13 Best Waterproof Shoes for Summer

As far as our feet are concerned, there’s nothing we hate more than soggy shoes, especially when it’s our favorite pair! When the summer weather suddenly turns dreary and rainy, it gets hard for us to motivate ourselves to go for a walk or any outdoor activity. However, the best waterproof shoes for summer helped us go about our summer in a comfortable way without getting wet or even sweaty feet. The waterproof walking shoes and sneakers we researched provided the same level of support and comfort and support as the usual walking shoes. That too, all while keeping our feet warm and dry, no matter how many puddles we splashed through.

Keeping our feet dry wasn’t just about the comfort factor, though – it was also about foot health. Problems like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus are common issues that develop due to wet feet, besides odor, of course. Hence, the importance of waterproof footwear. Why don’t you read our research and list of products before your next waterproof footwear purchase?

Hoka Anacapa Low GTX Hiking Shoes

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We think that HOKA has some of the best sneakers out there, and they upped the ante with the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX Hiking Shoes even more. These Gore-Tex hiking shoes boast a waterproof design and have the same stability and comfort as the HOKA Bondi 7, one of the best Hoka shoes for plantar fasciitis. However, this one boasts a little more traction on the soles that helped us navigate different terrains. What’s more, these hiking shoes also earned bonus points from us for the sustainability factor. This is thanks to the recycled polyester and leather materials. If that wasn’t enough, the liner and pull tab are made from 50% soybean oil wrap. 

New Balance Fresh Foam LinksSL V2 Waterproof Golf Shoe

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Best for walking. We were looking for good shoes for indulging in some summer tee time and came across the New Balance Fresh Foam LinksSL V2 Waterproof Golf Shoe. This style from New Balance checks every box, right from support to comfort to waterproofness. It’s designed with golfing in mind, so it boasts excellent traction that helped prevent slips when walking on grassy courses or even the pavement.

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What’s more, we also appreciated the Fresh Foam midsole’s cloud-like feel. It felt like we were walking on clouds! These waterproof shoes are made from waterproof microfiber leather, complete with a performance mesh upper that contributes to their waterproof nature. Besides the fact that they come in stylish shades, these shoes also have a two-year waterproof warranty.

Blondo Marylee Wedge Sandal

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Not all summer shoes have to be “shoes,” right? Behold the Blondo Marylee Wedge Sandal, the perfect waterproof sandal for summer that we’re absolutely in love with. Summer rainstorms were no biggie for us when we were stomping around in these wedge sandals. Firstly, the sporty style is crafted from waterproof fabric, including leather and suede. What’s more, the sandals feature a rubber sole that kept us safe and secure whenever a summer thunderstorm rolled into town. Even though it’s a seven-inch platform heel towards the end, it’s chunky enough for us to feel very comfortable no matter how many steps we got in. Besides being supportive and waterproof, these sandals have what we call the best closure in the world. They come with adjustable hook and loop straps, so they ensured that they fit us well.

Blondo Salome Waterproof Bootie

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Best booties. We have another Blondo product on this list; this time, it’s the Blondo Salome Waterproof Bootie. How would you like to wear waterproof booties that don’t end up looking like gumboots? We wanted the same, and these waterproof shoes are versatile to the hilt. The fantastic water protection comes from the brand’s “AquaProtect” seal, which guards the material against water and the harmful effects of salt and calcium. So, these booties continue to look great even in the worst of rainy weather. What’s more, these ankle boots were ideal for us to wear with casual outfits, for going out in the evenings, and sometimes even as office wear. Thanks to the almond toe and stacked heel, these shoes are as “in” right now as they are comfortable.

Check out this amazing review of these booties on Yahoo!

La Canadienne Douglas Waterproof Loafer

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We found something very timelessly classy about the La Canadienne Douglas Waterproof Loafers. The best bit? We didn’t have to sacrifice our favorite pair of loafers to the suddenly rainy summer weather. Instead, we invested in these amazing loafers with a waterproof design that we could switch into when the sky opened up. These loafers are made from waterproof Italian leather with a leather upper and lining, a leather footbed, and a memory foam midsole and insole. Besides doing their amazing part in warding off the water, they’re incredibly comfy thanks to the breathable lining and the memory foam soles. Finally, we loved the classic lug sole design, which also gives a healthy amount of traction. 

Merrell Women’s Hydro Moc Water Shoe

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Best eco-friendly. We were looking for good eco-friendly waterproof shoes for summer, and we’re glad to have found the Merrell Women’s Hydro Moc Water Shoe. In fact, Merell plans to make everything from renewable, organic, or recycled materials by 2025, and we more than love the brand’s efforts toward more sustainable fashion. Hence, we decided to invest in these waterproof shoes. These clog-inspired shoes were a cheat code for when we didn’t want to wear shoes. They’re designed from EVA material, which is durable, flexible, and makes the shoes comfy, lightweight, and waterproof. Moreover, the cut-out design was superb as it allowed our feet to drain water and breathe. The lightly cushioned EVA footbed features contoured arch support, which was a blessing for us. Finally, the articulated heel comes with a strap for a secure fit.

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Reef Water Vista Sandals

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We’ve always got it right with Reef, and the Reef Water Vista Sandals are no exception. These waterproof sandals up the ante on the classic look of an espadrille, and it’s a more functional update, which we love. What’s more, the simple silhouette is versatile and timeless enough to work with a variety of our outfits, whether we’re wearing travel dresses or cute camping outfits. Clearly, they’re the very definition of summer waterproof footwear. We especially loved the cushioned footbed and the adjustable Velcro backstrap. The former molded perfectly to our feet while being comfy, while the latter ensured customization of fit. Meanwhile, the outsole is hard with lots of traction, so we didn’t slip, slide or fall on wet surfaces.

Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GORE-TEX

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Best for running. Since we go running even in the rain during the summers, we needed a pair of sneakers that are supportive and durable while keeping our feet dry in puddles. That’s why we chose the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GORE-TEX, which also happens to be one of the best finish-line women’s travel shoes. These Nike shoes feature expert-approved Gore-Tex material that’s both breathable and waterproof for maximum comfort. What’s more, these shoes were perfect when we ran on uneven surfaces too. That’s because of the bettered traction and construction that prevented us from sliding and slipping in the slush or rain. 

The FOD Runner reviews these shoes in detail in this YouTube video review.

Vivaia Aria 2.0 Water Repellent Ballet Flats

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We love good, versatile ballet flats, especially since we love wearing them for any kind of weather. And that’s why we love the elegant Vivaia Aria 2.0 Water Repellent Ballet Flats, which effectively repel water. So, not only did we wear them while running errands, but also we wore them to the office. For one, the knit upper is made from plastic bottles, which renders them breathable and antimicrobial. Hence, they kept our feet healthy even after we got caught in the rain. One of the best bits about these Vivaia ballet flats is that they can be tossed in the washer when they get dingy. Moreover, the pointed-toe style shoe even has a heel patch, rendering them very comfortable for us. Wrapping up the features is the carbon-free rubber outsole and the natural Artemisia argy herbal insole, which gives them a sustainable edge.

OOFOS OOriginal Sandal

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Since some of us have foot problems, we were looking for summer sandals that are comfy and yet provide some relief to the feet. That’s when we chanced upon the extra-comfy OOFOS OOriginal Sandal Slip flip-flops whenever we wanted to give our feet a little break. In fact, they happen to be one of the best sports flip-flops for women. These sandals are made from Ooofos’ proprietary foam that absorbs 37% more impact as compared to any other footwear. In fact, it also won’t absorb odor or water. But what we liked the most was that the footbed offered plenty of arch support, which is very rare among such typical thong-style sandals. We could also toss these sandals easily into the washing machine for easy and fast cleaning.

It’s no wonder that Oofos is one of the best flip-flop brands.

Teva Hurricane Drift Sandals

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There’s no way we’re making a list of the best waterproof footwear, and Teva doesn’t make the list, specifically the Teva Hurricane Drift Sandals. One of the best Teva walking sandals, the combination of lightweight feel and durability in these can’t be beaten. Despite weighing next to nothing, these sandals felt very sturdy for us to wear even when we were on our feet for hours at a time. That’s why we appreciated the hook and loop strap, which made it super easy to pop these on and take them off. Besides that, they also provided customization of fit. Functionality aside, the subtle lug sole ensured traction even on wet surfaces, making these sandals a force to reckon with in any weather.

Birkenstock Super-Birki Cork Footbed Clog

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Birkenstocks are Birkenstocks, and the Birkenstock Super-Birki Cork Footbed Clog was perfect for us in many situations. Whether we were strolling on a drizzly summer morning or out gardening, these slip-on waterproof clogs are all that we needed. There’s a lot to love about these clogs, starting from the fact that they’re made from polyurethane. Moreover, they also have a removable cork-latex footbed, which helped us transition from dry to wet environments. If that wasn’t enough, these clogs happen to be grease and oil-resistant as well as non-slipping! Hence, they’re not a headache to clean. To top that, they come in a range of trendy and fun colors, including the fun Apple Green below!

“We’ve always loved Birkenstocks, and these clogs made our lives very easy during a particularly wet summer. They were very easy to put on and take off.”

WOW Travel

Racqua Water Shoes

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Sitting at the top of this list is the Racqua Water Shoes, which are unique not only in their design but also how they felt on our feet. One of the most unique features of these shoes is that there are separate spots for each of our toes, so imagine a pair of socks but in the form of shoes! Secondly, there’s no heel lift, so these shoes ended up giving us the exact feel of running and walking barefoot. At the same time, we had the added advantage of lots of traction on the sole, thanks to amazing rubber grips. If that wasn’t enough, the shoes also happen to have strategically placed holes on the bottom and a mesh upper. Together, they both help drain water quickly, especially when we went to the beach for surfing or kayaking.

Our Verdict!

While we love all the waterproof shoes we’ve mentioned above, some are rather special depending on their specific qualities. These include:

• Best for walking: New Balance Fresh Foam LinksSL V2 Waterproof Golf Shoe
• Best booties: Blondo Salome Waterproof Bootie
• Best eco-friendly: Merrell Women’s Hydro Moc Water Shoe
• Best for running: Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GORE-TEX

How To Choose The Best Waterproof Shoes for Summer?

Build

We looked for well-constructed waterproof shoes with ample toe box room, adequate arch support, shock absorption cushioning, and support. The size should also fit well, so we looked for shoes that fit snugly without feeling too loose or tight. Plus, it’s also important to choose pairs that have arch support and cushioning.

Waterproofing and water resistance

Obviously, if we’re talking about waterproof shoes, we have to discuss the feature. Hence, we looked for the right materials that would help us ensure that the shoe prevents water from soaking through to our feet. This is where Gore-Tex, which is one of the best waterproof footwear materials, comes in. Its breathable and sturdy construction keeps the water out.

Traction

Finally, traction is also an important feature. Besides keeping the feet dry, a great pair of waterproof shoes should stop you from sliding or slipping. So, we looked for styles that had soles with additional traction on various surfaces, which is important during wet conditions.

When should I wear waterproof shoes?

Consider wearing waterproof shoes when engaging in outdoor activities where your feet could come into contact with water.

Are waterproof shoes breathable?

It’s a bit of a trade-off, as the more water-resistant, the less breathable the shoes generally are. It all depends on the activities you’re doing. For instance, go for water-resistant rather than waterproof shoes if you don’t plan to step into puddles. So you can breathe easier.

Are leather shoes waterproof?

While most leather shoes aren’t waterproof, it’s possible to create waterproof leather shoes via a special process.