9 Best Fishing Shoes (Review) in 2020

The Sperry Sea Kite Sport Moc is a pair of fishing shoes that tops our list by a wide margin. The water-resistant shoe is crafted using 100% leather, which ensures your feet are protected well from water breaching the upper. Should any water get in, though, the mesh panels help to encourage dryness, as well as give you the breathability to make wearing them all day a breeze.

Furthermore, with the comfortable EVA midsole, you’ll want to wear them all day and should you need to remove them, they’re easy to slip off (and then back on again) like no one you’ve ever worn before. Finally, the outsole uses Wave-Siping rubber, which ensures excellent traction over all kinds of terrain imaginable. The design is smart and stylish, making them the perfect companion for fishing on dry land or on the side of a boat way out into the ocean. Check out our reviews of the best fishing backpacks for more great products like this.

We do love to identify excellent value and when it comes to water shoes, the Aleader Mesh Slip-On Water Shoe is the best value shoe out there. Take a look at the price and remember it, because when we’re finished you might think that was all a dream, and need to check it again. It boasts a breathable and durable mesh upper which ensures long-life, as well as fast drying, which is further enhanced by the water drain outsole.

Along with this, the ComforDry sock liner helps to create a cooler (temperature-wise, but also style, we guess) in-shoe environment, which may be something you don’t normally care about, but after trying this, will be something you never miss out on again. The style might not be for everybody, but if you’re on the fence, maybe it’s time to just dive right in, you never know you might come to love them just as much (if not more) than your own children. Our handy guide to fishing watches features more great products like this.

You need two things from a fishing shoe – waterproofing and grip. The XTRATUF Performance Series 6″ Deck Boots might just be the best in both departments. Made entirely from rubber, these deck boots are 100% waterproof. Whatever happens, you can count on your feet being bone-dry at the end of the day. The outsole is also made from rubber and has a non-marking chevron pattern that provides excellent traction on wet surfaces. They might not be the most comfortable shoes on the market, but they’re perfect for off-shore fishing trips. 

The large front and rear loops are there to make these shoes easy to put on and take off. If you’ve ever struggled with your boots at the end of a long day, you’ll really appreciate this feature. Another impressive feature is the ExpressCool antimicrobial liner, designed to wick moisture away from your feet and keep them dry and cool. 

Waterproof fishing shoes are pretty much as given, and are expected by anybody wanting to add to their fishing gear wardrobe, but there are different kinds of waterproofness. In the case of the Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe, you get a combination of leather (upper) with tough rubber toe-casing to deliver a reliable shoe that keeps your feet dry, while the insole offers excellent comfort, especially for those times where you’ll wait all day to catch a line.

These water shoes are also incredibly versatile (perhaps the most versatile fishing shoe of all time). This is obvious at first glance, but it’s only after wearing them in a variety of environments that you realize just how effective they are no matter where you are. The reliable outsole provides brilliant traction on any kind of terrain you find yourself, allowing for a seamless transition from aquatics to dense jungle just like that. (Imagine we clicked our fingers there…)

You’d expect most water shoes for men to come with a flash of style, but these Columbia PFG Bahama Vent Slip-Ons are on another level of cool. Due to the canvas and leather mixed upper, they’re designed in a way that, at first glance, could cause you to mistake them for any other kind of casual summer or boat shoe. It’s only when you look a little closer that you see that they’re actually much more than that.

They’re the first product we’ve shown you so far that come with water drainage air vents, which help to keep your feet bone dry, and the Techlite midsole provides superior cushioning, which you could argue makes them the most comfortable shoe we’ve selected. As for the outsole, they come with Omni-Grip razor traction which should fill you with confidence even before you slipped them on for the very first time, and we’re sure that won’t be the last. Be sure to combine these with some of the best Columbia jackets from our list.

If you’re looking for fishing waders that protect as much of the foot, ankle and lower leg as possible – within getting ridiculous – then the Hodgman Neoprene Wade Shoe is the product you’ve been looking for. Constructed using thick (but not too thick) material, you’re readily protected against the current and prepared for whatever the rushing waters throw at you.

The shoe also has adjustable ankle cuffs, which can be loosened to encourage breathability when you’re not navigating the depths below but also tightened to prevent debris getting stuck, which we all know it a total drag. As for stability, the non-slip and no-marking soles give you the traction you need for all kinds of environments and helps to protect the bottoms of your feet and your toes from aches, pains, and, of course, blisters. All of this is completed with a sturdy zipper, that is destined to survive frequent removal, zipping up, and resist the perils of rusting when exposed to water. They make a perfect gift for fishermen.

This SHIMANO EVAIR Marine Fishing Shoe is really closer to hiking sandals, but whatever, we don’t want to get bogged down in semantics. Instead, well just try to convince you that despite having a bad reputation (mainly due to socks ‘n’ sandals rocking dads who abandoned style once they hit their 50s), they’re actually an incredibly sound and useful investment. They’re ultra-lightweight and are crafted using a one-piece mold, making them incredibly ergonomic to ensure your comfort. Of course, being sandals they’re not waterproof, but the gaps will allow water to drain with ease and dry your feet quickly.

They’re also incredibly versatile and would serve you well whether you’re fishing, kayaking, boating, surfing, or jet skiing, which could be the thing that helps you make your decision. If you’re somebody who loves to try out as many awesome activities as possible, you want a shoe that will support you through everything you do, and it wouldn’t be ridiculous to consider this is the kind of shoe to do just that. Be sure to combine this with a cool fishing shirt from our list.

As we reel in the final product, we present to you this pair of fishing boots. Christened The Fin Boot (which is super cool), this pair is lightweight and enhanced with neoprene materials that give you the flexibility that is sometimes missing with ankle-high shoes. Despite this flexibility, they also provide ideal support and protect you from rolling your ankle on tricky terrain, while the top web strap will keep the inside free of debris.

Of course, you can’t always keep the water out, so The Fin includes Forefoot flow, which encourages water to disperse from the bottom of the shoe rapidly. Not only is this a sweet little feature, but it’ll also make sure you dry off quicker than ever, without you needing to do any work, so you can focus on your final catch, and let the SoftScience Fin Boot keep you dry. Find more great footwear like this by checking out our guide to the best rain boots.

If you’re looking for a more lightweight pair of fishing shoes, the DOUSSPRT Men’s Water Shoes are definitely worth looking at. These shoes aren’t designed to keep your feet dry, they’re designed for embracing wet feet. When you’re fishing on a kayak or another type of small boat, your feet are going to get wet. There’s no avoiding it. These shoes are made from a breathable air mesh material that allows for breathability and quick-drying. You can wear them in the water or out, and your feet will dry off just as quickly as your body. They also offer impressive traction on slippery, wet surfaces. The outsole is made from rubber and has a diamond-pattern that grips into the floor and keeps you stable. This is super important when you’re casting out, which is why these make great shoes for fishing.