20 of The Best Water Shoes For Men

Everybody should have a pair of water shoes. And, once you do, you may not ever want to wear anything else. You see, despite the name, water shoes have an incredibly wide range of uses, not least of which is wandering through water and drying quickly. So before we dive into our list of totally boss water shoes for the decerning gentleman, let’s explore some of the reasons you might want a pair or two of your own. 

You own a cottage.

If you spend any time at a cottage, water shoes are a must. Hoping in and out of boats, moving things around on the dock, or wandering off for a canoe ride. Everything about cottage life is better when you’re not worried about getting your shoes wet. If I had to recommend just one cottage water shoe, it would probably be the Amphibian Plus by Quicksilver. Not only are the solid quick-dry non-slip water shoes, but they look great popping over to the marina for dinner on the patio. 

You like to get out on the trails.

Sure there are all sorts of great hiking boots that provide support, comfort, and rugged tread patterns. However, the moment you get them a little wet, you are in for a world of uncomfortable soggy trudging. With a good pair of trail rated water shoes, that’s no longer an issue. Spend the day traversing creeks or walking the shorelines without ever worrying about getting a soaker. Custom designed drainage holes mean that as soon as you step out of the water, your shoes have already begun to dry themselves out. For hiking in nice weather, the Colorado is definitely my favorite. Xero Shoes has been making some incredible products of late, and these are no exceptions. If you need something a touch more closed in, try the Merrells, they’re lightweight with an excellent tread on them. 

You’re a traveler.

If wandering around the world is your passion than you’ve likely learned the value of packing light. With the right pair of water shoes, you don’t need to bring any other footwear. Traipsing through city streets, taking the fairy to nearby islands, or heading out on a bicycle tour of the town, rain or shine, you’re absolutely fine. Of course, if I had to choose just one shoe for traveling, I’d probably go with the hiitave. Although, I’d likely pick the grey instead of the blue ones featured below as they’ll go with pretty much whatever else you wear. If you’re prepared to wait though, the Cala, by Tropicfeel is in preorders now and looks like it could be a gamechanger. 

You are a Triathlon Machine. 

If you are a master of the triple sport race, you need to have a good set of water shoes on the ready. Of course, if you’re a professional, hopefully, you have a sponsorship deal, and shoes are the least of your worries. Although if you’re just starting out, choosing the right set of water shoes could potentially make or break this challenge for you. The good news is the first pair of shoes on our list is a great place to start your triathlon glory! 

You almost have to start with Body Glove when it comes to water shoes. They’ve developed a name that you expect to see near the water. And these 3Ts do not disappoint. They are perfect for your weekend triathlon or merely wandering about by the shore. Of course, they are not the most stylish shoes for walking about town, but they might just be comfortable enough that you won’t care.

These have to be the perfect water shoe to follow the Body Glove. While these Dreamcity’s don’t look quite ready to dive into a full-on water race, they are very stylish. If you wander around the dock all morning and then decide to pop into town for a bite to eat, you can wear the same shoes, and no one will be the wiser that these clogs are perfect water shoes. Not to mention the outsole design provides an incredible grip, whether you are walking along a creekbed, over slippery rocks, or about a boardwalk.

Not only are these slick-looking shoes, but the design of the Aleader’s sole, with its cross patterned foam mesh, also makes them incredibly fast drying. Which let’s face it, is super important in a water shoe. No one wants to walk around with soggy feet. They are also slip-resistant and developed to be shock absorbent to protect your knees, no matter what surface you’re landing on.

Being Nike, you expect a good looking pair of shoes no matter the model. However, the Aqua Sock 360 is nowhere near the sexiest looking water shoes on the market. That said, it’s functional as I’ll get out. The sock-style fit means that it holds tight to your foot. The synthetic fibers are all quick-dry, so you never feel soggy very long. And, the unique separated sole zones bend and groove with your foot to ensure you’re stable, no matter the surface.

This might sound silly, but Adidas’s amphibious shoes make me feel like I’ve joined the Navy SEALs. The all-black look, with the textured rubber tread, and the expandable neck, would be as comfortable padel-boarding as they would moving upriver quietly to storm the enemy base. With quick-dry materials and easy on/off pull tabs, these are one of my favorite pairs on the list.

The trouble with many water shoes is that they look like water shoes. Trying to wear them anywhere other than at the beach, they’re going to seem out of place. On the other hand, these Quicksilver’s look like everyday shoes, except they’re also pretty solid water shoes. They’re made with quick-dry materials, rubber soles, and outfitted with specially engineered drainage holes, that make them brilliant amphibians. Of course, you would never guess that to look at them.

One of the best things about the age we live in is that with a good idea, a willing customer base, and the internet, anyone can bring great products to market. The folks at Tropicfeel are definitely not Nike, and yet they have attracted massive attention for their best-in-class shoe designs. Oh, and all of their shoes are water shoes or what they like to call “all-terrain.” And, while the Canyon and the Monsoon are great shoes and ready to buy, if you can wait, the Cala is currently accepting preorders, and they are gorgeous. Quick-dry, non-slip, with push-down heels that let you wear them like shoes or slidders. These are brilliant shoes that just happen to be water shoes. 

It’s hard to think of a better name in water sports than Speedo. Which is why any list of water shoes needs to have their name on it. The Seaside Lace 5.0 is an excellent athletic shoe, but the contemporary styling means it’s just as good for lounging poolside. No matter where you are, they provide incredible traction. Speedo’s s-trac™ TRP outsole works to stream water away from your foot as you walk. Meaning these shoes give excellent grip for a waterside run and provide fantastic stability when you’re loading the boat dockside.

If you’ve ever worn a pair of Keen’s, you know there is something special about those soles. Nothing else feels like Keen rubber. And, when you start there, it’s hard to go wrong. Technically, these straddle the line between sandals and shoes, but with the sock-top fit and closed-toe, I’m calling them shoes. Oh, and they are brilliant in the water. Quick-drying and stable, if you’re looking for a relaxed all-purpose water shoe, these are amazing.

The old line about Crocs is that all the holes are where your dignity seeps out. That said, they were popular because they were comfortable. With this water shoe, I think they may have found a balance between comfort and style. When I first set eyes on these, I didn’t even realize they were Crocs. They’ve got the holes under control and have gone with a quick-dry mesh on top. The sole is still the easy-to-wear foam sole that seems naturally at home, walking around pools, through creeks, and in the surf.

Another offering from the number one brand in swim-wear, the Surfwalker Pro 3.0, does not disappoint. My first impression was that it looks like a slick styled ninja shoe and that any ninja creeping through water, should probably wear these. The Neoprene tops are quick-drying and comfortable on the toesies, while the S-Trac rubber outsole offers no-slip grip.

Your day is going to take you through water, but probably not before hiking through some intense trails, what shoes could possibly be up to both challenges. It was a leading question, I know. But seriously, these water shoes are particularly rugged, with some well-done tread patterns that make me think they’re up for pretty much anything. It’s precisely what we’ve come to expect from Merrell. These shoes feature waxy waterproof leather uppers and Vibram TC5 outsoles. There is also a Lycra neoprene stretch collar at the top for easy on and off action.

Yep, these are wetsuit boots, but that also makes them a fantastic water shoe. Wear them with a wetsuit or don’t. These boots will be happy puddle jumping around the dock, and they provide all sorts of security against taking a nasty slip. The neoprene fits like a sock, and the zip-up sides mean they aren’t going to fall off your feet as you hop from dock to boat, or rock to rock. They’re also well made and puncture-resistant, with seams that are both stitched and glued.

Just looking at these shoes makes me think I should enter a triathlon. I mean, they look ready for action. And, if you’re someone who is hooked on barefoot running, these are perfect. The toe box is made wide to give your digits room to slay out as you move. The rubber sole has next to no drop to allow your feet to function the way they were meant to. And, the bottoms have specially designed drainage holes to let your feet start to dry out the moment you hop on the bike.

So the manufacturer here is not one you’ve likely ever heard of before. They don’t have a long pedigree of making amazing footwear. However, I love the look of these water shoes. They’re simple with a rugged appearance. Oh, and the price is pretty great too. They have quick-dry mesh uppers, non-slip rubber soles, and specially engineered drainage holes to allow the water out. One of the benefits of most textiles these days being manufactured in the same factories is the number of no-name brands that pop up with products pretty similar to the high-end name-brand options. And at better prices. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nike or Adidas shoes were rolling off the conveyor belt next to these.

I find these water shoes oddly stylish. They have a crossover feel. Like there is a bit of athleticism mixed with an old-school docker shoe. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not really yacht club formal, but I do think you can dress them up a bit. Also, these are another one where the price likely means you can have a pair at each door. Popping out the back, use the backdoor Simari’s. Out the front, well good thing there’s a pair there for you too. Just maybe get different colors for different doors to keep it all straight.

This model reminds me of the Nike Free Runs from about ten years ago. And, I don’t mean that as a negative at all. Simple, unencumbered, design that looks sporty without being over the top. I wish more designers would take note. I wish Nike would remember how to make them. The breathable mesh makes these easy to wear for hours in the wet or dry and still be comfortable. The sole is non-slip rubber, with drainage, of course. But they are also soft, and shock absorbent, meaning you’re feets are going to like you more.

Let’s get this out of the way off the top, the brand name here leaves something to be desired. That said, it doesn’t turn up anywhere on the product, so not to worry. The shoes themselves are great. Lightweight, sporty, with minimalist soles that let your feet move the way they are supposed to. I also love the color options, bright and bold. Perfect for wandering about on the beach!

If you haven’t tried a pair of Xero shoes, you really need to. These folks reengineered their footwear from the ground up, giving special consideration to the way human feet work. Their barefoot styling makes it seem like you’re not wearing shoes at all as your feet bend and flex the way nature intended. I’m a big fan. And these water shoes are ready to go from trail to beach and everywhere in between. They also come with Xero’s 5,000 Sole mile guarantee, meaning you won’t have to replace them anytime soon.

Our final water shoe on the list is a simple, yet stylish, no-name-brand that does a fine job for the price. Unlikely to win any major water shoe awards (those are a thing, right?), the Zhuanglin is lightweight, quick-drying, and probably perfect for keeping at the cottage for boat rides and doing chores around the dock. The soles are non-slip, and the stretchy upper fabric is comfortable and gives your feet lots of room to move. I wouldn’t suggest you take these deep into the trails, but you can see that from looking at them.