Hiking across puddles, creeks, and wet terrain is a huge part of the adventure you get with hiking. However, it can get a little annoying when your shoes get soaked, and you have to walk with that discomfort throughout the hike. Over time, this can lead to fungal infections like athletes’ foot and may also limit the durability of your hiking shoes.
As such, it may be best to purchase a pair of water shoes if you plan to go hiking in wet conditions. Water shoes are designed for activities that force your feet to come into contact with a moist and slippery surface and are often used for diving, kayaking, and hiking.
Purchasing the right hiking shoes will ensure you have enough traction to traverse a wet surface and make sure the water stays in the rivers and creeks where it belongs.
The best water shoes for hiking will ideally be both lightweight and well-ventilated. This will allow for more airflow and limit that uncomfortable smell from walking in wet shoes for a long time.
Additionally, it would be best if you looked for a snug, securely fitted shoe as well since this limits your foot from sliding too much and allowing enough room for water to seep through.
Lastly, since their aesthetics mirror those of the average sneaker or sandal, they are great for everyday use and wet hiking.
This article will provide you with a list of some of the best water shoes for hiking you can find.
The Vivobarefoot Swimrun water shoes are some of the best shoes for hiking that are also great for the environment. They are constructed from recycled materials, which can be an added eco-friendly benefit.
This hiking water shoe is constructed with a quick-draining mesh that consistently drains the moisture from your feet while also keeping them nice and ventilated for sufficient airflow. Also, these shoes are one of the lightest water shoes around to make sure your feet feel airy and comfortable.
Speaking of comfort, these shoes also come with a neoprene ankle cooler that stops stones, dust, and little rocks from seeping into the shoe.
Also, while lightweight, these shoes also come with excellent grip and excellent traction because of their firm rubber sole and 3mm added lugs.
The only drawback for most users was that since these shoes are made to be as secure as possible, they are a bit tight, creating blisters for some wearers.
The Salomon Men’s Crossamphibian water shoes are some of the best out there, with great support and traction for any kind of terrain you traverse on your hike.
As expected with most great aqua shoes, these aqua shoes have great drainage and airflow. On top of that, they also dry relatively quickly, so your feet stay dry, and your shoes do not develop any foul orders. Also, their mesh is equipped with anti-debris capabilities to keep little rocks, stones, and sand outside your shoes.
As for the outsole, these shoes were constructed with a Contragrip rubber sole that keeps your feet properly stable no matter the rocky terrain or wet surface you may be traversing. Be it wet creeks, sand, mud, or gravel, these shoes will serve you well. They also come with an added toe cap for extra protection, so you do not stub your toes on more rocky terrain.
These shoes come with Sensifit tech that gives them a nice snug fit, so your feet always feel nice and secured. Also, they are made with a collapsible heel that makes them easy to both put on and remove.
Overall, this is one of the best water shoes for hiking you will find. The only drawback is that they are a bit narrow and run a little small, so you should purchase a size higher than your normal size. If you feel these shoes are not for you, they come with a 2-year warranty as well.
Columbia has built up a reputation in the hiking goods industry for its excellent outdoor clothing. Their Drainmaker shoe model is no exception and provides you with sufficient stability on wet and even icy surfaces.
These shoes were designed with a tremendous synthetic upper that offers breathability and airflow for your feet. The drainage capabilities are also top-notch as well so you can be assured your feet will stay dry and comfortable.
Also, they come with a Techlite footbed that will cushion your feet and provide you with shock absorption on harder surfaces.
As for traction, these shoes have you covered with their superior Omni grip that keeps you stable on many slippery surfaces, even nice and snow. These shoes are also pretty easy to take on and off and come with adjustable straps that you can fit your foot’s specific size.
The only drawback of these shoes is the lack of anti-debris capabilities since stones and rocks sometimes seep through the webbing.
These Clorts Men’s water shoes are some of the most highly versatile water shoes out there. They are used for kayaking, diving, swimming, and wet hiking as well. They also come with a nice sleek aesthetic that might make you want to wear them casually as well as for your hiking expeditions.
These shoes are designed for comfort, with their uppers made from a mix of mesh and anti-hydrolysis PU. The breathable mesh is easy to dry and comes with holes for added airflow and increased drainage. This means your feet will stay dry and fresh even while traversing the wettest terrain. This will help stave off that damp, soggy feeling you get from conventional hiking shoes.
As for their outsoles, they use a mix of rubber and leather that adds enough durability and stability as well. The outsoles are built with some small ports to aid with the drainage process. Additionally, these shoes offer amazing grip and traction for dry and wet conditions and thus make them great for keeping your feet secure while hiking in all weather conditions.
While these are one of the best water shoes for hiking you can find, many users complain that they do tend to develop a foul odor. This is something to keep in mind if you plan to wear them to an event or social gathering.
Merrell is our first women’s water shoe on this list and one of the most reputed brands in the outdoor shoe industry due to its amazing product lines. The All-Out Blaze Sieve Water shoes are no exception and provide a unique hiking shoe aesthetic that looks a bit like a cross-breed of a sandal and a hiking shoe.
To construct the uppers, Merrell used Waterproof PU-coated leather that allows for ample breathability and airflow. This helps keep your feet nice and dry and assures ample comfort on long hikes. Speaking of comfort, these shoes also come with a neoprene stretch collar which makes them both adaptable to your foot movement.
These shoes come with Vibram outsoles equipped with 3mm lugs that provide you with added grip, traction, and excellent drainage. They work for most terrain, but some users complain that the traction is not quite sufficient on very wet terrain.
Some big drawbacks of this model, though, are its lackluster anti-debris capabilities. Stones and little rocks regularly seep through the drainage holes, which can be a problem on a long hike.
These Astral Brewess 2.0 Water shoes are designed as a great hiking shoe for wet terrain and a great shoe for daily use. These shoes are also really eco-friendly and constructed from vegan materials, so you can feel woke while wearing these shoes as well.
These shoes come with a quick-drying and breathable mesh and water-resistant laces that are also equipped with drainage holes. This means that your feet will always stay dry due to the inclusion of the breathable, dry mesh. This model has also been constructed with odor-reducing capabilities with its built-in polygene liner, unlike other water shoes or regular shoe types.
These shoes come with added grip and traction from their rubber outsole that will serve you well on slippery logs, mud, and creek surfaces. However, it is essential to note that they are not designed for trail runs or climbs.
However, while this is a great hiking shoe, it must be noted that their drainage capabilities have been found to sometimes be insufficient on very wet terrain. However, they should serve you well for most hiking excursions, barring heavy rain. They also come with a great look that makes them great for everyday use too.
Chaco Women’s Outcross Evo 2 shoes are some of the best shoes out there to reduce through soggy terrain on some of those rougher trails. These shoes manage to provide enough support and durability while also being a lightweight shoe, making them a great overall choice for all female hikers out there.
This shoe was designed with an upper made from 3 different materials: mesh, polyester webbing, and synthetic leather. All this combines to provide your feet with fantastic breathability and airflow and sufficient drainage through the upper part of the shoe.
These shoes were constructed with ‘polyurethane luvseat’ that provides additional arch support for climbs or mountain hiking where it may be necessary. As for the outsole, it is constructed with partly recycled rubber. This sole provides you with great traction due to its 3 mm lugs. They also come with a toe cap that protects your feet from stones and little rocks, so you do not hurt your toes on the trail.
The one drawback of these shoes is likely the lack of ankle support which can be an issue for those who may have sensitive ankles due to previous injuries.
When you are hiking on wet surfaces, it is key that your water shoes provide you with sufficient and good traction, so you do not slip. In addition, the added grip will be vital for making sure your shoes can handle various terrains such as mountains, rivers, creeks, or mud.
Often, hikers like to switch shoes midway through a hike. If you want to take off your water shoes at any point, it may be best to have shoes that are easy to remove or put back on so it is less of a cumbersome task every time.
Since water shoes are designed to keep your shoes and feet dry in wet conditions, the drainage capabilities in your shoe will be key. You should look for a mesh or synthetic upper that drains out water and has drainage holes on the outsole as well.
Even if you have proper drainage, sometimes shoes may take a while to dry. If your soles are too wet, then you may get blisters of fungal feet infections, so the best water shoes for hiking must have a quick-dry lining on the insoles.
This should go without saying, but you should feel comfortable while hiking. Your shoes should have sufficient breathability and airflow and enough cushioning as you hike. Also, water shoes do increase comfort on wetter hikes since soggy shoes are some of the most uncomfortable feelings on any hike.
Can you wear water shoes all day?
In the past, this may have been a problem, but due to evolving water shoe tech and aesthetics, these shoes can be worn outside as well. However, this will depend on the water shoe model in question.
Should water shoes be tight or loose?
You should always purchase a water shoe that is roughly the size of your foot. However, since one of the main goals of the shoe is added grip and traction, it would prove prudent not to buy a bigger size that makes you slip in the shoe itself.
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