As a kayaker, it’s imperative you’re wearing foot coverings with solid-grip soles to avoid slips on wet rocks, sturdy construction to withstand varied terrain, and excellent drainage to dry quickly and keep your feet aerated. These models have become so advanced they are sometimes worn just for comfort and looks.
Spandex fabric helps with drainage
These comfortable and well-aerated shoes offer opportunities far beyond boats and beaches. Take them hiking, to yoga, on long flights, or even just to the store. Made with Lycra material, they don’t absorb any water when immersed, and the multiple drainage holes allow your feet to breathe and cool when above ground. The anti-slip camo rubber soles keep your foot from sliding.
Buy: Mishansha Mens Womens Water Shoes
Instant fit and comfort
This lightweight neoprene shoe fits your foot like a glove around the hand, allowing you to seamlessly move from water activities to biking and hiking. The soles grip whether submerged in streams or standing on rocks and uneven terrain. Water drains almost instantly from your foot, including your soles.
Buy: KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandal
Imported with a rubber sole
These shoes are designed to drain out water yet prevent the smallest of stones through the openings at the bottom. Some of that has to do with the fit, too. The uppers are made of stretch fabric that fits as comfortably as a sock and allows easy on and off, but won’t slide and slip off the foot even after repeated wear. They’re made of stretchy, breathable, ultra-lightweight Lycra material for fast draining and cross ventilation, giving excellent flexibility and comfort. In short, these will wear like your favorite sneaker or hiking shoe, with the wicking ability of a sandal.
Buy: UBFEN Mens Womens Water Shoes
Elastic band holds foot snug
L-RUN is all-in when it comes to water shoes, developing more than 20 different shoes designed to be as comfortable as bare feet, and as fashionable as a summer designer shoe. All incorporate breathability, permeability, and fit, with soles that embrace an innovative skid-resistant technology on the sole. An elastic band with removable shoelaces helps adjust the shoes according to the width of the feet quickly, avoiding the annoyance of shoelaces.
Buy: L-RUN Athletic Hiking Water Shoes
Holds your balance
Versatility from hiking to snorkeling is the tag for these water shoes. Great traction, fast-drying, and the breathable uppers are made of mesh and very lightweight. Each sole contains 8 holes for drainage, and an elastic hold at the top of the ankle keeps your foot in place no matter how bogged down your feet get below. The sturdy rubber sole keeps your feet safe from sharp rocks or hot sand, or unstable terrain when you’re carrying that kayak onto the shore. So versatile, these water shoes aren’t just for water anymore.
Buy: SIMARI Water Shoes
S. Ruxton is a contributing writer to Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. A former baseball writer, S. Ruxton loves to revisit the smaller Gulf towns of Clearwater, Dunedin, and Bradenton. Historic Winter Park is also a favorite destination.