Tested: The 8 Best Women's Water Shoes (2024)

Earning top marks from our testers are the DLGJPA Quick Drying Water Shoes. Two factors are crucial to a good pair of water shoes—protective traction and quick drying. This shoe excelled at both. The shoe's quick drying ability comes from a hydrophobic engineered mesh upper and fluid-flow technology, which releases water from the upper to the outsole.

Our testers wore this shoe for swimming, and from totally submerged out to sand and concrete, there were no issues. Anti-slip outsole technology helps boost traction on slick surfaces. "These shoes protect your feet on sand, concrete, and any terrain, really," a tester concluded. "They dry fast and feel like normal sneakers."

Sizes: 6-11 | Materials: Mesh upper, rubber sole

Aleader is a California-based shoe brand founded in 2013. And its budget water shoes impressed our testers, especially with their athletic fit and feel. The Mesh Slip-On Water Shoes have a hydrophobic mesh upper, adjustable laces (no tying!), and a water drain outsole. "These fit like an athletic shoe and were great for walking on pavement and sand," one tester reported. "If I needed to run or move swiftly, this shoe would be able to provide the proper support."

The one drawback to these shoes is our testers didn't think they drained as well as other shoes. "Despite the shoe holding onto the water and not drying as quickly, the price is great," one tester concluded.

Sizes: 6-11 | Materials: Mesh upper, rubber sole

Keen is known for supportive shoes that give wearers excellent traction on surfaces that might not offer a ton of grip on their own—and this hiking sandal gets top marks from the outdoor experts. "I love that this shoe is lightweight, and it gives good traction to help you keep your balance on wet, slippery surfaces," says Lauren Gay, founder of Outdoorsy Diva. "It also has a closed, reinforced toe that prevents you from stubbing your toes on rocks or tree roots."

Our testers found Keen's SOLR Sport Sandals incredibly comfortable with ample support. "They felt similar to walking in any hiking shoes," one tester said. The open sides helped boost water drainage, and testers reported they took less than 15 minutes to dry fully. "The grip works very well; I could get out of the water on slippery surfaces and walk for a distance on submerged rocks without issue," a tester said. While these sandals are pricier than others on the list, our testers still strongly recommend them.

Sizes: 5-11 | Materials: Recycled plastic upper, rubber sole

These look like your favorite pair of throw-’em-on-and-go espadrilles, but they're water shoes in fashionable disguise. Made from quick-drying neoprene uppers, they dry in 15 minutes, giving you enough time to get out of the water, change, and then head up the boardwalk to lunch at the cafe. They go with pretty much anything, and we're fans of having one less soggy thing to carry around in our beach bags.

"The shoe's fabric felt similar to a wet suit and pulled the water away from the skin and dried quickly," one tester said, noting they were also great for walking on pavement and sand and dried quickly. Our testers also enjoyed the shoe's style and construction. While these shoes are a bit pricier, our testers still recommend them to anyone looking for a multi-purpose and fashion-forward water shoe.

Sizes: 6-11 | Materials: Neoprene upper, rubber sole

We recommend Merrell's Hydro Moc Shoes for all you Crocs-curious ladies who don't actually want Crocs. The EVA-foam-based water shoes weigh about half a pound each and feature 2-millimeter lugs for boosted traction. Our testers really liked how easy these shoes were to walk in, noting they even performed well on trail hikes. The grip worked well both on dry and wet ground. Our testers did note a bit of irritation at the heel after walking in them for a long time. And while the shoes drain very quickly, thanks to all the holes and the EVA material, they did stay a bit slippery on the inside until totally dry.

Sizes: 6-11 | Materials: Single-density injected EVA

The Ryka Hydro Sport Water Shoes are for anyone looking for a water shoe that doesn't look like a water shoe. Likewise, these shoes can handle multiple applications, including high-intensity workouts. So if you're looking for a shoe that can double as a practical water shoe and one for CrossFit, HIIT, and gym workouts, this is a solid pick.

Our testers took them on the sand, sidewalks, and dirt trails and reported that the shoes fit and perform like regular sneakers while dry. They provided plenty of support and kept pebbles and sand out, offering just as much protection as normal kicks. One issue our testers did note was experiencing some heel discomfort fairly quickly after the shoes became wet.

Sizes: 5-12 | Materials: Polyurethane, rubber

This cross-trainer from Chaco was designed with professional whitewater athletes. And our testers found them to be some of the most comfortable they tested—with a caveat. "I wouldn't say they're extremely comfortable in general, but as far as water shoes go, they're up there," a tester noted.

While these shoes have excellent protection and traction, our testers didn't think they drained as well as others on the test. "These water shoes had thick treads with a ton of traction and made me feel very secure," one tester reported. "They also felt high-quality and durable, like they would last through many adventures."

Sizes: 6-11 | Materials: Knitted polyester upper, rubber sole

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much should I spend on water shoes?

  The frequency with which you plan to wear water shoes should help you understand the price point you want to aim for. The more you wear them—whether you’re out hiking along rivers a few times a week or always heading to the beach for a morning swim—the more you might want to spend on what’s going to be a frequently worn part of your wardrobe. Remember that higher-quality shoes often cost a little more than budget ones, so even if you’re going on a one-off beach vacation, don’t let yourself compromise too much on what you really need from the shoes.

• Should I opt for sneakers, socks, or sandals?

  This really depends on what activity you’ll be doing in these shoes. Sandals might drag you down if you’re doing a water aerobics class; socks would be terrible to hike in. Think carefully about the purposes you intend for these shoes, and then build your choice around that. A snug pair of slip-on shoes might be your best bet if you need something truly all-purpose. Others prefer the airflow that comes with sandals for hiking, though they wouldn’t wear the hiking-style shoes to a bar after a boat ride. If you need to buy multiple pairs for different purposes, consider splashing out a bit more on the ones you wear most often.

• Do water shoes keep sand out?

  It depends on the style of water shoe. A pair of chunky hiking sandals? Not so much. But sneakers with lacing uppers or water socks do a great job of forming a barrier between your skin so that grains can’t trickle in. Of course, you might have a bit of sand when taking off the shoes, but a well-fitting pair of water shoes will go a long way toward keeping your feet clean and sand-free.

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