With temperatures slowly rising and sunnier days ahead of us, outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, paddling, and surfing will be soon taking over our downtime and weekends. And a sturdy pair of water shoes or aqua socks is essential if you’d like te keep your feet comfortable while enjoying your favorite water sport.
While in the past, cool looks weren’t part of the appeal of this particular type of footwear, times have changed. Brands such as Quiksilver and Adidas Outdoor have designed swim shoes for men that look more like a classic pair of sneakers or running shoes than footwear specifically made to be worn on the beach or the poolside.
Related: The Best Water Shoes for Women
Other brands like Keen and Merrell have equipped their hiking sandals and shoes with details such as quick-drying mesh uppers and drainage ports in the soles. That way, you can go on an all-terrain mountain hike without worrying if your shoes can handle the harsh conditions and dry comfortably after you've forged a river or two.
And if you are looking forward to the warm spring and summer days to simply practice yoga, play volleyball, or take long walks on the beach, then a pair of aqua socks would be perfect for you. Nike, for example, has designed a shoe-like aqua sock for men that truly fits like a glove.
Surfers and stand-up paddleboarding fans should look for water shoes that provide heel support and feature good-grip rubber soles to make sure you can perform all your tricks and turns while remaining stable on the board.
Now, prepare for an epic summer ahead with this list of the best water shoes for men.
Merrell 'Tetrex Rapid Crest' Water Shoes
This water shoe is perfect for hiking through rivers and streams. It has a sturdy construction and a quick-drying neoprene lining. The cushioned midsole provides both added support and shock absorption.
To buy: zappos.com, $85
Adidas Outdoor 'Jawpaw 2' Water Shoe
These water shoes are perfect for your morning jog on the beach. They feature a quick-drying mesh upper, an exceptional drainage system, and provide great foot support.
To buy: amazon.com, from $65
Nike 'Aqua Sock 360'
These water shoes provide superior comfort thanks to their slip-on construction that molds to your feet.
To buy: footlocker.com, $75
Aleader Men's Quick-drying Aqua Water Shoes
These Amazon best-selling water shoes are exceptionally lightweight and perfect to wear while surfing or working out in the water.
To buy: amazon.com, from $22
Columbia 'Spinner Vent' Moc Shoe
The classic boat shoe silhouette, mesh upper, and high-traction rubber soles make these water shoes perfect for a day of sailing.
To buy: columbia.com, $50
C9 Champion 'Jim' Water Shoes
These water shoes have thick soles which makes them ideal for hiking across various terrains such as rocky river basins. They feature a bungee strap closure with a toggle and padded collar and tongue for comfort.
To buy: target.com, $25
Speedo Surf Knit Water Shoes
The outsoles of these Speedos provide some serious traction on wet surfaces, which makes them well-suited to surfing or stand-up paddle boarding.
To buy: speedousa.com, from $33
Crocs 'Swiftwater Wave' Water Shoes
Easy to clean, quick to dry, and comfortable thanks to a foam footbed, you can take these water shoes to the lake or on the beach and not worry about hurting your feet.
To buy: zappos.com, $40
Cudas 'Tsunami II' Water Shoe
The perforated insole of these sturdy water shoes guarantees maximum water drainage while the stretchy, quick-drying mesh upper provides superior fit and comfort.
To buy: amazon.com, from $46
Feetmat Men’s Slip-on Water Shoes
These hiking shoes have incredibly flexible outsoles that won’t limit your movements or hurt your feet. Thanks to the slip-on design, they are incredibly easy to put on and take off, and the mesh sock liner dries fast.
To buy: amazon.com, from $26
Body Glove '3t Cinch' Water Shoes
These three-toed water shoes have a slip-on quick-drying upper construction and a sturdy EVA sole so you can enjoy your favorite water activities worry-free.
To buy: target.com, $35
NRS Neoprene 'Paddle' Wet Shoes
These wet shoes will keep your feet warm and comfortable thanks to their neoprene construction. The thick, high-traction rubber soles will protect you from rocks and keep you stable on slippery surfaces.
To buy: llbean.com, $55
Dreamcity Men's Water Shoes
These water shoes look and feel just like sneakers. Whether you want to go mountain biking or jet skiing, these lightweight kicks deliver superior grip in wet conditions.
To buy: amazon.com, from $20
AoSiFu Barefoot Water Shoes
Enjoy your favorite beach activities like yoga or volleyball with these easy to slip on aqua socks crafted from breathable and stretchy fabric. They also feature an anti-slip outsole so you can catch a couple of waves in them, as well.
To buy: amazon.com, from $10
Quiksilver 'Amphibian Plus' Shoes
You can take these cool kicks to the hiking trail or inside the ocean thanks to their breathable mesh upper and drainage ports in the soles that also feature Michelin rubber pods for better grip in wet conditions.
To buy: zappos.com, $85
Keen Evofit One Sandal
This amphibious hiking sandal has sock-like fit and multidirectional lugs for maximum traction so you stay stable both on land and in the water.
To buy: zappos.com, $130
Vibram 'V-Aqua' Water Shoes
The snug fit and lightweight construction of these amphibious shoes let you hike anywhere without limiting your movement. The sturdy soles provide incredible grip and stability.
To buy: zappos.com, $90
Rip Curl 'Reefwalker' Water Shoes
Rip Curl has created the perfect pair of water shoes to take on your next surfing trip to the North Shore of Oahu. Lightweight, quick-drying, and easy to put on, they will protect your feet while you carve up some waves.
To buy: zappos.com, $30
