We performed more than 15 individual assessments on each shoe. During testing, the comfort and traction tests were the two most important metrics, each corresponding to 25% of the overall weighted score. Throughout testing, we kept in mind what paddlers, canyoneers, and water-loving folks like about their shoes, often asking friends for their thoughts on the variety of water shoes. The brand notes that these shoes run a half size large, so you may want to size down. But we like that the bungee laces are easy to adjust, for a close fit. The molded footbed offers good arch support, while texture inside the shoe and on the outsole provides stability and traction as you walk. Drainage holes on top of the upper allow air to circulate to keep your feet cool and enable water to flow in and out of the clogs freely. There are dozens of colors to choose from, but we also love that you can add Crocs’ shoe charms (called Jibbitz) for a fun, personalized touch. Astral shoes are designed with balanced geometry that enables the most natural positioning for your foot, as similar as possible to going barefoot. With a 1mm drop, the footbeds on the Hemp Loyak trainers are almost level and feature an extra wide forefoot that enables your feet and toes to spread out for extra balance and comfort.

We've tested a variety of footwear, including the best men's sandals and the best women's sandals, which might be a good alternative to water shoes. We also have recommendations for the best paddling gear, including vater vessels like the top-rated SUP boards and the best kayaks and our favorite paddles to go along with them. These shoes are lightweight and flexible, making them responsive on deep or uneven sand. The closed-toe design protects your feet, and we love the bungee lace system that makes these easy to slip on and off. Also, unlike other water shoes, these have solid arch support to keep you going for miles. On a budget and looking for a deal? The Speedo Surf Knit Pro offers the best performance for the price. The simple slip-on design makes adding insulation and pulling it on and off easy. This will do the job if you need solid traction on slippery surfaces. We also appreciate its lightweight construction, which offers excellent sensitivity and can easily be stashed away. A minimally supportive water shoe with great drainage and traction that's perfect for a long day on the waterA low-cut water shoe with a barefoot design, this model is versatile, showing great performance in and out of the water

Our water shoe testing uses six different metrics with the following percentage weightings of the overall score: This comfortable water shoe offers a wider toe box, and is best for gals with a bit wider feet looking for something that will last both on the river and off-trail If you’re looking for stylish trainers that provide superior grip and a comfortable, sturdy fit on treks and trail walks, Astral’s Hemp Donner shoes could be perfect for you.The versatile Loyaks aren’t just ideal for walking—they’d also be a good choice for water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, or snorkeling. Although they don’t come in as many sizes as other shoes on our list, we love their casual, stylish design that can take you from the boardwalk to the beach (and basically everywhere in between). We spent a lot of time splashing around to test shoes for this review. From hiking on muddy trails to a 24-day trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, we thoroughly evaluated these shoes in the best way we know how – by getting out on the water and paddling. We performed more than 15 individual assessments on each pair during testing. The most critical metrics we assessed were comfort and traction, together equalling 50% of the total weighted score. We wore them on short canyoneering adventures, strode around sandy beaches, waded through shallow creeks, navigated mossy shorelines, and scrambled about an 18-foot rubber gear boat. We were on the water on days with weather ranging from 80°F and sunny to 25°F mornings with icy put-ins. We sought out the opinions of fellow water enthusiasts about what is important to them in their water shoes and kept these points in mind as we evaluated our lineup side-by-side. Designed for comfort, these roomy beach shoes aren’t ideal for high-impact activities—in that case, we’d recommend a more streamlined option like Astral’s Loyak Water Shoes. An all-around shoe with great drainage, versatility, and stability ready for boats of all kinds and brewery-ready aesthetics, to boot

These unisex sandals come in neutral colors that match almost any outfit. Just note that the brand recommends sizing down if you usually wear a half size, meaning they may run big. This pair from Z-Joyee is our favorite if you’re in the market for new, budget-friendly water shoes. We like that they mimic walking barefoot, but still provide enough traction and protection for beach walking. The wide toe box allows your toes to splay out, promoting better foot health, stability, and a more natural gait. The Hemp Loyak is a revamp of Astral’s popular Loyak shoe, featuring hemp canvas material on the upper half and the brand’s G® Rubber on the outsole. Astral’s Flex-Grip ™ soles are designed to provide superior flexibility and balance and, with the inclusion of the innovative G.15™ compound, offer excellent grip and abrasion resistance. Adding to this is its wide surface area and wide-spaced divided 3mm lugs that are ideal for gripping on loose dirt you might find on the trails. Versatile, light-weight, comfortable barefoot design, great for hiking on soft surfaces, good drainageUpper Material: 77% Hemp / 23% recycled polyester with welded reinforcements on the heel, eyestays and toes. Are you an avid paddler or a water lover? Our list of the best water gear features top-ranking products, including our favorite kayaks, the best SUP boards, and top PFDs. Don't forget about proper sun protection when out on the water. A pair of top-rated sunglasses can help improve visibility and prevent sun damage to the eyes, and a protective sun shirt can help keep the sun's rays off your skin. Note from the Editor: On November 3, 2023, we added videos to highlight our hands-on testing and included new recommendations for each award winner. Related: Best Water Shoes for Men

Value depends on how you want to use your new water shoes. You can get a neoprene bootie for a lower price than a more versatile shoe, but those booties will be limited purely to boating. If you need shoes that can protect your toes on a side hike, you'll want something more versatile, but that increased versatility will likely come with a higher price tag. Suppose you're doing more of a water-accessed canyoneering or hiking trip. In that case, it's worth spending the extra money on a more durable shoe like the Salomon Techamphibian 5, which sacrifices a bit of sensitivity and flexibility on the water but offers improved comfort and traction over traditional booties. So, should you buy them? In my humble opinion, YES. These are without a doubt, some of the best water shoes on the market. They look great, are super comfortable, work extremely well for a variety of different purposes, etc. To really illustrate it though, I'll leave you with a quote from one of our team members, Clint. After wearing his Loyaks for a day or two, he had this to say: "I love my Loyaks so much, I might never take them off again." You don't get much higher praise than that. If you’re looking for a casual trail-to-town shoe with an exceptionally comfortable fit and stylish look, the Hemp Loyak trainer is an excellent choice.Additional Features: Heel cup with padded ankle collar. Medium arch support. Water resistant laces. Our lead tester has a few friends that wear this shoe kayaking and has had to chase down their shoes multiple times after whitewater swims. These shoes definitely work for whitewater, but be sure to tighten them down and double-knot them - with such a low ankle cuff, they slip off easier than other water shoes, and it's a huge bummer to get off the river with only one shoe. Traction For sandals that can help you navigate the beach with ease, we like these Chacos. They combine comfort, functionality, and style, whether you’re strolling leisurely down the sand or hiking a new shoreline. And we love that they’ve received the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, meaning a group of podiatrists has determined that they promote good foot health. Designed with the same balanced geometry as the Loyak and all Astral footwear, Donner Hemp trainers also provide a natural foot positioning and a supremely comfortable fit. While they too have a 1mm drop, their soles are chunkier and raised higher from the ground, with 4mm divided lugs and a sole made from AGRO G® Rubber which provides even greater abrasion resistance and grip.