The 9 Best Waterproof Sandals of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Jun 30, 2025

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Hit the lake, boat dock, and even campground showers with these waterproof sandals.

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Travel + Leisure

A good pair of waterproof sandals will prevent slopping around in squishy, wet shoes after an impromptu river crossing. They are also designed to have better traction on wet surfaces, and the moisture-repelling materials help prevent bacteria and mildew buildup. Waterproof sandals are my footwear of choice for all water-based summer activities, and I often toss them in my bag for beach vacations and hiking trips alike.

We've tested a wide range of waterproof sandals over the past three years from top brands like Chaco, Keen, Birkenstock, and more. We wore each pair of sandals on boat docks, while kayaking, during paddleboard sessions, and at beaches, pools, and hiking trails. I’ve tested multiple pairs myself, and, ultimately, our favorite waterproof sandals have supportive platforms, good outsole traction, and durable materials that don't chafe or rub.

The raised footbed provides extra support around the sides of the foot.

The toe strap can feel a little stiff at first.

Who doesn't love a pair of Birkenstock sandals for walking long-distances? This EVA iteration is not only waterproof, but shock-absorbent as well, so you can safely wear them on a variety of terrains. They felt extremely comfortable from the first wear, aside from a slight stiffness through the toe strap, but after just an hour of walking around, the molded footbed and wide top strap felt comfortable and conforming, and we had zero discomfort. They feel light and airy, and even our flat feet felt nicely supported thanks to the raised arch.

The EVA might be soft and flexible underfoot, but they’ve shown no excessive signs of wear and tear despite the softer materials. We also appreciate the design of these shoes—the material is light and easy to pack, but the fun strap design brings the whole shoe up a few notches.

The Details: Size 5-10 women’s | EVA

The nostalgia of the transparent jelly sandals simply cannot be beat, especially when they’re nicely cushioned like these.

The plastic buckle has held up so far, but we would prefer a stronger material.

Modeled after the iconic ’90s jelly sandals, but with a big upgrade in comfort, these fun and sparkly sandals added a stylish twist to all of our beachside outfits. They come with a squishy PVC footbed and the flexible straps don’t rub or cause hot spots, even after we wore these for hours in hot weather. The rounded strap edges helped our feet stay comfortable, and they’re thick and sturdy enough through the footbed to last a long time.

The thicker footbed helped us feel supported through all parts of our foot, and we loved the thick, lugged sole with round spikes that gave these even better traction when walking through sand. They are fully waterproof from the plastic build and easy to shake dry. If we had to change one thing, we’d love a slightly more rugged plastic buckle for added durability.

The Details: Size 5-13 women’s | PVC

A textured bottom and sleek design makes these easy to keep on your feet.

They don’t have the same underfoot cushion as some other slides.

These unisex slides have become our default for tossing in our beach bag, biking to town, stomping around the pool deck, and running errands. I've had a pair of these in rotation for years, and the easy-to-wear style and comfort continues to impress. These are lightweight and fairly low profile, so I’ve actually taken them as my sandal option when I have limited space in my carry-on.

Freedom Moses makes these in an array of colors—bright or neutral—and some of our pairs have lasted more than two years with frequent wear. They don’t have quite the amount of underfoot cushion as some other slides, so just be prepared if you plan to wear them while standing for long periods of time.

The Details: Size 4-12 women’s, 8-13 men’s | Injected PCU

They are supportive enough to wear while boating or hiking, and have plenty of versatility and arch support.

The straps can take a lot of fine-tuning to get comfortable.

Chaco sandals are a summer staple, whether we’re at the beach, on a boat, or hiking a local trail. The Z/Cloud 2 sandals have a three-layer underfoot platform that includes a rubber outsole, polyurethane midsole, and EVA top layer that provides plenty of stability and arch support for long days outside. The top straps thread through the soles and are infinitely adjustable, and we recommend adjusting when you’re walking up or downhill to avoid pressure points.

This model is somewhat lighter than other Chaco hiking sandals, but we noticed no lack of support or durability with the lower-weight build. Chacos can take some getting used to though, and we have experienced hot spots from the strap anchor points when wearing them for too long without our “Chaco feet” in shape. But if you ease into them, you shouldn’t have an issue.

The Details: Size 5-10 women’s, 7-15 men’s | Rubber, EVA, and Polyester

The soft material and durable straps stay in place well and don’t cause chafing.

We’d love a little more traction on wet rocks and in water.

While other summer sandals can cause frustrating hot spots and chafing, these sporty waterproof sandals for women and men have wide, adjustable straps that are easy to tailor to your foot width and height. We experienced no chafing or issues with the straps or platform even after getting them wet and wearing them around the water.

These sandals were also comfortable for hiking, and had excellent tailored arch support and a textured foot platform to help our feet stay in place when the going got slippery. The midsole was nicely cushioned and the strap anchors were well placed to avoid rubbing. The outsole could use a little more texture though, and we slipped a few times on rocks when walking near a waterfall.

The Details: Size 5-11 women’s, 7-14 men’s | Rubber, elastomer, and polyester

The thick toe bumper is a guaranteed toe-stub preventer.

The classic boat sandal look isn’t for everyone.

Keen is one of the originators of waterproof shoe/sandal hybrids, and these updated sandals have a lower profile than some of the bulkier models, but no less support and durability. We loved the outsole and midsole support, as well as the reinforced toe bumper that makes it impossible to stub your toes. They fit true to size and were comfortable right out of the box, which was a nice change for a more built-up sandal.

The whole shoe feels well made and durable, and the double stitching at common failure points is confidence-inspiring for continuous wear in the sun and salt water. We wore these around water as well as on hiking trails, and the closed-toe design felt protective and secure on a range of trails. While the Whisper Sandals only come in women's sizes, we've also tested the Keen Newport H2 Sandals, which have a similar design for men.

The Details: Size 5-12 women’s | Rubber, EVA, and polyester

The outsole is incredibly durable with great traction.

Minimalist shoes with less cushion will take some getting used to.

Bedrocks are a bedrock (sorry) in the ultralight hiking world, and we were thrilled to try them this season. Everything about these minimalist sandals felt tailor-made for the outdoors, from the supple straps to the grippy Vibram outsole. We wore these in some pretty tough hiking conditions and they still look good as new, and have exceeded our expectations for what a minimalist sandal can do.

The straps did take a few wears to break in, but they are sturdy and flexible, and once we wore them around for shorter walks, they felt perfectly comfortable around our feet. They are easy to adjust and can be fine-tuned to avoid hot spots, and the adjustment points are well-placed for even tension. Our only recommendation here is to be aware that these are low-profile and minimalist, so they won’t have the same padding and arch support as more fully featured waterproof sandals.

The Details: Size 6-14 women’s, 5-12 men’s | EVA and polyester

The footbed and arch support is comfortable for all-day wear.

The design isn’t super sophisticated for non-sporty wear.

The Teva Tirra Sandals (and the Terra Fi 5 for men) have multiple adjustment points, including two straps over the top of the foot, and one around the ankle, so the fit was easy to dial. This security also kept the sandals from sliding while we were walking, and we had no issues with the shoe twisting on uneven terrain. The soles of the Teva Tirras did feel fairly rigid, though we appreciated the thickness and arch support that came from the added material.

The platform and outsole is made with two layers for support and cushion, which was appreciated for walking longer distances. We had no soreness underfoot or blister issues, and we loved being able to adjust these while wearing them if we needed them tighter or looser.

The Details: Size 6-1 women’s | Nylon, polyester, and EVA

These stylish sandals work for the pool, beach, and casual dinners.

The soles are a little flat and don’t have the best arch support.

These shoes feature a casual-chic design that packs down flat and are easy to wear from the pool to dinner and back to your resort room. We needed no break-in period with these flip-flops, and the toe loop was surprisingly comfortable and didn’t cause any blisters. They fit true to size (size up if you wear a half-size) and we didn’t slide around at all thanks to the secure strap placement and Croc-famous EVA and TPU materials.

These have held up well during our tests, and the outsole has just enough texture to stay secure on slippery tiles. They are a little flatter than standard Crocs or built-up flip flops, but they do work well if you plan to walk right into the ocean or even pools.

The Details: Size 4-11 women’s | TPU and EVA

We've tested plenty of pairs of waterproof sandals over the years, and a few didn’t quite make the top cut. These sandals may still work for a lot of travelers, depending on your style and needs.

Keen Women's Hyperport H2 Sandals: We loved the support and rugged construction of these closed-toe sandals, but ultimately the chunky outsole and thick straps felt a little overbuilt.

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OluKai 'Ohana: We loved the quality of the materials and sleek design of these flip-flops, but had some trouble with the fit and would recommend sizing up.

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To find the best waterproof sandals, we wore each pair in a range of conditions, from hiking trails to lakes and beach outings. We evaluated everything from durability of the straps to underfoot arch support, and noted how the shoes felt both directly out of the box as well as after a few break-in wears.

We wore these shoes in and around water, then set them out to dry and timed how long the shoes took to completely dry. We also noted traction on a variety of terrain, overall comfort, and support.

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You’re likely wearing waterproof sandals for walking around on wet surfaces, so make sure to check both the outsole material and patterning. Most of the sandals we tested have a textured outsole to help with traction, and some (like the Keen and Chaco sandals) have actual lugs and dedicated materials for hiking and walking around on a range of surfaces. Outsole materials like rubber will fare better than squishy EVA, and some brands even use Vibram rubber, which is famous for its tacky grip on both wet and dry surfaces.

Breathable, wicking straps will help keep your feet cool and free from sweat, which will in turn help prevent pesky blisters and hot spots. Look for EVA footbeds and nylon or polyester straps, which will help your feet breathe as well. Finally, sandals with more narrow straps and a moderate fit will help promote airflow and can keep your feet dry and cool simply by exposure to the air.

To avoid odor buildup in your waterproof shoes, I recommend cleaning them every few wears (mild soap works great for this), and making sure they’re completely dry between uses. I like to let mine dry in the sun if possible. It also helps to air your feet out whenever you get a chance if you’re getting them wet and continuing to wear them all day.

Waterproof sandals are made with materials that completely repel water, from straps to footbed to outsoles. These shoes can shake dry or wipe off quickly, and are often made with materials that resist degrading in sun or saltwater. Water-resistant sandals still offer a degree of protection from precipitation and occasional water, but they will saturate through and we don’t recommend immersing them.

Some waterproof sandals are great for hiking, others are a recipe for blisters. We tested a few waterproof hiking sandals, and recommend wearing them for short outings or less vigorous hikes. Hiking models will have more arch support, dedicated traction on the outsoles, and comfortable webbing straps to prevent blisters and pinch points.

The best sandal for walking all day is one with a dual-density foot platform that uses some kind of responsive EVA or compressed foam for shock absorption, along with a durable rubber outsole to stay stable on uphills and downhills. Look for wide straps that won’t rub or cause blisters, and a lot of adjustability in case your feet swell while walking.

Maggie Slepian is a professional gear tester, testing hundreds of items on the trail each year, from hiking shoes and headphones to protein bars. She wears some version of waterproof sandals in the gym locker room, at her local pool, at the beach, and while kayaking and paddleboarding. For this piece, Maggie tested her own waterproof sandals and used the testing notes from additional Travel + Leisure testers.

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