12 Best Water Shoes For Men (Review) in 2019

Love ‘em or loathe ‘em for their unconventional looks, there’s no denying the Croc is king when it comes to general water shoes. Tough, lightweight and fast-drying, the Croc’s polka-dot perforations also offer superior ventilation and drainage. But if looking too dad-like is a worry, then fear no more as the Swiftwater manages to give the Croc a casual hiker/outdoor feel without losing its unique styling or practicality.

And, while you wouldn’t go out for an all-day hike in these bad boys, for general use when you’re mucking about by the water, on rocky beaches orriver banks, you really can’t go wrong with the super comfy and super grippy Swiftwater. Our handy guide to the top hiking shoes features more great products like this. 

Now here’s a hiking shoe with hidden depths…stepping up as amphibious footwear when the going gets wet. Designed to take on relatively challenging terrain, this sturdy looking water sandal from Merrell also makes light work of wading through creeks, waterlogged land and mountain streams. Its waxy waterproof upper sheds water as if it is the proverbial duck’s back and the cut out back and side sections enable water to quickly drain. A Vibram outsole keeps you gripping wet ground as you blaze the trail.

Aleander’s Aqua is a conventionally-styled sports shoe with surprisingly aquatic ambitions. Made from a breathable mesh upper with a rubber draining outsole, ingressed water simply has nowhere to hide in this cool-looking water shoe.

The well-priced Aqua will take you from water’s edge to waterlogged without losing tread, with the rubber sole giving excellent traction and grip in slippery conditions, while its quick drying sock liner and internal cushioning creates a cooler and dryer foot environment.  Lateral support sections keep your foot snug in the water.

In short, the Aqua is a lightweight water shoe which happily goes where other athletic shoes wouldn’t dare to tread. Love these? Check out our review of the best water shoes for hiking for our top picks. 

Imagine the comfort of your slippers (go on, admit it, you do wear some) with the aquatic performance of a quality water sports shoe. Well, there’s no need to imagine, the team at Speedo have made it real. Their beach shoe, Surfwalker combines almost barefoot-like comfort with the right level of protection and support to keep you on the go, whether it’s on your board, in the surf or simply by the pool. The Surfwalker’s pull on design has mesh inserts for breathability and a cushioned insole for protection while its molded outsole grips like a limpet and streams water away. A relaxed, comfortable and flexible water shoe that is suitable for all day wear.

The Neo Sport Premium is a clean looking, multi-purpose neoprene water bootoffering impressive thermal protection when the surf temperature drops. Coming in three mm thicknesses to match your seasonal or year-round water activity, there’s no reason not to keep on enjoying the life aquatic!

This is a tough boot which will keep your feet toasty and protected, with strong zips, high ankle cuff and traction sole which effectively keeps a grip on both wet and muddy surfaces. A web entry barrier stops water flowing into the boot via the zip, making this hard wearing and value for money water shoedeal for kayaking, board water sports and scuba diving. To fully enjoy and capture your water activities, check out our waterproof camera review for our top picks.

The Evofit One has just enough technical spec to catch the eye of the keen hiker looking to get a double-whammy in their water sandal.

Super comfortable and made from moisture-wicking fabric, the Evofit ticks the boxes for a hardworking outdoor sandal, and has the support, protection and stability to make inroads when out hiking. It can then switch it up when the ground gives way to water, with a sure-footed grip on slippery surfaces or full immersion.  They are a little pricey but if you are looking for a hardwearing, hiking/water shoehybrid, then the Evofit is a value-for-money contender. Don’t forget to get a good hiking watch and you are all set for your next adventure.

With its sturdy sneaker design and Speedo pedigree, this super-light lacedswim shoe has an impressive no slip grip to keep you safe and secure in and around the water. Great for swimming and navigating rocky waterlines, its quick dry system means you go from water to land with ease and with the Seaside’s almost tennis shoe looks, you can blend in with the (dry) crowd.

Add in its breathable mesh upper, bungee cord closure and heel tab for speedy removal, and you’ve got a mid-priced, quality beach shoe that’ll keep you protected in and out of the water all day long.

Is it a sneaker? Is it a water shoe? No, it’s the Amphibian Plus and when it comes to water sports, it likes to set its own rules! There is a cool, urban look to this water sport shoe that can take it from town or pool bar to open water in a splash. This is a multi-use water shoe that’s great for travelling as it is lightweight, versatile and comfortable. And it can step up when the situation takes you from dry to wet. The Amphibian Plus takes short or unchallenging hikes in its stride, making light work of wading in low level water and creeks thanks to its well-placed drainage ports.

Rubber pods on its outsole gives sufficient grip and traction and its quick to dry mesh lined upper allows your feet to breathe. A stylish all-rounder for water activities that don’t demand too much. For more great sneakers, check out our white sneakers review.

If you’re looking for a no- nonsense ‘does what it says on the tin’ water shoe, then the Jawpaw is the one for you. Its clean look makes the Jawpaw a pleasure to wear while its simple design hides some nice tech spec you’d expect from adidas to deal with a range of on-the-go water sports.

Created for most water activities, the Jawpaw is also a good choice for beachcombing or walking around the pool as it offers good underfoot support and protection. Its climacool upper ventilates the whole foot, while its snug fit and perforated mid and outsole maximize water drainage. And, for excellent grip in slippy conditions, the Jawpaw’s tough ‘Stealth’ rubber sole steps up to the plate. All-in-all, this is a great performing, understated water sports shoe that takes the marine environment in its perfectly capable stride.

Outdoor brand Columbia has come up trumps with the Drainmaker III, a good-looking hybrid shoe that wears like regular sneakers yet is equally good on land, boat or water. Yes, it is in mid to top price range, but you are gettinga well-made,hardwearingwater shoe that can cope with both rocky walking terrain and the open surf, all the while passing itself off as a good-looking hiking sneaker.

The lightweight, breathable design makes it ideal for warm weather adventures and this shoe has your back as you go from trail to river to ocean…and everything in between.

Here’s a slip-on water sock with Nike’s sporting credentials that give you a protected, almost barefoot feel when out and about on the water.  Described as one of their most ‘simplistic’, this is a real compliment for Nike’s 360 reboot of the iconic Aqua Sock, originally launched back in the ‘80s.

Made from a two-layer mesh upper with foam heel and rubber outsole, the Aqua is an airy, scarily (in a good way) sock-like water sports shoe that gives you a natural amphibious feel without compromising on the necessary protection and support.

No water shoes review would be complete without a Vibram, with its unique styling enough to rival the quirky Croc. From the company that’ssynonymous with barefoot running, the natural and naked feel of Vibram’s land shoes has now found a home in the aquatic realm.

Just like its land-based Vibram relatives, the Signa Athletic boating shoe has the distinct separate toe design, which on first glance has a rather Hobbit-like appeal. But don’t let that put you off, these are rather well thought out aqua shoes that allow you to feel the water around you while giving you just enough support and protection to keep you grounded.