Water shoes: what footwear do you need for wild swimming?
Lightweight, insulated or easy to slip on pre- or post-swim – read our guide to water shoes and neoprene socks for outdoor swimmers
Most people swim barefoot in pools. Having anything on your feet interferes with your swimming and feels odd, so why would you do it in open water?
One good reason is protection. When we swim outdoors, we sometimes have to walk over rough ground to reach the water. Wading into the water, we might step on sharp stones or broken glass, or slip on seaweed-covered rocks.
Pebbly beaches can also be a nightmare for those of us with soft feet, and sandy beaches may hide weever fish that can deliver a nasty sting. Second, in cooler water, having something on your feet can stave off painful or numb toes. Fortunately, there are various footwear options for wearing in the water.
Flip flops, sliders or crocs
These are all useful if you need foot protection while getting to the water but not while you’re in the water. The main question is what do you do with them while swimming?
If you’re entering and exiting the water in the same place, and the water level won’t change, just leave them at a convenient spot. Otherwise, put them into a tow float bag, or attach them to the strap of your tow float. I have even swum with flip flops tucked inside the legs of my jammers.
Water shoes
Water shoes are lightweight, breathable and quick-drying and usually feature a tough rubber sole and a soft fabric or mesh upper. They are designed to be worn directly on your feet although you could add neoprene socks for warmth in the winter. They’re great for scrambling over rocks and stay on your feet while swimming. However, they don’t provide much insulation from the cold and can feel heavy while swimming. Best for days on the beach and short swims.
Fins
You might want to consider wearing fins if you regularly swim with people who are faster than you or if you want to pootle around gently while looking at the underwater scenery. As you can’t easily walk in fins, and prolonged use can cause blisters, you might want to combine them with neoprene socks so you have something on your feet while walking to and from the water.
Neoprene socks or booties
Neoprene socks or booties are a popular choice, especially in winter when they can ward off the cold. They can be notoriously hard to remove: check out our article ‘How to remove your neoprene accessories fast’ online for tips, including using a flask of warm water, wetsuit lubricant around your ankles or wearing plastic bags inside! Many come with tough grippy souls and give some protection from gravelly ground.
Trail shoes
When you take part in a swimrun, you swim in whatever shoes you’re running in. Many swimrunners use a pull buoy to compensate for the extra drag caused by swimming in running shoes, but it’s not necessary. While running shoes wouldn’t normally be a first choice for wild swimmers, if you’ve got nothing else they are better than nothing for foot protection.
Hybrid sandals
Your swim hiking companion. Versatile hybrid sandals/hiking shoes give you the best grip and protection, whether scrambling down to a tidal lido for a dip, crossing rivers or hiking between swim spots, but they are best suited to quick dips. Lightweight and quick drying, you can pop them in a tow float for an A-B swim hike or attach them to your backpack between swims.
The best water shoes for open water swimmers
- Best lightweigh water shoes for swim hikes | Vivobarefoot Ultra III Bloom, £100
- Best neoprene socks for stony ground | Orca Hydro Booties, £39
- Best budget water shoes for wild swimming | Lomo Slip on Water Shoes, £7.49
- Best sturdy sandals for swim hikes | Danner Wallowa Nylon Sandal, £130
BRIGHTON WATER SHOES Lifebuoy Orange Water Shoes
£18.99
They say: These super comfortable orange water shoes will brighten up any swim and keep your feet comfortable. The elasticated ankle will ensure they stay on whilst you’re in water and the grippy sole means they are ideal for watersports too. Whether you are having a day exploring the beach, lake or river, these Brighton Water Shoes will be your best friend. Please refer to our sizing guide – as the water shoes need to be tight, often going down a size is recommended.
We say: We loved these bright orange water shoes, which (once you size down as suggested) fit like a glove and feel barely there in the water. The super flexible anti-slip rubber soles were grippy enough for the slippery changing room floor at our local lido and and robust enough to take the edge off pebbles at the beach. The shoes are also slim and lightweight so took up almost no space in our kit bag. The thin neoprene uppers are way easier to take on and off that neoprene socks or booties, with a useful heel pull tab, and they dry remarkably quickly. They also came with a mesh bag for easy storage.
GILL Pursuit Shoe
£35
They say: The GILL Pursuit Shoe provides dependable protection in all water activities, whether you prefer to be on the boat, paddleboard or in the water. This lightweight, close-fitting shoe features a wrap-around outsole and adjustable velcro strap for optimal stability and protection whilst offering a true barefoot feel on the deck. Featuring 3mm double lined neoprene and reinforced heel and toe areas for added comfort and protection, the Pursuit Shoe also uses non marking natural rubber so no traces are left.
We say: We tested these neoprene shoes in a lake with a muddy entry point, where their 3mm doubled lined neoprene added a degree of warmth in the cool water and the close-fitting style and velcro made sure they stayed put despite the sucking mud. While the reinforced area across the toes offers good protection from rocks, it makes the front of the shoes rather broad so you do feel them more than water shoes or neoprene socks. But once out of the water, the low profile and pull tab means they were also much easier to get on and off that neoprene socks or booties.
VE SHOE ‘The Sporty’ Aqua Water Shoe
£20
They say: Our shoes come in distinctive different colours and every pair of Adult VE Shoes is recyclable and comes with a recyclable waterproof bag, so you can keep your shoes safe and dry no matter what adventure comes your way. We’ve designed our shoes with comfort, safety and style in mind. We know how important it is to have a shoe that not only feels good, but also looks good. That’s why we’ve created a strong, lightweight, flexible and breathable shoe that you can wear in and out of water and that dries in a flash!
We say: We liked the subtle black and blue design of these ‘sporty’ water shoes, which go well with a wetsuit and would work for a range of water sports as well as open water swimming. They’re exceptionally lightweight, meaning we could move freely and naturally in the water, while the anti-slip rubber soles felt robust and added welcome grip and cushioning to our feet on a pebble beach. A substantial heel pull tab makes them easy to take on and off and the whole construction feels like it will last. We also loved that they’re recyclable.
KEEN Hyperport H2 Sandal
£95
They say: Hybrid versatility meets hyper comfort, thanks to maximal cushioning from the high-rebound insole and extra thick midsole. Featuring a generous space across the forefoot for toes to splay; quick-cinch bungee lacing for easy on and off; injected foam midsole for surprisingly lightweight fit and feel, aquagrip rubber for better traction on wet surfaces and shock-absorbing foam insole with arch support for all-day comfort.
We say: While we wouldn’t wear these hybrid sandals for longer swims, they felt well suited to a day spent in and around the water, whether hiking between swim spots, coastal exploring or scrambling down to a tidal pool for a quick dip. The air-injected foam midsoles are surprisingly lightweight – you could easily tie them to a backpack or pop them in a tow float bag – but delivered great cushioning and a real ‘spring’ in our step. While they might appear bulky, the roomy fit meant they felt comfy from the off – and they dried relatively quickly, too!
DANNER Wallowa Nylon Sandal
£130
They say: Inspired by the spectacular Wallowa mountain range in Eastern Oregon, USA, these rugged sandals are the ones you want clipped to your backpack for your next multi-day adventure. Quick-drying textile straps make them water friendly, and a top-latching buckle makes for easy on and off. The Vibram® Cascade Crest outsole with Megagrip compound features an innovative lug design that offers reliable traction. Wear them alone for stream crossings or with socks on day hikes.
We say: We were so impressed with these rugged hiking sandals, made by Oregon based premium hiking boot maker Danner. Built for river crossings and multi-day treks, these sturdy sandals are ideal for coastal hikes or river exploring. We tried them out in various Cornish tidal pools and they protected our feet from sharp rocks, their robust Vibram soles giving a level of toughness and grip you would usually expect from a hiking boot. The simple style of the webbing straps and minimal buckle felt secure, was easy to release with a light push and – most importantly – didn’t rub even when wet. They’re not light, so they’re best suited to dips and coastal exploration rather than longer swims.
VIVOBAREFOOT Ultra III Bloom
£100
They say: Foot shaped (not shoe shaped), to let your feet do their natural thing. The Vivobarefoot Ultra III carries you across land and through water with grip, flexibility and full barefoot feeling. The open- honeycomb design is made with BLOOM® foam, which removes harmful algae blooms from waterways to reverse the damage of water pollution.
We say: A hefty price tag, but Vivobarefoot’s expert design justifies it. Designed to fit the shape of your foot, and built to be thin and flexible, the shoe works to promote the foot’s natural strength and movement. Not only is it super comfortable, but durable enough to wear on both land and water for a long time. Definitely a winner for me.
SUBEA Elasticated Aquashoes 120
£12.99
They say: Our Subea design team have developed the Aquashoes 120, comfortable and easy to put on aquatic shoes to protect you on the sand. The Aquashoes 120 will make your snorkelling trips easier! They are easy to slip on and prevent sand from entering. The studded soles will also prevent you from slipping.
We say: The funky design on these aquashoes is great. The studded soles are a lovely touch and I felt really secure wearing them, even when walking on slippery ground. The ease in which they come on and off is a great benefit when trying to get changed in a post- cold swim hurry.
NABAIJI Aquabiking-Aquafit Water Shoes Fitshoe
£17.99
They say: Our design team developed these shoes for regular Aquafit or Aquabiking classes. Looking for a shoe that combines comfort and good fit for your weekly Aquafit sessions? The Fitshoe has integrated socks, water drainage holes and grip on the bottom.
We say: A sleek design for a reasonable price; I particularly like the drainage holes at the bottom. Due to being designed for indoor pool fitness sessions, the shoes are slightly less flexible than others on the list, being more suited to walking to and from the water and going in for short dips where grip is a priority.
LOMO Slip on Water Shoes
£7.49
They say: These lightweight slip-on water shoes are perfect for keeping you on your feet when you’re surfing, sailing, kayaking or by the pool. The shoes are made of a polyester/elastane mix with a durable rubber anti-slip sole. This makes them flexible yet durable and quick drying. They’re super lightweight and flexible with stretchy, breathable fabric making them comfortable, easy to put on and easy to wear.
We say: Even with the affordable price tag, these shoes do the trick. They are incredibly lightweight, when swimming with them I barely felt them on my feet. The rubber anti-slip sole felt as if it provided a good grip when I was walking towards my swim spot. A great option if you want an easy-to-wear pair of shoes that will take up very little space in your swim bag.
SPEEDO Zanpa Watershoe Black
£26
They say: Made for around the pool or on the beach, these water shoes are great for protecting your feet in wet areas. Made from soft, comfortable materials, and with handy tabs at the back to help you put them on easily.
We say: These water shoes are durable enough to protect feet from rocks and other items when swimming, while remaining lightweight and comfortable. Before putting them on, I expected them to be slightly stiff, but they were flexible enough to allow me to swim efficiently in the water
HUUB Neoprene Swim Socks
£39.99
They say: The HUUB Neoprene Swim Socks have a protective reinforced sole which provides ‘non slip’ protection and abrasion resistance, and a split-toe design to avoid ‘rolling’ on the foot. They also have adjustable Velcro closures to make this neoprene sock suitable to be worn either over or under your wetsuit.
We say: The remarkably comfortable split-toe design of these HUUB socks allowed me to kick through the water with ease, while the reinforced and grippy sole provided a surprising amount of protection on gravelly ground. Their longer length means you can wear them over or under your wetsuit to reduce water ingress, while the Velcro adjusters provide a tight seal. In skins, some water still seeped in though, but overall I was impressed.
LOMO Neoprene Open Water Swimming Socks
£21
They say: Our soft and stretchy neoprene socks are comfortable to swim in and the glued, double-blind stitched seams have been liquid-seamed on the outside to keep as much water out as possible. Most neoprene socks let in a considerable amount of water and you often feel like you have large water bags attached to your feet. We’ve made a sock that keeps more water out by a combination of being tighter fitting, having better seams and an ankle gasket.
We say: LOMO takes a buckle and braces approach with glued, blind-stitched seams on the inside and liquid seams on the outside for minimal water ingress. All that engineering means a snug fit, like a second skin, which took a bit of wrestling to get on and felt tight across my toes on dry land but I soon got used to it in the water. The soft soles mean you feel the bumps on the walk in.
ORCA Hydro Booties
£39
They say: These neoprene booties provide maximum thermal comfort to your feet. And thanks to their fit, they stay put and will not bother you while swimming. The pattern with a separated toe improves the fit, allowing the hydro booties to stay in place, thus preventing water from entering. In addition, the soft thermal lining provides added comfort and prevents chafing on the skin. This accessory should be worn under a neoprene wetsuit to minimise water entry.
We say: These booties kept my feet so snug and warm during my swim. They’re super flexible and comfortable – I barely noticed they were on – yet the soles were thick and sturdy enough for walking about on the shore. As with the HUUB split-toe design, they feel a bit strange at first but I soon got used to it. They’re also easy to take off with cold, numb fingers – something I’ve found tricky with other neoprene boots.
ZOGGS Neo 3 socks
£30
They say: These Zoggs Neo 3 socks are perfect for the multi-sport athlete, especially when there is open water swimming involved. They are made of 3mm double stretch neoprene which provides great thermal insulation when in cold waters. This material means they have a longer life whilst still giving you breathability and freedom of movement. The 3mm neoprene is extremely robust with bonded outer seams.
We say: The stretchy 3mm neoprene fits snugly around the ankle, meaning minimal water ingress, and gives a good degree of flexibility and warmth in the water. Like the Huub socks, they have a nice long ankle length, meaning they can be tucked under your wetsuit leg (although I wore them without a wetsuit and they were fine, too). Unlike other socks tested, the sole doesn’t offer any grip, however.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews.
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