Water sports like swimming, surfing, and kayaking are excellent hobbies to have. You can get out into nature and go wild swimming, or find an indoor surfing centre to practice your skills.
But whatever the activity and wherever the location, you need to make sure you have the right clothing and equipment!
Water shoes are important for people who take part in water sports. They protect your feet from rocky surfaces, and provide support to prevent injury and keep you comfortable.
But with so many different types of water shoes available, how do you know which ones will be best for you?
We have reviewed the best water shoes for women that are currently on the market. We have also put together some advice on how to choose the most suitable water shoes to meet your needs, and answered some common questions about water shoes.
OUR TOP PICK
The DLGPA women’s quick drying water shoes are an excellent all rounder. They are lightweight and breathable, with hydrophobic mesh uppers that dry very quickly.
The anti-slip rubber sole provides good protection against sharp objects, excellent grip on slippery surfaces, and includes drainage holes to stop the shoes filling with water.
The flexible materials move with you as you walk, run, or swim, making these shoes an excellent choice for watersports and outdoor activities.
The traditional trainer shape means this shoe is versatile and can be used for a range of activities as well as being worn as a casual shoe.
The soft cushioning makes these shoes very comfortable, and the tab on the back of the heel makes them easy to pull on and off.
The shoes can be secured with adjustable elastic laces for a snug fit. The mid foot webbing also improves the secure fit of the shoes.
This shoe comes in 28 color choices including different shades of pinks, blues, grays, and black.
EDITORS CHOICE
The DOUSSPRT women’s water shoes are breathable and quick drying. They have a durable rubber sole with drainage built in to stop the shoe filling with water. The uppers are made from polyester mesh which promotes airflow throughout the shoes.
These lightweight shoes are secured with adjustable elastic laces. The traditional sports shoe shape makes them suitable for various activities like walking, running, cycling, and they can even be worn as casual summer shoes.
There are 21 lovely colors to choose from, so you pick the shade that best matches your clothes.
BEST VALUE
The VIFUUR watersports shoes are made from 100% synthetic materials which makes them durable. They are a slip-on shoe with no laces, but the pull on and off tab at the heel makes it easy to get your feet in and out of these shoes.
The smooth fabric on the neck of the shoe prevents rubbing and chafing. The flexible fabric is designed to move with you and is very breathable. The shoes dry quickly, and the rubber sole has excellent grip to stop you from slipping on wet surfaces.
These shoes are more lightweight than many of the others, and can be folded up small to fit inside a bag. This makes them perfect for travelling.
These water shoes are available in a large range of 44 different colors.
RUNNER UP
The Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve water shoe is one of the more substantial and durable choices. The uppers are made from waxy waterproof leather and fabric, and the shoes have a synthetic sole.
The neck of the shoe is made from stretchy lycra neoprene for a snug fit. This also makes the shoe easier to get on and off and prevents rubbing.
The sole has hollowed lugs to make the shoe more lightweight, but even still it is heavier than the other choices. However, the design of the shoe makes it much more suitable for activities like hiking and climbing.
The shoes are very supportive and are comfortable over long distances. They are quick-drying, though they will not dry as quickly as shoes made from synthetic mesh. However, the show is designed to allow for airflow.
There are 8 attractive colors to choose from which will compliment most hiking and outdoor clothing- fuschia, dark gray slate, blue, black, blue wing, olive night, castle rock and stucco.
RUNNER UP
The BARERUN barefoot quick-dry water sports shows are designed to be so lightweight it feels like you have nothing on your feet at all.
However, this makes them less durable than some of the other choices and not suitable for more heavy-duty activities.
The stretchy uppers are made from flexible material that is breathable and quick-drying. The anti-slip rubber sole protects your feet from sharp objects, and the use of smooth fabrics in the shoe prevents rubbing or chafing.
These shoes come in 44 different colors and they can fold up to fit into small spaces which makes them great for travelling or days out.
RUNNER UP
The L-RUN Athletic hiking water shoes are a perfect shoe for those who like to combine hiking or climbing with swimming.
The fabric uppers are made from a double layer of stretchy fabric of leather and mesh. They are very lightweight but still durable. They are designed to promote ventilation of air and the drainage of water.
These flexible shoes move with you, for ultimate comfort. There is a velcro strap for quick adjustments, elastic to secure the shoe, and removable laces.
The rubber soles have a honeycomb structure for ultimate non-slip protection and they provide excellent traction for walking and running.
These shoes are a great choice for a wide range of outdoor activities and come in a choice of 34 different colors.
RUNNER UP
The RYKA Women’s Hydro Sport shoes are made in the USA and come in 16 different color choices including navy, pink, black, gray and blue.
The sticky rubber sole protects your feet from sharp objects while providing excellent traction and grip on wet surfaces.
There is also a layer of compressed molded foam with drainage ports, keeping the shoes lightweight but providing extra support.
The additional removable footbed provides extra comfort and the flexible design allows the shoe to move with you.
The traditional trainer/sports show shape makes this a great choice for water sports. The synthetic mesh allows for breathability and the mid foot webbing ensures the shoe fits securely.
RUNNER UP
The YALOX water shoes are made from 92% polyester and 8% spandex, making them both durable and flexible. There is an impressive range of 45 colors to choose from.
The rubber soles not only protect your feet, but have a fantastic non-slip quality that provides excellent grip.
The thick foam insert supports the arch of your foot and the adjustable elastic allows you to get a secure, comfortable fit.
The breathable mesh allows these shoes to dry quickly, as do the drainage holes. The shoes are flexible and lightweight, making them suitable for various water and outdoor activities.
The shoes can twist and fold to fit into small spaces for easy packing. The pull on and off tab on the back of the heel makes the shoes easy to get on and off quickly.
RUNNER UP
The APRILSPRING women’s water shoes come in a choice of 20 vibrant colors so you can stand out on the beach with orange, yellow, turquoise and many more.
The non-slip rubber sole is very durable. It increases friction to provide amazing grip and includes drainage holes to stop water collecting inside the shoe.
The elastic uppers of the shoe are made from stretchy lycra fabric, making them flexible and breathable. They dry very quickly and have good ventilation.
These lightweight shoes are great for water sports. The pull on and off tab at the heel makes them easy to put on and take off, and they can be secured with adjustable elastic.
RUNNER UP
The Hiitave women’s water shoes come in a choice of 10 attractive colors and are excellent shoes for water sports.
The shoes have an ultra grip rubber sole which provides great traction for walking and hiking. The wide toes and lack of heel lift give these shoes a barefoot feel, but they are still supportive.
These shoes have a slip on design, with a pull on and off tab at the heel, but they can also be secured with adjustable elastic. They have a built-in drainage system to make them dry quickly. They are lightweight with breathable mesh material on the uppers.
Best Water Shoes For Women Buying Guide
Now that you have seen the products that are on offer, how do you go about choosing the right shoes for you? Each shoe offers something different, and you need to find the one that meets your needs.
Keep reading for some advice on how to choose your water shoes.
What Will You Be Doing In Your Shoes?
Are you going swimming in a pool or on a sandy beach with limited stones? Choose a lightweight option that is not so durable, and will fold up small to fit in your beach bag or backpack.
Are you heading to a rocky beach where you might be playing some water volleyball? Look for a lightweight water shoe with a sporty shape and a rubber sole to protect your feet from sharp objects.
If you are going to be surfing or bodyboarding then choose a shoe that you can slip on and off easily, but can be secured with adjustable elastic to stop the shoes coming off in the waves.
If you are climbing or taking on some more heavy duty water activities, then you might be better off with a more durable water shoe. They might not dry as quickly, but they will provide the best protection and support for your feet.
Where Will You Be Going In Your Shoes?
If you want protection from smaller stones and sharp gravel-type sand then a standard water shoe should suffice as long as they have a rubber sole.
If you need grip for climbing or wet rocks on a river bed, then you will need the soles to be more durable. They will also need to have an anti-slip design that will create traction on wet surfaces.
Best Water Shoes For Women - FAQ's
Why Is Quick-Drying So Important?
Water shoes are designed to get wet and to protect your feet while you are in the water. But you won’t always take them off as soon as you leave the water.
If you are walking along the beach or taking part in activities, the shoes will probably stay on your feet as they dry.
The quicker they dry, the healthier it is for your skin as there will be less irritation and less chance for bacteria to grow in the wet environment of the shoe. It is also useful for the shoes to dry quickly as you might need to pack them away.
Lightweight Or Durable - Which Is Better?
The more durable the shoe, the heavier it will be. If you are taking on some heavy-duty water sports or outdoor activities then it might be better to sacrifice some of the lightweight features in favor of extra support and comfort and a more durable, substantial shoe.
If you are surfing, then you want something lightweight so you aren’t too heavy on your board or in the water, but you need good grip. It’s always best to consider the most important features of the shoe based on the activity you will be doing.
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