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31 Water-Friendly Shoes For The Beach, Water Parks, And More
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More Beaching, swimming, walking, stomping — your new fave summer shoe is here. 🏄 I am a contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping writer extraordinaire, as well as a film & TV critic, which is why she loves scouring the interwebs to find the best pop culture knick-knacks to rep your fave fandom. Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women’s. Promising review: "These water shoes are a summer must-have! They’re incredibly lightweight, dry fast, and very comfortable. I got them for the boat in the summer, but they could also be used for snorkeling, beach days, and other water activities. They fit true to size and slip on, but can be tightened to your foot too." —Christina Get them from Amazon for $21.98+ (available in sizes 6–11 and 11 colors). Promising review: "I bought these to replace a pair of Chacos in the same style that were at least 11 years old, that I'd had resoled once before. You can actually hike rugged trails in these sandals, and they are the only sandals I've ever owned that I had no concerns about putting on in the morning, knowing I'd be on my feet all day. San Francisco Bay Area trails, muddy hikes in Hawaii, cobbled streets in Europe, all good. Also great for wearing in the ocean or on a rocky beach. These fit true to size. I am usually a 9, and the 9 regular fits perfectly. I have never had any issues with the straps rubbing uncomfortably, except if I wear them in salt water and don't do a great job of washing off the salt and sand afterward. I really can't recommend these enough if you are going to do anything even vaguely active in a warm climate, even just walking 5 miles around the city. I expect this pair to last another 10 years. When you look at how much they cost, it seems on the expensive side 'for sandals,' but the quality and value are top notch." —sarah b Get them from Amazon for $80.72+ (available in sizes 5–14 and in six styles). Learn more about how copper particles in knitted fabrics can have antibacterial properties at the National Library of Medicine. Promising reviews: "I’ve worn Atoms at work now for about two years, but I never really wore them while walking long distances. I had a trip to Madrid planned over winter break, and I thought, "Why not at least bring them as a backup?" I was really nervous because we were going to Toledo, Spain, and this is a really old town with uneven paths and just a lot of up and down walking. I had zero foot pain. Everyone in my group was slipping and sliding along the stones, and I never lost my footing. My feet felt great, and the foam absorbed the stones so well that it was never a problem. Buy them, wear them, and you’ll see that the hype isn’t hype, it’s just straight up facts-these shoes are phenomenal." —Katie C. "Having nerve damage in my right foot, I need a comfortable and supportive shoe. The 000s have always checked that box for me, plus this version; my feet stay dry when I walk my 7-year-old to school on rainy days. I no longer have to switch out wet shoes before going to the office." —Aron C. Get them from Atoms for $159 (available in women's sizes 5–16.5, men's sizes 3.5–15, and three water-repellent colors). Promising review: "I’m shocked at how comfortable and attractive these are! I was looking for shoes I can wear in tropical rain in Florida that aren’t flip-flops; rain boots, even clogs, are way too heavy. These are perfect! I got them in black, and I can wear them with anything and go anywhere in them. They’re light, they’re cushion-y, and they fit like a proper shoe. I think they’re true to size. Can’t wait to get more colors! Note: The scent (strawberry candy?) is noticeable but mild, and is fading after only a few days. I could do without it, but it’s not a deal breaker." —Miss EO Get them from Amazon for $47.40+ (available in sizes 5–13 and 26 styles). Promising reviews: "So freaking comfy!!! You will not regret ordering a pair of these! Bought for pool and resort wear for the summer vacation and can already tell I’m going to wear these all the time. So bright and colorful as well." —Erzsi S. "Planning on taking these shoes on a cruise. They are comfy and should stay on well even when wet due to the textured grippy sole." —Kelley H. Get them from Bombas for $50 (available in women's sizes 5–11 and 10 colors). Promising reviews: "I have never been able to wear flip-flops because I get blisters, but these are perfect. I wore them on a weeklong cruise, and I had no issues. They’re perfect for the beach and pool, but I also wore them with sundresses and nicer clothes. Amazing." —Julia S. Castagnero "I love these flip-flops. I have bought them at least three times for my mom and sister, and they love them too! So comfy and great traction. I use them at the beach, and to me, they have been great at water resistance and breathability." —Marcela Get them from Amazon for $34 (available in sizes 5–12 and 10 colors). Don't forget to grab some charms to deck out your new shoes. Promising reviews: "I got two of these for my parents for Christmas. If you love easy slip on shoes, these be them. You can wear them in first gear or second, throw them in the sink, or wash them outside with a water hose for an easy clean. All-round good quality shoes. You wanna go to the beach? You wanna go skipping in mud puddles? You want to walk over the unholy ground of your Lego invader? Then these be the shoes for you." —Leslie Get them from Amazon for $37+ (available in women's sizes 4–19, men's sizes 2–17, and 23 colors). Promising review: "Purchased three pairs for our cruise. We all loved them. Best water shoes I’ve ever worn. Feels like you are barefoot but keeps your feet safe from anything you step on. Very comfortable! Highly recommended!" —Donna M Get it from Amazon for $5.94+ (available in seven sizes and 49 colors). Promising review: "Perfect for the water park. I was worried at first that it would feel heavy in the water, but nope, it was very lightweight and supported my feet with zero discomfort the entire time. The water shoes dry very quickly. They are super cute and look like tennis shoes. True to size. I highly recommend!" —Shannon Get them from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in women's sizes 6–11 and 17 colors). Heads up that these run a bit small/narrow, so consider going a half size up. Promising review: "This is the best purchase of my life. All terrain: water, mountain, ice, you name it. Not a scratch since I purchased more than two years ago. Only the color is fading a little but just a little. Still wearing them in almost all my adventures." —Elizabeth Fernandez Get them from Amazon for $74.99+ (available in sizes 5–11 and 20 colors). Promising review: "Normally, I like to pick 'cute' shoes over comfort as long as they are flat. These have a good combination of 'yes, I can wear these on a trail,' and 'yes, I can wear these to the grocery store,' and 'yes, I might even wear these to happy hour.' As someone who lives in Colorado, I find that the hiking sandal is very popular and functional. They are very comfortable and perfect for narrow feet, with a small ankle and high arch. I'm extremely happy with this purchase. This is also my first Amazon review in years, so you get an idea of how much I like them." —CC Get them from Amazon for $69.20+ (available in sizes 5–12 and eight styles). Promising review: "Last used these out at the lake while camping. We had to go down a very steep, rocky path to get to a private section by camp, and I actually preferred wearing these on the rocks to my trail runners! The sole is thick and sturdy, grips well, the fit is perfect, and the toe box doesn't smash my toes going downhill. Water-wise, they held up well, didn't feel heavy or soggy while moving in the water, stayed snug without being restrictive and drained/dried well. I bought these in black because I'm an all-black kind of gal, and they looked nice and sleek, and didn't look dorky. Don't hesitate on these — buy them!!" —Vika Get them from Amazon for $24.98+ (available in women's sizes 5.5–16, men's sizes 4.5–15 and 11 colors). Promising reviews: "I was expecting these to be the hard flip-flop material but these are so cushy and comfortable. And they are really light! They are going to be the perfect vacation shoe!" —Kristie S. "I now have these in four colors. My favorite shoe ever. They are super comfy. I’m a mom of two toddlers, and I can easily wear them while chasing them around the park. They go with everything and I love all the colors. I usually wear tennis shoes all the time, but they get dirty so easily. These are rubber and so easy to clean." —Melanie T. Get them from Amazon for $68.29+ or direct from Reef for $85 (available in sizes 5–11 and 15 styles). Promising review: "Absolutely the best! Worth the money. I read several reviews from outdoor enthusiasts and then purchased it on Amazon. Been on trails and streams in and around the Buffalo River in Arkansas right out of the box. Very comfortable, drain easily, and dry quickly." —Amycoc Get them from Amazon for $110 (available in sizes 6–11 and five colors). Promising reviews: "I've worn these shoes every day since they were delivered. On the boat, walking the dog in the rain. You name it. No socks, and they slip right on. Love 'em." —Kathleen "Love the look of these shoes! Perfect with so many summer outfits." —Carolyn Get them from Amazon for $109.95+ or Olukai for $110 (available in sizes 5–12 and four colors). Surprised that Birkenstocks have waterproof styles? Check out the rest of their EVA collection. Promising reviews: "Best 'thong-style' sandal I have ever worn. Comfortable, great around water, fun colors — I couldn't ask for more from a casual sandal." —Deedra P. "I LOVE these Birkenstock sandals. They are incredibly comfortable and they are durable. You can wear them with anything! I actually bought these in olive green to wear at my daughter's wedding after the ceremony! They are more pliable than regular Birkenstocks and they're comfortable right out of the box. This is my fourth pair of Gizeh EVAs and not a single pair of mine have worn out even after years of near daily wear. And they still look good. Also, I have a Morton's neuroma (nerve issues) in my left foot, and I can wear these sandals with no problems. They are worth every penny." —Darcy C. Get them from Birkenstock for $49.95 (available in women's sizes 4–12.5, men's sizes 6–13.5, and nine colors). Promising reviews: "So, I bought these for a vacay I was taking to Texas. I knew I’d be doing a lot of walking in hot weather. They were AMAZING. Even better than I had hoped. Here’s what I did in them: [used as] shower shoes, water shoes in a river, mild hiking, walked at least a few miles, danced, and even used electric scooters. Not one issue! They were more comfortable and softer than any other shoes I have. I had been wearing regular flat sandals on the first day, and by the end of the day, I had two big blisters. So, day two, I wore these sandals, and I couldn’t even feel the blisters. I joked that I felt like these sandals were my 'power up' for the trip!" —Stacey "These slides are — and I mean this in the best way — marshmallows that mold to your individual feet. They are SOOOO comfortable. The material in every part is molded and squishy so there are no unexpected parts that dig into your skin or chafe. But they’re structured enough to provide some support for your arches. 10/10 highly recommend!" —Carrie B Get them from Amazon for $19.96+ (available in women's sizes 4–16, men's sizes 3–14, and 15 colors). Promising review: "These are amazing! So glad I splurged for these!!! These are so comfortable, and I really love the handles to help pull them on, especially if your pants are wet and the suction gets strong. They keep my feet dry while I walk to and from work from the parking lot. I'm a large person with very large calves and wide feet, and these fit wonderfully. Most rain boots are uncomfortable or too small. Bear this in mind if you're a smaller person and don't like a roomy feel." —nick Get them from Amazon for $54.99 (available in sizes 4–11 and three colors). Promising review: "I love Tevas so much! In my opinion, they are better than Chacos and many other similar brands. Tevas are great for comfort, wide feet, and with this color, they can be dressed up a little or worn for very casual and outdoor activity use!" —Amber Vaughn Get them from Amazon for $60+ (available in sizes 5–12 and 15 styles). Promising reviews: "They will likely bury me in these sandals. I wear them everywhere and for every reason. They work great for hiking, water activities, and walking through cities. They are lightweight and dry easily. The grip on the bottom of the sandal is very strong. Also, the arch support is welcome. I believe it is comparable to the TEVA brand in quality and durability. More colors to be purchased. —Toni Jackson "These sandals are beautiful and perfect! I wasn’t ready to commit to a pricier pair, but these held up all summer chasing a toddler through splash pads, zoos, and theme parks. They’re comfortable, durable, and I can’t recommend them enough. Bonus points: your feet won’t slip around in water, so they work just as well in the ocean as they do on splash pads." —Mariah Scanlon-Knight Get them from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes 6–11 and 15 colors). Promising review: "I wore these boots to hike Tour du Mont Blanc. I own other top-rated brands but thought, I'll take these 'cheaper ones' and then toss them. These boots held up!! Rugged terrain, boulders, snow, and crossed a lot of streams. My feet stayed dry! As an avid hiker, I am very impressed with the comfort and durability of these boots. These are worth the price!! I would absolutely purchase another pair. These boots are also pretty lightweight. Impressive — I highly recommend!!" —Caree Get them from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in sizes 5.5–11 and four colors). Promising reviews: "I love these shoes!! I live about two blocks from the beach and wear them on the walk down the street and the walk on the sand. Very comfortable, great adjustable fit with plenty of toe space. They look good, they feel good, and they're just right for beach life!" —Elaine Hudspeth "These water shoes are perfect! True to size, good wide width for those of us who need it! Very comfortable and breathable! Dry quickly and easily cared for! Love, love, love them! I highly recommend them if you’re looking for stylish, comfy water shoes!" —Brigette Seely Get them from Amazon for $34.90+ (available in women's sizes 6–15, men's sizes 5–14 and 11 colors). Promising reviews: "A game changer for me… I hate heavy clunky boots… These are so lightweight that I almost forgot that I was wearing them. They are cute, comfortable out of the box, offer great ankle support, and have a cushioned feel while walking. I put them to the test in light rain and slushy snow today while walking my 100-pound lab that pulls me along the way, and discovered the traction is fabulous, and at the end of my experience, my feet were dry!" —Lisa "These are my first pair of hiking boots. I bought them so my feet don’t get wet when walking my dog through the grass in the early morning. I have such a hard time finding shoes I can walk in due to foot surgeries and a bunion. My feet don’t feel weighted down when I wear them. These are pretty comfortable, and my feet stayed dry. I would definitely recommend!" —H Sorrell Get them from Amazon for $63.75+ (available in sizes 5–12, including wide fits, and six colors). Promising review: "These sandals are incredibly comfortable! I was so relieved they fit well because I'm sometimes a size 8.5, but there aren't half sizes, and these fit perfectly! I thought it was so funny reading their website, and their warning says, 'Don't buy these sandals if you don't want compliments.' Well, the first day I wore my sandals, I got tons of compliments, and every time I thought of their warning. It's so true, these are unique and brilliantly styled sandals. The quality is wonderful! I'm 100% satisfied and happy with these sandals! The customer service is also phenomenal!" —ShoreShank Get them from Amazon for $34.95 (available in sizes 5–11 and 20 colors/styles). Promising review: “I bought these for a trip to Iceland, and they were fantastic. My feet stayed warm and dry walking through streams, hiking over glaciers (they’re crampon compatible), and meandering around Reykjavík. They got soaked through when I was horseback riding and we encountered a chest deep water crossing and I thought surely I’d destroyed them…nope! I rinsed them with cold water in the sink after our trip, and they look almost brand new. I’d highly recommend these!” —Courtney R Get them from REI for $119.73 (originally $160; available in women’s sizes 5–11 and two colors). Promising review: "I bought these shoes for work for comfort, but was not expecting the level of waterproofing these have. Our basement flooded, and I stood in 4 inches of rainwater for hours. My feet stayed dry the ENTIRE TIME! I will definitely be buying more pairs!" —Alesha Get them from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in sizes 5–12 and five colors). Promising reviews: "You have to add these to your summer wardrobe!" —Alice C. "I absolutely ADORE these sandals. First off, they are comfortable right from the start and even more than you might expect. They are head-turners. The first day I wore these, I got compliments left and right. This color is perfect. I could go on and on! I am so glad I snatched these after longing for the Prada rubber monolith sandals for almost two years. I'm so happy with these!" —Brooke B. Get them from Hunter for $110 (available in sizes 5–11 and seven colors). The seller recommends checking the size chart, which details the best size for your foot length. Thankfully, the straps are adjustable! Promising review: "Comfy and trendy enough. I like 'em! I prefer not to wear shoes that don't have a back. It's my paranoia that I'll have to break out in a run at some point. But these work very well. I walk miles in them without discomfort. Plus, they're cute. Trends up any casual outfit. They are not Croc- or Birkenstock-level comfort because the sole is not cushioned, but it is carved out just right for the naked foot. Update: Just came back from a month in Costa Rica during rainy season, and I'm so glad I brought these! They held up so well getting through muddy pebble streets. The soles were thick enough to not feel the rocks beneath me and keep my toes from getting in the dirt. When I got in, I just washed them off. The white color held up in all that, and they never felt uncomfortable or as if they would come off my feet (a concern I have about sandals without ankle straps). They are excellent value. Get 'em!" —MelRay Get them from Amazon for $15.99 (available in sizes 6–10 and two colors). Promising review: “Best purchase ever! Wasn’t sure they'd actually live up to the hype, but they were fantastic on my trip to Iceland! Didn’t have to break them in at all, and they were so comfy, definitely waterproof, and so easy to get on and off. Highly recommend spending the money.” —Sammie Get them from Vessi for $180 (available in women's sizes 5–11, men's sizes 6–14 and five colors). Also available in a low-top version. Promising reviews: "I bought these for white water rafting and climbing waterfalls (slick rocks) in Costa Rica. I then brought them to the very rocky beaches of Santorini. I also bought a pair for my mother, who does pool walking. These shoes are the best!!!! Supportive like a gym shoe, but fast-drying like a water shoe. Can’t recommend them enough. I’ve had multiple friends buy them after seeing me use them." —Family of 6! "I went to a water park with the run-of-the-mill flimsy water shoes (not Ryka), and my feet were so sore and crampy from that. I bought these water shoes for my next visit to a water park, and boy, what a difference! They were like wearing athletic shoes. They gave me support and a cushion. My feet were happy afterward. I'm so glad there are water shoes like this available. Thanks, Ryka." —Dog lover Get them from Amazon for $72.46+ (available in sizes 5–12, including wide fits and 13 colors). * After Wearing 'Em Once, You Won’t Want To Hike Without These 27 Shoes * Pairs Of Sandals For Anyone Who Refuses To Sacrifice Comfort For Style * Nostalgic Jelly Sandals You'll Wanna Wear Pretty Much All Summer * Comfy Pairs Of Sandals Reviewers Say Won’t Kill Your Feet After Standing All Day * Sandals That’ll Take You Through The Rest Of Summer Without Blisters Plus, heels, waterproof running shoes, and finds from Amazon, Clarks, DSW, Walmart, and Zappos. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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