The Best Water Shoes and Water Sandals for River Rafting

The best water shoe depends on the river you’re floating. A hot, sunny desert trip through the Grand Canyon calls for something different than a chilly trip down Oregon’s Rogue River. Some rivers include long side hikes over rocky terrain. Others are all about rowing, fishing, and relaxing at camp. But every river trip has one thing in common: your feet need protection, whether they’re wet or dry.

Depending on the trip, you may only need a river sandal and a camp shoe. Or you may want to add a closed-toed hiking shoe. The good news? River trips aren’t the time to worry about packing light. I tested several pairs of water shoes over the course of a 16-day Grand Canyon trip and weekend floats on sections of the Green River, including Flaming Gorge and Gates of Lodore. These are the best water shoes and water sandals I’ve found for the river. Editor’s note: Each recommendation is available in both men’s and women’s sizing.

Best Water Shoes for a River Trip: At a Glance

I’ve been wearing the Chaco Z/1 Classic so much this summer that I suspect the tan lines are here to stay. I’ve owned several pairs of Chacos over the years, and I always come back to the Z/1 because it doesn’t have a toe loop. That means I can pull them over a pair of wool socks on cold river mornings or when I’m walking around camp after my feet have been wet all day. It looks ridiculous, I know, but no one cares and it works.

The other reason I keep reaching for these water sandals on river trips specifically is the combination of grip and support. The sole is thick enough that I don’t worry about sharp rocks or cactus while hiking around camp or exploring side canyons, and the arch support means my feet still feel good after a long day, even if I’m logging some trail miles. The straps dry quickly, the outsole grips well on wet rocks and boat ramps, and the sandals even float if one happens to end up in the river, which is surprisingly handy.

The single strap weaves through the entire sandal, so you can adjust the fit around your heel, arch, and forefoot instead of relying on a few fixed adjustment points. It takes a minute to get everything exactly where you want it, but once you do, you rarely have to touch it again. If there’s extra strap left over, you can trim it and carefully melt the end to keep it from fraying.

The one downside is that every new pair gives me the same little raw spot just below my ankle bone. I usually throw a Band-Aid or a piece of duct tape over it for the first few wears while the straps soften. I’ve also had good luck following Chaco’s recommendation of running them through the washing machine on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, then letting them air dry. It helps soften the straps during the break-in period.

They come in just about every color and pattern imaginable, but I always buy black because it easily hides years of dirt, sunscreen, and hard use better than anything else.

Best Camp Shoe

Chaco Chillos Slide

Pros and Cons
+ Contoured, supportive footbed
+ Easy-on and lightweight
+ Fun colors and prints
– Not secure enough for in-water wearing
– Other owners report strap durability issues

Every river trip needs a designated camp shoe, and this is mine. These live in my dry bag until we pull into camp, then they’re the first thing I put on after peeling off my wet river sandals.

They’re much more supportive than a standard flip-flop, thanks to the same contoured footbed Chaco is known for. The sole isn’t quite as thick or rugged as the Z/1 Classic, but it has enough grip that I don’t think twice about wandering around camp, making late-night trips to the groover, or scrambling over a few rocks to watch the sunset.

I also like that I can slip them on over a pair of wool socks once the temperature drops. They’re not winning any style points, but comfort tends to take priority after a full day on the river.

Unlike the Z/1s, I wouldn’t wear these water sandals in the river. They can absolutely get wet and dry quickly, but because they’re slides they’ll come right off in moving water, so I keep them strictly for camp. Some owners report that the strap attachment breaks over time, but I haven’t experienced that during testing and I’ve been pretty rough on my pair.

They come in a bunch of colors, but I’m obsessed with the leopard print. River trips aren’t exactly glamorous or fashion-forward, so you might as well have a little fun with your camp shoes.

Best Protection for Side Hikes

Teva Hydratrek Closed-Toe Water Sandal

Pros and Cons
+ Full-foot coverage protects you from everything
+ Drains and dries quickly
+ Rubber toecap gives you more confidence on rocky trails
– Small pebbles can sneak in
– Less grippy on slick rock

These water shoes ended up being the unsung hero of my Grand Canyon river trip. I packed them mostly for side hikes, but after days of relentless sun, sunscreen wasn’t cutting it anymore, and having a lightweight shoe that covered the tops of my feet made a huge difference.

I was also surprised by how comfortable they were. They have solid arch support, drained and dried quickly, and never felt soggy the way some water shoes do. Even after wading through the river, I didn’t feel like I was carrying around a pair of soaked sneakers.

I still wore sandals most days, but whenever I wanted a little more protection, whether from the sun, sharp rocks, or the possibility of stubbing a toe, these were the water shoes I reached for. The rubber toe cap gave me extra confidence scrambling over rocks and hopping around the raft without making the shoe feel bulky or heavy.

I appreciated the extra protection on more technical side hikes as well. On a river trip, even a small cut or smashed toe can become a much bigger problem than it would be at home, so I found myself choosing these over sandals whenever I expected rough terrain.

A few small pebbles occasionally found their way through the side openings, but they were easy to shake out without taking the shoes off. (They are extremely easy to slip on and off, however. I found the outsole a little less grippy than my Chaco sandals on very slick, wet rock, though there was plenty of traction for rougher surfaces.

I wouldn’t replace my river sandals with these, but I also wouldn’t pack for another multi-day river trip without them. Having both on my Grand Canyon trip meant I could choose between water sandals and a little more protection depending on the day, and I ended up wearing these more than I expected.

Best One-Shoe Solution

The North Face Platte Canyon Water Shoes

Pros and Cons
+ Lightweight, sneaker-like look and feel
+ Odor-resistant
+ Quick-pull toggle for a snug fit
– Less sturdy than other options (thin sole, mesh upper)
– Runs about a half-size large

If I pack just one pair of closed-toe water shoes for a river trip, these are hard to beat. They look more like lightweight sneakers than traditional water shoes, but they drain quickly, dry fast, and feel just as comfortable hiking as they do walking around camp or wading through the river.

They’re incredibly lightweight and never feel heavy after getting wet. As long as I let them dry overnight (or a few hours in direct desert sun), they won’t develop that damp, funky smell some water shoes are known for.

Unlike some water shoes with thick, chunky soles, these keep you closer to the ground. I like the extra agility when scrambling over rocks and uneven terrain, though if you prefer maximum cushioning and foot protection, something like the Teva Hydratrek is a better choice.

The quick-pull toggle makes them easy to slip on and snug down, even with wet hands, and I’m just as happy wearing them with or without socks around camp.

They run about a half size large, so I recommend sizing down so you’re not sliding around on the footbeds the moment you really need stability.

These aren’t the most protective river shoes I tested with the mesh upper and thinner sole, but they may be the most versatile and provide great sun block. I’d happily wear them hiking, rowing, around camp, and even before or after a river trip without ever feeling like I’m wearing a dedicated water shoe.

Best Minimalist Water Shoe

Astral Loyak

Pros and Cons
+ Amazing traction
+ Wide toebox lets feet splay out naturally
+ Extremely lightweight
– Minimal cushioning and protection
– Water drains slower than other models

If you’re a fan of barefoot-style shoes, these are hard to beat on the river. They’re incredibly lightweight, drain almost instantly, and have some of the best traction I tested despite having such a thin sole.

That thin sole is also what makes them a more specialized recommendation. Personally, I prefer more cushioning underfoot, so I wouldn’t choose these for long hikes over rough, rocky terrain. If you’re planning to spend hours exploring side canyons, I’d reach for something with more protection.

But for life in and around the river, they’re excellent. The wide toe box gives your feet plenty of room to spread out, they don’t collect much sand or silt, and they dry quickly once you’re back in the sun.

The grip is what impressed me most. Even with such a low-profile sole, I felt confident moving around wet rocks and scrambling around the raft. They deliver a lot of traction without adding bulk.

If you already like minimalist footwear, I think you’ll love these water shoes. If you prefer more cushioning and underfoot protection, I’d look at one of the other closed-toe options instead.

How to Choose Water Shoes

If you’re choosing a water sandal, look for one that stays securely attached to your foot, even in moving water. Flip-flops won’t cut it, even in flat water where undercurrents can whisk them right off your feet. A good river sandal should drain quickly, grip wet rocks and slippery rubber rafts, and provide enough support to wear all day comfortably.

Closed-toe water shoes add another layer of protection. They’re a smart choice if your trip includes technical hikes, rocky portages, colder weather, or if you want to shield your feet from the sun, sharp rocks, and the occasional stubbed toe.

Finally, don’t overlook a dedicated camp shoe. After a full day in wet footwear, your feet will appreciate something dry. A lightweight slide lets your skin breathe while still protecting your feet from hot sand, sharp sticks, rocks, and whatever else is wandering around camp after dark.