Stylish Water-Friendly Shoes You’ll Actually Want To Be Seen Wearing

They’re cute, comfy and they can totally get soaked.
A pair of Teva Voya sandals, Salt Water Sandals and Keen Hyperport H2 shoes.

Performance shoes of all kinds are not what they once were. Water-friendly shoes of yore were purely utilitarian and decidedly not fashion forward. These days, some of our favorite brands make multifunctional footwear that is not only water-friendly, but stylish and ultra-comfortable to boot.

If you’re a parent who is spending a lot of time at the splash pad, are headed on a beachy vacation, longing to go hiking or have a camping trip planned, these shoes are for you. Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of incredibly comfortable water-friendly shoes that look as fabulous as they feel.

1
Merrell

Sporty sandals with a just-right blend of style and functionality

These bouncy sandals are available in a number of different color combinations and in men’s sizes 7-15 and women’s sizes 5-11. They’re made with lightweight and breathable vegan waterproof materials like recycled webbing, microfiber and mesh and feature a velcro hook-and-loop ankle closure that makes it easy to slip them on and off while keeping you stable. Soft Lycra lining and a cushy foam insole ensure that these sandals are extra supportive and bouncy while a durable sticky rubber outsole offers plenty of traction and can help you avoid slips.

2
Chaco

An adjustable strap sandal with arch support

Not only do we love Chacos, but they're a super popular shoe with HuffPost readers. These water-friendly sandals were previously recommended to us by tour guide and the marketing coordinator for Wildland Trekking, Marlo Colletto. She said that if you're looking for a sturdy hard-soled sandal with a lot of arch support, Chaco's offerings might be the comfortable sandal for you. She suggests the brand's Z line because they're durable and supportive. These adjustable strap sandals boast a podiatrist-approved footbed and a lug-sole outer that offers no-slip traction.

Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane recently acquired this exact pair on a trip to Idaho. “They’re utterly comfortable once you adjust the straps to your unique foot shape, and my feet felt completely supported without being weighed down one bit,” she says. “They stayed absolutely locked in place while I waded through rocky creeks and rivers and enabled me to navigate some tricky terrain in total comfort.”

3
Zappos

A pair of timeless Birkenstock Arizonas made of EVA foam

Boasting Birkenstock's classic silhouette, these Arizona Birkenstocks look as good as they feel and will never go out of style. Made from a high-quality EVA, you can get them in the water without getting them grimy or funky. They have adjustable straps and an anatomically shaped footbed for extra comfort. I've worn them for years from the beach to city streets and they've never let me down.

4
Amazon

A pair of sporty sandals with braided detailing on the straps

Available in several different colors in sizes 6-11, these sandals blend both sportiness and style, thanks to the addition of braided straps woven through the she's design. They're breathable and made wieth tough EVA material that is lgihtweight, flexible and will keep your feet steady on all matter of terrain. The durable outsole provides plenty of traction and an ankle strap keeps you steady on your feet.

5
Teva

A pair of classic Tevas with an extra rugged sole

It's no secret that we at HuffPost love Tevas. Like, we really love Tevas. While most of their styles do well in water, these super rugged Hurricanes are made with a thicker lug sole that will keep you steady on boats or wet rocks. They're available in fun colors and patterns and are a timeless classic.

6
Teva

A pair of comfy granola sandals beloved by the fashion set

Don’t be fooled by these seemingly crunchy sandals – another one of Teva’s greatest hits. They’re beloved by all the cool gals, including the devastatingly stylish Mary-Kate Olsen, who has been spotted wearing these durable, ultra-comfy and versatile Tevas for years now. I lived in these sandals last summer and plan to do so again this year. They did the heavy lifting regardless of whether I was wearing shorts and a T-shirt to the beach, a slip dress on date night or jeans and a button-down at the office. While the foam outsole and stretchy elastic lacing give the shoe a laidback look, the leather trims help elevate the overall aesthetic, giving them a surprisingly elegant vibe. These same details also contribute to the shoe’s comfort.

Made with plushy EVA foam, the sole contours nicely to the foot and provides ample support. I’ve walked upwards of 10 miles wearing these without discomfort. They’re cushy and have a slight bounce that puts some pep in my step. As a petite person, I also love that they give me about an inch of height — I’ll take what I can get. Teva notes that these sandals are treated with a peppermint anti-odor treatment, and of course, they are water-friendly and quick drying. I've worn them everywhere from city splash pads to European beaches and they've never let me down.

7
Merrell

A pair of water-friendly slides for men

Get poolside with these incredibly comfortable EVA sandals with a super cushy insole. They're made with recycled and eco-friendly materials and have even been awarded a Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association in recognition of the shoe's benefits to foot health. They're available in four different colors in men's sizes 7-15. “Most comfy slides,” wrote reviewer Candie on Merrell’s site. “[M]e and my husband love the bounce of the soles.” They're easy to clean, dry quickly and will keep you looking and feeling good no matter the setting.

8
Keen

A pair of trending sporty performance sandals from Keen

Everyone’s getting in on the sneaker-sandal look, but my eagle eyes have spotted the Keen Hyperport H2 shoes on everyone from ultra-stylish influencers to hiking buffs. These versatile shoes are the perfect blend of form and function, making them ideal for all your summer activities. These shoes provide all the comfort of cushy lightweight sneakers with the breathability of a sandal, while the rugged silhouette gives them a funky, unique sensibility that can be styled in a variety of ways.

These shoes are constructed for durability and stability, with a toe bumper that can help prevent injury while hiking and anti-odor properties so you don’t have to worry about stink, especially if they get wet. The aquagrip outer sole keeps you steady when wading through water and wet terrain. They have a high-rebound insole and extra-thick midsole to put a whole lot of pep in your step with a delightful amount of cushioning to absorb impact and keep you comfortable whether you’re on a hiking trail, strolling around town, chasing after kids or running errands.

9
R.E.I.

A pair of Birks with an ankle strap and extra grippiness for men

For the look and feel of beloved Birkenstocks but with extra straps, these sporty sandals are made from a high-quality polyurethane that plays nice with water and mud. They're great for hikes, tide-pooling and other water activities, giving you solid foot support with an adjustable heel strap and rust-free buckles.

10
Salt Water Sandals

A pair of editor-beloved leather sandals

Shopping writer Tessa Flores and I love Salt Water sandals. They're comfy, made with soft, supple leather and look incredibly chic. While they're stylish enough to wear to the office, they're water-friendly shoes that can be worn on wetter occasions. I've waded through lakes and splash pads while wearing mine to great success. I even purchased a pair for my 12-month-old son to enjoy this summer, and I'm happy to report they look wildly cute on him and have held up remarkably well.

11
Crocs

A pair of double-buckle wedge sandals

These wedge sandals can give petite gals like me some extra height without causing pain like traditional heels often do. It features a double-strap design and a cushy foam footbed that looks chunky and cool but is lightweight and a dream for days spent on your feet. They're available in a range of colors (with the most options and sizes at Zappos) in women's sizes 4-11. One reviewer at DSW said, "It feels like I'm walking on a mattress."

12
Crocs

A pair of trendy toe-loop sandals

Toe loops are an easy way to add a touch of sophisticated flair to simple sandals, and these sleek strappy shoes are every bit as stylish as they are ultra-comfy. They're comfy and low-maintenance, ideal for a day spent poolside or while running errands, yet polished enough for a dinner date and night out on the town. You can get them in a range of fun colors, from neutral to bold, in women's sizes 5-11.

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