- Kids' water shoes help keep sensitive little feet safe against sharp rocks and shells and protected from the hot sand, and they dry off after dips in the pool, lake, or ocean.
- Many kids' water shoes are styled to look like regular footwear, so your children can live in them all summer long.
- The Merrell Little Kid's Bare Steps H2O Sneakers are our top choice because they are comfortable without needing breaking in and stay snug even on the littlest feet.
My family lives about a half-mile from a bay on the North Shore of Long Island, New York, and our summers involve frequent trips to the beaches where we kayak, canoe, swim, and explore. North Shore beaches tend to be littered with rocks and shells, and I wince with most steps despite my callused 36-year-old feet; there's no way I'd ever ask my young kids to walk around on such surfaces without their feet protected, thus along with the sunblock, hats, and life jackets, every trip to the water involves kids' water shoes.
But truth be told, my son and daughter (five and one, respectively, at the time of this writing) get the most use out of their water shoes not during our frequent aquatic adventures, but right in our home's backyard. From playing in their water table to tending the garden (which basically means spilling water and making lots of mud) to running around after a rainstorm, everyday play tends to end up pretty messy in this phase of childhood. When the playing is over for the day, my wife or I can simply hose off their water shoes and let them dry, or toss them in the washing machine if things got truly dirty out there.
Good water shoes have to do at least three things well: They need to protect the bottom of the foot, stay on securely (even during swimming, running, or other high-intensity activities), and they need to dry quickly once out of the water. Great water shoes are comfortable from the first use and even look good, too. It's always a relief as we head out for a day of activities with unknown variables, confident my kids' feet will be protected and will dry fast if a soaking occurs. If their outfits look pretty good, too, then that's more icing on the cake.
While Merrell Little Kid's Bare Steps H2O Sneakers are our top pick for the best kids water shoes overall, for the reasons laid out below, you should also consider the L-Run Kids Aqua Socks, the Sperry Little Kid's Spring Tide Sandals, the Plae SAM 2.0 Sandals, and the Native Jefferson Slip-On Sneaker.
Here are the best kids water shoes you can buy:
Keep reading to learn more about our picks.
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