The 13 Best Water Shoes For Women

Last Updated 13 Dec 2024 by Fiona Perisone

EDITOR'S PICKS

Recommended
Best Overall    
Teva Omnium Women's Water Sandals thumbnail

4.5/5

  • Great impact absorption
  • Good ventilation
  • Very sturdy
  • Multiple drainage ports
Recommended
Best land-to-water
Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals thumbnail

4/5

  • Offer great arch support
  • Slide into it easily
  • Incredibly comfortable
Recommended
Best Sneaker-Style Water Shoes
The North Face Women's Skagit Water Shoes thumbnail

4.8/5

  • Great arch support and cushions
  • Great traction and grip
  • Lightweight and breathable
  • Super-Efficient Drainage System

MORE PICKS TO CHOOSE FROM

Designed to protect your feet and improve traction, water shoes are a must-have for casual beach-goers and water sports enthusiasts alike. They'll keep your feet dry and comfortable thanks to treaded outsoles, supportive footbeds, and water-friendly materials.

To help you find the right pair for your favored water activities, we've rounded up thirteen of the best women's water shoes below. With everything from land-worthy sandals to quick-drying sneakers to choose from, there's something for every water sport.

The Best Women's Water Shoes for Every Outdoor Activity

Teva Omnium Women's Water Sandals

Best Overall

overall 

4.5/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Teva Omnium Women's Water Sandals

Features:

  • Multiple drainage ports
  • Quick-dry mesh lining
  • Non-marking
  • Shock-absorbing ShocPad technology in the heel

Take your water adventures to the next level with Teva's Omnium Women's Water Sandals. Designed with an injection-molded silhouette, they're incredibly lightweight and comfortable. In fact, they're so light that they'll float to the surface of the water for easy retrieval should one slip off.

Created using 100% synthetic and plant-based materials, they're vegan-friendly and built to last. A premium mesh upper dries quickly, while a Rugged Spider Rubber outsole offers excellent traction on slippery terrain. Sturdy hook-and-loop closures and plastic buckles provide an adjustable fit that's easy to slip on and off in wet conditions. They also have a rubberized toe cap to guard against sharp rocks and a cushioned Shoc Pad heel to absorb impact for maximum comfort and support.

Material

100% Synthetic/Mesh, Rubber

Best For

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES (RIVERS, TRAILS, CANYONS, ETC)

Pros:

  • Very comfortable and adjustable fit
  • Great impact absorption
  • Good ventilation to keep your feet from sweating but enough coverage to protect them
  • Very sturdy

Cons:

  • It can be a little difficult to get on your feet and may need some stretching out

Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals

Best land-to-water

overall 

4/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals

Features:

  • Made from odor neutral material
  • Flexible EVA
  • An anatomically-shaped footbed with a deep heel
  • Extremely easy to care for

Birkenstock's Arizona EVA Sandals look as good on dry land as they do in the water. They're fashioned in the brand's best-selling sandal silhouette using flexible EVA instead of the usual suede or leather. As a result, they're lightweight, waterproof, and incredibly easy to care for.

The versatile water sandals are constructed with an anatomically-shaped footbed for all-day comfort with improved arch support. Their thick rubber soles come equipped with heavy tread for superior traction on wet surfaces. Two wide, adjustable straps across the top make it easy to get the perfect fit. Offered in an array of eye-catching colors, they're an easy addition to any adventurer's wardrobe.

Material

EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate)

Best For

N/A

Pros:

  • Offer great arch support
  • Slide into it easily
  • Incredibly comfortable

Cons:

  • Run a little large
  • A better option for people wider feet
  • They can make a squeaky noise

The North Face Women's Skagit Water Shoes

Best Sneaker-Style Water Shoes

overall 

4.8/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

The North Face Women's Skagit Water Shoes

Features:

  • Quick-Drying Mesh Upper
  • Super-Efficient Drainage System
  • Antimicrobial Mesh Upper
  • Mono-Mesh Screens

For long hikes and leisurely boat days, try these Women's Skagit Water Shoes from The North Face. The sneaker-style upper is constructed from quick-drying mesh with an anti-microbial finish to banish odors and athlete's foot. So say goodbye to swampy sneakers and hello to these lightweight water shoes!

In addition to a breathable upper, they've got an EVA midsole drainage system and a siped outsole equipped with The North Face's proprietary EXTS traction system. Strategically placed mono-mesh screens prevent debris from entering the shoe without interfering with water drainage. Pull tabs and toggle closures create a snug fit that's comfortable enough to wear all day long.

Material

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

Best For

water

Pros:

  • Great arch support and cushions
  • Great traction and grip
  • Lightweight and breathable

Cons:

  • Runs large

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Water Shoes

Best Sandal-Style Water Shoes

overall 

4.6/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Water Shoes

Features:

  • Quick-dry webbing
  • A robust EVA footbed
  • Vegan footwear
  • This style is recyclable

Prefer sandals over sneakers? You can't go wrong with Teva's best-selling XLT2 Water Shoes. The versatile shoe is an upgraded version of their iconic Hurricane XLT sandal, outfitted with soft heel-strap padding and a new sole design for better traction. Made using recycled (and recyclable) materials, they're an excellent way to reduce the environmental footprint of your footwear collection.

Designed with all-day adventures in mind, they're great for long hikes along the lakeside or walks down the beach. An EVA footbed and nylon shank offer stability and support, while a treaded rubber outsole improves durability and support. Finished with Unifi recycled polyester straps, they're available in every color combination imaginable.

Material

Polyester, Rubber

Best For

Day hikes, Light hikes

Pros:

  • Comfortable and requires no breaking in
  • Offers good grips and tractions
  • Stylish enough to be worn every day

Cons:

  • Many users prefer the previous model

Body Glove Water Shoes for Women

Best on a Budget

overall 

4.7/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Body Glove Water Shoes For Women

Features:

  • Easy On
  • Versatile
  • Rapid dry with drainage
  • Durable and grippy

You don't need to break the bank to get a great pair of water shoes. These Body Glove Water Shoes for Women prove quality and versatility and can come at a reasonable price. The affordable slip-on shoes are ideal for any water activity at the beach, lake, river, or pool.

Their durable rubber outsole protects your feet from sharp rocks and improves your grip on slippery surfaces. Made from neoprene and breathable mesh, the mary-jane style upper offers easy entry and a snug, adjustable fit. An integrated drainage system helps move water and sand away from the foot to keep you dry and comfortable all day long.

Material

Neoprene/Mesh, Rubber

Best For

sports, swimming, walking rivers, lakes and streams

Pros:

  • Affordable price point
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Easy slip on

Cons:

  • Run large

Speedo Women's Surf Strider Water Shoes

Best for Water Aerobics

overall 

5/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Speedo Women's Surf Strider Water Shoes

Features:

  • Neoprene/Mesh Upper
  • Adjustable Velcro Strap
  • IDS-Integrated Drainage System
  • Easy to care for

The right pair of water shoes can make all the difference in a difficult water aerobics class. These Speedo Women's Surf Strider Water Shoes offer the comfort, support, and traction you need both in the pool and on dry land.

Knit from quick-drying fabric, they've got a practical slip-on silhouette that's snug, stretchy, and suitable for those with limited mobility. Their non-marking outsoles provide great traction on wet surfaces like the poolside or boat deck.

Material

100% Polyester

Best For

water

Pros:

  • Affordable price point
  • Easy slip-on water shoes
  • They are as close to being barefooted as you can get
  • Comfortable and lightweight

Cons:

  • Runs large
  • Not made for long walks as bottoms wear out easily

Chacos Women's Z/1 Classic

Most Versatile

overall 

4.6/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Chacos Women's Z/1 Classic

Features:

  • No slip contractions
  • Fully adjustable straps
  • Non-marking ChacoGrip™ rubber
  • Vegan-friendly construction

You can't go wrong with a pair of Chacos Z-Sandals when it comes to water shoes. First released in 1989, the dependable sandals are just as popular today, thanks to a few technological upgrades. Today, they've got ChacoGrip rubber soles and podiatrist-certified LUVSEAT PU footbed for improved traction and support.

The polyester jacquard webbed straps wrap strategically around the foot for all-day comfort and outstanding durability. An injection-molded ladder lock buckle allows for a customizable fit. It goes without saying they're the kind of sandals you keep for life.

Material

Polyester, Rubber, Women's specific LUVSEAT™ PU midsole

Best For

N/A

Pros:

  • Extremely comfortable and supportive
  • Super cute color selections
  • Great fit and full support
  • Versatile

Cons:

  • It can take time to find the perfect adjustment for that perfect fit
  • Will need some breaking in time

Sperry Women's A/O Float Shoes

Best Boat Shoes

overall 

4.2/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Sperry Women's A/O Float Shoes

Features:

  • Round-toe slip-on flats
  • Non-marking sole with molded Wave-Siping™ technology
  • Lightweight

Lightweight and breathable, Sperry's A/O Float Shoes for Women are the perfect choice for a day on the boat. The slip-on shoes reinterpret Sperry's best-selling Topsider boat shoes in flexible rubber that works in the water too. Non-marking soles with molded Wave-Siping technology offer enhanced traction without scuffing the boat deck.

All-over perforation and water drainage holes along the top and sides help the shoes dry quickly after a dip in the water. The lightweight rubber material floats in water to ensure you don't lose a shoe mid-adventure. They're fun, functional, and just a tad preppy— the ideal combination for boating attire.

Material

Rubber upper, fabric lining, rubber sole

Best For

boating and other water adventures

Pros:

  • Comfortable
  • Easy to care for
  • Stylish to be worn on multiple occasions

Cons:

  • Runs large. Recommend ordering a half size down

Columbia Women's Columbia Sandal

Most Comfortable

overall 

4.3/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Columbia Women's Columbia Sandal

Features:

  • Hydrophobic webbing and thermoplastic buckles
  • Omni-Grip™ non-marking wet traction rubber
  • 2-part midsole: Plush TechLite™ footbed framed by firmer TechLite™ frame for added support

Prioritizing comfort has never looked so good! Intended to be worn both in the water and on dry land, these Columbia Women's Water Sandals provide the comfort and support required for all-day wear. Wear them on hikes, kayaking trips, or fun-filled days on the family boat. No matter what water activities you're into, they're up for the task!

The quick-drying shoes feature a two-part midsole with a cushy TechLite footbed framed by a firmer TechLite frame for added stability and support. An Omni-Grip non-marking rubber sole ensures sturdy footing on sharp rocks and rough terrain. Just give the hydrophobic webbing straps a tug for a secure fit that won't slip off in the water.

Material

Upper: Hydrophobic Webbing
Midsole: TechLite™ EVA
Outsole: Omni-Grip™ Rubber

Best For

Water

Pros:

  • Attractive design
  • Have a great grip
  • Great arch support and comfort for all-day walking
  • Easy slip-on

Cons:

  • It may require some break-in time
  • It runs a little big

Merrell Women's Water Shoes

Best Traction

overall 

4.2/5

Quality

Durability

Comfort

Cost

Merrell Women's Water Shoes

Features:

  • Dry out fast
  • The grip on slick terrain
  • Water-friendly synthetic, mesh, and webbing
  • Rubber toe bumper for complete toe coverage

If it's good traction you're after, go for these Women's Water Shoes from Merrell. Intended for waterside trails, they've got the support and protection you need for hikes on wet, slippery terrain. Water-friendly materials and drainage-focused design details ensure your feet stay dry, comfortable, and blister-free no matter the conditions.

The sneaker-style water shoes feature a synthetic mesh and webbing upper with an integrated rubber toe bumper for hyper lock molded TPU heel for better coverage and protection. Hydramorph midsole channels improve ventilation and speed up dry times. Fitted with 5mm MegaGrip lug soles, they handle muddy trails, puddles, and icy patches with ease.

Material

Synthetic, Lace-Up

Best For

land and water

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Good grip
  • The meshing cover make these shoes a great option for hot summer days
  • Comfortable support

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Can hold sand

JBU Women's Waterfall Ready Flats

Best water drainage

overall 

4/5

Quality