The Best Shoes for Kayaking of 2023

Kayaking shoes is an interesting topic because you can use almost any shoe while kayaking, depending on the level at which you kayak and personal preferences. Realistically, wearing a pair of sandals or water shoes will be better than nothing when you are out kayaking, but some shoes may enhance your kayaking experience.

When looking for the right shoes for your next kayaking venture, standard things like materials, fit, comfort, and breathability should be considered. We did our best to include a variety of options to fit several styles of kayaking on our list, but if you don’t find the best kayaking shoes for you here, read through our buying considerations to help narrow down your choices as you shop.

Best Overall: Mishansha Quick Drying

Best for Travel: VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes

Most Versatile: Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV

Best for Cold Weather: NRS Kicker Remix

Best Neoprene: Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Wetsuit Boots

How We Picked the Best Shoes for Kayaking

The type of kayaking and the frequency you go will influence the shoe you choose. We did our best to include various options that fit people’s lifestyles and needs. Beyond the type of shoe, we also considered the overall durability, price, and fit. Some kayaking shoes are more suitable for cold weather, while others work best for warm weather. 

Other factors, including personal experience with some shoes, brand-specific research, supply chain research, and verified customer reviews, were considered. Products may be added, changed, and updated over time to reflect new product testing and updates with extended use.

The Best Shoes for Kayaking: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Mishansha Quick Drying

Specs

Weight: 9.5 oz

Materials: rubber and spandex

Closure: elastic bungee laces

Pros

Quick drying materials 

Drainage holes on the soles

Decent grip 

Secure lacing system 

Affordable 

Cons

Not true to size

Not the best for wide feet

The Mishansha Quick Drying water shoes provide the perfect combination of an affordable price and in-field performance. The spandex and rubber materials are relatively durable, and the shoe’s construction provides a very secure fit. The elastic lacing system makes them easy to take on and off and secure to your feet. 

If you are walking in water, the drainage holes in the soles and mesh materials of the upper ensure the water drains from the shoes very quickly. Although those features are excellent for water drainage and breathability, they reduce heat retention, so these shoes should only be used in warmer weather. 

Although we recommend these shoes for kayaking, they are an excellent option for all water-related activities. They provide a good level of protection to your feet from rocks and other hazards in the water while still being comfortable on the warmest days. 

Best for Travel: VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes

Specs

Weight: 4.8 oz

Materials: rubber sole with synthetic fabric upper

Closure: slip on

Pros

Affordable price

Available in several colors and designs 

Breathable and quick drying

Lightweight and packs down small 

Cons

Not the most durable option 

The VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes are the perfect kayaking shoe for someone that needs to pack them for a trip. These are an excellent option even if you are backpacking and looking for a lightweight water shoe. 

They are a straightforward slip-on design, so they are not the most secure shoe, but they get the job done. These protect your feet and hold up relatively well for a low price. We don’t recommend wearing these if you have long distances to walk or run unless you are on a sandy beach. 

The thin soles provide a barefoot feel and can take some getting used to if you plan to walk any distance in them. Although they are not the most durable, they made our list for folks that travel often and enjoy water sports but don’t want to pack an extra pair of shoes that are too bulky. 

Most Versatile: Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV

Specs

Weight: 10.8 oz

Materials: rubber and webbing 

Closure: webbing with buckle

Pros

Lightweight

5,000 mile warranty

Reliable traction 

Durable materials 

Cons

Can be slippery to walk around when wet

Like all Xero Shoes, the Z-Trail EV sandals are a lightweight and minimalist design. Although they are light, they are one of the most durable shoes on the market. They provide a barefoot walking experience that can take some getting used to but is better for your feet in the long run. 

We chose these as the most versatile option for kayaking shoes because they are hiking sandals. They can be somewhat slippery when wet, but they work well for walking around in the water and wearing in a kayak. The versatility comes from the fact that they can be worn for more than just a water shoe. 

The Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV sandals make great sandals for summer walks, moderate hikes, camp shoes, and travel sandals. They pack down small, last a long time, and have a multitude of applications. 

Best for Cold Weather: NRS Kicker Remix

Specs

Weight: N/A

Materials: rubber, neoprene, and plastic

Closure: hook/loop or drawstring (varies)

Pros

Works well for other water sports

Excellent heat retention 

Reliable grip on rocks

Protects feet

Cons

Can be too warm at times 

Not breathable (due to warmth)

If you are paddling in cold water or cold weather, the NRS Kicker Remix kayaking shoes are an excellent choice. They are a bit more expensive than other options on our list but still reasonable for the value they provide. 

Depending on the website you buy them from and the style you are looking for, they can have varying closure systems. Some older styles seem to be a slip-on version with a drawstring, while newer ones either have a hook and loop design or velcro. No matter the closure system that they are equipped with, though, all of them seem to be quite secure. 

When you paddle in colder conditions, keeping your feet warm and protected is no easy task. It isn’t always possible to keep your feet completely dry, so having a shoe that can adequately keep moisture out while holding heat in is a game-changer. 

Best Neoprene: Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Wetsuit Boots

Specs

Weight: Varies

Materials: Neoprene and rubber

Closure: Zipper

Pros

Three thickness options

Lightweight

Puncture resistant sole

Optional sole inserts

Cons

Zipper isn’t as durable as the rest of the shoe

If you are a fan of neoprene but want a kayaking shoe you can wear in warmer weather, the Neo Sport Premium Wetsuit Boots are worth looking at. They come in 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm thicknesses allowing you to choose how warm you need them to be. 

Not only that, but the materials are durable, and you have the option to add a sole insert for even better protection. Even without the insert, the soles are puncture-resistant, protecting your feet from debris or rocks when walking in the water. 

The only noticeable downside to these boots is that the zipper can wear out faster than the rest of the boot. If you take care of the zipper and use it gently, it should last quite some time, but pay attention to the zipper and area around the zipper, so you can repair them before they have reached a point of no return. 

What to Consider When Choosing Shoes for Kayaking

Like any kayaking accessories, all kayaking shoes have a best use, and some on the market simply don’t work all that well. Read through the buying considerations below to help you identify the type of shoes that best suit your kayaking style.

Types of Kayaking Shoes

Any shoe can be a kayaking shoe if you want it to be. Regardless, having a shoe that works well in water is ideal. That means a standard tennis shoe may not be the best option. 

Many summer shoe designs like flip flops, sandals, crocs, and water shoes are suitable for kayaking. Something like a flip flop, though, isn’t very secure and won’t have much if any traction. Water shoes tend to be a more versatile option, and hiking sandals are another common choice. 

There are shoes designed not only for water sports but specifically for kayaking. Many of these shoes are for whitewater kayaking and other kayaking sports. Someone using a pedal kayak for a day out fishing doesn’t necessarily need to have a sporting shoe designed for kayak athletes, but they can work for either. 

That said, when discussing the type of kayaking shoe, we can go beyond those standard options mentioned above. Kayaking-specific shoes are often defined by the season they are best suited for, the height, and the breathability (or ability to drain). Shoes with a lot of mesh work well for summer adventures, while neoprene is ideal for cold weather. Some paddling shoes or wetsuit boots will have a tall upper, extending up your leg much further than a water shoe that sit below your ankle. 

Then, we have kayaking/water shoes that can also be used for hiking. These are great for kayakers or paddlers who tour and have some portaging on the agenda. Since there is some hiking involved in portaging, it is great not to have to change your shoes, but you still want to have enough support and traction for the hike to be safe and comfortable. 

Hiking sandals can be a great option here, but there are also closed-toed kayaking/hiking shoes that are suitable. 

Materials

Wearing shoes made from materials meant to be around water is ideal for kayaking shoes. Other standard materials commonly used to construct shoes can deteriorate faster, take longer to dry and make it dangerous to walk around when wet. 

Look for shoes that are made from waterproof materials like neoprene or rubber. Other synthetics can also work for kayaking, and standard water shoes are often a combination of several synthetic materials. 

Since water-specific shoes get wet, finding antimicrobial materials helps prevent odors from forming in the shoes. We recommend drying the shoes entirely before storage, no matter the shoe type. 

Other than moisture, the outside temperature can influence the materials. For cold weather, neoprene is an unbeatable material. For warm weather, neoprene will be very hot because it lacks breathability. 

Fit and Closure

Having kayaking shoes that fit appropriately may not be as important as having the best fit for a kayak life vest. However, ill-fitting shoes can still be dangerous when performing outdoor activities. As a standard, kayaking shoes should be snug to your feet. You want to minimize the amount of movement that can occur, even when they are wet. They shouldn’t have bulky or protruding features that can get stuck on things or dig into your skin. 

The type of closure can impact the shoe’s overall fit, and closure systems are often the first part of the shoe to wear out. Common closure types seen for kayaking or water shoes include: 

Velcro: shoes like sandals, booties, and some water shoes may utilize a velcro closure. These provide a very secure fit and are easy to take on and off. Unfortunately, Velcro doesn’t always hold up well with extensive water exposure, so be aware that durability is in question here. 

Zippers: often used for wetsuit boots or other neoprene water shoes, zippers are a secure closure but don’t offer much adjustability. They can also break easily and dig into your skin. If you don’t have to walk much in the shoes, a zipper can work but it isn’t our top choice. 

Laces: time-consuming to take on and off; traditional laces aren’t very popular with water shoes, but some have them. Much like velcro, laces wear out quickly the more they are exposed to water, but they are also easily replaced. They are far more adjustable and have something like a zipper, though, so not a bad choice. 

Bungee Lacing: these drawstring-like laces are very secure and give you a good mix of benefits from slip-on shoes and shoes with laces. They provide a high level of adjustability and make for a tight, secure fit. 

Slip-on shoes are an excellent choice for water shoes too. They are easy to pull on and off, but they won’t be quite as tight or as secure as shoes with a closure system. Slip-on shoes can be a great option if you are a recreational kayaker and don’t plan to walk or hike that much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Shoes for Kayaking

Best Overall: Mishansha Quick Drying

Best for Travel: VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes

Most Versatile: Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV

Best for Cold Weather: NRS Kicker Remix

Best Neoprene: Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Wetsuit Boots

Finding the best kayaking shoes for your needs is as easy as finding a pair of shoes you don’t mind getting wet. The time of year and the type of kayaking you enjoy can all impact the shoes that work for you. If you participate in several water sports, finding a pair of shoes that can be used for multiple sports can be great as well. 

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