Are you interested in learning what the best water shoes for snorkeling are? If you are, read on. I’ve put together this guide to help you make the best choice.

Why do you need a great pair of water shoes for snorkeling? The main objective is to protect your feet. Therefore, learning what you should look out for when choosing a water shoe will make your decision easier.

A great pair of water shoes aren’t only for snorkeling. They’re also great for walking on the beach, climbing rocks and using on a boat to protect your feet. They can also keep your feet warm when scuba diving and stop abrasions from your fins.

Snorkeling Tip: Sometimes if you are in a rocky shallow pool don’t use your snorkeling fins, just wear your water shoes. At times fins can be cumbersome hitting into rocks. Plus you can move from pool to pool quickly.

As you read on, I will give you a complete review of the features and benefits of each water shoe you should look for. Some of you, I know, don’t care for the details, you just want to know what the best water shoes are. So, here you go, my top picks. As mentioned read on for a complete review of each.

I’ve split the types of water shoes into two types. The first, a true snorkeling water shoe, you might also hear them being referred to as booties for scuba diving and snorkeling. The second, a water shoe that looks more like a true shoe or sandal.

Top Picks

VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes

Promate 3mm Beach Dog 

Cressi Anti Slip Sole Boots

Mares Dive Bootie

Speedo Men’s Surfwalker 

Merrell J65243 Water Shoes

Zhuanglin Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes

Speedo Men’s Surfwalker

The Speedo Men’s Surferwalker is pure comfort. I’ve had a pair for a couple of years now. They slip on very easily and I like to say they’re a hybrid water shoe. Why a hybrid? They’re nice and sleek, so you can slip your snorkeling fins over them and the soles are tough enough to climb on rocks, etc.

Things I like:

  • Slip-on very easily
  • Quick dry
  • Cushioned insole
  • Secure fit
  • Slip-resistant
  • Hybrid water shoe


Promate 3 mm Beach Dog

The Promate 3 mm Beach Dog is another highly recommended snorkeling water shoe. It made of 3 mm of neoprene with a strong rubber sole. The Promate is more of a traditional dive bootie. Slip your fins over them and you are good to go. They are great to protect your feet from abrasions from your fins and from climbing on rocks getting to your snorkeling secret spot.

Things I Like:

  • Keeps feet nice and warm (in moderate temperature water)
  • Great strong sole
  • Slip-resistant
  • Very comfortable

Things To Note:

  • Made from neoprene, so they will keep your feet nice and warm, but at times take a while to dry.


Vifuur Water Sports Shoes

Vifuur Water Sports shoes show how far water shoes have come over the years. You have a choice of 27 different colors to choose from. We are talking ultra comfort here. They feel so good on your feet. I would describe the look and feel more like a sock then a shoe. They’re breathable and I love how they dry quickly. The Vifuur is a great snorkeling water shoe, but you can almost use it for any outdoor activity – surfing, windsurfing, boating, kayaking, scuba diving and much more.

Things I Like:

  • Very comfortable
  • Dry quickly
  • Breathable
  • Nice rubber sole
  • Great for many water sports

Things To Note:

  • They have a nice rubber sole, but not the best if you want to do major rock climbing. Great for everything else.


Cressi Anti Slip Sole Boots

Cressi Anti Slip Boots are another great snorkeling/dive style bootie. They come in two styles made of 3 mm neoprene and rubber. A long and a short ankle version. The Cressi is similar in style to the Promate 3 mm Beach Dog I reviewed earlier. It has a durable rubber sole and toe cap. The rubber top cap is a nice feature and benefit. It gives you a nice layer of protection on the top of your foot. The long version has a quality zipper for easy donning and doffing (on and off). This is a good one. Check it out.

Things I Like:

  • Rubber heel/sole/toe cap
  • Long and short versions
  • Zipper closure (Long)
  • Quality Neoprene


 

Mares Dive Bootie

Another one I like in the diving category is from Mares. This is a great bootie that you should check out.

 

Zhuanglin Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes

Zhuuanglin Quick Drying Aqua Water shoes are a very good water shoe for many aqua sports. They are for both women and men. They look like a running shoe and have a bounce to them. They have a really nice upper air mesh with a quick-dry liner. These are another great water shoe to blaze the trails and rocks down to the beach with. A feature that I like is the drainage holes through the high-quality rubber soles…great idea. These water shoes are reasonably priced.

Things I Like:

  • Running water shoe
  • Quick dry
  • Great for hiking and running
  • 14+ different styles/colors
  • Reasonably priced


Merrell Men’s J65243 Water Shoes

Merrell’s are well known to be great water shoes. I happen to be wearing a pair right now and I’m not near a body of water except my bathtub. They just happen to a great all-around shoe. They’re comfortable, durable and versatile. I’ve used them wading through rock pools looking for sea life and for snorkeling with the kids (without fins). A fantastic shoe that you can rely on year after year. Please note that this isn’t a water shoe you put your fins over.

Things I like: 

  • Very durable synthetic sole
  • Made in the USA
  • Very comfortable
  • Recycled material
  • Also great for hiking and climbing (moderate)
  • Look good


 

Conclusion

Well, there you have it, my top snorkeling water shoe recommendations. You really can’t go wrong no matter which one you decide on. Here are a few review questions to ask yourself. They will help you decide which one is best for you.

  1. Do I need a water shoe just for snorkeling….something to slip my fins over?
  2. Do I need a water shoe to wade through rock pools to protect my feet?
  3. Do I want a water shoe where I can climb, hike and run in?
  4. Quick-dry important?