Heading to the lake or beach is a lot of fun, especially with your little ones. But murky lake shores and shell-filled shorelines can be hard on your little ones’ feet. The best way to protect them is with a good pair of water shoes. If you find a pair that’s comfortable and fun, your child will love wearing them.
The best water shoes for kids
Multi-sport shoe: Hobibear Water Shoe
Most Options: Aqua Apolter Socks
Most flexible: Centipede Demon water shoes
Stylish design: Fanture Toddler Water Shoes
Best Instep: Cior Kids Water Shoes
Best lace-up water shoe: Saguaro water shoe
Cutest choice: Bigib Water Shoe
Most Durable: Merrell Water Shoe
Softest Interior: Ubfen Water Shoe
Best Basic Water Shoe: WateLves Swim Shoes
Things to consider
You want your child to be comfortable, and you want them to move freely. With precocious walkers, this may seem like a tall order when they go wading in the water, but I promise you it’s not. There’s actually not much to think about when buying your child’s water shoes, other than fit, style and material.
Fit
Water shoes are not something you want to buy one size up so you can wear them longer. They should fit snugly, with enough room for the toe box, and the heel of the shoe should not open up when your baby walks. This allows your baby to stay as stable as possible on his or her feet, which is very important when your baby is walking on slippery surfaces.
Style
There are a few basic styles: socks, water shoes with a strap, and more sturdy sandal-like fabric shoes. Sock shoes are exactly what you think: They slip on like socks and have a soft, grippy bottom. Water shoes with straps offer a bit more adjustability and are easier to put on and take off than socks (at least). Water sandals are great for activities where you need more than just a water shoe: Think of a lake party or a family hike.
Material
The best water shoes for kids contain a combination of neoprene or neoprene-like material, along with a flexible bottom. I’m not a fan of plastic water shoes, as I’ve found that they collect water in certain areas, making them heavier than necessary. Heavier than they need to be. They are great for a playground or playing with a sprinkler, but not ideal for natural water areas.
All the shoes on this list are breathable, drain quickly and protect your kids’ feet from sharp shells or any other dirt they might find.
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