REASONS TO BUY
Simple slip-on
Comfortable
Great value for the price
REASONS TO AVOID
No fit adjustability
Lack of drainage
Little insulation
Speedo Surf Knit Pro Review
A simple, affordable slip-on great for relaxed days in the water and on boats
Credit: Chris McNamara
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 31, 2024
RELATED: The Best Water Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Speedo Surf Knit Pro offers decent performance at a staggeringly low price, making for an excellent water shoe for budget shoppers. Throughout testing, our review team loved the next-to-skin feel of the knit upper, though its less technical fit makes it more ideal for casual outings. We also loved the sensitivity of this option, striking the rarely-found balance of ground feel and protection. As long as you don't mind the aesthetic of the Surf Knit Pro, it's hard to beat a water shoe at this price. Don't miss our complete article on water shoes for men to check out the competition.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Speedo Surf Knit Pro is among our favorite options in the realm of budget water shoes. It isn't the most stylish nor high-performing, but as an all-arounder option that won't put a dent in your wallet, it's hard to beat.
We thoroughly enjoyed wearing the Surf Knit Pro for many types of water outings throughout testing.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Comfort
The against-skin feel of the knit upper was a true delight for our feet and was a standout aspect regarding comfort. With a moderate amount of cushion to complement the upper and a subtle arch, the Surf Knit Pro is a pleasure to wear in more relaxed contexts, whether strolling on a beach or enjoying a day of pontoon boating. As we started to push this model in more rigorous water sports, its lack of fit tightening caused our feet to slide around a bit more, sometimes causing the shoes to nearly fall off, especially when scrambling over rocks. As long as you aren't demanding too much technical capability from your water shoes, the Surf Knit Pro offers decent comfort.
Whether on land or in water, these water shoes were very comfortable as long as we didn't get too intense with our recreation.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Traction
From fallen trees to boulder-riddled shorelines, we were happy with the traction of the Speedo Surf Knit Pro as long as the terrain was generally flat. The diversity of outsole shapes made these effective on dry land or on wet surfaces.
The Surf Knit Pro has a well-constructed blend of outsole designs for improved traction on both dry or wet surfaces.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
As the terrain got steeper, the outsole performed fairly well, but our feet slid around inside. As previously mentioned, the knit upper felt great on the skin, but without a way to tighten it, there's a limit to what the shoe can handle with limited foot security.
The traction of the outsoles were impressively effective, though the foot security was less ideal in more technical terrain.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Warmth
With a somewhat minimalist design, it was no surprise the Speedo Surf Knit Pro offered less warmth, with the upper construction offering very little insulation. As we found with many other water shoes that were chilly in cool weather, these did very well in hot environments, offering decent breathability. If you're the kind of person who only plays in the water in hot, pleasant weather, the warmth of this option will likely suffice.
As long as you're in more temperate environments, the lack of warmth shouldn't be an issue.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Versatility
In any casual water sport environment, the Speedo Surf Knit Pro kept us and our feet happy. As previously shared, the main setback for this option is its lack of foot security, so this isn't the right model for more adventurous shoppers looking to play in rougher water or take their shoes through more complex terrain. We also didn't find these to be the most stylish for around-town hangouts, though these will certainly be comfy walking down the street.
As long as you're not getting too rowdy on the river or ocean, these water shoes are great for a variety of settings.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Sensitivity
It's challenging to strike a balance between feel and protection, but the Speedo Surf Knit Pro does just that. We enjoyed the sensitivity of this model across many settings, whether enjoying a day of pontoon boating or stand-up paddle boarding, and the outsole still offered some shielding from sharp surfaces.
These offered the rare balance of sensitivity and protection, allowing decent underfoot feel but offering a buffer from sharp surfaces.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Quality of Construction
The knit upper wasn't the most durable construction tested in our lineup. While it offers a great next-to-skin feel, it has minimal abrasion resistance. For those putting in heavier use with the Speedo Surf Knit Pro, you'll also notice the upper stretches out slightly over time, which can become both a quality of construction issue as well as comfort. As mentioned previously, this is an excellent shoe for casual use, and the durability of this model is excellent in that context.
The upper is so comfy yet so delicate in abrasive environments, however, this is a fairly durable shoe in the casual-use world.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Should You Buy the Speedo Surf Knit Pro?
This well-made water shoe excels in relaxed settings and is undeniably offered at a great price. If you're shopping on a budget and aren't planning to get too technical for your water sports recreation, the Speedo Surf Knit Pro is worthy of your consideration.
What Other Water Shoes Should You Consider?
The Crocs Classic is offered at a similarly inexpensive price and is great for hanging out on the water. If you're needing more performance from your water shoes, check out the NRS Kicker Wetshoe, which features excellent insulation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Speedo Surf Knit Pro versus top competing products:
—Zach Lovell
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