Whether you are looking for water hiking shoes for Hawaii or a slot canyon, make sure you find a quick-drying shoe with enough cushion and support for the length of your hikes. Additionally, having adjustable straps to dial in the fit once they get wet.

Water hiking shoes are specifically made to drain water as soon as it enters your shoe, making them much quicker at drying than a typical waterproof hiking shoe.

When water hiking shoes get wet, they won’t rub on your ankles or give blisters because they are created with specific material for this.

I would also leave the water socks behind because they aren’t going to give you enough support or grip when you are crossing over wet branches and boulders.

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Water Hiking Shoes - Women

— Editor’s Top Picks —

Best Hiking Sandal | Chaco Z1 Classic

Closed-Toe Sandal |KEEN Newport H2

Tennis Shoe Style | Salomon Amphib 5

There are many kinds of water hiking shoes from open-toe sandals to full-on enclosed shoes.

Most of our picks below are also great for everyday wear so you can get multi-use out of your new water shoes!

1) Chaco Z Cloud - Best Sandal

Top Feature: Versatile and Cute
Weight: 1 lb 5 oz. (pair)
MSRP: $100
Sizing: True to Size, go 1/2 size down if between.

Pros:

multiple colors and strap variations
cute for normal wear
adjustable for unique foot types

Cons: Not comfortable for hiking over 5 miles, open-toe doesn’t protect against rocks

Review:

You can count on me having the Chaco strap tan lines in the summer because I wear mine daily, even if I’m not getting near the water.

I’ve worn my Chaco’s for walking along the shoreline, white-water rafting, kayaking, swimming in the ocean, jumping off cliffs in Hawaii, and bouldering back up those cliffs.

They really are extremely versatile and durable. The arch was different at first, but it took about a week to get used to.

I like that the straps are adjustable since I have a higher arch but skinny ankles. I’m not a fan of my toe having its own strap so I like the original Chaco Z clouds, but if you like the extra security of the toe strap then look into the Z Cloud 2’s.

My only complaint with the Chaco hiking sandals is I don’t find them comfortable to hike in over 5 miles. They start to hurt my arch and make my feet sore.

If you don’t plan to hike or walk more than 5 miles at once, or need a rock guard then I’d highly recommend Chaco Z Clouds.

2) KEEN Newport H2 Sandals

Top Feature: Breathable with a Rock Guard
Weight: 1 lb 5oz. (pair)
MSRP: $100
Sizing: True to Size

Pros:

lightweight, breathable
has a rock guard
quick-bungee lace
comfortable for longer hikes

Cons: small river rocks can still get inside the shoe

Review: If you plan to do some hiking through water where you will encounter more rocks or boulders, you’ll want a hiking sandal that has a rock guard like the KEEN Newport H2’s.

If you are hiking or walking more than 3 miles at once, most people agree that KEENs are more comfortable than Chaco’s.

It is obvious that KEENs are water sandals and not as stylish as the Chaco sandals, but I promise the comfort and protection of the KEEN will be worth it.

The Newport H2 sandals also offer a quick lace system so they are easy to get on and off, even when wet.

While there is more material on these than the Chaco Z Clouds, they are still quick-drying and they feature the Cleansport NXT™ for natural odor control.

These water hiking sandals are my favorite option when you need more support, but still want to have the breathability of a sandal.

3) Salomon Tech Amphib 5

Top Feature: Most Support and Comfort
Weight: 1lb 1.6oz (pair)
MSRP: $109.95
Sizing: True to Size

Pros:

Maximum grip for exploring
fully-enclosed with anti-debris mesh
One-pull quick lace
Can wear as a tennis shoe or slide

Cons: none that we can find

REVIEW:

If you plan to be hiking longer distances or in rockier terrain, these water hiking shoes are going to be best as they provide the most support.

Salomon makes our favorite hiking boots so there’s no surprise we love these water hiking shoes as well.

Salomon thought of the most clever ways to design a shoe that is specific for hiking in wet conditions. The upper and sidewall material is mesh-like and designed to be drenched and then dry very quickly. And, unlike cheaper water shoes, these have a reinforced toe cap to protect your toes from boulders or rocks.

These water shoes are very secure with a quick-bungee lace and an adjustable heel strap. I probably wouldn’t recommend wearing these as slides so you don’t break down the heel when you do want to wear them as tennis shoes.

4) Merrell All Out Blaze Water Shoe

Top Feature: Most comfortable and durable
Weight: 1 lb 4 oz. (pair)
MSRP: $100
Sizing: True to Size

Pros:

most support
quick-bungee lace
best for pebble and sand resistance

Cons: not as quick-drying since more fabric

REVIEW: If you’re looking for an overall incredible water shoe that is made to hike long miles, any terrain, and provide the most support then I recommend the Merrell All Out Blaze Water Shoe.

Merrell’s is a well-known and loved hiking shoe brand for any outdoor enthusiast.

Hiking shoes are their bread and butter, and they have perfected comfort with quality over the years.

The All Out Blaze is truly the best at keeping rocks and pebbles out of your shoe while still draining water efficiently and quickly.

These shoes are vegan-friendly and have a nice 5mm lug depth with a quality Vibram rubber sole.

Merrell’s water hiking shoes will take you through the jungle, river, and rocky mountains with the most comfortable of any hiking shoe made to drain water quickly.

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5) SOBASO Water Shoe - Best for Budget

Top Feature: Budget-Friendly
Weight: 1 lb (pair)
MSRP: $35.99
Sizing: True to Size

Pros:

lightweight
fully enclosed
quick-bungee lace
very affordable

Cons: not as durable for longevity

REVIEW: A great entry water hiking shoe that is also affordable are the SOBASCO water hiking shoes from Amazon.

They are fully enclosed so no tiny river rocks are getting inside these shoes. The rubber sole is thicker than a normal water shoe and it is made with unique lug patterns that make it extra non-slip.

They are quick to get on and off with the bungee lace system (similar to the KEENs) and dry very quickly because of the light mesh fabric.

I would recommend these shoes if you plan on doing a one-off water hike on vacation or need a lightweight water shoe with a good grip for paddling, kayaking or rafting.

Both my husband and I use these water shoes a good amount when walking along rockier beaches or white water rafting.

We have hiked 9 miles through a slot canyon with these shoes, and I would recommend a shoe with more support like the Salomon or Merrell’s (next on this list) as our feet were very sore after that trek.

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Key Considerations - Water Hiking Shoes

Water-Drainage:

Contrary to what most people think, water hiking shoes actually don’t prevent water from entering your shoe. Top-rated water hiking shoes have perfected how effecient and quick the water can drain out of your shoes. In addition, they have rubber soles and supportive material that is quick-drying.

Grip:

You will want just as good as a grip on your water hiking shoes as your regular hiking shoes. The bottoms will be made of rubber and have lug patterns so you can grip at multiple angles while hiking through water, rock, and sand.

Strap-Placement:

If you are thinking about sandals, make sure the materials of the straps are comfortable to walk in and not rubbing. If you have high arches, you may want to look at straps that are adjustable or don’t cross over your arch at all like Tevas. A lot of people don’t like the big toe strap in some Chaco sandal variations and others require and extra pad on the heel strap for max comfort when wet.

Protection:

Decide if you plan use your water hiking shoes for river crossings and minimal water encounters or are you going to be doing miles through rocky waters. I like wearing my hiking sandals for lighter hikes and less rock encounters, but if we plan to go into rocky water or more difficult hikes then I want a rock-guard and better support.

Support:

It is just as important to have the right foot support in your water hiking shoes, because you will still be hiking and even more of a possibility of slipping. Make sure your arch is being supported comfortability and your heel feels secure in the shoe, especially once it’s wet.

Why Trust Us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, especially when you’re just searching on websites like Amazon, which get paid reviewers or Backcountry and REI with endless choices.

Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience.
We’ve logged over 10,000 trail miles across countless national parks, lakeshores, and countries.
We field test the products we recommend or let you know when it’s a product we haven’t tried but have heard raving reviews.
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5 Best Water Hiking Shoes for Women in 2024