Hawaii is a stunning island and a great place to visit. However, if you’re planning a trip there, make sure you will get the best water shoes for Hawaii.
They help you move around more easily and comfortably during the entire trip. Just by following the features and suggested options we’ve provided below, your choice-making decision will be absolutely simpler.
Here are the best water shoes for Hawaii (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best for Snorkeling (Men’s Water Shoes): hiitave Men Barefoot Water Shoes
- Best for Kayaking (Men’s Water Shoes): Vibram Men's Five Fingers, V-Aqua Water Shoe
- Best for Arrow Feet (Men’s Water Shoes): Columbia Men's Drainmaker Iv Breathable Water Shoe
- Best Overall (Women’s Water Shoes): SUOKENI Women's Water Sports
- Best for Arthritis (Women’s Water Shoes): Aleader Women's Mesh Slip On Water Shoes
- Best for Wide Feet (Women’s Water Shoes): NORTIV 8 Women's Quick-Dry Water Shoes
| 6 Best Water Shoes For Hawaii | ||
|---|---|---|
Best for Snorkeling | hiitave Men Barefoot Water Shoes
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Best for Kayaking | Vibram Men's Five Fingers, V-Aqua Water Shoe
| |
Best for Arrow Feet | Columbia Men's Drainmaker Iv Breathable Water Shoe
| |
Best Overall | SUOKENI Women's Water Sports
| |
Best for Arthritis | Aleader Women's Mesh Slip On Water Shoes
| |
Best for Wide Feet | NORTIV 8 Women's Quick-Dry Water Shoes
| |
Best for Snorkeling (Men’s Water Shoes): hiitave Men Barefoot Water Shoes
- Give great fit regardless of the user’s foot size – wide size chart, removable shoelaces, and elastic band
- Drain water quickly - drainage holes at the bottom
- Comfortable - wide five-toe box design and breathable polyester fabric upper
- Secure and protective to use – non-slip rubber sole
- The sole could be a bit thicker
Not just our experts but also lots of other customers all agree that these hiitave Men Barefoot water shoes for snorkeling.
From narrow- to wide-footed people, they leave good reviews about the great fit of these shoes, which the secret lies in their removable shoelaces and elastic band.
While walking in the surf, they drain water quickly.
No issues with sand being stuck inside the shoe while walking the beaches as the soles slide out easily to remove them. The shoes are also protective and comfortable, all thanks to their relaxing wide five-toe box design and lightweight, soft materials.
Since these fit more like athletic shoes, they gave us the confidence to know that they wouldn't slip or slide when we were using them for water sports.
| hiitave Men Barefoot Water Shoes Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Breathable polyester fabric & rubber |
Highlight Features | wide size chart, removable shoelaces, and elastic band; drainage holes at the bottom; wide five-toe box design and breathable polyester fabric upper; non-slip rubber sole |
If you’re looking for great all-around Hawaii water shoes for snorkeling, this is the one for you.
Best for Kayaking (Men’s Water Shoes): Vibram Men's Five Fingers, V-Aqua Water Shoe
- Offer ultra-protection - thicker and a bit more padded soles
- Good traction & secure fit - Megagrip Vibram Rubber soles & Silicone prints inside the shoe
- Feel like barefoot but well-covered – comfortable and lightweight fabric
- The back strap is almost pointless
Highlighting thicker and a bit more padded soles, the Vibram Men's Five Fingers, V-Aqua Water Shoes get higher scores for their extra protection. That’s also the reason why we pick them for kayaking.
You can also wear these shoes for other sports, such as whitewater activities, diving, swimming on pebble beaches, and some small hiking.
They grip very well on wet rocks, drain the water, and dry surprisingly fast. At the same time, their fabric is very comfortable and light, giving a feeling like you’re barefoot but well-covered.
The fitting is nice. They don't come off unless I take them off.
| Vibram Men's Five Fingers, V-Aqua Water Shoe Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Textile, Synthetic, and rubber |
Thickness | 3.7 mm outsole 2 mm insole |
Highlight Features | thicker and a bit more padded soles; Megagrip Vibram Rubber soles & Silicone prints inside the shoe; |
The Vibram Men's Five Fingers, V-Aqua Water Shoes are our top pick for kayaking, if that’s also what you’re currently in need.
Best for Arrow Feet (Men’s Water Shoes): Columbia Men's Drainmaker Iv Breathable Water Shoe
Sizes are ideal for narrow to medium width feet
Great traction and grips - high-traction Omni grips & non-marking wet traction rubber outsoles
Superior impact absorption and cushioning - advanced signature Techlite footbed and frame technology
- The laces are a bit short
- Not suitable for walking in water with a lot of dirt, small rocks and/or debris
- The drainage holes could be better
The Columbia Men's Drainmaker Iv Breathable Water Shoes are specifically designed for narrow to medium width feet. Very close size match to Adidas.
They are sturdy and solid with a quick-dry mesh to work perfectly for rain and muddy puddles.
Making them stand out from other counterparts is the high-traction Omni grips, including a dual-zone winter tread pattern, specially formulated compounds and treads, and a multi-terrain traction system.
Combining with the non-marking wet traction rubber outsoles, you can confidently walk them on wet rocks.
Another notable feature is their advanced signature Techlite footbed and frame technology for superior impact absorption and cushioning.
| Columbia Men's Drainmaker Iv Breathable Water Shoe Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | 100% Textile & Rubber sole |
Highlight Features | high-traction Omni grips & non-marking wet traction rubber outsoles; advanced signature Techlite footbed and frame technology |
For those who have sensitive, narrow feet and are about to participate in Hawaii’s various water activities, the Columbia Men's Drainmaker Iv is a shining contender.
Best Overall (Women’s Water Shoes): SUOKENI Women's Water Sports
- Give reliable grasping performance - 90% lightweight, soft fabric with an open mesh upper, and 10% anti-slip rubber outsoles
- Keep the feet from outer impacts – thick soles with strong track adhesion
- Dry fast - a full range of drainage systems
- Run a little large
For the price, these SUOKENI Women's Water Sports Shoes are a no brainer if you need multipurpose water shoes.
They are made of 90% lightweight, soft fabric with an open mesh upper, and 10% anti-slip rubber outsoles for reliable grasping performance. Wearing them, you can rest assured to walk on different conditions, even on wet rocks without slipping off.
The soles are thick enough to protect your feet from outer impacts while hugging your arch and toes snugly with strong track adhesion.
There also is a full range of drainage systems for water drainage for fast drying and keeping your feet always cool.
| SUOKENI Women's Water Sports Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | 90% fabric & rubber |
Highlight Features | 90% lightweight, soft fabric with an open mesh upper, and 10% anti-slip rubber outsoles; a full range of drainage systems |
Feeling sore in the feet every time joining prolonged water sports just because your water shoes have too thin soles? With this best-overall performer, that will happen no more.
Best for Arthritis (Women’s Water Shoes): Aleader Women's Mesh Slip On Water Shoes
- Superior support - ComforDry sockliner and Solyte midsole
- Breathable & good water drainage - hole on the sole & Open mesh on the upper
- Easy to wear – ultra-wide measurement
- Not a lot of stretch
- Allow lots of sand and tiny gravel inside
For rheumatoid arthritis women, looking for ultra-comfortable water shoes is essential. The shoe particularly must be easy to put on or take off for minimizing pressure put on their ankles.
Based on that specific needs, we find these Aleader water shoes are the shiniest candidate.
As opposed to a water slipper, they have a solid front and hard bottom but according to their whole upper part is mesh, and the shoe itself is roomy, you can wear them easily.
The footwear, on the other hand, supports our arch and ankle while giving wonderful traction even on the slippery tiles, and aren't at all heavy in the water. Plus, they dry super-fast.
| Aleader Women's Mesh Slip On Water Shoes Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Fabric & rubber |
Highlight Features | ComforDry sockliner and Solyte midsole; Open mesh on the upper; ultra-wide measurement |
Emphasizing superior support and ease of putting on/taking off, Aleader Women's Mesh Slip On Water Shoes are the best for arthritis women.
Best for Wide Feet (Women’s Water Shoes): NORTIV 8 Women's Quick-Dry Water Shoes
- Provide superior comfort, especially in the middle and toes – ample toe boxes & ultra-wide dimensions
- Great airflow and comfort - decent cushion insole with honeycomb design
- Prevent the hurt of kicking – thickened toe areas
- Look a bit bulky
These NORTIV 8 Women's Quick-Dry Water Shoes are one of the most favorite choices of wide-footed people.
They boast ample toe boxes for extra comfort to your feet. That said, these toe boxes won’t overly large so your feet won’t slide forward because you can thighs the easy strings at instep.
The middle is nice and tight, and it hugs your foot for a nice and secure feeling.
Our testers really like its decent cushion insole with honeycomb design (including 10 drainage holes) for both airflow and comfort. Plus, the shoe also drains water pretty quickly.
We’re also glad that the outer shell around the toe areas is thickened for extra protection, keeping them from the hurt of kicking.
| NORTIV 8 Women's Quick-Dry Water Shoes Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Mesh-Textile & Rubber |
Highlight Features | ample toe boxes & ultra-wide dimensions; decent cushion insole with honeycomb design; thickened toe areas |
For wide-footed people, the NORTIV 8 Women's Quick-Dry Water Shoes are the best in our review.
How To Choose The Best Water Shoes for Hawaii?
Water Shoe Types & Different Situations
First of all, you need to pick the right type of shoes based on specific situations.
For vacation: closed-toe sandals are the best as they provide protection from lava rocks. You can opt for quick-dry webbing or waterproof leather along with a low-profile or more rugged outsole depending on your preference.
For dressing-up: color sandals are perfect if you walk from the sea to the beach and straight to a fancier dinner. They offer protection for your feet but still match your floral clothing.
For trekking: sandals. This type of high-traction outsole footwear is suitable when you go hiking, trekking through the island. It protects the toe and provides arch support to make you comfortable.
For waterfalls: water sandals are the solution in this case. They are lightweight, designated for wet surfaces, cross streams.
Adjustable
Each person has different feet, which is why you need a pair of water shoes that fit yours.
The best choice is a pair of shoes with adjustable laces so that you can fit them to your feet and they won’t slip off easily.
Adjustability will help you keep your shoes especially when you trek through muddy water.
Traction & grip
Many water shoes come with grooves or serrated rubber soles that help you move better on different terrains and avoid slipping on wet surfaces. Therefore, pick water shoes that offer good grip and traction.
Drainage
For water shoes, drainage is very important as it keeps your feet dry after getting out of the water. But you shouldn’t buy a pair of water shoes that have large drainage holes on the outsole as they allow shell fragments and sand into the shoes, making you uncomfortable.
Which Brands Make The Best Water Shoes for Hawaii?
Vibram
Since 1935, this brand has been offering excellent products, including water shoes. Over the years, while expanding its product portfolio, it also ensures quality, safety, and durability for each pair of shoes it manufactures.
Columbia
With 80 years of experience, this one has become a globally popular brand, best known for being the leader in technology in the industry. It sets high standards for its products, hence offers amazing water shoes for you.
Aleader
Founded in 2013, this is a young brand but its products are impressive. The brand has products that only encourage you to go more with comfort when wearing. Its shoes are innovative, relaxing to wear, and perform very well.
FAQs
Should I get water shoes for Hawaii?
Yes, you should. Water shoes protect your toes and feet from rough terrain, shell fragments, and provide extra flexibility for you to move across different places on the island.
What is the difference between aqua socks and water shoes?
While aqua socks are worn inside shoes that get wet or water clogged, water shoes are worn directly on the feet to deal with wet conditions like the beach, kayaking, river hiking, etc.
Can you swim in water shoes?
Yes, you can swim in water shoes, but they need to be light, fits your feet perfectly, and drains quickly.
Are water shoes non slip?
Yes, they are. But when you buy water shoes, check for this ability.
Should water shoes be tight?
No, they shouldn’t. They need to fit snug, but not too tight or they will take away comfort.
Conclusion
Overall, there are multiple factors to take into account when you look for the best water shoes for Hawaii. We hope that the information we provided in this length will assist you a lot to find the perfect pair of water shoes.
Bryan Listor
