Shoes are designed to protect your feet from harm. But, not all kinds of shoes are good in water or slippery places. The good news is that there several products designed for this purpose. So, what are the characteristics of a high-quality water shoe?
When buying a new pair of water shoes, you’ll probably want to pick a design that suits your personality. But aside from design, one of the most important factors to consider is the product’s capability to protect your feet. Remember, the beach or sea has sharp rocks or broken glasses that can hurt or cut your feet. Thus, choosing a shoe with a thick sole is crucial. Some products also have a rubber cap or toe guard that can shield your toes, which is also a plus.
Aside from protecting your feet, an excellent water shoe should also have a reliable tread. Keep in mind that this type of footwear is meant for wet or slippery places. Thus, choosing a product with an anti-slip design or material is also vital. Moreover, products made with lightweight, durable, and fast-drying materials are also good choices. This not only for your comfort. Remember, wet areas are a breeding ground of microorganisms that can cause a foul smell or even a fungal infection. Thus, picking a water shoe with an upper portion that is made of a material that dries quickly, such as mesh, is also important.
Considering all these factors, here are the best water shoes for men that you can buy today.
Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe
The Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve is built for hiking rocky roads, but it can also be worn in water. The upper part of the shoe is made with waterproof leather and a neoprene liner, which ensures that the shoe is dry all the time. Aside from that, the midsole of this water shoe is made with Unifly, which is known for its excellent cushioning effect.
The midsole also has cutouts that help drain water. Lastly, the best features of this shoe are its 3-mm lug depth and Vibram® TC5+ outsole. The Vibram soles are known for durability and for providing superior grip on different surfaces. Thus, you can comfortably tackle the most challenging terrains with this footwear. Overall, the Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve is one of the best water shoes for people who love to go on strenuous hikes or other outdoor adventures.
Speedo Men’s Surfwalker 3.0 Water Shoe
If you’re looking for a product that you can use at the beach or pool, the Speedo Surfwalker 3.0 is a good choice. This water shoe has a simple yet sleek design. Aside from that, it has a fast-drying mesh upper that offers comfort and breathability. This footwear is also super light, so you can keep them on while you’re swimming. But, that’s not all. The Speedo Surfwalker 3.0 also has a rubberized S-Trac outsole that streams the water away for better traction and slip-resistance. Another notable feature of this product is its comfortable insole, which can massage your feet while you stroll the shore.
The Speedo Surfwalker 3.0 is definitely an excellent purchase. However, the sand can get stuck in the mesh. Furthermore, this product is not suitable for strenuous activities, such as hiking. Nonetheless, it’s still a remarkable product considering its great features and price (less than $20).
Crocs Men’s Swiftwater Mesh Sandal
The Crocs Swiftwater Mesh Sandal is the perfect choice if you’re in search of a pair of water shoes that you can use for hiking, walking, or while doing various water sports. This model has an open design, allowing the water to drain easily and giving your foot the utmost breathability. In addition, this water shoe also has fast-drying mesh uppers that you can adjust, and a rubber toe cap that can shield your toes from harm. Furthermore, it also has a tread that lets you hike or climb slippery rocks without sliding.
Aside from providing protection, the Crocs Swiftwater Mesh Sandal can also provide comfort with its lightweight Croslite foam cushion. Plus, this sandal has massage pods on its footbed, so it can massage your feet while you’re walking around the beach.
The Crocs Swiftwater Mesh Sandal is a fast-drying, super comfortable, and lightweight shoe perfect for various water activities. However, it does have one downside: the sand can get stuck in its straps.
ALEADER Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
At first glance, the ALEADER Quick-Drying Aqua looks like ordinary footwear. But, this product is actually one of the best water shoes you can purchase because you can use it in various water activities. Plus, it offers a lot of great features. For one, this shoe is made from a fast-drying, hydrophobic-engineered mesh that provides excellent breathability. Aside from that, the shoe has FluidFlow technology, which delivers excellent drainage from the upper mesh to the outsole.
Other notable features are the rubber pods that are strategically placed in high wear areas of the outsole for additional traction and the ComforDry sock liners in the insole that provides maximum cushioning performance.
Overall, the ALEADER Quick Drying Aqua has a lot of great qualities. But, it also has a few drawbacks. First, the large mesh of this shoe is a sand and gravel magnet. Aside from that, this footwear is not meant for hiking on challenging terrains, but you can still use them for short hikes.
KEEN Men’s EVOFIT ONE Water Sandal
The KEEN EVOFIT ONE water sandal should be on your list if you’re looking for comfortable footwear that you can use for hiking and other outdoor activities. This water shoe is made with the moisture-wicking EVOFIT fabric, which is engineered to provide breathability and maximum comfort.
The AQUAGRIP outsole is built to provide maximum traction whether you’re on slippery rocks or dry ground. Plus, this water shoe has a stable yet flexible midsole that lets you tackle even the toughest terrains with ease. However, the KEEN EVOFIT ONE has a few downsides. First, this shoe can be a bit tight, especially if you wear socks. Aside from that, this product is a bit pricey. Even so, you’ll get your money’s worth because this shoe is durable, well-made, and has a lot of great features.
Speedo Men’s Seaside Lace 5.0 Athletic Water Shoe
The Speedo Seaside Lace 5.0 appears and acts like a normal gym shoe. The difference is that it can protect and support your feet in and out of the water. Like the Speedo Surfwalker, this water shoe has S-Trac outsole that can stream the water away from your shoe for remarkable slip resistance. It also has a breathable mesh upper drains the water and quickly dries your feet from sweat and water. Another great feature of this product is its bungee lacing system for extra support and protection. Lastly, this water shoe is lightweight, even when underwater.
Although an excellent product, the outsole of the Speedo Seaside Lace 5.0 is not that thick so it may wear out fast. Nevertheless, this water shoe is still a good option, especially if you’re not going to spend a lot of time on rough surfaces.
Quiksilver Men’s Amphibian Plus Water Shoe
The Quicksilver Amphibian Plus may seem like an ordinary sneaker with a cool design. But, this footwear offers great features that make it one of the best water shoes available, especially if you’re looking for an ultra-light product that you can bring anywhere. Basically, this water shoe has a well-designed outsole for efficient traction and drainage. It also a mesh liner that provides comfort and breathability.
Another noteworthy feature is the Lava™ anti-odor technology that keeps your shoes smelling clean and fresh. Finally, this water shoe has a Hydrobound® cushion layer between the outsole and the footbed lining, which provides maximum comfort.
Despite its great features, the Quicksilver Amphibian Plus has limited foot support; thus, it is not ideal for long and tough hikes or demanding water sports.
Adidas Men’s Terrex CC Jawpaw II
With its sleek design, the Adidas Jawpaw is the perfect water shoe for walking at the beach or pool. This water shoe is also designed for most water sports or activities. It has a breathable and quick-drying Climacool upper that delivers 360-degree cooling for your feet. Furthermore, it has perforated mid and outsoles to drain water. Lastly, with the Adidas Jawpaw II, you can comfortably walk on slippery surfaces because of its stealth rubber outsole that provides optimum traction.
Like most products on this list, the Adidas Jawpaw II has a few drawbacks. First, the insole is not fixed or attached, so it may come out when you’re removing the shoe. The price of this footwear is also a bit high. Nevertheless, for a high-quality product, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
Columbia Men’s Drainmaker III Water Shoe
The Columbia Drainmaker III looks like a running shoe that you can wear on land and in water. The shoe has an open mesh, which creates outstanding breathable properties. Furthermore, this water shoe has a Techlite midsole with integrated drainage ports at the forefoot, and heels for air flow and water drainage. The Techlite midsole also comes with anti-microbial and odor-resistant properties. Lastly, you can expect great traction because of the shoe’s Omni-GRIP™ non-marking wet grip outsole with razor siping.
Overall, the Columbia Drainmaker III can provide comfort while you’re walking at the beach, hiking rough trails, or doing other outdoor activities. However, it has some disadvantages. For one, the large drainage holes may get clogged with sand or dirt. Aside from that, the shoes can also take some time to completely dry.
NIKE Aqua Sock 360 Men’s Slippers
The NIKE Aqua Sock 360 has a slip-on design with a sock-like fit that gives you a barefoot feel when you’re in or out of the water. Made with a form-fitting mesh upper, this product is guaranteed to be light and fast-drying. It also has strategically placed rubber pods on its outsole that ensures flexibility and superb traction. Moreover, this water shoe also offers a soft sole that assures all-day comfort. Lastly, it has a tight ankle collar that ensures that the sand will not enter the shoe.
The NIKE Aqua Sock 360 can provide optimum comfort and traction while you walk on dry or wet surfaces. But the price of this product is a bit high. In addition, this water Nike shoe has a narrow fit; thus, it’s best to get a half size up from your usual size.
ALEADER Men’s Slip-on Athletic Water Shoes
The ALEADER Slip-on Athletic Water Shoes has a hydrophobic-engineered mesh upper that can keep your feet cool when the temperature is hot. Aside from that, this slip-on shoe has quick-drying capabilities due to its FluidFlow technology. This feature supports fast drainage from the mesh upper to the rubber outsoles. This shoe also has a cushioned EVA insole and breathable lining that can give you exceptional foot support. Lastly, thanks to the rubber pods located at the bottom of the shoe, you can walk on slippery surfaces without the fear of slipping.
The ALEADER Slip-on Athletic Water Shoes is definitely a great product you can purchase. However, this water shoe has a wide fit, which can be a problem for those with a narrow foot.
Dreamcity Men’s Water Shoes
The Dreamcity Water Shoe has a design that you can wear anywhere, whether you’re going to the beach or the grocery store. But, it’s multi-purpose design is not the only alluring feature of this product. This water shoe is also made with a durable and breathable air mesh upper that allows the shoe to dry quickly. Furthermore, this product also has a Solyte midsole and a ComforDry sock liner that gives you a more comfortable and protected stride. At the bottom of the shoe is a water grip outsole that provides enhanced traction, especially on wet and slippery areas. Overall, the Dreamcity Water Shoe is a durable, well-designed, and affordable product you can use on land or in water.
KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal
The KEEN Newport H2 Sandal may not be the best-looking footwear on this list, but it can provide a lot of great features. First, the shoe’s leather upper will allow water to drain while protecting your feet. This water shoe also has a sturdy sole that offers outstanding support and traction without giving up flexibility or comfort. It also has a bomber lacing system that will keep the shoe on your feet, no matter what activity you do. An added bonus is that this shoe can keep your feet smelling fresh with its Aegis Microbe Shield.
A downside for this water shoe is its high price. But, you won’t need to buy hiking shoes or any kind of footwear because this product is a multi-purpose shoe that has a ton of great qualities. So, you can use it when strolling at the shore, playing beach volleyball, or hiking tough trails.
Body Glove ‘3T Barefoot Cinch’ Water Shoes
The Body Glove ‘3T Barefoot Cinch’ has a unique design, making it the perfect product for water activities not only in appearance but in performance as well. To be specific, this water shoe is lightweight and comfortable due to its synthetic stretch-fit upper. It also has ultra-grip rubber outsoles that provide excellent grip in and out of the water.
Aside from that, this shoe has an Integrated Drainage System (IDS) to drain excess water and let fresh air in. Finally, the 3T Barefoot Cinch has a bungee cord that can be adjusted to keep sand or dirt out of the shoe. The best part is that you can get this product at a very affordable price.
Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Wetsuit Boots
Available in different thicknesses (3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm), the Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Wetsuit Boots are a clean looking neoprene option that will allow you to enjoy various water activities even when the temperature turns cold. This multi-purpose boot has a puncture-resistant sole, which can provide thermal protection, foot support, and excellent traction. Aside from that, it has a water entry barrier (WEB) that prevents water from entering into the boots, keeping your foot dry all the time.
Overall, the Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Wetsuit Boots are durable, well-made, and super comfortable footwear you can use on sandy beaches and any wet surfaces. However, this boot has no built-in drainage system, and it can be a bit tight when dry. Nonetheless, this water boot is still a great purchase considering its many qualities. The best part is that you can order these at a relatively low price.