As a kid, I spent many happy days exploring beaches and rock pools in my bare feet. I jumped in puddles and climbed muddy hills in my favorite Velcro sneakers. What I am only now experiencing as a parent are the tears over cut feet and washing muddy, smelly canvas trainers that will never be the same again!

I have managed to reduce both my children’s tears and my tears while in the laundry, by investing in some good quality water shoes for my kids.

Water shoes are waterproof footwear designed to be worn in watery areas. They do not keep feet dry, but won’t be damaged by submersion and usually easy to clean when it comes to mud. I also knew they have a good grip to protect against slips and falls on wet surfaces and protect against cuts and scrapes on sharp rocks and spiny sea creates as well.

But what are the main things to consider when selecting water shoes for kids, and what are the best water shoes currently on the market for toddlers?

Types of Water Shoes

There are three main types of water shoes available: Aqua Socks, Water Shoes and Water Sandals. They all offer something a little different for young adventurers.

1. Aqua Socks

Aqua socks are skin-tight neoprene wet suit socks with a non-slip sole. As well as being slim and water resistant, they offer warmth in cold water. They keep sand out so that it does not rub against children’s sensitive skin. These are mainly used for activities at the beach and in the water such as swimming, body surfing, kayaking, canoeing and so forth. The soles of the shoes are quite thin, making them easier for swimming. They do offer less protection against rough surfaces.

2. Water Shoes

Water shoes pretty much look like regular shoes, but they are made from a waterproof material such as plastic or mesh. They are usually designed to allow the foot to breathe so that feet do not become clammy when the shoes get wet. They usually have a thick sole of reinforced plastic or rubber to protect against sharp surfaces such as rocks and are generally non-slip. These are better than aqua socks when it comes to exploring rough terrains that also happen to be wet or muddy.

3. Water Sandals

Water sandals are constructed pretty much the same way as water shoes. They are usually open-toed or open at the heal where they are secured by a strap. This means that they offer less protection, but they are cooler in hot temperatures. These are a good choice for general purpose use and make a good general summer shoe. While we might not pick them for a rocky hike, they will protect kids’ feet when they are exploring. They can kick them off to go for a swim if the terrain is safe. They also make a good poolside shoe when it comes to walking on hot surfaces.

Important Features

I have a few different pairs of water shoes for each of my kids, as which ones are appropriate depends a lot on what they are doing. They each have water sandals for general summer wear, but I also have aqua socks for water sports. I am usually happy to let my kids wear their water sandals on most wet walks. I do have some water shoes for my eldest who likes to go on longer hikes.

When it comes to selecting a pair of water shoes, as well as use, there are four main things that I look for.

*Material

To be waterproof and breathable, water shoes need to be made from the right kind of material. They are generally either made from mesh or a hard plastic-like compound. Mesh is a lightweight material and has lots of tiny holes that allow the water to drain easily. I prefer this for aqua socks when I don’t want my kids weighed down in the water. When it comes to water shoes and sandals, I want the harder plastic-like compound. Water shoes made from plastic should actually be avoided as the plastic rubbing against the skin and cause blisters. Water shoes made from neoprene are kinder on the skin, lightweight and durable.

*Sole

What type of sole to go for in a water shoe again depends on what your kids will be doing. If they will be swimming, something thin and lightweight that won’t weigh them down is best. But this thin sole won’t offer the same protection against sharp rocks and spiny sea creatures. If they will be hiking over hard and slippery rocks, they need a thicker, harder, non-slip sole. Non-slip is also very important if they are going to wear them poolside. It doesn’t matter how many times you say don’t run, they will! I generally avoid some of the thicker soles, as the thicker the sole, the heavier the shoe becomes. If the shoes are too heavy for your child, they can easily lose balance, leading to more rather than fewer cuts and scrapes.

*Water Release

While mesh and neoprene won’t get destroyed by water, this is not the only thing to consider when it comes to waterproofing. Your kids won’t be happy if they are squelching around in their shoes because they are full of water. The shoes need to be designed to let the water drain away. This will leave your kids’ feet wet, but they won’t be squelching in their own little puddle of water. Most water shoes let water drain through small drainage holes in the sole. This, combined with a good sole insert, will let water escape while stopping debris from entering.

*Ease of Use

When kids are in water areas, they often want to be taking their shoes on and off as they go for a swim or want to play in a nice sandy area. It is much easier when kids can manage this themselves with minimal help. It is important to look for shoes that are easy to take off, and put back on, and won’t pop open and become a trip hazard when your kids are running around. Slip-on shoes that fit snuggly are generally good choices.

10 Best Water Shoes for Toddlers reviews in 2019

Based on all these factors, here are the 10 best water shoes currently available for toddlers.

product details
ALEADER Slip-on quick dry Water Shoes Upper : Synthetic Mesh Sole: Synthetic & rubber with hole Features: Elastic & closure strap
VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes Upper : Elastic/Mesh fabric Sole: Rubber Item type: Shoes, socks type
iPlay Water Shoes​​ Upper: Neoprene & mesh Sole: Synthetic rubber Features: No-slip soles
Crocks Classic Clog-slip on water shoe Upper & Sole: Fully molded Crocs Croslite material Features: Pivoting heel straps
KEEN Newport H2 Sandal Upper: Polyester webbing Sole: Rubber Features: Hook-and-loop strap
Native unisex Jefferson Slip-On Sneaker Upper: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Sole: Rubber Item type: Waterproof slip-on features
OshKosh B’Gosh Aquatic Water Shoe Upper : Man-made materials Sole: Synthetic Features: Breathable cut-outs
Speedo Surfwalker Pro 2.0 Upper: 100% Textile, durable four-way stretch. Sole: Synthetic & S-trac thermoplastic rubber outsole Features: Quick adjusting strap closure
Stride Rite Made 2 Play Phibian   Sneaker Sandal Water Shoes Upper: 100% EVA Sole: Synthetic Features: Anti-stink, anti-microbial lining, rubber pods on outsole for a non-slip grip
L-RUN Swim Water Shoes Upper : Durable and high stretch polyester fabric Sole: Soft rubber Features: The highly adhesive material to prevent slipping

1. ALEADER Slip-on Water Shoes

These shoes have a mesh upper and well-designed drainage holes in the sole, so it keeps kids’ feet cool, dry and ventilated at all times. The sole also offers great traction for slippery surfaces. They are easy slip-on for kids to manage on their own. They have an adjustable elastic strap to ensure they fit snuggly. While they may look like they would be great for water sports, they are a little heavy when it comes to swimming.

pROS	CONS
Keeps feet dry and ventilated Good grip on slippery surfaces.	Too heavy for water sports.

2. Crocks Classic Clog

The classic clog is lightweight and durable offering great protection for both sole and upper. Their slip-on design can be secured at the back with a heel strap. This makes them great for slipping on and off the poolside of at the beach. Sometimes they aren’t snug enough when it comes to rocky terrain.

pROS	CONS
Durable Easy to slip off and on.	Sometimes difficult to get a snug fit.

3. VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes

Made from polyester, VIFUUR makes some very comfortable and durable aqua socks. They are great for wearing in the water as they are so light and well-fitted that it doesn’t feel like you are wearing shoes. The rubber sole offers pretty good protection against debris. It isn’t appropriate for rocky walks with seriously sharp objects.

pROS	CONS
Comfortable and durable Feels like going barefoot.	Soles not as durable as a water shoe.

4. iPlay Water Shoes

Made from a combination mesh and neoprene upper, these aqua socks are more breathable than a lot of other brands. This means your kids can wear them all day without feeling uncomfortable. The iPlay also has a thicker rubber sole than many other aqua socks, offering better protection on hard surfaces. Their elastic fit makes them easy for kids to put on and take off themselves. These are great for smaller toddlers.

pROS	CONS
Breathable Ease of use Thick rubber sole.	No stub protection for toes.

5. KEEN Newport H2 Sandal

KEEN is a very well-respected brand when it comes to outdoor shoes for both kids and adults, and these live up to the reputation. These sandals have a good rubber sole with a cushioned footbed and are made from quick-dry webbing which is both durable and easy to wash. The main problem with these shoes is that they are a little on the heavy side, and kids generally need to wear them in a bit before they become comfortable. They are also a bit more expensive than most of the shoes on this list.

pROS	CONS
Trusted brand	On the heavy side Need to wear them in

6. Native Jefferson Slip-On Sneaker

This shoe is great as an everyday shoe that kids can wear pretty much anywhere. It looks like a stylish sneaker and doesn’t automatically look like something that is just for the water. They are lightweight and have more of a footbed than some other water shoes. This offers a bit more support than other water shoes, which is great if kids will be wearing them a lot. The main problem with these shoes is that they aren’t adjustable, so if your kid’s feet are too narrow or wide for the style, they just are not appropriate.

pROS	CONS
Easy slip-on Good style and sole support for general use.	Not adjustable.

7. OshKosh B’Gosh Aquatic Water Shoe

This is one of the lightest shoes on the list, which makes them great for the smallest children. They have a good non-slip sole that offers protection against sharps. The upper material is breathable, but won’t do much to protect against rocks and debris. These shoes are appropriate for the kinds of adventures that smaller toddlers are likely to be pursuing.

pROS	CONS
Good for smaller toddlers Non-toxic materials	Not much protection for tops of feet Not great for bigger kids.

8. Speedo Surfwalker Pro 2.0

An aquatic sock, the Speedo Surfwalker Pro 2.0 is great for swimming and water sports. The mesh top and thin sole won’t add much extra weight while swimming. They still offer enough protection against rocks and sharps. Slip-on with an adjustable strap, they are easy to take on and off. The shoe covers the entire foot, which is great for keeping sand out, but feet can get a bit sweaty if worn for long periods of time in humid weather.

Safety Note: “Always use caution on wet, hard, or slippery surfaces”.

pROS	CONS
Lightweight Ideal for swimming and water sports	Not breathable enough to wear all day.

9. Stride Rite Made 2 Play Phibian Water Shoes

This is another shoe that is stylish and durable enough for adventurous kids to wear as a normal day-to-day shoe. The combination laces and Velcro strap means that they stay on, but this can be hard for smaller kids to manage on their own. While they offer great protection for both sole and upper, they can be a little heavy for smaller toddlers.

pROS	CONS
Designed for everyday use Good sole and upper protection. Anti-stink, anti-microbial lining	A little heavy Can be difficult for smaller kids to put on and take off alone.

10. L-RUN Swim Water Shoes

Another aqua sock, the L-RUN is comfortable and lightweight in the water. It is more flexible than a lot of other aqua socks, leaving your child with a full range of natural movement. Despite this, the sole tread is actually quite thick and great on both hard and rough surfaces. Of course, it does not provide as much sole protection as a water shoe, but that is not what we expect from an aqua sock.

pROS	CONS
Lightweight Allows for a full range of motion Reasonably protective sole.	Not as much sole protection as a water shoe.

Get in the Water

A good water shoe will put your mind at ease when releasing kids to play at the beach, in rocky pools, or even muddy fields. They will protect their feet against rocks and sharps. But your kids will still be able to have fun without their feet getting irritated, as can happen when regular shoes in the wet. You will also be a bit happier when it comes to cleaning up the aftermath of their adventures.