The 6 Best Water Shoes for Women of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Water shoes are a versatile piece of footwear for summer activities — whether you're hiking through creeks or going for long walks on the beach. They can be used for everything from boating to river walks to beach days. Water shoes (and water sandals) are built to dry quickly, fit snugly to prevent blisters, and offer protection and traction when you walk around on wet surfaces. Like standard shoes, most water shoes have outsoles with rubber traction to prevent slipping, and can be key for stability on tricky riverbeds.

We tested 23 pairs of water shoes for women to find the best options, looking for key features like how fast they dried and how well they drained, plus support, traction control, and whether or not we felt any hot spots or blisters while wearing. The resulting list is a range of models for whatever aquatic activities you plan to do this summer, in varying price points and styles.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

The North Face Women’s Water Shoes at Amazon $109

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Best Sandals:

Astral Water Shoes at REI $110

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Best Budget :

SALE

Aleader Women's Slip-on Water Shoes at Amazon ~~$33~~ $28

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Best Splurge:

SALE

Ryka Hydro Sport Water Shoe at Amazon ~~$100~~ $70

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Best Water Sock:

SALE

Athmile Water Shoes for Women at Amazon ~~$12~~ $10

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Best Rubber Sole:

Keen Women's Sandal at REI $125

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Best Overall

The North Face Women’s Water Shoes

Amazon The North Face Womenâs Skagit Water Shoes

PHOTO: Amazon

$109 at Amazon View on The North Face

Why We Love It

The outsole has excellent traction for a variety of surfaces.

What to Consider

We’d love to see more variety of color options.

Making a shoe supportive while also being breathable and draining water easily is no small feat, but these sneaker-sandal hybrids nailed it. The water beads right off the top, and they dried out fully in the sun much quicker than we anticipated. We had no water retention in the soles throughout testing, which helped keep our feet from becoming pruny, and the EVA midsole was firm and supportive for longer walks.

We were also impressed with the toe bumper, which comes up and around the forefoot to protect against stubbed toes or underwater bumps. These fit like we want water shoes to fit, which is snug but not constricting, and we didn’t experience any hot spots or blisters throughout the testing period. If anything, we’d love to see more of a range of colors, but otherwise, these easy-to-adjust, fast-draining shoes are one of our go-to pairs for water sports and boating.

The Details: Size 6-11 | 8 ounces | Mesh, rubber, and EVA

Travel + Leisure / Alicia Dolieslager
Travel + Leisure / Alicia Dolieslager
Travel + Leisure/Alicia Dolieslager
Travel + Leisure / Alicia Dolieslager

Best Sandals

Astral Water Shoes

Amazon Astral Women's Webber W's Water Shoes

PHOTO: Amazon

$110 at REI $67 at Backcountry.com View on Astraldesigns.com

Why We Love It

The sandal style affords more versatility than typical water shoes.

What to Consider

The buckles can be somewhat hard to adjust.

While we were a bit skeptical of the design of this open, strappy pair of water shoes, they wound up being more supportive and comfortable than we predicted. The footbed is more conforming than we were used to (and has some extra stiffness), but it helped the shoes stay in place during longer walks and provided excellent arch support. One issue we’ve run into with similar sandals is pebbles and gravel getting stuck between our foot and the footbed, but everything slid out easily and never caused an issue while wearing this pair.

These were also fantastic in the water, providing excellent traction and never slipping out of place. The straps didn’t retain any water after they got wet, and they were comfortable for walking on underwater rock beds and gravel. Our only gripe was a slightly tricky adjustment in the buckles. Similar styles have Velcro or pull tabs, and these required a bit more finessing to get adjusted.

The Details: Size 6-11 | 7 ounces | Polyester, EVA, and rubber

Travel + Leisure / Esmee Williams
Travel + Leisure / Esmee Williams
Travel + Leisure/Esmee Williams
Travel + Leisure / Esmee Williams

Best Budget

Aleader Women's Slip-on Water Shoes

Aleader Women's Mesh Slip-On Water Shoes

PHOTO: Amazon

$28 at Amazon View on Aleadergear.com

Why We Love It

The style is more like a versatile athletic shoe than a water shoe.

What to Consider

These shoes hold more water than others we tested.

Unlike the more open water shoes, these fit like athletic shoes and look closer to a sneaker than a water shoe. That made it a great option for walking around on sand and pavement, but it does mean the shoes retained more water than more classic water shoes, and they didn’t dry out quite as fast. However, the shoe provided great support and we felt comfortable moving faster and running around in them, and the price is beyond reasonable for a shoe we’re confident will hold up to multiple seasons of use. The lacing system was easy to adjust, and we liked how low-profile they looked for wearing on land and around the pool.

The Details: Size 6-11 | 10 ounces | Mesh and rubber

TripSavvy / Izzy Seely
TripSavvy / Izzy Seely
People / Izzy Seely
People / Izzy Seely

Best Splurge

Ryka Hydro Sport Water Shoe

PHOTO: Amazon

$70 at Amazon $100 at Nordstrom $70 at Zappos

Why We Love It

These offer the same amount of protection as a standard sneaker.

What to Consider

Walking in them while wet for too long can result in blisters.

Anyone looking for a supportive shoe modeled after standard sneakers, but built to be a water shoe should look no further. These dried fast after being submerged, felt secure and stable walking on a range of treads underwater, and were comfortable to wear on land as well. They only took around 20 minutes to fully dry from being saturated, and we never experienced any sand or gravel getting inside thanks to the secure lacing system and taller heel counter. We wouldn’t recommend walking long distances in these while they’re wet, as we did experience some hot spots and blisters before they were fully dry, but for someone looking to get out on a paddle board, boat, or casual beach day, these are a great bet and worth the extra money.

The Details: Size 5-12 | 11 ounces | Polyester, EVA, mesh, and rubber

Best Water Sock

Athmile Water Shoes for Women

PHOTO: Amazon

$10 at Amazon $30 at Walmart

Why We Love It

These fit just like a sock, with no blisters or hot spots.

What to Consider

The bottoms don't offer a lot of protection, so we wouldn’t want to walk in them for very long.

Water socks are a terrific, low-profile option for moderate protection in water sports without the commitment of a shoe. As the name states, these have a sock-like fit with a snug ankle-gripping cuff and a pebbly, grippy outsole. We love these for walking along creek beds or tidepooling in areas with rocky or rough riverbeds, and they feel comfortable and secure when wet. These do take a little longer to dry than other options we tested, so we recommend wringing them out immediately after taking them off and leaving them in the sun to dry. We didn’t experience any hot spots or blisters while wearing, though we’d recommend against wearing them for longer walks on land since they won’t fully protect against sharp objects or prevent stubbed toes.

The Details: Size 5-14 | 6 ounces | Polyester and rubber

Best Rubber Sole

Keen Women's Sandal

PHOTO: REI

$125 at REI $120 at Backcountry.com $120 at Dick's

Why We Love It

The arch rise and toe bumper provide excellent support and protection.

What to Consider

The chunky look might not be for everyone.

Traction and support have long been a hallmark of Keen’s shoes, and these water shoes are no exception. These sandals had some of the best midsole support we’ve tried, and felt fully cushioned walking around in both water and on land. The upper material is stretchy and comfortable, and didn’t rub at any spots where the straps connected. Water drains easily out of the sides, and the rubber outsole is deeply textured and secure on both wet and dry terrain.

We’d recommend these for wade-fishing, tidepooling, riverside picnics, or anything else where you’ll be around water while also being on your feet. The polyester upper took just about 20 minutes to fully dry, and the thicker outsole helped keep us protected from rocks, roots, and any hazards underfoot.

The Details: Size 6-11 | 19 ounces | Polyester, rubber, and EVA

Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald
Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald
Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald
Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald
Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

Other Water Shoes We Liked

Sea Star Beachwear Espadrille Water Shoes: These are beautifully chic and perfect for walks on the beach, poolside, or even walking around town, but they only come in limited sizing.

Our Testing Process

The T+L team tested 23 pairs of water shoes for women and 20 pairs of water shoes for men throughout activities ranging from pool days to creek walks to beach outings, looking for the models that drained water, didn’t create blisters or hot spots, and came in a variety of prices. During our tests, we evaluated each pair of water shoes for their comfort, drainage, protection, durability, traction, and value over a period of six months. The water shoes were tested on a variety of different terrains including hiking trails and slippery river beds.

To test comfort, we walked in the water shoes for at least two hours with the shoes both dry and wet. The shoe that scored the highest for comfort had a supportive sole and a snug fit that still left room for toes to wiggle. They also didn’t cause any blisters or chaffing, and our feet remained cool without feeling chilled. When we got out of the water, we noted how effective the drainage was, with the best shoes having quick-dry materials like mesh that help expel water with every step. Then, we walked on several different surfaces with textures like sand and rocks to test the protection level and traction of the shoes. Our highest-rated shoes protected the feet from hot sand, sticks, and jagged rocks. The shoes with the best traction had a strong grip that stabilized us while walking over slippery surfaces. We only revealed the cost of each water shoe after we rated their other attributes. We gave high-value scores to affordable shoes whose impressive quality was surprising given their price and to more expensive pairs whose performance was truly worth an investment.

Tips for Buying Women’s Water Shoes

Get the right style for your activities

Consider whether you’ll be hiking, walking on the beach, swimming, boating, or paddle boarding with these shoes. For activities like kayaking or paddle boarding, shoes with a snug fit and good drainage will help prevent waterlogging. If you're hiking through wet terrain, opt for shoes with sturdy soles and good traction. Material is also crucial: neoprene offers insulation for cold water, while mesh provides breathability in warmer conditions. Prioritize shoes that offer a balance of protection, comfort, and functionality for your activities.

Prioritize traction

Since you’ll be wearing water shoes in wet environments, prioritizing traction is especially important. Shoes designed with high-traction outsoles (usually rubber) provide a stable grip on slippery surfaces like rocks, boat decks, and riverbeds. This minimizes the risk of slipping and falling during activities such as hiking, kayaking, or fishing. Good traction helps maintain balance and control, which is never a bad thing.

Opt for a pair with drainage and quick-drying materials

Water shoes with efficient drainage built into the design allow water to drain quickly, preventing waterlogged footwear and the subsequent mushy feet. Quick-drying materials, such as mesh or synthetic fabrics also help the shoes dry rapidly, reducing the risk of blisters and mold growth. Look for shoes with open uppers or mesh design, and always leave them in the sun to dry after wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between waterproof shoes and water shoes?

Waterproof shoes are designed to keep water out entirely, and we use them for activities where you need to stay dry, such as hiking or walking in rain or snow. Conversely, water shoes are designed to allow water in and drain out quickly, and we wear these for activities in and around water, like swimming, kayaking, or beach days. Water shoes typically have features like quick-drying materials, whereas waterproof shoes focus more on keeping feet dry and warm. Both water shoes and waterproof shoes often have high-traction outsoles.
Can water shoes be used for walking?

Water shoes built with substantial rubber soles provide good traction and protection, making them comfortable for moderate walks on varied terrain. However, for extended walking or hiking on dry, rugged terrain, standard hiking shoes will offer better support and comfort. We prefer water shoes for situations where you need a combination of protection, grip, and the ability to transition between wet and dry conditions.
Should you size up or down in water shoes?

We recommend opting for a snug fit, so if you’re between sizes, we suggest sizing down. Water shoes are designed to stay securely on your feet during various activities, and a close fit helps them stay on in the water while helping prevent blisters and chafing caused by excessive movement in the shoe.

However, they shouldn’t be uncomfortably tight. If you’re between sizes, consider the shoe material and its stretchability, and try them on with the type of socks you’ll wear during activities. Always refer to the brand's sizing guide for fit recommendations and try to test them out before wearing for long periods of time.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Maggie Slepian is an avid hiker, backpacker, and trail runner with more than a decade of professional gear testing experience. Maggie is also a professional gear tester, testing hundreds of items on the trail each year, from hiking shoes and headphones to protein bars. In the summer she kayaks, paddle boards, and spends plenty of time around water with fishing and rafting, where water shoes are necessary. The shoes in this article came from intensive testing from the Travel + Leisure team, as well as background category knowledge from Maggie’s own testing.

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Edited by

Taylor Fox