Splashing through many puddles, getting wet, and crossing creeks and rivers are all part of the fun when Hiking, particularly in the summertime.
Yet when wet terrain makes up most of your hiking trips, I strongly advise investing in a good pair of Water Shoes. These should not only have a slip-resistant outsole, breathable uppers, and a cushioned insole for shock absorbency, but also provide a high level of comfort, ensuring you can fully enjoy your outdoor adventures.
Why Invest in Water Shoes For Hiking
As I have mentioned, if you regularly Hike through puddles, creeks, and wet terrain, the right Water shoe designed for hiking will be much more advantageous than a general hiking shoe. Unlike general hiking shoes, water shoes are designed to repel water, dry quickly, and provide better traction on wet surfaces.
Imagine the discomfort of squelching through pools and wet terrains with water inside your shoes and wet socks. It’s not just about the unpleasant feeling, but also the risk of athletes’ foot, blisters, and chafing. This is where a good pair of water shoes for hiking can make a world of difference.
That is why when it comes to WET HIKING, you should treat your feet to a pair of lightweight, breathable water shoes that are durable enough to keep the pace.
The water shoe is the Amphibian of the footwork, designed to perform inside and outside of water. Remember that they may dry fast and drain water, but they are NOT waterproof.
When Would You Need Water Shoes for Hiking
Several activities, such as wet hiking, canoeing and kayaking, camping, exploring Rocky Beaches, and snorkeling, require good water shoes for hiking. These shoes are not just designed to perform in wet and dry conditions, but also offer a versatility that makes them a reliable choice for any outdoor enthusiast, instilling confidence in your gear selection.
- Wet Hiking – When you hike through many wet bodies such as rivers, creeks, or just in very wet marshes and rainy areas, a good water shoe for hiking can quickly become your best friend.
- Canooeing and Kayaking – These two activities require the right water shoe, but the right Hiking water shoe maybe even better when you are off the canoe-kayak on harsh outdoor terrains.
- Camping – A lightweight Hiking Water Shoe is your best friend for camping as it will dry quickly and is very water-friendly for all terrains.
- Whether you’re exploring rocky beaches or snorkeling, these water shoes’ versatility makes them the perfect companion for any adventure, including hiking.
Features of a Good Water Shoe for Hiking
- Good slip-resistant Vibram Rubber or Rubber outsole with a lug and trail-specific tread for optimal grip on wet and slippery surfaces.
- Mesh or breathable uppers also either repel water or drain water properly.
- Cushioned insole and midsole for shock absorbency.
- Lightweight and flexible sole.
- Lightweight and glove-like uppers fit.
- Rest assured; these water shoes are not just designed to withstand even the toughest outdoor use, but also ensure your investment lasts for many future adventures, providing a sense of security in your gear’s longevity.
- The protective underfoot shank or rubber reinforcement for sharp edges and puncture risks.
Key Specs
| No. | Shoe | Type | Closure | Width options | Drop / Cushion | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keen Clearwater / Whisper (women's) | Trail/hiking | – | – | – | – |
| 2 | Aleader Slip On | Trail/hiking | Slip-on | – | Bounce | – |
| 3 | VivoBare Primus | Trail/hiking | – | – | – | – |
| 4 | Clorts Wet Traction | Trail/hiking | Lace-up | – | Bounce | – |
| 5 | Chaco Outcross Evo 1 | Trail/hiking | Lace-up | – | – | – |
| 6 | Merrell All out Blaze Aero Sport / All Out Blaze Sieve (women's) | Trail/hiking | Lace-up | Medium | – | – |
| 7 | Keen Venice H2 | Trail/hiking | Hook-and-loop | – | EVA | – |
| 8 | Teva Omnium 2 / Omnium (women's) | Trail/hiking | – | – | – | – |
| 9 | Merrell Trail Glove 5 / Ever Glove (women's) | Trail/hiking | Lace-up | – | – | 7 oz |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Reviews: The Best Water Shoes for Hiking
Below are some excellent choices in Water shoes which are also perfect for Hiking:
We hope you love the water shoes we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
1
Water Sandals for Hiking
Keen Clearwater - Men
Currently unavailable
Keen Whisper - Women
Currently unavailable
The Keen Whisper and Clearwater, both from the reputable brand Keen, are sandals designed for hiking that are water-friendly and quick-drying.
- The uppers are made from synthetic and textile materials. They are Hydrophobic mesh-lined, repelling water and drying very quickly.
- The midsole has a 4mm drop cushion for optimal support and shock absorbency.
- The insole is treated with Aegis antimicrobial to prevent bacteria and odors from developing.
- The arch is contoured for better arch and midfoot support.
- This sandal boasts a sporty style with a protective closed-toe and is available in a few neutral color selections.
- The durable rubber outsole has a lug pattern and offers excellent traction on wet surfaces.
- There is a lace-up bungee system for a secure fit and a PU midsole.
- The Keen Whisper and Clearwater are machine washable, making them easy to clean and maintain. Remove the insole and wash the shoes gently with mild detergent. This will help keep your shoes looking and smelling fresh for longer.
2
Hiking Water Shoe
Aleader Slip On - Men
Currently unavailable
Aleader Slip On - Women
Currently unavailable
The Aleader Water Shoe is a breathable, lightweight slip-on water shoe with a durable outsole that is ideal for hiking.
- The upper is a very lightweight and porous mesh that allows water to drain and dry quickly.
- There is a Solyte midsole for lightweight cushioning and shock absorbency, which is also very durable.
- Inside is a ComfortDry sock liner that provides premium cushioning and a healthy, cool, dry in-shoe environment.
- The Water grip technology outsole offers exceptional grip and traction in wet and slippery conditions.
- The Aleader Water Shoe’s men’s and women’s models are available in several color selections. They are true to size, so you can confidently order your usual shoe size.
3
Minimalist Hiking Water Shoes
VivoBare Primus - Men
Currently unavailable
VivoBare Primus - Women
Currently unavailable
From ViboBare, a top shoe brand for outdoor and minimalist shoes, we have the Primus, a minimalist water shoe ideal for Hiking and trail walking.
- The uppers are lightweight and breathable, offering a glove-like minimalist fit that is more secure.
- These shoes are super lightweight at under 300 grams in weight.
- Some color selections are available for you to look over.
- There is a supportive and slightly cushioned midsole.
- The high-grip rubber outsole offers excellent grip on slippery and wet surfaces and superb underfoot protection.
- Very durable construction and quick-drying, with a flexible and lightweight sole.
4
Shoe for Hiking
Clorts Wet Traction - Men
Currently unavailable
Clorts Wet Traction - Women
Currently unavailable
The Clorts Wet Traction Hiking and water shoe is another superb addition to our list and one of our top favorite hiking and water shoes amongst many. These shoes are incredibly comfortable and durable during my hiking trips.
- The uppers consist of breathable and lightweight mesh and PU materials that offer a comfortable fit with the adjustable elastic laces that allow for ease and off.
- A lightweight cloud-cushioned insole provides comfort and a supportive, shock-absorbing EVA midsole.
- The durable outsole is flexible with screened drainage ports and high traction on slippery and wet surfaces.
- Some color selections are available for you to choose from as needed.
5
Hiking Water Shoe
Chaco Outcross Evo 1 - Men
Currently unavailable
Chaco Outcross Evo 1 - Women
Currently unavailable
The Chaco Outcross Evo 1 is a durable and comfortable Hiking shoe that is water-friendly.
- The Chaco Outcross Evo 1’s textile uppers consist of combined mesh and jacquard polyester webbing, synthetic leather and mesh insets, a mesh-lined collar, and a speed lacing lock gore system for a secure fit. These high-quality materials ensure the shoes are durable and comfortable.
- The adjustable webbing heel lock is integrated into the lacing system with a semi-collapsable heel constructed from polyester jacquard webbing and tunnel tables.
- There is a durable loveseat polyurethane footbed with barefoot construction, an ethylene-vinyl acetate layer, and a Nylon support shank for underfoot protection and stability.
- The Non-marking tread outsole is made from recycled rubber. It has siped center lugs for better-wet surface grip and 35 mm lugs for trail traction.
- I have some color selections for you to look over.
6
Hiking Water Shoe
Merrell All out Blaze Aero Sport - Men
Currently unavailable
Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve - Women
Currently unavailable
The Merrell Blaze Sieve and Aero Sport are exceptional hiking and water shoes with the best grip and slip resistance on slippery surfaces.
- Smooth and comfortable textile uppers with a Moni-Fit lace-up system for a precise glove-like and Barefoot design fit.
- The Bellows’s tongue is designed to keep debris out of your shoes, and the Molded TPU Heel counter ensures much better stability on uneven terrain.
- Inside is a breathable mesh lining to keep your feet dry and cool and a slightly padded insole.
- The Vibram TC5+ rubber outsole with lug tread is designed for the best slip resistance on all outdoor. terrains.
7
Shoe for Hiking in Water
Keen Venice H2 - Men
Currently unavailable
Keen Venice H2 - Women
Currently unavailable
The Keen Venice H2 is the ideal Hiking shoe for wet environments.
- A closed sandal style e-shoe that is perfect for Hiking through wet bodies.
- Textile uppers are breathable and quick drying.
- There is an ESS shank for stability and a Metatomical EVA footbed for comfort.
- You can use the durable rubber outsole for slip resistance and high traction.
8
Water Hiking Shoe
Teva Omnium 2 - Men
Currently unavailable
Teva Omnium - Women
Currently unavailable
The Teva Omnium is another superb brand and model in Water Hiking shoes that will not let you down.
- The uppers consist of synthetic and mesh materials.
- There is a Molded EVA footbed for comfort and an EVA foam midsole for shock absorbency.
- The Omnium has textile and synthetic uppers that breathe well and are water-friendly and a high traction lug rubber outsole.
- You can get the Omnium in a few neutral color selections.
9
Minimalist Hiking and Water Shoe
Merrell Trail Glove 5 - Men
Currently unavailable
Merrell Ever Glove - Women
Currently unavailable
The Trail Glove range from Merrell is another excellent addition to our list of Water Hiking shoes.
- The Trail Glove features quick-drying and water-friendly textile and synthetic uppers.
- There are a comfortable Metataomical EVA footbed and a durable and high grip Vibram rubber outsole.
- What is more, is that this shoe is also quite lightweight and offers excellent stability on uneven surfaces.
Index Table: Top Rated Water Shoes for Hiking
| No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keen® - Water Sandals for Hiking |  |  |
| Keen |
| 2 | Aleader® - Hiking Water Shoe |  |  |
| Aleader |
| 3 | VivoBare® - Minimalist Hiking Water Shoes |  |  |
| VivoBare |
| 4 | Clorts® - Shoe for Hiking |  |  |
| Clorts |
| 5 | Chaco® - Hiking Water Shoe |  |  |
| Chaco |
| 6 | Merrell® - Hiking Water Shoe |  |  |
| Merrell |
| 7 | Keen® - Shoe for Hiking in Water |  |  |
| Keen |
| 8 | Teva® - Water Hiking Shoe |  |  |
| Teva |
| 9 | Merrell® - Minimalist Hiking and Water Shoe |  |  |
| Merrell |
Sources
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls
- NHS: Walking for health
Update History
- Oct 2026: Removed VivoBare Primus, Chaco Outcross Evo 1, Merrell All out Blaze Aero Sport, Keen Venice H2 and Merrell Trail Glove 5 (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs table and a Sources section; checked availability of every product
- Feb 2020: Published
