The Best Men’s Water Shoes for Hiking and the Beach

By Dobrina Zhekova
October 01, 2018
Cebas/Getty Images

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 to 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.

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Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

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Merrell 'Tetrex Crest Wrap' Water Shoes

Courtesy of Zappos

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, $80

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Adidas Outdoor 'Jawpaw 2' Water Shoe

Courtesy of Amazon

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

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Doussprt Quick Drying Aqua Shoes

Courtesy of Amazon

If you’re searching for a shoe with emphasis on breathability, look no further than these aqua shoes from Doussprt. With an open air mesh upper and a hole in the sole for quick drying, you’ll want to pack these for all of your swimming, sailing, and kayaking adventures.

To buy: amazon.com, from $18

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Aleader Men's Quick-drying Aqua Water Shoes

Courtesy of Amazon

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 $21

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C9 Champion ‘Titus’ Water Shoes

Courtesy of Target

These simple slip-ons are ideal for a weekend at the lake or on the river. Not only do they keep pebbles and other debris at bay, but the durable plastic soles makes the shoes great for dry land activities, too.

To buy: target.com, $18

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Speedo Surf Knit Water Shoes

Courtesy of Speedo

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 $19

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Crocs ‘Swiftwater Mesh Waves’ Water Shoes

Courtesy of Zappos

Forget what you know about Crocs’ infamously bulky build and appearance. These sleek and stylish water shoes from the brand will keep your feet ultra-dry thanks to ventilation ports that drain out water and dirt. They’re also designed with a Croslite foam footbed for comfort from morning ‘til night.

To buy: zappos.com, $31

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Z-Joyee Quick-dry Aqua Socks

Courtesy of Amazon

Don’t let the word “socks” fool you — these things are sturdy. Built with a durable stretch upper, an extra thick sole, and special wear-resistant technology, these water shoes are sure to make a comfortable, all-day event out of any water sport.

To buy: amazon.com, $13

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Zhuanglin Quick Drying Aqua Shoes

Courtesy of Amazon

When it comes to lightweight water shoes, Zhuanglin’s quick drying model is one of the best in the game. Made with an airy Solyte midsole and a ComforDry sockliner, these shoes will enhance swimming, surfing, or paddle boarding rather than dragging you down with heavy hardware.

To buy: amazon.com, from $20

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Body Glove '3t Cinch' Water Shoes

Courtesy of Target

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, $34

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Men’s Keen Newport H2 Sandals

Courtesy of L.L.Bean

LL Bean’s take on water shoes features an open design for maximum breathability, quick drying neoprene straps, and a foot-contoured midsole for optimal support and shock absorption. The shoes were created by a world-class sailor for terrains of all sorts, so feel free to pack them for your next hiking trip, too.

To buy: llbean.com, $100

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Dreamcity Men's Water Shoes

Courtesy of Amazon

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 $11

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AoSiFu Barefoot Water Shoes

Courtesy of Amazon

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 $8

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Mishansha Quick Dry ‘Barefoot’ Water Shoes

Courtesy of Amazon

Easily slide these water-resistant kicks on or off thanks to their stretchy mesh upper and sturdy pull strap. The shoes are made with fast draining fabric and cross ventilation, which means they might just be the most comfortable active-wear shoes you ever own.

To buy: amazon.com, from $20

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Keen Men’s UNEEK Sandal

Courtesy of Amazon

Perfect for beach days or hiking, the UNEEK sandal goes for comfort, style, and function. One reviewer calls them the “best of a sandal and shoe combined,” thanks to their durability, anatomical footbed, woven-cord upper, and adjustable straps.

To buy: amazon.com, from $50

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Vibram ‘KSO’ Water Shoes

Courtesy of Amazon

Vibram uses their own custom measurement system to provide a truly perfect fit for customers. Designed to promote the feeling of walking, hiking, or swimming barefoot, these water shoes offer wearers comfort, grip, and improved balance.

To buy: amazon.com, $90

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O’Neill ‘Superfreak Tropical’ Water Shoes

Courtesy of Zappos

Featuring full-coverage material and a high-top design, these durable water shoes mold to the shape of the wearer’s foot, making them ideal for surfing or paddleboarding. Lightweight with a thin sole, these shoes offer protection from rocks and rubble without adding bulk.

To buy: zappos.com, $49

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