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Our favorite picks for keeping your feet comfortable in and around water.
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Travel + Leisure
I love hiking I also like being comfortable.
Because they are slip-ons, they may stretch out over time.
The unisex Vessi Cityscape Classic Shoe offers a narrow fit that molds, glove-like, to the foot.
Credit: Vessi
Even without a break-in period, we wore them for a full day aroundDisney Worldwithout chafing or blisters.
The soles are grippy on wet surfaces, while an elasticated collar allows for quick on-and-off at airport security.
Although the laces are mostly aesthetic, we liked that they stayed securely tied throughout the testing period.
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They feel a bit narrow at the heel.
We also appreciated the sturdy traction that helped us when conditions got muddy along creek and riverbeds.
Sand and small pebbles can get caught between the soles and your feet.
We found them to be comfortable both wet and dry.
The fit was great, and the level of support offered was equivalent to that of other high-qualitywalking shoes.
One downside because the sandals are open, grit and small pebbles can get caught inside.
The only way to remove them is to take the shoes off.
Luckily, this takes seconds thanks to the lace-free, pull-on style.
Finally, the sandals are machine washable and they even float.
We found that they rubbed a little at the heel when wet.
The Ryka Hydro Sport Water Shoes are designed specifically for water sports and aquatic fitness classes.
We particularly liked that sand, pebbles, and other debris was not able to enter through the ports.
Credit: REI
Donning the shoes is a breeze just slip them on and adjust the toggled lace system to fit.
They’re more of an investment purchase and less versatile than other pairs we tested.
Despite their rugged appearance, the sandals are surprisingly lightweight.
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They fit well and didnt rub, chafe, or pinch at any point.
They do take some time to break in.
We love the Sorel Ona Ave sneakers for their versatile style while maintaining full waterproofing capabilities.
We never suffered from any blisters, even when wearing them right out of the box.
The dirt then wiped right off and the shoes once again looked good as new.
While we don’t recommend fully submerging these sneakers, they’re perfect for rainy days walking around.
These low top shoes are perfect for everything on your itinerary from the airport to your dinners out.
However, after extended wear, we did notice some discomfort on the balls of our feet.
However, they lack cushioning and ankle support and arent comfortable enough for more energetic pursuits like hiking.
Our Testing Process
Each pair of walking shoes was tested by one of our travel experts.
A supportive, stable shoe should bend at the toes and not in the middle.
Next we attempted to twist the shoe (again, a stable shoe should not twist easily).
We then wore the shoes for 30 minutes to test the initial fit and comfort level.
We then repeated this test over the course of a full day.
Water-resistant shoes are generally less expensive than fully waterproof shoes.
These offer some protection against light showers, but wont hold up to stepping in puddles or unexpected downpours.
There are also water-resistant shoes that are designed to provide support and protection in the water.
These are my go-to pick for activities like canyoning, fishing, orstand-up paddle boarding.
Thats because shoes with arch support help to distribute weight evenly and promote proper foot alignment.
Fully waterproof shoes are the best choice for hiking in wet or muddy weather.
I thought that waterproof shoes would stay that way indefinitely: not always so.
Fortunately, doing so is easy.
I use Nikwax on my shoes.
First, confirm theyre clean, removing any dried dirt with a bristle brush.
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Then apply an even layer of spray from around 12 inches away.
check that to spray in a well-ventilated area and leave the shoes to set overnight before wearing them.
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Credit: Rykä
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Credit: REI
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Credit: Sorel
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