Water Shoes

Lightweight Water Shoes for Wet and Waterside Activities

These lightweight water shoes provide a practical layer between your feet and sand, small stones, wet ground and suitable rocky surfaces. The flexible uppers create a close, sock-like fit, while the textured TPR soles provide more protection than walking barefoot.

They are compact enough to carry as secondary footwear during a tramp, camping trip or day at the beach. Moreover, their slip-on design makes them easy to change into before a suitable shallow stream crossing, a walk around a campsite or an activity beside the water.

These are not waterproof shoes. Water can enter through the breathable upper, allowing the footwear to be used in wet environments without trapping as much water as conventional closed footwear.

Water Shoes Size Guide

These shoes use unisex EU sizing. Measure both feet while standing and select your size using the longer foot.

How to Measure Your Feet

1. Place a sheet of paper on a hard floor with one edge against a wall.
2. Wear the type of socks you expect to use with the shoes.
3. Stand on the paper with your heel lightly touching the wall.
4. Keep your weight evenly distributed across both feet.
5. Mark the end of your longest toe.
6. Measure from the wall to the mark.
7. Repeat the process for your other foot and use the longer measurement.

Measure while standing because your feet may spread slightly under your body weight. If your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger option.

Important Advice for Different Toe Shapes

These shoes have a contoured front that provides the greatest length around the big-toe side.

If your big toe is shorter than your second toe, or your first few toes are similar in length, choose the next size up. The larger size provides additional room around the front and outer side of the toe area.

For example, if your foot measures approximately 25.5 cm but your second toe is longer than your big toe, choose EU size 42–43 rather than EU size 40–41.

You should also consider choosing the next size up when:

• Your measurement is close to the maximum length shown for a size.
• You have wide feet or a broad forefoot.
• Your toes spread widely while standing.
• You intend to wear thicker socks.

When your feet differ in length or width, select the size that best accommodates the larger foot. All measurements and weights are approximate.

Where Can You Wear Aqua Shoes?

This flexible footwear may suit a range of short-duration wet and waterside activities, including:

• Beaches and rocky shorelines
• Kayaking, paddleboarding and boating
• Suitable shallow stream crossings
• Wet campsites and hut facilities
• Swimming areas and poolside use
• Short walks across sand, gravel or wet ground

Although the textured soles provide additional grip, no footwear can prevent every slip. Take particular care on algae, mud, loose stones and smooth wet rocks.

Stream-Crossing Safety

Water footwear does not make an unsafe river or stream safe to cross. Before entering the water, check the depth, current, riverbed and available exit points. Do not cross when the water is fast, murky, carrying debris or making loud noises from moving rocks.

For detailed New Zealand advice, read the NZ Mountain Safety Council river safety guidance. If in doubt, stay out.

Water Shoes FAQs

Are these shoes waterproof?

No. They are designed to be worn in wet conditions, so water can enter through the upper. The lightweight materials then allow the shoes to dry more readily after use.

Should water footwear fit tightly?

It should feel close and secure without placing uncomfortable pressure on your toes. A loose pair may move around your feet, while a pair that is too small may press against your longest toes.

Should I choose a larger size for wide feet?

Choose the next size up when your feet are wide, your toes spread noticeably or your foot length is close to the maximum measurement for a size.

What size should I select when my second toe is longer?

Choose the next size up when your second toe extends beyond your big toe. The front of the shoe is contoured around the big-toe side, so the larger option provides more space for other toe shapes.

Can these replace hiking shoes?

No. They are lightweight secondary footwear for suitable wet environments and short periods of use. Wear supportive hiking shoes or boots for normal tracks, extended walking and rough terrain.

What sizes are available?

The current unisex range covers EU sizes 36–47, with approximate recommended foot lengths from 23.5 cm to 28.5 cm.