There are many different shoes that you can use for hiking, and the kind of shoes that you use greatly influences your experience. The right shoes will make sure that you are comfortable and can efficiently handle any terrain. It will also protect you from any blisters. From the many hiking shoes out there, water shoes are one of the options that have been embraced.
The best thing about water shoes is that they are light, comfortable, and flexible. The market has a wide variety of water shoes for hiking, so it may be hard to choose the right pair. We prepared this guide to help you pick the best ones for you.
Best Water Shoes for Hiking
In this buying guide, we compare the six best water shoes for hiking that you can find on the market. They have been perfectly specialized to help you enjoy your hiking experience and, at the same time, give you more value for your money.
In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks…
ALEADER hiitave Unisex Minimalist Trail Barefoot Runners Cross Trainers Hiking Shoes
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These are shoes that have been beautifully designed with breathable insoles and a soft textile lining. They have a slip-on design that makes them easy to wear, and are made with a minimalist rubber sole that makes them comfortable for a hike.
With this shoe, you can enjoy the no shoe effect while at the same time having comfort. The shoe has a wide toe box for more space for your toes.
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ALEADER Women's Water Hiking Shoe
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This is a breathable hiking water shoe with a wet traction grip. It is characterized by a synthetic sole that makes it very comfortable. The upper part of the shoe has a quick-dry textile that makes it breathable. The shoe also has a synthetic ribbon on the sides for more support stability.
Another feature of the ALEADER hiking shoe is its easy and quick lacing system that asks you to pull, lock, and toggle for a secure and customized fit.
The midsole has shock absorption features that give you comfort while on the hike. The shoe has been made with a non-marking rubber outsole to give you a great grip, especially on wet surfaces.
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ALEADER Men’s Water Hiking Shoe
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This is a great men's water hiking shoe. It has been designed to be highly breathable with the upper part of the shoe featuring a quick-dry textile.
It features synthetic ribbons on the sides to add extra support stability. The shoe also has a quick lacing system to give you a secure, customized fit.
The midsole is shock-absorbing for added comfort. The outsole is made with a non-marking rubber sole for better grip, especially on wet surfaces.
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SAGUARO Men’s Women’s Barefoot water shoes
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This is a great spandex water shoe that can be used for hiking. It is made with a rubber sole for enhanced comfort. The upper part features a breathable material that can stretch and is ultralight for additional comfort.
The shoe has a low top and a drawstring that speeds elastic for quick wearing. It has been designed to protect your toes from any friction and impact. The outsole has been made with rubber and is in a lump lug design for more grip and durability.
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Voovix Mens Barefoot Shoes
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Just like many water shoes, this one has been made with a rubber sole. The barefoot series has been made to fit your foot well and offer comfort while giving you the illusion of being barefoot. When you wear the shoe for a long time, it can even help in strengthening the muscles of the foot.
The Voovix has a wide toe box that gives the toes enough room to relax and be comfortable. The shoe can be adjusted to the width of the foot with the elastic laces that come with them.
The upper part of the shoe is stretchy, with good ventilation, and is breathable. The insoles are soft and removable to keep your feet comfortable.
It has a flat zero-drop sole so that your forefoot and heel can both be on a flat surface, giving them a good posture and putting less pressure on the joints. The shoe is multi-functional and can be used for various activities.
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Weweya Barefoot Shoes
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Weweya shoes have a minimalist design that makes them suitable for different activities. They have been made with a rubber sole that makes them non-slip and comfortable. The sole is flexible and can be folded to carry around.
These shoes have breathable arch support for the insole to minimize arch pain and offer more comfort. They also have a wide toe box that gives your toes enough room to spread out. The shoes have a speed elastic lacing, and some have the classic shoelace. All Weweya shoes have a lightly padded tongue.
Lastly, they feature a zero-drop sole for added comfort and to help you maintain a good posture.
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Buyer’s Guide
All of these water shoes are a great choice if you are looking for a pair to go hiking with. Since there are many excellent choices, it may be confusing which one to settle on. In this section, we focus on the specifics to help you make a decision. Here is a quick guide:
The cheapest shoe: If you are looking for a cheap hiking water shoe, then we recommend the SAGUARO barefoot shoes. They are unisex and are cheaper at $20.99.
Our overall recommendation: All the above are all great choices, but our overall recommendation is the SAGUARO water shoes. They are cheap, unisex, and have many great features to ensure they can keep up with your hiking lifestyle and provide value for money.
Although we have recommended some specific hiking water shoes to you, it is also helpful to know how to look for a good shoe yourself. Some of the factors to consider to find the right hiking water shoe include the following.
Traction
When you are going for a hike, you want a shoe that can help you remain stable at all times regardless of the terrain. That means that the shoe needs to be sturdy and flexible. For water shoes, most of them are made with a rubber sole to keep them non-slippery and give you good traction. You should always check on the sole of the shoe.
Breathability
Good water shoes should be breathable so that they can dry out fast. That explains why most shoes have the upper part meshed. When your feet are not very breathable, it will make you uncomfortable for a hike. The material should not only be breathable but lightweight as well. Some water shoes have other ventilation measures apart from a meshed upper part. If the shoe has other ventilation measures, it will be better for you.
Outsole
The shoe outsole should be made with sturdy and durable material. It should be able to keep you safe from friction, impact, and any sharp objects. For water shoes, most of them have a rubber outsole as it can stand all while giving you comfort.
Size
Regardless of how good a shoe is, if it does not have the right fit, it will still be uncomfortable. When you are going for a hike, you don’t want to end up with a poorly fitting shoe. With the right fit, you can go through any terrain with ease.
When looking at the size, consider your toes. They should be comfortable and have room to relax. If you can find a shoe that has a wide toe box, it’s better for you, especially if you have wide toes. The shoe should fit well, not only lengthwise but also in the width.
It is important to keep in mind that the laces may not work out perfectly for some shoes if you are looking forward to adjusting the size through laces. Most water shoes have a slip-on design with laces that are toggled. That means that they cannot be adjusted much to give you a better fit. You should also remember that different companies may have different sizing. Make sure you compare their sizes to the universal sizing charts so that you don’t end up with the wrong size.
Weight
Hiking can be very exhausting, and you don't want anything that will weigh you down. That means that you should look for shoes that are as lightweight as possible. Luckily, many water shoes have been made with a lightweight material that makes them easy to walk in. Water shoes are a better alternative to regular hiking shoes if you want something light, and if you expect to be on trails with water.
Price
Most of the time, the price is influenced by the quality of the material. Premium materials are more expensive. To get the best deal, you might have to compare different features to the price. You may need to compare different pairs to find the one that gives you the best value for money. It is essential to also go through reviews of a shoe before deciding to buy them.
