For some, summer will be spent mostly at home in the garden: lounging around a blow up paddling pool, hazy BBQs with friends and soaking up the sunshine. Maybe travelling abroad to an all-inclusive, poolside resort might be more your style, or if you’re really lucky, white sand stretching as far as the horizon could be on your agenda. Whatever your plans, there’s one thing we recommending investing in: water shoes.
If you thought water shoes or swimming shoes had to be an unappealing, uncomfortable experience then read on. There’s a huge range of water shoes available now – not only for children, but for adults too. You may even find that some of the shoes are so versatile and visually appealing that you would never even know they were designed to be worn in the depths of water, for swimming and adventuring.
Why do you need swim shoes?
There are a few scenarios when wearing dedicated swimming shoes is an excellent idea.
First up: poolside! We all know how slippery and dangerous a wet, tiled swimming pool surround can be. If you have exciteable children, you’ll probably become rather anxious at them running around the pool: no matter how many times you tell them not to run, children cannot contain their glee at a swimming pool or splash park. Take the stress away by kitting them in swim shoes with good grip to help avoid those slips and falls.
Another scenario is when visiting the beach. In England, it’s not always safe to walk barefoot on the beach – even if it is sandy, there will most likely be sharp rocks and stones that could easily cut your feet, as well as rock pools to explore and groynes to climb on. Add saltwater into the mix and any cut or broken skin is really going to sting and likely end up ruining your fun beach day. You want to look for a shoe with a nice thick, sturdy sole and good amount of protection around the foot.
If you’re travelling abroad this summer, you might be headed for soft golden sands. But one thing we Brits often forget is just how hot that sand can get. Protect your feet by wearing a beach shoe that will protect you from hot sand.
Last but not least, swim or water shoes are a great choice for everyday wear in your garden in summer, from splashing about with the children in a paddling pool to jet washing, everything just becomes that little bit easier if you have a dedicated water shoe.
Are swim shoes different to sandals?
Swim or water shoes are designed to withstand excessive water, being drenched or submerged, and thus are made a little differently to your regular sandals.
The majority of sandals are not designed to be worn in and out of water, with the wet sandal then rubbing on the delicate skin on our feet. This friction will inevitably cause painful blistering. Save yourself and your family the pain and invest in proper water or swim shoes.
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Slipfree Non-Slip Shoes
If you’re after a poolside shoe for all the family that will give the feel of a sock without lacking in grip then look no further: Slipfree non-slip shoes are the swim shoes for you.
Designed for all ages, the flexible sole is soft and fully manoeuvrable yet has high grip on both wet and dry surfaces. The thin UPF 50+fabric is breathable, quick drying and super stretchy, meaning a tight but comfortable fit around your foot, and they even hold the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label for even more confidence that the materials used hold no harmful substances. The material of the sole covers the toe area to offer slight extra padding and protection. With a full range of sizing for babies through to adults, and everything from monochrome colours to bright prints, there’s bound to be a favourite design for the whole family.
They’re extremely lightweight and flexible: you’ll forget you’re wearing them. They’re a great choice for those with sensory issues or who are used to being barefoot and don’t like the feel of a chunky shoe.
My son and I tested the Slipfree non-slip shoes at a swimming pool and splash park and I was surprised at how much reassurance they gave me from a safety perspective – it was very unlikely that my son would slip and fall whilst wearing his Slipfree shoes. In fact, for research purposes, I was purposefully trying to slip - and I couldn’t. I don’t know how they do it, because the material doesn’t look like it should be high grip, but it really is.
The Slipfree non-slip shoes are also an excellent choice for gentle activities such as yoga and pilates, or simply to wear as shower shoes in communal shower areas.
Buy now £14.95, Jojo Maman Bébé
Keen Women’s Astoria West Sandals
Keen is a family-owned footwear brand with a mission to make the outdoors accessible to all. They encourage people to get outside and be original; all whilst committing to making planet-conscious products for both children and adults that will last.
Keen’s Women’s Astoria West Sandals are the perfect balance of Keen’s core values: with a true to size, comfortable fit, an eco anti-odour footbed and supportive sole, this is a water sandal that will truly do it all for you this summer. The quick-dry webbing is made from recycled plastic bottles and the slip-resistant Aquagrip rubber with Aqua Stop zonal siping make these sandals the perfect choice of water shoe.
The versatility of these water shoes are what stands out to me: they can truly do it all. From walking around a whimsical beachfront town or lounging in your garden and splashing in the paddling pool with the kids, to hiking a riverside trail and finishing off with a walk along the beach: the Astoria West Sandals will handle it all.
We love that these sandals are machine washable, slip on, toggle fastening and have excellent arch support for all day comfort. Why pack separate walking shoes and water shoes when you can have one shoe that will do it all?
Buy now £89.99, Keen
Keen Stingray Sandals
This water shoe for kids provides excellent grip on wet surfaces, as well as sporting quick drying, abrasion resistant material ensuring optimum comfort and safety for little feet. With thick closed toe protection, tiny toes are safe from stubs and scrapes, and they’re extremely lightweight both in the water and out.
With only one hook and loop fastening per shoe and added rubber closure tab, these sandals are easy for children to put on themselves, whilst still offering a snug, comfortable fit. The aqua grip outsole with zonal siping offers excellent traction on wet surfaces – from poolside to rockpools, your child’s feet will be safe and sound in the Stingray sandals.
In a few different colourways, including a beautiful bright purple and black camo print, this sandal is an excellent choice for parents who want one shoe to do it all for their children. You can explore the town and splash in the sea all without having to change their shoes in between - relying on the planet friendly eco anti-odour treatment for freshness - then pop them in the washing machine when you’re home ready for more adventures the very next day.
Buy now £39.99, Keen
Land’s End Kid’s Closed Toe Water Sandals
For older kids wanting to sport something a little more fashionable, these Land’s End Kid’s Closed Toe Water Sandals are an excellent choice. Please your child with the bright, colourful designs whilst having peace of mind that their feet are safe with enclosed styling, extra toe protection and moulded foam footbed for comfort.
These water sandals have been designed with both pools and beaches in mind, and are designed to dry quickly after submerging. The soft inner material is comfortable on their skin, with a decorative mesh outer layer and bungee lacing for style. With no exposed skin on the instep of the foot, there’s no need to worry about suncream or sun exposure, and the rubber sole has good grip for fun on both wet tiles or rocky beaches.
The sandal has a long rip-grip heel strap for an adjustable fit, along with a front pull tab so kids can put their shoes on by themselves with ease. A versatile, all-day water shoe that will promote independence for older kids.
Buy now £40.00, Lands End
Vivobarefoot Ultra Bloom Kid
Barefoot shoes have many advantages – not only are they lightweight and help you feel connected to the ground and have the feel of walking as close to barefoot as possible, but they also help your feet grow strong and flexible - strengthening foot muscles and helping to prevent deformities or injuries. Vivobarefoot have taken this concept and created the Ultra Bloom Kids shoe: a shoe designed for Summer roaming on both land and water.
The Vivobarefoot Ultra Bloom Kids shoe is extremely unique – the Bloom foam material is created by taking toxic algae blooms from waterways, cleaning it and turning it into a strong and robust foam that is still bendy and flexible. The hexagonal tread on the sole makes for good grip on both wet and dry surfaces, and toes won’t be cramped in the wide, barefoot shoe design.
These water shoes are a great pick for those who like the feel of walking barefoot, have wider feet or want to be able to go from land to water with ease.
Buy now £60.00, Vivobarefoot
Joules Beacon Neoprene Slip on Shoes
These lightweight neoprene slip-on shoes by Joules will keep little feet safe and warm whilst swimming. With beautiful designs (we absolutely adore how pretty the floral print is!), these shoes are proof that style does not have to be compromised when looking for a functional children’s swim shoe.
The wipe-clean, neoprene material hugs the foot like a sock for maximum comfort, and is easy to slip on and off with the webbing pull-tab at the back of the heel. The rubber outsole features drainage holes and has good grip on slippery surfaces.
Whilst still of course suitable for the beach, the soles on these shoes aren’t going to offer as much protection from rocks and sharps underfoot as some of the other choices, so we think these are best suited for swimming pools, splash parks and paddling pools.
Buy now £10.95, Joules
Jojo Maman Bébé Summer Garden and Swim Booties
Best for babies, these booties will keep the tiniest of toes safe this Summer. From crawling around on hot grass in the garden to staying warm whilst swimming, these are a great option for a young baby, with sizing starting from as small as 0-6 months.
The Velcro fastening ensures a tight, snug fit, meaning no amount of kicking will get these booties off. The neoprene offers warmth and protection whilst being soft and gentle on your baby’s skin, and the sole offers some grip if your baby is walking… although of course we always recommend supervising young babies and children with extra caution around water – especially if they’re still a little wobbly on their feet!
If you’re holidaying with a baby in tow this Summer, or perhaps looking for a swim shoe for baby swimming lessons, then the Jojo Maman Bébé Summer Garden and Swim Booties are a superb choice.
Buy now £11.00, Jojo Maman Bébé
Jojo Maman Bébé Beach Sandals
Available in pink or blue, these water shoes for children have been designed to protect little feet from hard or sharp surfaces both in and out of the water with their thick, but flexible, sole, as well as side and toe protection. There’s a good amount of coverage of the foot, with holes and mesh on the sides to allow for quick drainage. These beach sandals are easy for children to put on and take off themselves using the heel pull-tab and large Velcro strap.
Reasonably priced, we think these water shoes are best suited for both sandy or pebbly beaches as well as general summer garden shoes.
Buy now £16.00, Jojo Maman Bébé
Decathlon Nabaiji Baby Pool Shoes
Great for those on a budget, these chlorine-resistant water shoes have been designed with complete submersion in water in mind, so are excellent for swimming pools.
The lightweight shoe has a fully removable cushioned insole, which allows for easy water drainage with a comfortable fit and feel underfoot. With an inbuilt pull ring at the back of the heel, children will find these easy to pull on and off themselves, even when wet.
The sole features an uneven surface for good grip, and the thickness of the sole is sturdy enough to withstand pebbles and rocks, however, this shoe offers very little protection around the sides of the foot, so in our opinion are best for swimming pools or garden paddling pools.
Buy now £7.99, Decathlon
Regatta Kids’ Westshore Sandals
Lightweight when both wet and dry, the Regatta Kids’ Westshore Sandals are designed for the great outdoors. Best for hiking along river trails, exploring rock pools or even coastal strolls, these water shoes have a thick, solid sole for excellent protection underfoot. With a water-friendly EVA footbed and rugged outsole, grip will be no problem for your child when they’re wearing these shoes.
This water shoe for kids also sports a shockcord fastening wrap around the foot as well as a large hook and loop strap across the heel and pull tabs on both the heel and tongue, making the shoe easy to put on and adjust for the perfect fit. There’s a large toe bumper for extra protection, and the soft spandex lining and breathable mesh upper make the sandal comfortable when both wet and dry.
If your summer plans go from hiking in the woods to paddling in the sea, these are a solid choice for your children.
Buy now £26.95, Regatta
Land’s End Women’s Aqua Socks
If you’re looking for a more traditional looking swim shoe then the Land’s End Women’s Aqua Socks are probably more like what you had in mind.
They’re extremely comfortable – they feel more like a slipper than a shoe with the removable, breathable, foam cushioned sole, jersey fabric and mesh side panels. Drainage holes in the sole make these an excellent choice to swim in and are a top pick for poolside or water sports. Pull them on with ease with the tongue pull tab, and adjust the shoe to fit comfortable around your ankle with the bungee toggle at the back of the heel – opt for a snug fit on the beach to stop any wayward sand from drifting inside.
If you want to feel like you’re walking on clouds; these are the swim shoes for you.
Buy now £30.00, Land’s End
Cotton Traders Water Toggle Trainers
This unisex shoe has the look and feel of a traditional trainer, but all of the qualities that make a good water shoe. Perfect for walking along the beach or exploring coastal towns, no one would ever know you weren’t wearing a regular trainer.
They’re surprisingly lightweight, despite being fairly chunky, and the perforated soles mean the water drains quickly from the trainer. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen drainage holes quite like these in a typical trainer before, but I love how breathable and comfortable this makes the shoe – even if your feet are dipping in and out of water. The thick soles mean extra protection from any sharps along a beach, and they’ll be comfy and supportive if worn for hours. There’s even solid protection around the toes to protect from stubs and scrapes.
Toggle fastening means you can adjust the trainer to fit perfectly: you get the look of laces without the hassle of them. There’s also a pull-tab at the heel to aid pulling them on and off.
These water shoes are an excellent choice for fashion conscious beach goers who want the look of a trainer without getting their actual trainer collection soaking wet.
Buy now £35.00, Cotton Traders
Land’s End Men’s Water Sandals
For men wanting more of a sandal than a shoe, the Land’s End Men’s Water Sandal is perfect. The sole has excellent grip with a cushioned and supportive footbed for comfort that will most likely find you wearing these sandals beyond the beach.
The soft fabric lining is comfortable on skin, protecting against blisters and rubbing, and the shoe is also extremely adjustable – there are rip-grip heel and toe straps to get the perfect fit. There’s also a plastic clip buckle on the ankle strap, meaning once you’ve adjusted the shoe to your perfect fit, you can slip them on and off using the ankle buckle without needing to re-adjust the hook and loop fastening every time.
These water shoes are strong, sturdy and perfect for the beach, yet look like a regular sandal.
Buy now £55.00, Land’s End
Mountain Warehouse Bermuda Aqua Shoe
An excellent choice for a more affordable swim shoe, the Bermuda aqua shoe by Mountain Warehouse is available in both children’s and adult sizing. With plenty of colourways, you’re bound to find an option to please every member of your family, making these a great choice if you need to kit out a large number of people on a budget this Summer.
The bobbled sole is flexible yet offers excellent grip whether you’re on a slippery poolside, gravel waterpark or rocky beach. The soft neoprene and mesh design fits snug around your foot like a sock, although unfortunately offers no adjustability. They’re extremely lightweight and slip on with a heel pull-tab for ease.
Buy now £6.99, Mountain Warehouse
Decathlon Nabaiji Aquabiking-Aquafit Water Shoes AquaDots
Best for those on a budget, Decathlon’s Nabaiji Aquadots Water Shoes have been designed specifically for aquabiking and aquafit classes, meaning they are designed to be completely submerged in water.
Available in a full range of sizes, these shoes are unisex and can be worn by anyone. There are lots of holes around the side of the shoe to allow for quick draining, and the sole has good grip, designed for high impact activity upon swimming pool floors. This water shoe also features pull-tabs to the tongue and heel for ease of putting the shoe on, as well as slightly thicker toe protection.
If you’re going to be spending a lot of time poolside this Summer and don’t want to splash out on some of the pricier options, then this is a great pick for you.
Buy now £12.99, Decathlon
Verdict
The Slipfree Non-Slip Shoes tick all the boxes when it comes to poolside swim shoes – with sizing for both adults and children, you can match your family’s attire whilst knowing they are safe from dangerous slips and falls as they splash around this Summer.
For beaches, hiking and rougher terrain, or an all-day wear no matter where your adventures take you, planet-conscious Keen footwear have our vote – we love Keen Women’s Astoria West Sandals as well as the children’s Stingray Sandals, and they also have plenty of choices for men.
