The 5 Best Water Shoes for Women

Best All Round Women's Watershoe

Astral Loyak - Women's

Weight per pair: 0.87 lbs (size 8 US) | Drainage: Holes at toe and heel

Our favorite all-around women's water shoe is the Astral Loyak. Our testers love this low-profile and lightweight canvas shoe for days when you're regularly in and out of the water. When it comes to hopping around on wet rocks, the large contact surface of the siped outsole delivers some of the best traction of any model we tested, surpassed only by burlier models such as the Palm Gradient 3.0 Boots and Astral Rassler 2.0. These boots are much heavier than the Loyak and less versatile for urban adventures. Thanks to a thin, removable insole, the Loyaks are also quite sensitive, which helps you quickly adjust your balance. Most of our testers think they look and feel like shoes, but perform similarly to neoprene booties.

The main drawbacks of the Loyak are its lack of protection and warmth. Our lead tester noted, “These were not my favorite for long hikes or cold waters.” The Loyaks' low-cut design exposes the ankles, offering no support and little insulation. Depending on when and where you intend to wear these, this problem may not be an issue for you, but it is worth considering if you plan to paddle in colder waters or hike in rocky environments. A shoe with more coverage and insulation, such as the Palm Gradient, might be a better choice if you want more protection for your adventure. The thin upper mesh of the Loyak helps to keep the shoe lightweight and quick drying, but also makes the shoe prone to wear and tear quickly. All things considered, we still love these lightweight, low-profile shoes that function in a variety of different environments.

Read more: Astral Loyak review

Best Bang for the Buck

DLGJPA Lightweight Quick Drying - Women's

Weight per pair: 0.44 lbs (size 8 US) | Drainage: Mesh on upper, drainage holes on sole

Offering high-end comfort and decent traction on rafts and wet rocks, the DLGJPA Lightweight Quick Drying shoe proved to be an exceptional high-value budget option in our testing. “While the construction quality was not the same as some others, they did what I needed them to do when I needed it most,” one of our testers noted. They were great while our testers navigated a muddy shore and pulled a canoe up a muddy island to the takeout. They work pretty well for hiking rocky streams and are surprisingly comfortable, with a cushioned insole and flexible outsole.

With a higher heel, we found the DLGJPA Lightweight shoes lack some sensitivity, making it a little more difficult to keep footing on slippery rocks and wet raft tubes. We also noticed that small rocks and sand managed to get through the drain holes, sticking into the shoe and sometimes poking through the mesh. “These shoes don't transition to shore as well as some other options, but they would be great for a beach vacation or leisurely kayak trip,” our lead tester said. If you need a shoe that offers more durability, you might consider the Astral Brewess 2.0 or the Chaco Canyonlands. Either of these will do better on amphibious adventures. However, if you need a casual water shoe and don't want to break the bank, the DLGJPA Lightweight might be just the pick for the job.

Read more: DLGJPA Lightweight Quick Drying Review

Top Pick for River Adventures

Palm Gradient 3.0 Boots

Weight per pair: 1.07 lbs (size 9 US) | Drainage: Free draining mesh upper

The Palm Gradient 3.0 impressed testers with its outstanding protection and traction. The ultra sticky Vibram sole has a lug pattern that sticks to wet rocks and grips in muddy river banks. Our main tester stated, “If I ever have a challenging hike out of a steep river canyon, I sure hope I have these shoes on my feet.” The welded rubber rand, rubber heel, and neoprene ankle collar deliver great protection, particularly appreciated when wading across rivers or navigating rocky terrain. All this extra protection does bring some extra weight, with this boot weighing in as one of the heavier shoes in our lineup. There are numerous shoes in our lineup that are lighter than the Gradient, but none that come close in terms of protection. The Astral Rassler 2.0 is the closest in performance, but it only weighs 0.02 lbs less and offers significantly less insulation and support.

Despite their burly nature, we were surprised by how comfortable the Palm Gradients are to wear. The dual-density EVA midsole delivers cushioned comfort, making these enjoyable to wear, even when taking long hikes or walking on sharp rocks. If you only intend to wear your water shoes for relaxing excursions to the beach, these shoes are probably more than you need and may be considered too warm for tropical environments. Instead, you may consider the Astral Loyak, which offers a lower profile design and is more versatile for those transitioning from the water to the streets. If you intend to go on some serious water-based adventures and want to be ready to tackle rocks, ravines, and rapids, the Gradient 3.0 is hard to beat.

Read more: Palm Gradient 3.0 Review

Top Pick for Ultra Packable

Crocs Classic

Weight per pair: 0.69 lbs (size 9 US) | Drainage: Perforated design throughout upper

The Crocs Classic are the ultimate utilitarian shoe, equal parts quirky and practical. Designed with a roomy fit and made from ultralight Croslite foam, they offer surprising comfort for everything from quick errands to campsite lounging. Their iconic ventilation holes don't just add breathability; they also provide excellent drainage. These shoes were the quickest drying in our lineup, making them a popular choice if you want to be able to get them wet, then throw them in a backpack. While not designed for technical terrain, their tread pattern offers just enough grip for casual use around the campsite, garden, or lake shore. Unfortunately, the spongy soles are susceptible to penetration from sharp objects like thorns or glass, and the heel strap offers little in terms of support. Weighing in at almost half the weight of more beefy designs, the Crocs take the cake in terms of packability, and they also cost considerably less.

Our lead tester admitted, “After getting over the shock value of the Crocs style, I quickly became a big fan of their no-nonsense slip-on design and spongy comfort”. The internal sole of the shoes has small raised bumps that provide some grip inside these otherwise slippery shoes. We found this feature offers a massage-like feeling when walking, particularly appreciated by those who spend a lot of time on their feet. It wasn't long before we found ourselves choosing to wear these to the grocery store, bar, and even to work. The Astral Brewess 2.0 are the only shoes we found that surpassed the Cros in terms of their versatility, delivering a solid performance in the water, on the trail, and in urban environments.

Read more: Crocs Classic Review

Best Bare Bones Budget

Athmile Water Shoes

Weight per pair: 0.46 lbs (size 9 US) | Drainage: Porous nylon fabric upper

Coming in at an exceptionally low price, the Athmile Water Shoes are worthy of consideration if you are searching for a bare bones budget option for the pool, beach, or lakeside. These sock-like shoes offer a basic grip and great flexibility, making them perfect for those who don't want to feel like they are actually wearing shoes but want protection from dirt and bacteria. If you expect to be walking on tarmac or trails, the Athmile may be lacking as the sole is thin and the shoe lacks structural support. The quick drying Xero Aqua X Sport offers a similar barefoot feel but considerably more protection on your sole. It is also substantially more expensive than the Athmile, so it is better suited to the frequent water enthusiast.

If you like swimming in nature, but don't like the feeling of mud or sand between your toes, the Athmile may be the shoe for you. Its lightweight nature and sock-like feel are great for an uninhibited swimming experience. They also dry very quickly and are easy to stuff into a backpack, making them great shoes for hikers who may want to take a quick dip in an alpine lake or stream. The Athmiles offer very little insulation, so the NRS Kicker may be a better choice if you want a shoe that will retain some warmth. These don't dry as quickly as the Athmile, but have the added bonus of an ankle strap, helping to secure them on your feet in turbulent waters. After extensive use, the Athmile's nylon upper will likely display some wear and tear, but if you are looking for a cheap shoe for occasional use, it's hard to beat their outstanding value.

Read more: Athmile Water Shoes Review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	84	Palm Gradient 3.0 Boots Top Pick for River Adventures	$179
	80	Astral Loyak - Women's Best All Round Women's Watershoe	$99
	74	Astral Brewess 2.0	$125
	74	Astral Rassler 2.0 - Women's	$150
	71	Xero Aqua X Sport - Women's	$130
	69	Chaco Canyonland - Women's	$110
	67	NRS Kicker Wetshoe - Women's	$70
	61	Crocs Classic Top Pick for Ultra Packable	$50
	57	DLGJPA Lightweight Quick Drying - Women's Best Bang for the Buck	$30
	56	Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch - Women's	$50
	47	Athmile Water Shoes Best Bare Bones Budget	$15

How We Tested

We spent a lot of time splashing around to test shoes for this review, from hiking on muddy trails to a 24-day trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. We thoroughly evaluated these shoes in the best way we know how – by getting out on the water.

During testing, we performed more than 15 individual assessments on each pair. Comfort and traction were the most critical metrics we assessed, together equaling 55% of the total weighted score. We wore them on short canyoneering adventures, multiday paddle board trips, strode around sandy beaches, waded through shallow creeks, navigated mossy shorelines, and scrambled about an 18-foot rubber gear boat. We were on the water in weather ranging from 80°F and sunny to 25°F mornings with icy put-ins. We sought out the opinions of fellow recreational and professional water enthusiasts to ascertain what is most important to them in their water shoes. We kept these points in mind as we evaluated our lineup side-by-side. See more in our How We Test article.

Our in-depth review of water shoes breaks down into five performance metrics:

• Comfort (30% of overall score weighting)

• Traction (25% weighting)

• Versatility (15% weighting)

• Sensitivity (15% weighting)

• Quality of Construction (15% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

This review is led by Sara James and Monica Nigon. With over twenty years of river experience under her shoes, Sara has put this gear to the test, from committing Class V rivers in California to hike-in multiday kayak adventures in the Himalayas and laid-back days at home in Tahoe. As an avid paddler who loves photographing river adventures, scrambling on rocks in precarious environments is Sara's happy place, and having the right shoes is essential. She also reviews kayaks, paddles, dry bags, winter jackets, and winter boots.

A passionate whitewater raft guide on the Colorado River, Monica grew up kayaking and canoeing on the rivers and lakes of her home state of Minnesota – she is quite familiar with water activities in all types of extreme weather conditions. Monica has rafted all over the world, from trips in New Zealand to expeditions down the Grand Canyon, and has instructed flat-water kayaking and canoeing to all ages.

Analysis and Test Results

After our months-long testing period, we reviewed our notes and assessments to determine which shoes work best for specific purposes on and off the water. Below, we describe our five scoring metrics and which models stood out in each. Depending on your choice of activity in the water, you may find one particular aspect more important than another, so keep these preferences in mind as you choose the best shoe for you.

What's the Best Value?

Value depends on how you want to use your new water shoes. You can get quick-drying mesh shoes for a low price, but these don't offer much support or comfort in challenging terrain. If you need shoes that can protect your toes on a side hike, you'll want something more versatile, but that increased versatility will likely come with a higher price tag. If you're doing more of a water-accessed canyoneering or hiking trip, it's worth spending the extra money on a more durable shoe. For example, while the Palm Gradient 3.0 and Astral Rassler 2.0 may be two of the most expensive shoes in our lineup, they are also among the most durable. This may make them the best value for you if you intend to use them regularly in water and on land for side hikes and exploring.

At lower price points, you will likely sacrifice some versatility and durability. For example, the NRS Kicker Wetshoe packs a punch for the price with decent traction and impressive warmth. And while it performs excellently on the water, it's just a neoprene bootie with a rubber sole, so they don't stretch to service beyond the boat — they certainly aren't the water shoes you want to wear on a long side hike. An option like the Athmile Water shoe or DLGJPA Lightweight Quick Drying feature a nice price point, but likely won't stand up against the wear and tear of regular river use. However, these options may be entirely adequate for infrequent casual water pursuits.

Comfort

We wore these shoes extensively in and out of the water to evaluate how they felt on variable terrain, including slippery trails, sharp rocks, and mossy logs. We considered adjustability, including how comfortable a shoe is to wear with socks.

We prefer the Palm Gradient 3.0 for hikes with creek crossings. The cushioning in these shoes makes them super comfortable even on pointy rocks, and they also offer great protection from rocks for your toes, ankles, and heels. While the NRS Kicker is comfortable sitting in a boat, these glorified neoprene shoes lack the cushion for longer scouts and portages. Their sensitivity and sock-like fit are a boon for water, but are just not ideal for on-land use.

A shoe isn't comfortable if the inside is sloshing around with water all day – they need to drain well and dry quickly. In this regard, we particularly like the Astral Loyak and Astral Brewess 2.0, which both utilize outsole drainage and quick-drying mesh. Likewise, the DLGJPA features effective drainage through the mesh upper and their sole. These shoes drained almost instantaneously, taking less time than other models to dry once back on land.

The Crocs Classic are also very popular in the comfort department. They are quick draining, with a cushioned sole and easy access slip-on design, our testers often chose to wear these after big adventure days when their feet required some 'R and R'.

Weight can be a big factor in comfort. When waterlogged, an already heavy pair of shoes may become noticeably less comfortable to walk in. We also found that many of the heavier shoes absorbed the most water.

Comfort is usually the first thing to consider when deciding on a new pair of kicks. We don't want this to impede you from enjoying any adventure. You may find your feet in extreme environments, including very cold water, sandy or rocky lake bottoms, and muddy or root-strewn river banks.

Traction

Trusting that your shoe will hold you in place on slippery terrain is critical. In whitewater environments, you need to know that a simple scout on wet rocks won't result in an unintentional swim or an injury. You may need to be able to set safety support in a critical spot that is challenging to access and requires you to have assured footing. Even if you have a more leisurely day planned by the river with friends, no one wants to be left slipping around on rocks or sliding down a muddy embankment.

Thanks to its ultra-sticky Vibram sole and deep multi-directional lug pattern, the Palm Gradient 3.0 excelled on rocky slopes and muddy embankments. We were comfortable hopping from rock to rock, even in wet environments. When safety matters the most, this is the shoe we want on our feet.

Despite being a low-profile shoe, the Loyak still performs when it comes to traction. Sporting Astral's industry-leading Flexi-grip, the outsole of the Astral Loyak also offers great grip on hard surfaces. However, it lacks the lug depth for gripping well in sandy or muddy environments. Some users noted that after heavy use in gritty conditions, the Loyak's grip can wear down and become a slick slipper; however, we didn't experience any problems during our testing.

The Brewess 2.0 also sports Astral's superior G.15 rubber grip but with a deeper lug pattern that makes it slightly less grippy on smooth rocks but overall more grippy in a wider variety of environments, particularly more sandy or muddy conditions.

The updated NRS Kicker rated higher in traction than the previous model, thriving on hard surfaces, which is typical of a river bootie. But their shallower lugs don't lend themselves well to digging into dirt or sand. We were pleasantly surprised by how good the traction was on the budget DLGJPAs, surpassing many shoes that cost much more.

We tested these shoes on many surfaces with the very real danger of slipping, often with a camera in hand. These included icy trails, slick rafts, slippery rocks on the shore, and soggy, muddy side hikes. If you are just as likely to walk along a rocky river bed as a muddy takeout, it's essential that your shoes grip well on both hard and soft surfaces.

Versatility

A more sport-specific shoe like the NRS Kicker is the best choice for in-water use thanks to its sock-like fit, flexibility, and swimming performance. The Athmile Watershoes and Xero Aqua X also excelled in this area thanks to their flexible bare-foot feel. But most of us want one shoe that can do more, and the Astral Brewess earns our wholehearted recommendation for versatility. We reached for this shoe when portaging, approaching the crag for a down-day climb, and to our favorite post-river watering hole. They're comfortable for a variety of activities, blend in well on and off trail, and don't sacrifice performance on the river.

Similarly, the Loyak thrives in the water and for casual wear. Its Flexi-grip outsole sticks like adhesive to a raft or rocks, and its design passes as a regular street shoe. However, it lacks the cushioning and support necessary for long hikes or hours standing on your feet.

For a shoe to be versatile, we want to be able to wear it all day. This means it must drain efficiently and dry quickly, which is one feature we particularly loved about the Crocs Classic. Because of its quick-drying design, this shoe drained quickly and dried out in a flash. This ability allowed us to seamlessly transition from the waterside to the post-trip hangout without enduring the discomfort of soggy feet. We put them on in the morning to walk the dog, wore them to the grocery store, cycled in them to the beach, took them out on our paddleboard, and hung out at the bar without changing our shoes.

For the general water enthusiast, versatility is key to getting the most out of your purchase. Not only do we want these shoes to perform well when wet, but we often want to wear them for off-the-water activities as well.

Sensitivity

The most sensitive shoes in our lineup are the Athmile Watershoes, NRS Kicker, Xero Aqua X Sport, and the Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch. The sock-like fit of these shoes allows them to curve easily around logs and rocks, allowing us to deftly navigate a rocky walk to a favorite kayaking play wave. The soles on the Athmile, Kicker, and Barefoot Cinch are quite thin, meaning anything longer than that 100-yard approach would have caused pain and irritation.

The Astral Loyak also scored highly in this metric, with a thin midsole that is just 5.5mm thick. They were flexible enough to bend around rocks and roots, offering slightly more protection than the Kicker or the Barefoot Cinch. They're a classic kayaking shoe: sensitive enough to navigate shorelines and put-ins but too sensitive to wear for long scouts, and not protective enough for canyons.

More substantial shoes like the Chaco Canyonlands or Astral Brewess 2.0 are good for activities where you're likely to walk as much as you are to float. The specialty-molded “LuvSeat” midsole of the Canyonlands provides protection without sacrificing much sensitivity.

In water sports, you'll often have to navigate uneven and rough terrain on scouts, over portages, and through canyons. Good balance and body awareness in this situation are critical. Differences in sensitivity can mean the difference between a wipeout and deftly navigating a shallow riverbed. But a shoe that is too sensitive often lacks versatility and may even be painful to wear – it's a delicate balance.

Quality of Construction

Compared to other shoes we tested, the Palm Gradient 3.0 took a strong lead in this metric. Thanks to its solid construction, it stood up to heavy use without quick deterioration. The thicker soles allowed us to jump on sharp rocks and stumble over sticks without fear of injury. We were also really impressed by the quality of the laces on these shoes, as they don't suffer from slippage (a common problem in white water), even when exposed to turbulent water during activities like white water paddleboarding. These shoes also come with a spare insole and laces, adding to their longevity.

After extended use, many of the other shoes tested showed signs of fraying, particularly on the mesh portions. The more burly material and stitching used on the Canyonlands and Rasslers meant that these shoes fared much better than most. We also appreciated the classic lace-up closure; while you might have to do a double knot, it's less likely to wear out than a thin cinch mechanism.

River shoes are subject to a lot of abuse, but you still don't want to buy a new shoe every year because of holes, broken laces, or separated outsoles. Walking along abrasive rocks, swimming rapids, and exploring canyons can wear shoes down quickly. Even if a shoe has an impressive warranty, sending them in and waiting for a new pair is a hassle, potentially leaving you to miss out on an excursion while you wait.

Conclusion

Your kicks can either enhance or detract from your experience on the water. To ensure you select the best choice for your aquatic adventures, we tested some of the best models on the market. We hope our in-depth, independent analysis will help you buy the best shoe for your watery pursuits. Happy paddling!

If you love spending time on the water, check out our favorite water gear. Our team of experts spent weeks testing stand up paddle boards, kayaks, and inflatable kayaks. We've tested mandatory items like life jackets, and we also go in-depth on necessary accessories like dry bags.