REASONS TO BUY
Feather-light construction
Fantastic traction
Excellent drainage
REASONS TO AVOID
Little support
Thin sole
No insulation
Xero Aqua X Sport Review
A minimally supportive water shoe with great drainage and traction that's perfect for a long day on the water
Credit: Carrie Mueller
RELATED: Best Water Shoes for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Xero Aqua X Sport is a thoughtfully made water shoe that leans on a minimalist design for its excellent performance. Our feet remained happy throughout weeks of paddling, swimming, and fishing in a variety of environments in the X Sport, though it isn't the most stylish design for around-town hangs. The lack of cushion may be a deal-breaker for some, but we loved its sensitivity and top-tier traction. As with any of our shoes that drained well, this model wasn't the warmest option in the lineup, but it can accommodate neoprene socks for cold water. Don't miss our full article on men's water shoes to see how the Xero Aqua X Sport compared to the competition.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Xero Aqua X Sport | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for a Minimalist Design |  Best Overall | Most Versatile Option | Best for Paddling |  Best Value in a Water Shoe |
| Price | $97.39 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $54.83 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $125.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $69.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $37.97 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This is a shoe that doesn't do great on land or in the cold, but has the grip and drainage to make it excellent for a hot day of swimming or boating | Thoughtful design creates a snug but adjustable fit and high performance around water and even around town | A great option for going from water to land, and they look good enough for casual wear, too | These warm and comfy booties are ready for an adventurous day on the river and in chilly water | A no-frills water shoe that boasts decent performance when considering its price |
| Rating Categories | Xero Aqua X Sport | Astral Loyak AC | Astral Brewer 2.0 | NRS Paddle Wetshoe | Speedo Surf Knit Pro |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Traction (25%) | |||||
| Warmth (15%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
| Quality of Construction (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Xero Aqua X Sport | Astral Loyak AC | Astral Brewer 2.0 | NRS Paddle Wetshoe | Speedo Surf Knit Pro |
| Measured Weight (per pair, US size 10) | 0.90 lbs | 0.91 lbs | 1.2 lbs | 1.70 lbs | 1.18 lbs |
| Drainage Features | Top mesh, toe guard drainage holes | Front/back/side holes, top mesh | Holes in sides of midsoles | None | Top mesh |
| Removeable Insole? | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-lock bungee system | Laces | Laces | Zipper, velcro | Slip-on |
| Upper Materials | Synthetic mesh, PU | Ultrafine ripstop mesh, TPU reinforcements, water resistant laces | Canvas, mesh | 3 mm neoprene | Mesh |
| Midsole | None | Removable, 45C closed cell EVA foam | EVA | 2 mm plastic shim | EVA foam |
| Outsole | FeelTrue rubber | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | S-Trac Rubber |
| Relative Fit | Foot shaped foot bed, fits true-to-size | Regular toebox, wider in midfoot and heel | Regular toebox, medium volume midfoot and heel | Wide toebox, and stretches to accomodate a wide variety of foot shapes | Narrow fit |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Xero Aqua X Sport performed very well across most metrics throughout our rigorous testing process. Besides chilly environments, this minimalist water shoe won't let you down.
Performance Comparison
We spent weeks with the Xero Aqua X Sport across lakes, rivers, and oceans, ensuring our testing process was exhaustive.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Comfort
We gave comfort 25% of the total score of the Xero Aqua X Sport. We tested this metric by logging miles in every shoe across a variety of dry and wet terrain, taking detailed notes along the way regarding comfort, including any hotspots/blistering or premature foot fatigue.
This option is heavily geared towards minimalist water shoe users, which is either a positive or a negative, depending on who you ask. With minimal cushion, the Xero Aqua X Sport is less ideal for particularly lengthy hikes, but it offers a superb fit and a highly effective closure system that has some of the best foot security we've seen. The upper and footbed construction gifted excellent next-to-skin comfort, which is crucial, in our opinion, for a water shoe. If you enjoy no-frills footwear, the X Sport will likely make your feet happy in amphibious environments.
This no-cushion design was incredibly comfy as long as the mileage wasn't too big, and we greatly appreciated the foot security offered by the X Sport.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Traction
Traction makes up 25% of the total score of the Xero Aqua X Sport. We tested these shoes on surfaces wet and dry, ranging in texture. We also investigated each option's traction on man-made surfaces. This option came in towards the front of the pack and is one of its strongest attributes.
The Xero Aqua X Sport excels in the traction metric, offering an inspiring amount of grip on a variety of surfaces, whether wet or dry. The tread has enough volume to offer some grip in chunky gravel, but there's enough smooth rubber for friction on rock slabs. The outsole channels were also effective at moving water away from the contact points, giving us confidence on slicker surfaces.
The traction was impressively dependable across wet and dry terrain.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
We also appreciated that our feet could stay in place securely inside the shoe. Even when smearing the ball of the foot with wet rubber, our feet were right where we wanted them.
We were impressed with the level of foot security we felt when pushing the traction of the X Sport.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Warmth
We gave warmth 15% of the total score of the Xero Aqua X Sport. We took each model on a cold plunge in 38-degree water for 5 minutes, ultimately giving a 1-10 score on perceived warmth. We also took detailed notes regarding warmth while field testing each pair of water shoes over the course of several weeks. This metric wasn't the strongest scoring option for the X Sport.
While we absolutely loved the lightweight construction and effective drainage of the Xero Aqua X Sport, those attributes came at the cost of decreased warmth. Fortunately, many shoppers will be using their water shoes in warmer weather for various water sports, making the lack of insulation a positive. For those who do want to take the X Sport into chillier places, a neoprene sock will likely fit over one's foot, depending on how the shoe was sized.
On hot summer days playing in the water, these were incredibly comfy, but they weren't as ideal in chillier conditions.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Versatility
Versatility makes up 15% of the total score of the Xero Aqua X Sport. We examined each option's ability to be used for a variety of water sports, also sizing up the style of each water shoe for social gatherings. This option came in above average.
The Xero Aqua X Sport excels in a variety of water sports, whether going SUPing or hiking along coastlines. We were also happy fishing and canyoning in the X sport, making these ideal in most settings around water. These aren't recommended for long overland hikes due to the lack of cushion, and the aesthetic is not ideal for around-town hangouts.
The X Sport boasts exceptional traction, whether at the beach or paddling a river.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Sensitivity
The Xero Aqua X Sport sensitivity makes up 10% of its total score. We examined this metric by sizing up each option's feel when walking on river beds and along shorelines, as well as analyzing the feel on hikes over gravel and roots. We also considered the outsole protection. This was a well-scoring water shoe.
The Xero Aqua X Sport has a modest outsole and midsole that greatly increases its sensitivity. Whether on a hike or engaging in water-based activities, we could certainly feel the surfaces and textures we were walking over, though some testers argued there was too much sensation, since the protection was limited. Ultimately, the amount of sensitivity versus outsole protection will depend on the person, and this model still offers a decent balance of those elements.
The sensitivity of the X Sport was much appreciated, particularly when the surfaces weren't too sharp.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Quality of Construction
This final metric makes up 10% of the total score of the Xero Aqua X Sport. We performed a series of drag tests across various surfaces to examine abrasion resistance. We also took extensive notes of wear and tear while conducting field testing in the X Sport. This option scored about average.
The mesh upper was among the more durable mesh materials we've seen, reinforced in several places. While it isn't as robust as other options that use little to no mesh, it strikes a nice blend of drainage and durability. The lacing system utilizes a bungee cord system that was good, but not great, in more abrasive environments. The outsoles were among our favorites in the realm of durability, making this a decent shoe for longevity, depending on one's intended uses.
Despite some rugged use, the wear and tear was generally minimal, though we'd still recommend keeping the mesh away from abrasive rocks.
Credit: Carrie Mueller
Should You Buy the Xero Aqua X Sport?
These highly capable shoes are an excellent purchase for those who like minimalist footwear. The Xero Aqua X Sport balances traction and drainage performance with barefoot esc sensitivity, making it ideal for several different water sports.
What Other Water Shoes Should You Consider?
If you're wanting a minimalist shoe that has a bit more protection than the Xero Aqua X Sport, take a look at the Astral Loyak AC, which has excellent around-town style with a slightly thicker midsole for sharper surfaces.
—
Zach Lovell
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