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Best water shoes in Australia

Whether you’re swimming, kayaking or adventuring, we’ll help you find the best water shoes for your needs.

Tim Falk
Tim Falk

Updated

Fact checked
Person wearing shoes in the water

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The best water shoes in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the products on this list based on actual customer reviews on Amazon and key product features. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the water shoes with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best overall water shoes: Crocs Unisex Adult Classic Clog

Pros

  • Huge range of colours to choose from
  • Lightweight and versatile

Cons

  • Not everyone is a fan of the look
  • Some complaints about inconsistent sizing
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Crocs
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

Love them or hate them, there's no denying Crocs have legions of fans around the world. And with these unisex clogs earning an average score of 4.8/5 from a whopping 75,000-plus Amazon customer ratings, they take the win as the best overall water shoes.

These unisex clogs are lightweight, comfortable and flexible. They feature ventilation ports to make them breathable and water-friendly, while pivoting heel straps ensure that they're easy to attach securely.

They're also buoyant, which is a big plus in the water, and they come in a wide range of colours to suit just about any style.

Best water shoes for women: Ryka Women's Hydro Sport Water Shoe

Pros

  • Drainage ports
  • Sticky outsole

Cons

  • May not be the best choice for all water sports
  • Some customers complain about a lack of durability
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Kogan

Why we chose it

The Ryka Women's Hydro Sport Water Shoe has garnered an average score of 4.6/5 from over 2,500 Amazon customer reviews, including several from Aussie buyers. This, combined with its many water-friendly features, sees it take the prize here as the best water shoe for women.

This aquatic cross trainer is designed with aqua aerobics and other water-based fitness activities in mind. It features a removable Nitracel insole and drainage ports in the sole, while a synthetic and mesh upper ensures breathability. Medial and lateral support is provided by a webbing midfoot cage, while the rubber outsole ensures a firm grip on wet surfaces.

Best water shoes for kids: Keen Newport H2

Pros

  • Lots of colours to choose from
  • Quick-dry lining

Cons

  • Not the cheapest option
  • Some customers complain that the sandals are a little heavy
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Anaconda

Why we chose it

If you're looking for a versatile pair of water shoes for your child, it's hard to go past the Keen Newport H2s. With stacks of positive ratings from Amazon customers, they take the win here as the best water shoes for kids.

Featuring an adjustable hook and loop strap, these sandals are easy for the younger members of the family to put on themselves. Their quick-dry lining helps keep feet comfortable, while the EVA footbed offers essential arch support. The quick-channeling outsole also ensures traction on slippery surfaces.

Best of all, these unisex sandals come in a wide range of colours, so there's something to suit just about any kid.

Best water shoes for toddlers: Bigib Toddler Kids Swim Water Shoes

Pros

  • Rubber outsole
  • Cute designs

Cons

  • No Australian reviews
  • Some complaints about poor build quality
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

If you're shopping for water shoes for some of the younger members of your family, there's a lot to like about these swim shoes from Bigib. With an average score of 4.6/5 from over 14,000 Amazon customer ratings, they're our pick as the best water shoes for toddlers.

These cute little shoes feature a fabric upper with overlays to ensure a snug and supportive fit. The rubber outsole is designed to provide traction on slippery surfaces, while the smooth collar makes them easy to put on and take off. Best of all, there are more than a dozen adorable designs to choose from for your pint-sized swimmer.

Best water shoes for men: Keen Newport

Pros

  • Arch support
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Not everyone likes the sandal look
  • Not suitable if you want a lightweight option
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Amaconda

Why we chose it

With an average customer rating of 4.7/5 from over 3,500 Amazon reviews, the Keen Newport is our pick as the best water shoe for men. There's also a more expensive Newport H2 available, but it's not quite as highly rated among buyers.

This water and hiking sandal features a waterproof leather upper as well as a non-marking rubber outsole. The multi-directional lug pattern helps with traction on a variety of surfaces, while the compression-moulded EVA midsole provides added support.

The footbed has been anatomically engineered to provide arch support and mould to the contours of your foot, while a hydrophobic mesh lining is also included. Conveniently, all Keen sandals are also machine washable.

Best water shoes for kayaking: UBFEN Water Shoes

Pros

  • Recommended as suitable for kayaking use by many buyers
  • Flexible and versatile

Cons

  • Some customers complain about a lack of durability
  • Some people may prefer thicker soles
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

Looking for a pair of water shoes suitable for kayaking? These Ubfen Water Shoes, designed for both men and women, are definitely worth a look. With an average score of 4.5/5 from over 5,000 Amazon customer reviews, they're our pick as the best water shoes for kayaking.

Made from stretchy material, these shoes offer good flexibility and a wide range of movement. The sole features convex dots for grip, while the shoes are also lightweight and allow water to drain out. Tightening and loosening the laces is a quick and easy process, while there are also four colour choices available if you're looking for a bit of variety.

Best water shoes for swimming: Vibram V-Aqua

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Flexible

Cons

  • There are cheaper options available
  • Some customers complain about small sizing
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

Boasting a unique design and an average score of 4.5/5 from over 300 Amazon customer ratings, the Vibram V-Aqua is our top pick if you're looking for a water shoe to wear while swimming.

Designed to allow you to move as naturally as possible both in and out of the water, these amphibious shoes are lightweight and flexible. The 3.7mm Vibram Mega-Grip rubber outsole provides grip on wet, smooth surfaces, making it handy for paddle boarding. It's also great for providing traction on rocky river banks.

Men's and women's versions are available and this shoe is machine washable in cold water. And with each shoe weighing in at less than 140g, they're also easy to take with you when you travel.

Best water shoes for paddle boarding: Speedo Surfwalker 3.0

Pros

  • Lightweight and flexible
  • Won't break the bank

Cons

  • Some customers complain about a narrow fit
  • Some buyers complain about sole peeling off
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

If you're searching for the best SUP water shoes, there are plenty of good reasons to check out the Speedo Surfwalker 3.0s. With thousands of positive customer reviews on Amazon, they're our top pick as the best water shoes for paddle boarding.

These lightweight shoes feature a four-way stretch upper that makes them easy to put on and take off. They have mesh panels to provide ventilation and ensure short drying times, while the S-Trac outsole helps you maintain traction while you paddle. A cushioned insole is also included for added comfort, while the affordable price tag should also put a smile on your face.

Methodology

50
Brands considered
100+
Best products chosen
8
Winners chosen
  • We considered water shoes from over 50 leading brands.
  • We based our findings on key product features and reviews from real customers (as of December 2020).
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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