EDITOR'S PICKS
MORE PICKS TO CHOOSE FROM
- Best Sandal-Style Water Shoes | Teva | Find On Teva
- Best on a Budget | Body Glove | Find On Amazon
- Best for Water Aerobics | Speedo | Find On Target
- Most Versatile | Chacos | Find On Chacos
- Best Boat Shoes | Sperry | Find On Macys
- Most Comfortable | Columbia | Find On Columbia
- Best Traction | Merrell | Find On Amazon
- Best water drainage | JBU | Find On Macys
- Best Flip Flops | Birkenstock | Find On Macys
- Best Sock-Style Water Shoes | BARERUN | Find On Amazon
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
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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)
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Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals
Best land-to-water
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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The North Face Women's Skagit Water Shoes
Best Sneaker-Style Water Shoes
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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Teva Hurricane XLT2 Water Shoes
Best Sandal-Style Water Shoes
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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Body Glove Water Shoes for Women
Best on a Budget
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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Speedo Women's Surf Strider Water Shoes
Best for Water Aerobics
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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Chacos Women's Z/1 Classic
Most Versatile
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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Sperry Women's A/O Float Shoes
Best Boat Shoes
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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Cons:
Columbia Women's Columbia Sandal
Most Comfortable
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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Merrell Women's Water Shoes
Best Traction
overall
Quality
Durability
Comfort
Cost
Features:
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
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JBU Women's Waterfall Ready Flats
Best water drainage
overall
Quality