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Over the past three years, we have purchased and tested 14 of the best women's water shoes on the market. We put them through months of boating, hiking, splashing, and creek-stomping. Our team of testers took them on laps down the Arkansas River in Colorado, on a 24-day mission down the Grand Canyon, and paddled the muddy rivers of southern Minnesota. They endured cold water, sand, mud, ice, whitewater up to Class IV, and long hikes. We evaluated each shoe for comfort, traction, versatility, durability, sensitivity, and warmth. Whether you're looking for a shoe that functions well for dry land and the river or a specialty pair to take your kayaking game to the next level, our extensive testing and comprehensive analysis will help you find the perfect water shoe.
Weight per Pair: 0.94 lbs (size 8 US) | Drainage: Mesh on upper
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent traction
Easy cinch mechanism
Great protection
REASONS TO AVOID
Takes a bit longer to dry
Kind of loose at the heel
With superior traction thanks to Xtratuf's specialty Chevron sole, the Xtratuf Riptide takes the cake for the best overall water shoe. This same sole can be found on their iconic boots, a classic on the slippery, soaked decks of fishing boats. Xtratuf simply toned down their big-brown boots to make this sneaker-like shoe and included an easy cinch mechanism to keep the shoes on your feet in whitewater. The combination keeps you steady on wet rocks and raft tubes, and they even look pretty darn good at your after-trip brewery hangout. They're also decently stretchy, bumping their warmth rating with the ability to wear them with neoprene socks and a dry suit. Our testers also noted the removable insole if you need even more extra space – being able to remove the insole also improves their drying capacity.
Although the outsole offers impressive traction and durability, the Riptide isn't the most sensitive shoe, considering the thickness of the sole. While a thick outsole provides the boater great protection from pokey sticks or sharp rocks, it doesn't offer the same level of proprioception for scrambling over underwater rocks and roots.
Our Riptide testing took us on several adventures, from boats to slicker hikes in streambeds.
Weight per Pair: 0.44 lbs (size 8 US) | Drainage: Mesh on upper, drainage holes on sole
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Inexpensive
Stretchy
REASONS TO AVOID
Lack durability
Small rocks and sand can get through mesh
Offering high-end comfort and decent traction on rafts and wet rocks, the DLGJPA Lightweight Quick Drying shoe is an exceptional high-value budget option. While not as durable as some others, they did what we needed them to do when we needed it most. They were great while navigating a muddy shore and pulling a canoe up a muddy island to the takeout. They work pretty well for hiking rocky streams and are pleasantly comfortable, with a soft insole and flexible outsole.
With a higher heel, we found the DLGJPA Lightweight shoes lacked 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, and they sometimes poked through the mesh. These shoes don't transition to shore as well as some other options, but they would be great for rafting, canoeing, or maybe even a day of swimming. If you need a shoe that offers more durability, you might consider the Xtratuf Riptide or the Chaco Canyonlands.
The DLGJPA Women's Lightweight Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes were flexible but didn't have enough traction to walk confidently around a raft.
Weight per Pair: 0.55 lbs (size 8 US) | Drainage: Mesh on upper, holes on sole
REASONS TO BUY
Stretchy and comfortable
Fitted heel
Good for wider feet
REASONS TO AVOID
High-volume
Expensive
If you're a kayaker, rafter, or hiker who likes to navigate through wet terrain, you'll want to try the Salomon Techamphibian 5. Salomon sticks to what it does best, offering a durable shoe with plentiful comfort. The cinching mechanism is handy and seems sturdy, and the shoe could adjust to our tester's wider feet better than other options we tested. Even with their wider fit, the Techamphibian maintains a tight heel pocket, ensuring these running-like shoes won't come off in the event of a swim. They'll also tuck under the thwart of a raft pretty easily.
While these work great in boats, it's worth noting that these shoes are more high volume than the Xtratuf Riptide or a river bootie like the NRS Kicker, so they are less likely to be comfortable paddling a whitewater kayak. They also took a bit longer to dry than other models, taking nearly three hours to dry out completely. Despite the price, these are still the most comfortable shoes we tested and should definitely be on your shortlist if you have wider feet. Another option for optimal comfort and versatility is the Astral Brewess 2.0.
We walked around a raft to test the sensitivity of the Salomon Techamphibian 5, and found that they're not quite as sensitive as shoes with shorter soles.
Weight per Pair: 0.87 lbs (size 8 US) | Drainage: Holes at toe and heel
REASONS TO BUY
Minimal weight and profile
Best-in-class traction
Snug, comfortable fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor durability
Lacks warmth
Our favorite minimalist 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. The large contact surface of the siped outsole boasts the best traction of any model we tested when it comes to gaining purchase on wet rocks. Thanks to a thin, removable insole, they 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 their warmth and durability. Our lead tester found it tough to fit any significant layers inside this shoe, and the thin upper doesn't provide much 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 water. This pair also showed noticeable signs of wear after a few months of testing. All things considered, we still love these lightweight, low-profile shoes that any kayaker will appreciate. If you need a warmer option, you might check out the Astral Rassler 2.0 or Xtratuf Riptide.
We took the Loyaks rafting, hiking, and canyoneering to find what they're best at.
Credit: Monica Nigon
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Why Trust GearLab
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 and paddling.
We performed more than 15 individual assessments on each pair during testing. The most critical metrics we assessed were comfort and traction, together equalling 50% of the total weighted score. We wore them on short canyoneering adventures, 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 water enthusiasts about what is important to them in their water shoes and kept these points in mind as we evaluated our lineup side-by-side.
Our in-depth review of water shoes breaks down into six performance metrics:
Comfort (25% of overall score weighting)
Traction (25% weighting)
Versatility (15% weighting)
Warmth (15% weighting)
Durability (10% weighting)
Sensitivity (10% weighting)
This review is led by Monica Nigon. 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.
Riverside testing in chilly fall weather to assess traction and warmth.
Scrambling around a gear boat with confidence requires shoes with soles designed for a lot of surface area contact.
Our lady experts donned each pair and hit the waterways to test these water shoes in real-world applications.
Every shoe was tested thoroughly on different terrain and while doing different water activities to find what each pair does best.
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 six 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.
Value
Value depends on how you want to use your new water shoes. You can get a neoprene bootie for a lower price than a more versatile shoe, but those booties will be limited purely to boating. 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. Suppose you're doing more of a water-accessed canyoneering or hiking trip. In that case, it's worth spending the extra money on a more durable shoe like the Salomon Techamphibian 5, which sacrifices a bit of sensitivity and flexibility on the water but offers improved comfort and traction over traditional booties.
At lower price points, you will likely sacrifice some versatility and durability. For example, the NRS Kicker packs a punch for the price with great 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 DLGJPA Water Shoes is featured at a nice price point, but likely won't stand up against the wear and tear of regular river use.
We tested each option in the field, from a rafting trip in Colorado to a canoeing trip in Minnesota.
Credit: Monica Nigon
Comfort
Comfort is usually the first thing to consider for a new pair of kicks. You may find your feet in extreme environments, including very cold water, sandy or rocky lake bottoms, and muddy or root-strewn river banks. We want our feet to be as comfortable as possible in the water, but we also want our water shoes to be comfortable on dry land.
We wore the shoes extensively in and out of the water to evaluate how they felt on variable terrain, including slippery trails, wet rocks, and mossy logs. We considered adjustability, including how comfortable a shoe is to wear with socks. We prefer the Chaco Canyonlands or Salomon Techamphibian 5 for hikes with creek crossings and slippery scrambling. Their sticky rubber outsoles allowed us to trust our footing while having enough cushion to hike longer distances. While the NRS Kicker is comfortable sitting in a boat, these glorified booties 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.
The Astral Loyaks offer impressive traction and flexibility, and transition well from the water to dry land.
Credit: Spencer Knutson
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, which utilizes outsole drainage and quick-drying mesh. Likewise, the DLGJPA Water Shoes feature effective drainage through the sole and the mesh upper. These shoes drained almost instantaneously, taking much less time than other models to dry once back on land.
Wetting down all of our test shoes to measure how long they took to dry in the sun.
Credit: Monica Nigon
Traction
Trusting that your shoe will hold you in place on slippery terrain is critical. In whitewater, you need to know that a simple scout on wet rocks won't result in an unintentional swim or an injury. You want to be able to navigate a raft without the fear of falling and hitting your head on an oar frame. And how embarrassing is it to be left running in place on a wet, slippery path while your friends charge ahead?
We tested these shoes on many surfaces with the very real danger of slipping. 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 shoes can grip well on both hard and soft surfaces.
The Xtratuf Riptides offer stellar traction, even on a wet canoe floor.
Credit: Monica Nigon
The Xtratuf Riptide takes the cake in this metric. Their outsole has an ideal lug depth and tacky rubber compound to handle a variety of surfaces. We could trust our feet on a wet raft just as well as we could on a short descent into a canyon over smooth rock. While the Flexi-grip outsole of the Astral Loyak also offers great grip on hard surfaces, it lacks the lug depth for gripping well during a sandy scout.
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. Conversely, the Techamphibian 5 has deep lugs, ideal for sandier scouts or more technical side hikes.
The Techamphibian 5 surprised us with its performance on a hard surface traction test.
Credit: Monica Nigon
Versatility
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.
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. But most of us want one shoe that can do more, and the Chaco Canyonlands 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 without sacrificing 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.
A versatile water shoe should be able to transition easily from the water to scrambling and hiking.
Credit: Spencer Knutson
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 Astral Brewess 2.0. Because of its quick-drying synthetic mesh upper, this shoe drained quickly and dried out nearly as fast. This ability allowed us to seamlessly transition from the river to post-trip hangout without enduring the discomfort of soggy feet. We put them on in the morning, waded around a slippery boat ramp to launch a canoe, went on a muddy side hike, and hung out at the end of a long, satisfying day on the water, all without changing our shoes.
We tested each shoe side-by-side for adequate comparison. Pictured here are the NRS Kicker (left) and Astral Brewess 2.0 (right).
Credit: Monica Nigon
Warmth
You'll likely have to slog through water of questionably cold temperatures at some point in your aqua career. To better prepare for those frigid days, we looked for shoes with sound insulation and enough adjustability for layering. We either want to be well-insulated while barefoot, be able to add thick wool or neoprene socks, or don a drysuit without feeling constricted or having to struggle to pull our shoes on and off.
We love the NRS Kicker for keeping our feet warm with bare feet. This bootie-like shoe utilizes neoprene and your body heat to warm the water and insulate your feet, just like a wetsuit does. That said, river booties like these are meant to fit like a sock, so it was difficult to add anything more than a thinner wool sock for those truly frigid mornings when we needed an extra layer.
Testing water shoes often means wading through some very cold water.
Credit: Spencer Knutson
The Salomon Techamphibian 5 is one of the most adjustable shoes we tested, with stretchy mesh and quick, elastic laces that stay secure throughout the day. It also features a handy multi-strap ankle cinch for further adjustability. When worn with thick wool socks and a drysuit, these shoes didn't pinch the toes or cramp the feet of our lead tester – the same can't be said for the other shoes we tested.
We also appreciate comfortable shoes that ventilate well for warmer days or lots of time spent on dry land. These shoes drain well and dry out quickly, with a looser fit that doesn't irritate the skin of our bare feet. Our favorites for these types of days are the Astral Loyak and Brewess 2.0. Both Astral shoes were ideal on toasty floats in the desert Southwest, providing good airflow and drying quickly enough to prevent pruney toes.
The Salomon Techamphibian 5 tested high in warmth thanks to their ability to stretch and add layers, a boon for when our feet were submerged in a cold river.
Credit: Monica Nigon
Durability
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.
Compared to other shoes we tested, the ultra-durable Xtratuf Riptide lives up to its name, earning our top recommendation in this metric. The synthetic mesh stood up against punctures from rocks and sticks, and the thick sole allowed us to jump on sharp rocks and stumble over sticks without fear of injury. After extended wear and tear, it showed only minor fraying on the upper mesh and maintained sound stitching between the upper and outsole. The Astral Rassler 2.0 also did significantly well in this metric, impressing us with its tightly woven mesh and sturdy build.
We loved the sound stitching, glue, and thick sole of the Xtratuff Riptide, which scored high in durability.
Credit: Monica Nigon
The Chaco Canyonland also doesn't sacrifice any protection. This beefy shoe boasts strong stitching between the outsole and upper mesh, holding up well against rough logs and sharp rocks. 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.
We tested the flexible NRS Kickers on a variety of commonly encountered surfaces. These shoes were much more comfortable on sandy beaches than rocky outcroppings because of its thin outsole.
Credit: Monica Nigon
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.
The most sensitive shoes in our lineup are the NRS Kicker and the Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch. The booties' neoprene sock-like fit allowed them to curve easily around logs and rocks, allowing us to deftly navigate a rocky walk to a favorite kayaking play wave. However, anything longer than that 100-yard approach would have caused pain and irritation.
The Xero Aqua X Sport 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.
The versatile Salomon Techamphibian 5 is almost better at scrambling than it is paddling.
Credit: Monica Nigon
More substantial shoes like the Salomon Techamphibian 5 or Chaco Canyonlands are our top choices for activities where you're likely to walk as much as you are float. Although the specialty-molded “LuvSeat” midsole of the Canyonlands provides protection without sacrificing much sensitivity, the Techamphibian offers the best balance of sensitivity, protection, and overall comfort on long hikes.
Our years on the water and testing gear in harsh environments have given us a lot of expertise in what makes a great product. We hope our review has helped you discover the perfect water shoes for your needs.
Credit: Spencer Knutson
Conclusion
On the water, your kicks can either enhance or detract from your experience. We tested some of the best models on the market, evaluating them on criteria that most river rats find most important. We hope our in-depth, independent analysis will help you buy the best shoe for your watery pursuits. Happy paddling!
