These Swimming Shoes at Target are Great for Travel

We’ve seen slippery rocks spoil strolls along pebbled beaches, riverbed treks, and even white-water rafting adventures – but they shouldn’t. While throwing on flip-flops can be a tempting convenience, sometimes good footwear is the only thing between you and slippery surfaces, sharp rocks, or hot sand. When chosen well, the right pair of swimming or water shoes provides some much-needed protection and peace of mind. We found an entire collection of swimming shoes at Target that are not just functional and durable, but also comfortable and stylish. And that never hurt anyone, did it? We’ve worn these water shoes for every activity imaginable, right from chasing kids at the waterpark to a kayaking trip down the Colorado River, and they’ve delivered.

Not only did these water shoes from Target come in a variety of styles, but they also suited a whole range of budgets. To that end, check out our comprehensive and detailed guide to buying water shoes for everyone at Target.

All in Motion Women’s Aurora Water Shoes

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All in Motion is a brand that’s synonymous with outdoor travel. So, it’s not very surprising that the All in Motion Women’s Aurora Water Shoes are some of the best water shoes we’ve seen. Not only are they crafted from recycled polyester with a breathable upper, but they’re also not devoid of style. What’s more, the outsoles feature drainage holes that help keep water from pooling up within the shoe. Thanks to the removable foam liner that provided cushioned comfort, we could wear them out of the water, too. The slip-on style is easy to wear and remove, and the shoes dry up quickly, too, especially after long, wet conditions arising from water activities. Finally, the toggle closure and the elastic bungee laces help ensure a secure, snug, and customized fit.

All in Motion Men’s Max Water Shoes

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We were able to trek our way through watery parks in comfortable style with the All in Motion Men’s Max Water Shoes. This wonderful pair of closed-toe water shoes had us impressed for more reasons than one. For one, it’s made from a breathable upper sustainable recycled polyester material. It was designed not just for a comfortable fit but a comfortable fit for when we trekked through wet areas. We were especially impressed with the outsoles that had drainage holes which helped keep these shoes from filling up with water when we traversed watery trails. Our favorite slip-on style was only made all the better with elastic bungee laces, which made them easy to put on and take off.

Speedo Toddler Boys’ Hybrid Water Shoes

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Perhaps it’s kids who play in and around water the most, so why should they not have amazing water shoes, right? The Speedo Toddler Boys’ Hybrid Water Shoes do just that. For toddlers like ours who jump around wantonly just about anywhere and everywhere, these hybrid water shoes are ideal. That’s because they offer not just comfort but also breathability and ultimate levels of support. What’s even better for us parents is that they conveniently dry very quickly, which is less of a hassle for us. Thanks to the superior drainage features, our kids don’t go bout slipping everywhere anymore. Adding to the firm grip is the Velcro closure along with the pull loop, with the stretch foot pocket that made it easy for them to put them on and take them off.

A New Day Women’s Jonie Ankle Strap Footbed Sandals

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Not all water shoes have to be ‘water shoes,’ right? We’re talking about the A New Day Women’s Jonie Ankle Strap Footbed Sandals, a pair of stylish slingback sandals that were made for wet-but-not-so-wet-walking. These sandals are perfect for those walks and hikes where there’s less wet walking than other places, which makes these sandals ideal. What makes it all the better is that they go with just about every outfit! So, even when we donned travel dresses and wore these out of the water, these slingback sandals were perfect. Thanks to the ankle strap, the instep strap, and the front band, they stayed snugly on our feet all the time. What’s more, the airy back silhouette, the cushioned footbed, and the no-heel design kept everything around our feet breezy.

Speedo Men’s Surf Strider Water Shoes

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We were looking for stylish men’s water shoes for a day out by the lake or the beach when the Speedo Men’s Surf Strider Water Shoes caught our eye. It’s rare for men’s water shoes to be stylish and functional, but this Speedo creation manages to do that. Firstly, the shoes are made from a comfortable and breathable upper in a “Surf Knit” build. Thus, it not only dried quickly when out of the water but also worked wonderfully well in draining the water from the shoe once we stepped out of it. Meanwhile, the easy on/off property makes this a style that works for quick pool workouts as well. Thanks to the removable sock liner, the shoes were easy to maintain and wash as well. All in all, it’s designed in a way that offers us the best comfort, breathability, and support where we need it the most.

Cat & Jack Kids’ Grover Slip-On Water Shoes

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Our kid was ready for all sorts of aquatic adventures by the pool, lake, and ocean with these Cat & Jack Kids’ Grover Slip-On Water Shoes. The brand is known for making classics with an imagination of its own, and these water shoes are no exception. They’re made using a lightweight fabric along with a plastic insole, thus providing excellent in-water properties along with durability. Thanks to the breathable upper, our kids felt comfy all day long in these shoes as they dried quickly and didn’t cause painful friction. We especially loved the addition of the indoor/outdoor outsole, which makes these shoes perfect for hardwood floors and indoor wear as well as the outside.

“Kids leaving a trail of water and mud used to be a nightmare, until we got them these Cat & Jack shoes. They’re comfortable and quick-drying – and non-messy!”

WOW Travel

Speedo Women’s Surf Strider Water Shoes

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Just like the men’s version, the Speedo Women’s Surf Strider Water Shoes are a class apart and a great pair of nice, lightweight water shoes for women. There are a lot of things we love about these shoes, like the breathable and comfortable upper in Surf Knit construction. Thanks to the said build, the shoes didn’t allow water to build up and drained them very quickly. Moreover, the shoes boasted easy on/off technology, which meant that we didn’t have to struggle to wear or, more importantly, remove them after a long day of wet walking. The fact that the shoes came with a very useful stretch foot pocket and pull loop only made wearing and removing them all the easier.

Joybees Kids’ Dylan Slip-On Water Shoes

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Our bigger kids enjoyed the water to the hilt with the Joybees Kids’ Dylan Slip-on Water Shoes. Thanks to the sturdy upper and outsole, these shoes were both convenient and comfortable for our kids to wear across various surfaces. What’s more, the closed-toe, perforated design greatly prevented debris, such as twigs, small rocks, and pebbles, from entering the shoes. Meanwhile, the flocked outsole offered enough traction so they could easily move through water without hurting themselves. Finally, the pivoting heel strap and the non-marking outsole offered a secure fit that prevented them from slipping in the water while protecting our home floors from scruffs.

All in Motion Men’s Benji Water Shoes

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The All in Motion Men’s Benji Water Shoes are slightly different water shoes than the others on this list. These slip-on water shoes boast a lightweight mesh-fabric upper which helps them drain water as well as dry very quickly. What’s more, they had a 100% recycled polyester lining on the inside, which ensured that our feet didn’t have too much friction with the rougher materials of the shoes. Besides the closed-toe design that kept our toes covered, the padded collar and tongue kept our feet comfortable on the inside. Moreover, the removable footbed made it easier to wash and maintain the shoes.

Women’s Mad Love Keava Footbed Sandals

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We can’t help but include another worthy pair of water sandals on this list – after all, they have a whopping 4.5 rating from close to 2,000 reviews! We’re talking about the Women’s Mad Love Keava Footbed Sandals, which slid into our lives as comfy, everyday styles. These footwear essentials have everything going for them. They feature EVA soles that make them durable, flexible, and lightweight for everyday use. Since they feature an open-toe design, they kept us comfortable all day long, whether we were wet walking or even sightseeing in cities, thanks to a contoured footbed. Since they’re made from sustainable recycled materials, they’re good for the planet too! Finally, they come in a multitude of color options.

Speedo Junior Surf Strider Water Shoes

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While we’ve mentioned these shoes for men and women, we can’t have the kids left behind, can we? Behold the Speedo Junior Surf Strider Water Shoes, which offer our jumping, dancing, and prancing kids’ feet the ultimate in comfort and support. Thanks to the Surf Knit technology, the shoes are not just breathable but also drain any water collected immediately. If that wasn’t enough, they’re extremely quick-drying too, so they could easily bounce from land to pool and back to land. Finally, the stretch foot pocket and the pull loop tab made it easy for the kids to put on and take off the shoes on their own.

Hardcore Water Sports Men’s Aqua Socks Water Shoes

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One of the most unique water shoes on this list is the Hardcore Water Sports Men’s Aqua Socks Water Shoes. Designed exclusively for water sports adventures, they were perfect for when we went whitewater rafting – and we’ll tell you why we enjoyed it so much. For one, they boast lightweight and durable soles, which offer a ton of protection for our feet without weighing us down. These included everything from gushing water to sharp rocks and uneven surfaces. What’s more, after every soak, water drained out almost immediately through the mesh/spandex material. And since the material is breathable, our feet or the shoes didn’t smell after the adventure either! Wrapping up the features is the elastic cinch cord, which allowed us to adjust the shoe to fit us comfortably and snugly.

Speedo Men’s Surfwalker Water Shoes

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We end the list with the topmost product, the Speedo Men’s Surfwalker Water Shoes, which took us from the sea to the shore in total comfort. There are a ton of things we aboslutely loved about these versatile shoes. For one, they featured a stretchy, pull-on mesh upper that not only drained water immediately but also dried quickly. Thus, it not only protected our feet from odor but also ensured constant breathability. What’s more, the elastic bungee cord lacing allowed us to quickly adjust the fit on the fly. Finally, the durable outsole protected our feet greatly from the hot sand, rocks, pebbles, and other debris on the shore.

How To Choose The Best Swimming Shoes At Target That Are Great For Travel?

Material

Swimming or water shoes are made from a variety of materials. One of the most popular materials we found was neoprene, as it not only kept us warm but was also flexible as we walked over varied rough surfaces. Albeit, they could get heavy and trap heat too. Mesh, on the other hand, is less durable but more breathable and lightweight. Meanwhile, rubber provides good traction and is durable, but it could get uncomfortable and stiff to wear sometimes. So, do what we did and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each material when choosing swimming shoes.

Drainage and drying time

Two of the most important factors when choosing swimming shoes that go hand-in-hand are their drainage properties and drying time. Water shoes that have mesh panels and drain holes tend to have better drainage properties by preventing water from pooling inside the shoes. Thus, they dry quickly by allowing the water to escape easily before it accumulates.

Additionally, we always want our water shoes to dry quickly. It’s not just for sanitary purposes, as bacteria and odor can build up the longer shoes sit wet, but also because they can be taken off more easily. So, we went looking for swimming shoes with quick-drying materials such as neoprene or mesh.

Fit

Fit is all the more important when it comes to water shoes, as they should not be too tight but rather fit snugly. On the other hand, the wet and weighted-down excess fabric makes it extremely hard to walk in the water if they’re too loose. Thus, we looked for water shoes that were not only comfortable but also allowed us a full range of motion of our feet, allowing us to feel secure about stepping on rocks.

Traction

Traction is a very important feature in swimming shoes because we’re walking on, well, water. Thus, good water shoes prevented us from slipping on wet surfaces, such as slimy river rocks, when we went hiking. Pro tip: Look for shoes that have a rubber sole and a patterned tread that ensures a much better grip.

Durability

One of the main reasons for wearing swimming shoes is to protect our feet from abrasion underwater. That also means that the shoes would be withstanding hard, sharp surfaces instead of our skin. Hence, we looked for durable water shoes that could endure wear and tear when we indulged in water activities. Sturdy materials and reinforced seams are what we looked for.

If you’re shopping at Target, do also read about our other favorite shoes from Target and the best deals on Crocs shoes at Target.

Should you size up or down in water shoes?

While water shoes should fit snugly, under the water, they could feel looser due to water filling up the space between the skin and the shoes. So, you need to size down if you’re between sizes.

Are water shoes or water sandals better?

It depends on the activity you’re indulging in. While water sandals are better for extremely wet walking or hiking, water shoes cover more surface area of the feet, thus fully protecting them against slimy seaweed and sharp rocks. Overall, it depends on the activity and the season.

Are water shoes good for walking?

With a reliable outsole, water shoes are good for walking, but it also depends on how far you’re walking and the general make of the shoe. Does it have a cushioned footbed? That’s a bonus.

Some images on this article are copyrighted by Target.