protect your ankles and may not be low profile enough for extremely tight playboats or minimal enough for people who count every packable square inch. But if you’re looking for a water shoe that can do about anything, the Astral Brewer 3.0 is the one you’ll want to pick up.

An offshoot of the ever-popular open-toed Hydratek hiking sandal, the newly released Teva Hydratek Closed-Toe Sandal ($100) is a water shoe built for adventures of all kinds. With ultra-grippy soles, uppers that dry in a flash, and bomber protection for your toes, the Hydratek CT moves seamlessly from boat to trail to water and back.

We took these lightweight water shoes on a couple of day-long paddleboarding adventures, an overnight river trip on Wyoming’s Snake River, and a few mellow early spring hikes. Whether we were walking in water, on sand, over gravel, or scrambling up a red rock slab, we felt stable and supported while wearing the Hydratek CT. And, when we inevitably kicked a rock or tripped, the protective toe cap did its job well, shielding our precious feet from roots or rocks or other hazards lurking on the trail or below the water.

These are extremely comfortable and breathable enough to wear for big days of paddling and moderate hikes. The quick lace system also means you can throw them on fast when adventure calls. Depending on the type of surface you’re hiking on, the holes near the back of the shoe allow small rocks in, which can get annoying. However, a breathable, versatile, quick-drying water shoe needs to let water flow in and out, so this is somewhat expected and can be managed without too much difficulty.

If you’re seeking a fairly priced, durable, supportive water shoe that can do it all, the new Hydratek CT Sandal is an awesome choice.

The Xero Aqua X Sport ($130) was spawned from the barefoot running movement, created by runners from Boulder, Colo. Initially, the founders of Xero offered a completely minimal “shoe” consisting of a couple of strings and a thin rubber sole, a design based on the sandals used by the genetically gifted Tarahumara runners in the Copper Canyon in Mexico. 

They took their creation to Shark Tank but didn’t secure a deal. Luckily for us, they persevered, and today, Xero offers a wide range of shoes. The Xero Aqua X Sport is a lightweight, capable water shoe, but it’s also a running shoe to protect your feet on coastal runs that mix beach, rocky paths, and pavement. 

We love this water shoe because it fits well, and the fit can be dialed in with a low-profile set of elastic laces. The shoe’s tops are open mesh, making them light and breathable. However, this feature also lets in a lot of sand when running on the beach.

The lightweight rubber-lugged soles protect your feet and stick to the ground while letting you feel the sticks, stones, and sand you’re running over. These shoes would also be ideal for SUP paddling, kayaking in tight boats, and rock hopping on the river shore.

Finally, the Xero Aqua X Sport packs up very small and, if traveling, won’t take up a lot of room in your bag. On its website, Xero states they have donated $52,000+ (USD) to the Tarahumara Children’s Hospital Fund, so you can also feel good about this purchase. 

To quote Monty Python’s Flying Circus: “And now for something completely different.” Enter the NRS Paddle Wetshoe ($70). The wet world of water shoes is broad. Some water shoes target hot climates, other cold locales. The NRS Paddle Wetshoe remains a fantastic choice for cooler water adventures.

They look like typical neoprene booties, which they are, but they are also not. The NRS Paddle Wetshoe is constructed from petroleum-free Terraprene, a sustainable alternative to traditional neoprene. Terraprene is made from limestone and recycled tires, so you will feel good wearing it. It is also woven with titanium adhesive throughout for additional warmth and strength.

We’ve used a variety of NRS booties for years and always found them to be good quality. The NRS Paddle Wetshoe is no different. For this test, we used them while fly fishing from the coast of a Caribbean island, where we walked on sand and extremely sharp rocks. Although the sole of this water shoe feels quite thin and flexible, it protected his feet well.

In addition to 3mm of rubber, the NRS Paddle Wetshoe includes a 2mm plastic shim and 5mm insole for additional sole protection. The mid-shin height kept the sand out and the additional enforced protection on the toes and heels kept my feet protected. 

Were they too hot for tropical climates? Yes. However, in any temperature of water other than dishwater warm, the NRS Paddle wetshoe would not be too much. The 3mm Terraprene will help keep your feet warm, especially in the waters of the Colorado Rockies where we live. .

He used these booties while snorkeling down cold rivers (yes, it’s a thing … one looks for fish, habitat, old junk, lost paddles, sunglasses) where he loved that the shin height upper tucked under the leg of his wetsuit for warmth. He also used them while paddle boarding on high mountain reservoirs where warmth and protection are necessary. Given the name, and NRS’s longtime focus on paddle sports, we know these booties are also ideal for cooler water kayaking and raft trips.

The only drawback to this shoe for our tester is the extra-wide toebox. While this large toebox allows for a natural foot position where toes can spread wide, it also means water can get trapped in the toebox, depending on the volume of your foot.

These shoes are also unavailable in half sizes, so they may not fit like they’re custom-made for your feet. Overall, we found the NRS Paddle Wetshoe ideal for its intended uses, and we’re sure you’ll get years of quality performance out of a pair. 

The Astral TR1 Mesh 2.0 Shoes ($149) are designed for amphibious adventures, blending the grip and drainage of a river shoe with the stability of a lightweight hiker. Featuring a low-profile platform, a grippy rubber sole, a breathable mesh upper, and a wide toebox, they perform well on slick rocks, muddy trails, and fast-moving streams with ease.

We choose the TR1 Mesh 2.0 for days involving trail miles and water crossings. During our rafting and paddleboarding trips in Idaho and Wyoming, which included many side hikes, we found they grip well on slick surfaces, drain efficiently, and dry quickly. The mesh upper offers good breathability on hot days, and the low-profile design provides stability on uneven terrain. They’re not particularly cushioned, so we avoid them on long, dry miles. However, for wet, technical, or varied terrain, these make excellent all-around adventure shoes.

The Astral TR1 Mesh 2.0 Shoes are lightweight, quick-drying, and breathable water shoes that shine during multi-sport adventures.

The KEEN Newport H2 ($130) is known as one of the most reliable adventure sandals out there. With a tough toe cap, supportive footbed, and quick-drying webbing, they’re built to handle just about anything, including river trips, lakeside hikes, or hot summer days at camp. We’ve worn them while portaging canoes, scrambling over slippery riverbanks, and even walking through airports on the way to the next adventure.

What makes the Newport H2 stand out is its rugged build and solid toe protection. The closed-toe design offers more coverage than a typical sandal, which is helpful around sharp rocks or underwater obstacles. A secure bungee lacing system keeps the fit snug even when you’re moving fast or getting tossed around in the current. The outsole grips well on wet and uneven surfaces, and the midsole provides enough arch support for light hikes and long days on your feet.

They’re reasonably breathable for a closed-toe sandal, and the quick-drying polyester webbing makes them great for multi-day water trips or hot, humid weather. That said, they’re a bit heavier and bulkier than most open-toe options, and style isn’t the main draw. The chunky look is definitely more about function than fashion. But if you want one sandal that can do a little of everything from water to trail to camp, the Newport H2 is a classic for a reason.

XtraTuf, the brand that became famous for rubber boots in Alaska and other extreme environments, has branched out into a wide variety of shoe styles. The XtraTuf Kiata Drift Sneaker ($115) is a lightweight, fully enclosed sneaker-style water shoe that will appeal to many people who embrace and believe in the XtraTuf name.

These shoes look more like traditional sneakers than water shoes, and they perform in a similar way. The upper material has a variety of hole sizes to let water in and out. A rubber band lightly reinforces the toe and heel, and the non-slip rubber sole offers foot protection and a bit of arch support. A traditional lace system tightens the whole system. The fully enclosed shoe offers complete sun protection.

For all the XtraTuf Kiata Drift Sneaker’s many good points, it won’t be a shoe for everyone. It feels like the ideal use of this shoe is around casual boats, walking on the pier, or the boat deck, where sun protection and the non-slip sole perform well. The stylish upper and sneaker-like design means these will move seamlessly from the trail to town or from the boat to the brewpub.

The TUFGRP sole includes many separate knobs which provide excellent grip but can also tear off individually over time. The shoe also runs about ½ size big, so the 10.5 we tested fit more like an 11.

Overall, the Kiata is not an all-around water shoe for a variety of outdoor adventures but a more specialized shoe ideal for use on or around docks and boats.

Since the day they launched, Keen shoes have elicited a strong emotional response. If you love them, you really love them and will purchase pair after pair for life. They look unusual and distinct. The Keen Hyperport H2 Sandal ($125) is the same, with a chunky, thick, bulbous sole, colorful webbing, and large holes along the sides. You will not mix and match these shoes with clothing for dinner out. They scream, “I am having fun in the water!” or “I am on vacation and ready to play!” Or something emphatic like that.

We tested these in all-day sessions — from walking the dog on a rough riverside path to stick-throwing sessions on a sandy beach, from working at our desk to running out for a quick paddle on a nearby lake in a sit-on-top kayak. Change the day, vary the activities, and repeat.

After wearing them on and off in various situations, we found the Keen Hyperport H2s to be a very capable water shoe that offers excellent toe protection, a wide toebox, good arch support, all-day comfort, durability, and quick put-on or take-off. The stretchy inner neoprene hugs the foot well, and this fit can be improved a little by tightening the adjustable bungee that laces up the shoe.

The holes along the sides of these shoes are large, which allows for lots of air to the sides of the foot. However, this also means you may need to wear sunscreen to avoid sunburn in these spots. Water washes through the shoe easily. As with almost all water shoes, sand comes in easily but is not as easy to wash out. But it’s easy to remove them, rinse them out, and slip them back on again. Also, there is so much toe protection that your toes may get hot if you are not wearing them in the water or cooling off your feet occasionally in the water

The shoe’s sole combines a softer foam midsole with a harder rubber called Aquagrip. Keen claims the design funnels water away from under the shoe for more true traction on all surfaces.

Overall, the Keen Hyperport H2 is a high-quality, versatile water shoe good for a wide variety of activities and adventures. The look is not for everyone, but if you love Keen, you will love these shoes.

Truth be told, not every day or trip involves an adrenaline-spiking adventure where you need ultimate foot protection to keep yourself from slipping off mossy rocks and falling over the edge of a high waterfall to your death. The Speedo Surf Knit Pro ($45) is just the water shoe for these days when you must protect your feet while walking over the boiling hot sand between the parking lot and the beach umbrella. 

Later, you may want to leave this hot sand beach and visit the ample resort buffet for a huge shrimp cocktail and a piece of cake. The Speedo Surf Knit Pro will get you there in style. Remember, the only real contest in life is whether you feel happy or not. Relaxing water shoes and shrimp cocktails make us happy, especially when we’re also drinking endless cold $2 Belikens in Belize.

These water shoes are simple — an all-white, zero-rise, grippy sole topped by a fun, stylish, stretchy top. They stick to slick surfaces, protect your little piggies from sunburn, and you can wear them to dinner. 

And, let’s be honest — no matter how famous Speedo is in its small way, we’re stoked that it is more than just banana hammocks. The Surf Knit Pro packs down small and won’t take up much room in your vacation pack.

Would we use this shoe in situations where we need high-performance and dependable secure footing for sports? No. However, we must sheepishly admit that we relax more than our Instagram action shots suggest; we like spending many enjoyable days just chilling out near the water.

For that, the Speedo Surf Knit Pro shoes are ideal. They’re about convenience and enough to get by, with a twist of style, and perhaps an umbrella drink near the pool.

Look at the kids today — they are all wearing a shoe that rhymes with Mocs. Not just as water shoes, but as fashion with all sorts of odd giblets stuck in the tops. We hadn’t worn Crocs since an ill-fated cave hike in Laos where those slippery suckers on his feet slipped on a dark cave floor and almost slid us into a dark sinkhole in the limestone.

But he admits he still likes the concept, and the Merrell Hydro Moc ($60) is a water shoe in the same vein. You might get confused between the two if you’re not a purist, but tomato tomato, potato potato. 

Over the years, we have owned and worn many pairs of Merrell shoes and always found them good quality and affordable. The Hydro Moc is the same. However, it’s a bit of a weird water shoe. Even Merrell celebrates the weirdness. Also, the camo color scheme Moc sent us to test made our tester feel like he had baby alligators wrapped around his feet.

As we wore them on the river, on an offshore boat trip in the tropics, and around the beach, we found them to be comfortable water shoes that perform well. Do they breathe well? Yes. Do they drain well? Obviously. They are full of large holes.

Did the Merrell Hydro Mocs stay on his feet well? Yes. Do they stick to shore rocks without slipping? Yes. Can we wear them with socks in the fall when we go to a bluegrass-pumping pumpkin carving dance party and still fit in with the locals? Yes. Could we wear a wack-colored pair in NYC with a thrift store blue corduroy suit and look right? Yes. There are many wins here. 

Are they for you? Only you can answer that personal question. Will your kids find your new Merrell Hydro Mocs cool? Perhaps, maybe. Perhaps, not. Answers are elusive. Are they weird? Definitely. 

Overall, the Merrell Hydro Moc is a comfortable, well-performing water shoe that contains 10% algae and seaweed mixed with flexible plastic. It is affordable, long-lasting, and comes in many fun colors, so you don’t have to wear the alligator-attracting camo if you don’t want to. 

A pared-down version of the more substantial NRS Paddle Wetshoe, the Kicker Wetshoe ($75) is a simple, pull-on design with a single strap over the top of the foot to keep them on. The big question is: are you a person who prefers a tall, zippered boot style for your cold water shoe or a smaller, more packable version?

The NRS Kicker Wetshoe shares many features with its big brother/sister, the Paddle Wetshoe — a reinforced toe and heel, 3 mm petroleum-free Terraprene neoprene made from recycled tires and limestone, a plastic shim for additional foot protection, and a sticky rubber sole to protect your feet from rocks, urchins, and other sharp things.

We used these to wade in the river, fly fish in the warmer months of July and August in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and paddle board at alpine lakes. We found them comfortable and warm.

The ideal user of this water shoe is a person who wants foot protection and some warmth in a very simple and minimal package. There are drawbacks to this design. First, they don’t protect the ankle in rocky environments. Second, in fully active situations, like getting flushed through a churning rapid, this shoe design feels like it might wash off as it comes off rather easily. Third, they only come in full sizes, so if you wear a half size (ex. 10.5), the ½ size up may feel too big.

If you swim rivers or snorkel down current in the ocean and need to walk back after your drift through the water, the NRS Kicker Wetshoe does pack down flat enough that you can stuff these into a tight shirt like a rash guard or wetsuit top, put on your fins, do the swim and afterward put them on to protect your feet on the hike back home.

You will know if you’re the type of person looking for the NRS Kicker Wetshoe. It won’t be a shoe for everyone, but it has been made for many years and has a devoted following in the paddling, rafting, SUP, and beach walking communities.

The XtraTuf Riptide Sandal ($55) is another shoe in the Croc vein. They’re designed to be casual and simple. No fuss. These extremely comfy shoes come on and off easily and offer just enough protection to cross the hot parking lot and walk on some easy surfside or riverside rocks.

Performance-wise, the lightweight Riptide has small holes on the top and a few bigger holes horizontally parallel to the sole. This lets in air but also sand and small rocks. Luckily, it takes mere seconds to take them off and rinse the material out. The soles of the shoe are soft and flexible and offer no more than basic protection.

However, despite their basic performance, we found ourselves wearing these water shoes more than others. The light, airy feel, mixed with the ease of wearing them, was fun. The shoe isn’t trying to make a statement with flashy colors or an outrageous design, so it is kind of a chameleon to wear along the shore, on the boat, or to lunch. Think slow vacation and not a lot of fast action.

On its website, XtraTuf includes the Riptide as part of its Eco line. They say, “BioLite has been granted a Green Leaf certificate by Intertek, an accredited independent third-party testing facility, verifying that this product will properly biodegrade in bioreactor landfills.” What is a bioreactor landfill? That’s a good question.

The Environmental Protection Agency says, “A bioreactor landfill is a municipal solid waste landfill (MSWLF) in which liquids are added to help bacteria break down the waste. The increase in waste degradation and stabilization is accomplished through the addition of liquid and air to enhance microbial processes.” So, the Riptide Sandal can return to the Earth under special circumstances. It’s a stretch, but we highly appreciate all the efforts shoe companies make to improve their environmental record and sustainability.

Depending on who’s testing, the Astral Loyak ($95) could also be in the running for the best water shoe. The Loyak offers many of the same great features that made the Astral Brewer 3.0 our favorite shoe — a wide toebox, zero drop, level fit, good quality construction, lightweight, fast drying, sticky G.15 rubber sole, and traditional laces. The Loyak is good for paddleboarding, side hikes, kayaking, and other light-pressure sports.

The Loyak is a lower-volume shoe and quite flexible so it allows one to fit the feet into tighter spaces, like small kayaks, and it takes up less space when packing for a trip. Like the Brewer 2.0, the Loyak is multifunctional and can be worn on the water or out to dinner. Unlike its cousin, the Loyak has a removable insole so it’s easier to wash the sand out of the shoe after a day at the beach or in the river. 

The Brewer provides more foot protection, which is the main feature that made our tester choose it over the Loyak. The Loyak also only comes in full sizes, not half sizes, so depending on your foot size, you may not be able to get as good a fit in the Loyak. Be aware that the Loyak does run big, so order half a size down, or the shoe will be too big. 

Overall, it’s a close call, and the Astral Loyak will be an ideal choice for many, especially those who don’t need as much support and want a thinner, more flexible water shoe. The fact that it costs $30 less than the Brewer 2.0 may tip the scale in its favor for some. 

Let’s say you’re on a tight budget but still need functional water footwear for basic foot protection. The Athmile Water Sock ($10) is just this. It’s less of a shoe and more of a water sock with a rubber sole. A single pair for yourself will cost less than a six-pack of beer, and water socks for a family of five will cost less than a mountain-town lunch at a restaurant — way less.

The Athmile Water Socks do not offer much protection and zero support, but they are easy on/off and will protect your feet from the sun, hot pavement/sand, and a few short walks across sharp coastal coral. They will probably not last for many trips or multiple years. The thin soles will also not protect your feet from fish hooks, broken glass, sharp shell edges, and the like. 

However, there are a few situations where the Athmile Water Sock really shines, especially for the price. Beyond walks to the pool and from the car to the beach, we used these in a few situations where they filled a fun niche. The beauty of these is they take up very little space and pack down nearly flat. 

We wore these from our beach hut outside Isabela, Puerto Rico, across the gravel in the yard, down a hot paved road, and along a burning sandy beach in the sun. From here, we shuffled out across rocks in the water with baby sea urchins stuffed in all the cracks into deeper water where we put on fins and a snorkel.

He then stuffed the flattened Athmile Water Socks up the front of his rash guard and did a long, snorkel swim drifting about a mile with the current. At the end of the drift, he swam to the shore, took off his fins, pulled the Athmile Water Socks from his shirt, and used them to protect his feet on the mile-long walk back.

Is that worth $10? Definitely. Would he step on full-size sea urchins with them? Never on purpose.