The 6 Best Women’s Water Shoes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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The DLGJPA Women's Water Shoes are so comfortable and dry lightning-fast
People / Izzy Seely
If you’re an avid summer traveler, you know the importance of a good pair of water shoes. They’re great for beach walks, potentially-wet hikes, camping, and even water aerobics, if you’re into that! There are so many kinds and styles of water shoes, though, that it can be hard to know where to even begin shopping. We tested 17 pairs of water shoes and chatted with experts to help guide you on your journey to your next pair of adventure-ready shoes.
“Water shoes should drain and dry quickly, be very flexible to move with your foot, and have a good nonslip sole,” says Dr. Brad Schaeffer, board-certified podiatrist, foot surgeon at Central Park Sole and star of TLC’s My Feet Are Killing Me. “They are a great added level of protection for swimming, crossing or wading in shallow or moving water… even playing in the sprinklers in your own yard or driveway with little ones.”
After testing water shoes on different terrain and in various activities, we evaluated each pair based on durability on wet and dry land, speed-of-drying, traction, comfort, and value.
Keep reading for the best water shoes that PEOPLE Tested.
Best Overall: DLGJPA Women’s Quick-drying Water Shoes
Pros
This sneaker-like shoe has a snug, comfortable fit, thanks to its lightweight upper.
The anti-slip rubber soles provide great traction (ideal for hikes).
The entirety of the shoe dried extremely quickly, making them great for transitioning from water sports to a beachside lunch spot.
Cons
Honestly, we can’t think of any negative aspects about these shoes.
Shoes that look and feel like regular sneakers or walking shoes, but dry in an instant after getting wet, sound way too good to be true. Except we found them, and they are the DLGJPA water shoes. They’re extremely comfortable and snug fitting, so they’re great for walks and hikes. Plus, they dry fast, so they’re great travel shoes. They protect your feet on sand and concrete, with excellent traction that allows you to walk on almost any terrain. And they’re great quality for the price — only $25 (and worth every penny).
Honestly, there’s nothing bad to say about these shoes. They’re stylish, functional, and come in 29 colors to fit your fancy. The adjustable elastic was super easy to use, too — we just pulled, and they stayed in place throughout all of our activities in the ocean, on concrete, the beach, and more. It’s safe to say that these are great shoes for anyone who spends any significant time outside, regardless of your terrain. If you need one pair of do-it-all water shoes, we really can’t recommend these enough.
Sizes: Women’s 6-11 | Material: Mesh and elastic upper, rubber sole | Weight: 7.05 oz.
Best Budget: Aleader Women's Mesh Slip-on Water Shoes
Pros
They look and feel like athletic shoes, making them stylish and functional.
Different terrains were no problem for these shoes.
Its bouncy midsole made this shoe perfect for shock-absorbtion, which is helpful when running (or playing water frisbee).
Cons
These shoes took longer to completely dry compared to other styles we tested.
If you want your water shoes to double as everyday slip-on shoes, we don’t blame you — which is why we think the Aleader Women's Mesh Slip Ons are not only cute, but practical (and totally budget-friendly). We loved the look and feel of these, which seem more like regular sneakers than water shoes. They were super comfortable and fit well, and seemed very well-made, especially for the price. What really made our experience with these shoes, though, was the comfortable, bouncy insole and high-traction outsole that made everything from swimming to running ultra comfortable.
The only big drawback was they seemed to dry slowly, and they held on to more water than other similar models we tested. Despite that shortcoming, this is still a great option, especially for the price. If your style leans sporty, these are an excellent choice.
Sizes: Women’s 6-11 | Material: Mesh upper, EVA sole | Weight: 7.05 oz.
Related: The 19 Best Arch Support Sandals for Pain-Free, All-Day Wear
Best Espadrille: Sea Star Beachwear Beachcomber Espadrille Water Shoe
Pros
The neoprene fabric allows these shoes to dry incredibly fast.
You can easily wear these out and about (not just on your adventures) thanks to its fashion-forward design.
The non-skid rubber soles allowed us to walk easily on both sand and pavement.
Cons
This pair was considerably more expensive than others on this list.
Some water shoes can even evoke a royal-approved style — case in point, the Sea Star Beachwear Espadrilles. These woven-accented water shoes don’t look like water shoes at all, meaning that they’re stylish enough to wear to dinner yet water-resistant enough for frolicking on the shoreline. The quick-drying upper material is made from neoprene, so they dried in a flash during testing. It also pulled the water away from our skin while we wore them, which made the wear test that much more comfortable.
We found that the sturdy sole was great for walking on sand and pavement, but we don’t think that these should be your all-day-outdoor-activity shoe of choice (more like great beach shoes that you can wear in the water). The biggest downside is the price: since these are more of a specialty shoe, it feels extra-steep to splurge on them when they don’t have a ton of uses. Still, they’re so cute (and simply begging to be brought on your next beach vacay).
How they’ve held up:
After six months of testing, we continue to be blown away by the appearance and performance of these shoes in every instance of wear, from airports to beaches. They remain incredibly quick-drying and never irritated our ankles, even when we walked at a quick New York City pace. We also liked how very versatile these were because of their stylish appearance, which created the opportunity to wear them more.
Whether it was dinner or a day at the beach, we felt comfortable (and classy) slipping these on. These are definitely a good pair to have in your suitcase if you’re planning to go to a beach with rocky shorelines, as the thick sole will keep you protected from the potentially jagged rocks below the sandy surface.
Sizes: Women’s 6-12 | Material: Neoprene upper, rubber sole | Weight: 1.5 pounds
Related: The 6 Best Slippers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Rubber: Merrell Women's Hydro Moc Water Shoe
Pros
The water drains out effectively and immediately.
This pair’s holey design makes it easy to shake out dirt and pebbles.
Its lightweight body makes these easy to swim in or wear in sandy terrains.
Cons
Its open design is not ideal for longer walks and hikes, as your wet feet can get irritated by the rubber.
First, the good: these shoes are great to walk in if your feet are dry. They keep out small rocks and sand, and are very comfortable. We also found these to be great swimming shoes, as they poured out water immediately (thanks, rubber!). They held their grip when we wore them while trying to exit a rocky river bed, which thankfully protected our feet from the bottom of a lake.
Now, the issue: if you’re doing a wet/dry combo activity — say, a hike where part of the walk is submerged in water and part is not — they don’t perform as well. If your foot is wet, it will slide around in the shoe, a sensation that irritated our heels after a while. And as any open shoe like this does, this design doesn’t feel as protective as actual shoes or sneakers do, which means that wearing them for extended periods of time isn’t the most advised move.
At the end of the day, it really depends on what you’re using them for. However, if you find yourself drawn to the water, then they might just be the right shoe for you!
Sizes: Women’s 5-11 | Material: EVA rubber | Weight: 2 lbs.
Related: The 8 Best Beach Canopies for Shady Reprieve, Tested and Reviewed
Best Sandal: Keen Women's SOLR High Performance Water Sandal
Pros
The open-sided structure allows the shoes to better drain out water.
Its bungee capture design keeps your feet locked firmly in place.
These shoes are not only machine washable, but also odor-resistant.
Cons
Due to its openings in the upper, small rocks and pebbles were able to get in (but not many).
They’re the most expensive option on our list.
To us, these are the ideal water shoes. Start with the open structure of incredibly comfortable sandals which let some water out through the sides, then add quick-drying fabric (you can go from wet surfaces to dry land in as little as 15 minutes). The rubber soles provide lots of support on different terrains (they’re great for rocky river beds, bottoms of lakes, and slippery submerged rocks), and feel similar to standard hiking shoes. They’re also machine washable. That pretty much covers it, right?
We had two small complaints: the open sides did let pebbles, some sand, and other small rocks through, and the only way to get them out is to take the shoe fully off. And they’re not cheap, but we were very impressed with the quality, and felt they’ll last for several seasons.
How it’s held up:
Over six months of long-term wear, we found ourselves falling in love with the protective, reinforced toe that comes in handy when chasing little ones or hiking. We found them comfortable over extended periods of time thanks to the EVA insole (even with our high arches). They were extremely easy to clean because of their water-friendly material, and they dried off quickly after a quick hose-down. (We also appreciated the odor-resistant fabric.)
Sizing note: These run a bit large, so we’d suggest sizing a half size down for the best fit.
Sizes: Women’s 5-12 | Material: Recycled plastic upper, rubber sole | Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Related: The 12 Best Beach Towels of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Most Comfortable: Chaco Women's Torrent Sport Sandal
Pros
Thanks to its biocentric insole, these were the most comfortable water shoes we tested.
No matter what terrain we encountered, our feet felt entirely protected.
The bottoms of our feet felt secure thanks to the thick outsole of these shoes.
Cons
The tighter mesh kept these shoes from draining as well as the others we tried.
We won’t promise you that any water shoes are as comfortable as a padded pair of gym shoes, but in terms of how comfortable they can get, the Chaco Torrents topped the list. The padded interior and traction-gripping rubber lug soles made these not only super comfortable to wear throughout the entirety of our outdoor activities, but they also left us feeling supported and protected, as well. We appreciated this sandal’s lightweight body despite its higher-density soles; these were not bulky in the slightest, so they made our hikes and water activities a breeze.
Because of its thicker bottoms and tightly-woven mesh, these were a little delayed in the draining process compared to others that we tested. But we were willing to look past that because of the security and comfort that these shoes provided us. We didn’t have to worry about stepping on something sharp, because we knew the bottoms of our feet were adequately protected. And at the end of the day, even though our body was tired, our feet weren't. If you're looking for a slightly updated version of this shoe, consider the Chaco Canyonland, which comes in fun colors like teal and storm blue.
Sizing note: We thought the sizing ran a bit small, so we suggest sizing up a half-size to get a roomier fit.
Sizes: Women’s 5-12 | Material: Knitted polyester upper, synthetic overlays, rubber outsole | Weight: 1.75 lbs.
Things to Consider Before Buying Water Shoes
Function
What will you use them for? For light strolls along the beach, a pair of flip flops will suffice. “Water shoes, or aqua socks, are made to provide extra protection to keep your feet from cuts, bruises, and slipping in wet environments – fishing, boating, at the beach, even around pools, for example,” explains Dr. Schaeffer. They’re not meant to be your official hiking shoe, but they’ll get the job done and keep you safe while your feet are submerged.
Dr. Jackie Sutera, DPM, board-certified podiatrist, recommends water shoes with "fast drying material, adjustability, comfortable insoles (preferably with an arch), and some openings for ventilation.” Our best overall pick, the DLGJPA Women's Water Shoes, meets her shopping criteria.
Alternatively, if you’re just wanting a casual pair for walks on the beach, we love the Sea Star Beachwear Espadrille Water Shoe, which would also be great if you want something to take you from beach day to seaside dinner.
Weight
If you’ll be swimming in them frequently, look for a lighter weight shoe, like the Aleader Women's Mesh Slip On Water Shoes, which weigh around half a pound. On the other hand, shoes that are a bit heavier may be better for hikes, assuming the sole has good traction and the shoes don’t cause irritation against wet feet. Dr. Schaeffer points out that the lighter your pair is (and the material it’s made of — he suggests mesh, rubber, and natural fabrics), the less likely you are to develop blisters.
Ease of Cleaning
Machine-washable fabric is always a plus, especially if you're planning to hike in your water shoes. (We love the Keen SOLR Sandal for this reason!) Shoes that are solely rubber are easy to wipe down if they get muddy, too, like the Merrell Hyrdo Moc.
When to Buy
Summer products often go on sale in the off-season, so look for deals as peak beach season nears a close. It’s worth noting, however, that buying at the end of the season may mean there’s less selection.
People / Izzy Seely
How We Tested
We tested 17 pairs of water shoes by first taking them on four designated walks, each being 30 minutes (at least), to accurately evaluate each pair. We started with a dry land walk, where we got a sense of the support, comfort, and protection supplied by each sneaker in a dry setting. In this walk, we experienced how the shoes felt on pavement, dry stones or pebbles, and dry sand, to fully judge each terrain.
Then we moved onto the “wet walk.” Here we got to experience what each shoe felt like in the water. We accomplished this by walking in pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, or whatever wet area was safe and available to us.
The next walk was on textured wet ground, like you’d encounter on a hike. In order to test the shoe’s protection, traction, grip, and durability, we tested these shoes on inclines, slippery surfaces, rocks, and more.
Afterwards came another dry walk, but we timed this for right after our wet walk to get a feel for how these shoes would fare during a day of wet and dry activities. We evaluated how our feet felt throughout all of these tests, and if the shoes fit snugly, were irritating, and if they dried and drained well. We took everything into consideration and recorded them for our writers to compile and analyze later. Taking it a step further, we tested several pairs of these shoes for up to six months and will continue to update this story with long-term insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do water shoes need to be machine-washable?
Water shoes don’t need to be machine-washable, although it’s definitely a plus, especially if the shoe material is difficult to wipe off dirt by hand (like shoes that are solely made from rubber). Be sure to check that the manufacturer states the shoes are indeed machine-washable before putting them in the washer or dryer.
Are more expensive water shoes worth it?
It depends how often you plan on wearing them, especially if you need a pair of water shoes that double as hiking boots, which may cost more money for that extra utility. The Keen SOLR Sandal is the most expensive water shoe on our list, but they were rated high for comfortability and dried quickly; they’re also machine-washable. If you’re looking for all of the above in a water shoe, it’s worth the steeper price.
Should I size up or down in my water shoes?
Water shoes are a little different than your average shoes, so they may fit a bit differently than your favorite pair of running shoes. Dr. Sutera advises sticking to your normal size, and Dr. Schaeffer adds that you should look into the measurements and material used in the pair you’ve been eyeing.
“They are going to feel tighter when dry because you have to try them on with socks, but remember that our feet get slippery when they are wet, and if water is cold, they are going to contract a little, too,” he says. “You definitely don’t want to buy a pair that are too big.” He adds that you can even use your insoles in water shoes for a bit more stability, which several of his patients have done in the past.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Sara Gaynes Levy is a freelance writer for PEOPLE, Real Simple, and InStyle, covering a range of topics within the lifestyle realm. For this piece, she analyzed the insights given by our real world testers who wore several pairs of water shoes in different types of terrains and gave their honest thoughts and opinions on the products. Alyssa Brascia, a staff commerce writer at PEOPLE since 2022, updated this story with our testers’ long-term insights on standout pairs after six months of use (with more feedback on the rest of the products to come). She tapped board-certified podiatrist, foot surgeon at Central Park Sole, and star of “My Feet Are Killing Me” on TLC, Dr. Brad Schaeffer, and Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist at City Podiatry in New York City, for expert opinions on what makes or breaks a good pair of water shoes.
Meet Our Experts
Dr. Brad Schaeffer is a board-certified podiatrist, foot surgeon at Central Park Sole, and star of My Feet Are Killing Me on TLC.
Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM is a podiatrist at City Podiatry in New York City.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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