13 Best Shoes for Whitewater Rafting

Believe it or not, proper footwear can make or break your whitewater rafting experience. By wearing the best shoes for rafting, your feet will always be safe and injury-free. They’re specially made to prevent accidental slippage on rocks and protect your feet from sharp objects. And if you haven’t owned a pair, it’s time to shop for the best shoes for whitewater rafting! Yes, many high-quality options are available on the market, but not all of them might suit you. Today, we’re going to recommend you some of the best shoes for white water rafting that will be more than helpful for you when you’re out there. They’ve been bought and used by countless people, so you can rest assured that they’re reliable. Keep scrolling to know more about them!

Salomon Men’s Techamphibian 3 Water Shoes

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Let’s start this list with a blast! Introducing you to the Salomon Men’s Techamphibian 3 Water Shoes! When things get wet, you can always rely on these best shoes for whitewater rafting. The uppers come with mesh side panels that do a great job of draining and drying out. That way, your feet won’t stay wet for long.

Moreover, these fantastic shoes also come with highly grippy soles that allow you to walk on both wet and dry surfaces without any worry. In addition to that, they have a quick lace system that makes them a cinch to take on and off. Even better, your purchase will be backed up by a two-year limited warranty. Speaking of water shoes, you should also check out our best water shoes for men and women!

Astral Brewer 2 Water Shoes

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Take a look at these gorgeous shoes! Besides whitewater rafting, the Astral Brewer 2 Water Shoes are also perfect for just about every sort of water adventure you can imagine. This makes them among the most versatile water shoes on the market right now.

Like other best shoes for white water rafting, they dry pretty quickly, so your feet can always be comfortable. They also have a ton of grip for walking on wet surfaces and plenty of protection for your feet. Plus, the lace-up closure will allow you to have a snug and comfy fit all the time.

adidas Men’s Terrex Boat Summer.rdy Water Shoes

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Who says the best shoes for whitewater rafting can’t look stylish? The adidas Men’s Terrex Boat Summer.rdy Water Shoes are proof! These are lightweight, breathable shoes that offer comfort and style near the water. If you’re not a fan of the bright yellow variant, there are still many color options to choose from!

Furthermore, these shoes have mesh uppers for breathability. Meanwhile, the grippy outsoles will provide sure footing when you’re on wet surfaces. They also feature a drainage system in the midsole and outsole for extra comfort around water.

Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes

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Get ready for an unforgettable whitewater rafting adventure with these Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes! These fantastic shoes drain quickly and offer excellent protection to your feet. Similar to the best water shoes for snorkeling, they’re lightweight so that you can stay on your feet longer. Even better, they’re also breathable!

Trust us, the last thing you want after a tiring session of whitewater rafting is having feet full of blisters. That’s why your best shoes for rafting should be comfy. Thankfully, these shoes fit your feet just right! They feel snug and are super comfortable. Plus, the rubber soles provide excellent grip!

Astral Women’s Loyak Everyday Outdoor Minimalist Sneakers

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Want to have the best shoes for rafting that you can also use for everyday activities? Look no further than the Astral Women’s Loyak Everyday Outdoor Minimalist Sneakers! The uppers are made from hydrophobic canvas material, which offers good internal ventilation and breathability.

Meanwhile, the EVA foam midsole is well cushioned and offers comfort for your feet. Another thing that we love about these best shoes for rafting is their well-crafted outsoles. They give fantastic grip and slip resistance to your feet. Finally, these shoes are available in five different color options, allowing you to look stylish every single day.

Teva Women’s Omnium Shoes

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The Teva Women’s Omnium Shoes are among the best shoes for whitewater rafting that offer comfort and quality to water rafting lovers. The first thing that we love about these shoes is that they come with closed-toe protection. Plus, they have a quick-dry mesh lining that keeps your feet dry and moisture-free when you go out of the water.

Available for both men and women, these best shoes for whitewater rafting also come with a Shoc Pad technology in the heel that gives you reliable shock absorption. Furthermore, these shoes boast a bungee lacing system that offers a more comfortable fitting.

ALEADER Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes

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ALEANDER is a reliable brand if you’re searching for the best shoes for whitewater rafting. Particularly, the ALEADER Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes are among the best products it’s ever made. Many love these shoes as the outsoles have plenty of water-draining pores, making them perfect for wet and slippery environments.

Another great feature is the air mesh uppers. They’re highly breathable and durable. The mesh design will keep your feet properly ventilated. Then there’s also the ComfortDry sock liner that offers higher cushioning and comfort to your feet.

Zhuanglin Women’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes

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The Zhuanglin Women’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes might not be from big brands, but no one can deny how amazing these shoes are. With lots of good features suitable for rafting trips, thousands have bought these shoes. Cheap and highly popular, you shouldn’t ignore these best shoes for whitewater rafting!

Their uppers are made from open mesh material, making them highly breathable and dry quickly. We also adore the ComfortDry Sockliner gives your feet proper cushioning and comfort. Meanwhile, the outsoles have lots of holes for faster water draining. Other features worth mentioning include the comfy flex grooves and midfoot webbing system.

Northside Unisex Brille II Athletic Water Shoes

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Nothing beats the Northside Unisex Brille II Athletic Water Shoes in terms of versatility. These best shoes for whitewater rafting are made for rough waters and everything in between. They come with synthetic soles, multi-directional rubber outsoles, and a lightweight design.

We also fancy the bungee lacing system that’s perfect for a full day of outdoor activity. Thanks to the abrasion-resistant toe and arch overlays, turbulent waters and rock particles aren’t going to cause huge problems for your feet. Even better, they also drain quickly!

KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal Water Shoes

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Another pair of best shoes for whitewater rafting to check out is the KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal Water Shoes. This footwear provides impressive traction and grip with its sturdy outsole design. The secure lace capture system is sure to keep the shoes intact if you go jogging or take a walk onshore, while the fluid design ensures it comes very light on the legs.

As some of the best shoes for rafting, it also has an odor repellent feature, which the Aegis Microbe Shield provides. Apart from that, these shoes also feature a washable polyester webbing that allows them to be highly drainable. Hence, your feet will remain dry and comfortable! Speaking of which, the EVA footbed provides excellent support.

The Wave Easy USA Women’s Water Shoes

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Among all of the best shoes for rafting, The Wave Easy USA Women’s Water Shoes manage to stand out. That’s because they have the right blend of quality and design for a decent fraction of the price of high-end alternatives. Although they’re not made for rugged outdoor activities, they do come with enough support and varying colors to match your needs and preferences.

The mesh and neoprene uppers are well designed. They can give sufficient protection from the water. Meanwhile, the heel provides decent traction with its TPR design. As with some of the best shoes for whitewater rafting, this pair is also lightweight!

Merrell Men’s Waterpro Maipo 2 Water Shoes

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Another great option that’s worth your money is the Merrell Men’s Waterpro Maipo 2 Water Shoes. These best shoes for whitewater rafting have M Select WET GRIP soles for improved convenience and safety. They also come with pretty good arch support that’s suitable for most paddlers.

Choosing the best shoes for white water rafting can be a hassle, especially if you’re born with wide feet. Thankfully, these shoes come in a wide range of sizes that allow those with wide feet to wear them comfortably! Many people also rave about their excellent handling of sand and dirt when taking a walk on the shore.

Speedo Men’s Surfwalker Pro 3.0 Water Shoes

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When it comes to the best shoes for whitewater rafting, only a few can compete with the Speedo Men’s Surfwalker Pro 3.0 Water Shoes. These shoes’ lightweight four-way stretch design gives superior grip and good traction on wet surfaces. They’re also designed with a textile material and have mesh panels that aid faster drying and enhance internal ventilation.

Even better, these best shoes for white water rafting offer a snug fit. They’re also further enhanced for white water rafting use with S-Trac outsoles that keep you in a firm position when rafting fast-moving waters. The best part is that these shoes are super affordable!

How To Choose The Best Shoes for Whitewater Rafting

Just like when you’re searching for the best shoes for canyoneering, there are some important factors that you should consider before choosing your best shoes for whitewater rafting. They include:

Drainage

When you’re water rafting, your feet are going to get wet, and that’s assuming that you don’t end up falling out of the boat and getting fully soaked! So, your shoes need to have good drainage. That way, your feet can stay comfy and your shoes won’t feel so heavy because of the water that’s absorbed by the shoes.

Grip

Another thing that you should consider is the grip. Your shoes should provide good traction on both wet and dry surfaces, so you can always stay safe!

Protection

You should always wear well-crafted and durable shoes that can protect your feet. Many riverbeds are rocky and dangerous to walk across, and if your shoes are poorly constructed, you might end up hurting yourself.

Toe coverings

When you’re water rafting, there’s a chance of a paddle coming into contact with your foot. So, having some protection over your toes is definitely a good idea.

What do you wear on your feet while white water rafting?

You should wear the best shoes for white water rafting that stay securely on your feet and can dry quickly. Sport sandals that strap on, tennis shoes, and water shoes all work pretty well.

What are the best shoes for rafting?

Everyone has their own favorite, but the best shoes for white water rafting are usually from Merrell, KEEN, and Astral. Of course, there are also other brands that make high-quality shoes, like the ones on this list.

Can you wear hiking boots white water rafting?

It’s not recommended to wear hiking boots when you’re whitewater rafting, as they don’t drain water and are too heavy.