They’re often made from neoprene, which traps a layer of water between your skin and the sock and is heated up by your body to help insulate your feet. There are generally two types of water shoe on the market – aquatic shoes and aquatic sandals or 'shandals'. As a seasoned boater, she has taken numerous rafting adventures around the globe, from day trips in New Zealand to extended expeditions in the Grand Canyon.

They have exterior stitching and flatlock seams for comfort, are easy to take on and off and we loved the snug, foot-hugging fit. If keeping money in your wallet is a priority, these kicks offer performance while paddling and exploring mellow surfaces on land. But what really makes these swim socks stand out is the Velcro fastening, which means you're not reliant on wearing a wetsuit over the top to ensure a good seal. These comfortable pumps are lightweight enough that you won't know you're wearing them as you swim, rubber soles have decent grip and stop you feeling stones or shingle underfoot and the mesh upper wicks away water and sweat, drying the shoes (and your feet) in a jiffy.Along with determining what type of water shoe you need, there are attributes for each shoe type to consider before your purchase. On top, plastic webbing with plenty of vents lets feet breathe, while a tough rubber toe cap protects feet in and out of the water and a bungee makes it easy to adjust the shandals for a snug fit.

A Michelin rubber outsole offers brilliant grip even on wet surfaces or seaweed-strewn rocks, and is strong and supple enough to allow you to run as well as hike in the ESC Tempest. Grippy rubber soles will serve you well whether you’re rock pooling, riverside-hiking or looking for traction on a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard. They are designed to breathe, keep your feet cool on hot days, and drain to keep your feet from sitting in soggy shoes. If you’re catching waves on a pebble beach, make sure the soles are thick enough to avoid the wince dance down to the sea. neoprene swim socks are ideal if you're just starting out wild swimming and want to get kitted out without breaking the bank.UK Aqua/Blue / 8 UK Aqua/Blue / 9 UK Aqua/Blue / 10 UK Aqua/Blue / 11 UK Aqua/Blue / 12 UK Grey/Black/White / 6 UK Grey/Black/White / 7 UK Grey/Black/White / 7. Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. If you're looking for another versatile favorite, the Chaco Canyonland is great for water excursions and hiking, along with the Astral Brewess 2. Once you pop them on, bungees make it quick and easy to adjust the Ultra Blooms, and they stay snugly in place when you're swimming or clambering over rocks.

As a result, if you're planning on doing a lot of water-based hiking, consider a shoe with a thicker and more supportive outsole instead. The thin mesh showed some fraying after our test period, so take care when encountering sharp sticks or rocks. The larger mesh openings are also prone to taking on small rocks or sand, and we also noted that these are not as supportive as some of the more structured shoes in our tests. Whether a fairweather beach-goer or a white water kayaker, a high-quality water shoe will make your day much more enjoyable. It is more protective and stable, making it a versatile choice for going from water- to land-based activities.To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. The elasticated ankle includes an adjustable toggle so you can trust them to stay on your feet while swimming and the grippy outsole is great for wet, rocky or sandy surfaces. While exploring this section, be sure to recognize what you will be using your water shoes for and the weather and climate where you'll be exploring. One member of our staff wore these on a 6-day rafting trip on the Colorado River and then hiked from the river to the rim of the Grand Canyon in them! The low-profile paddling shoe may look like a regular shoe with water-specific features that offer more support and drainage than a neoprene bootie.