10 Best Kayak Shoes In 2023

The L-RUN kayaking shoes provide barefoot-like comfort, but at the same time give your feet excellent protection and sure footing on slippery decks, pathways, and rocks. Furthermore, this top rated kayaking shoe is easy to slip on, drains water quickly, dries quickly, and doesn't develop odors.

Material and Traction

The uppers are made of an ultralight, breathable, and stretch material that provides excellent comfort when kayaking in hot conditions. On the other hand, the thick rubber outsoles offer very good traction on slippery surfaces. Additionally, a honeycomb structure insole cushions your feet against rocks.

Features and Comfort

Made of a stretchy fabric and featuring elastic shoelaces, these kayaking water shoes are easy to put on and provide a secure fit even when wet. Besides the breathable upper fabric, the bottoms have holes for ventilation, drainage, and quick-drying performance. 

What sets the UBFEN women's kayak shoes apart from other water shoes is that they have thicker and more robust soles. Because of this, they are the best kayak water shoes for protecting your feet when navigating rocky shorelines. The rubber outsoles even extend upwards to cushion your toes. 

Material and Traction 

Of course, these women's kayaking shoes are still lightweight, well-ventilated, and quick drying. This is thanks to an airy and stretchy material for the uppers. As for the bottom, the unique pattern on the rubber outsoles increases friction giving you excellent grip inside your kayak as well as on the shores.

Features and Comfort

Thanks to the stretchy fabric, the shoes will conform to your feet and provide a glove-like fit. Additionally, the elastic shoelaces make it easy to put them on, adjust the fit, and take them off. The drainage holes on the bottom are very well thought out. They give the kayaking shoe amazing drainage but are too small to allow sands or stones inside.

Thanks to 3mm neoprene fabric and patterned rubber soles, the NRS Kicker Remix kayak shoe provides superior insulation, traction, and protection. It's the best water shoe for kayaking for keeping your feet warm and protected from sharp and slippery rocks. Meanwhile, it's low-bulk design also makes it one of the most comfortable neoprene kayak shoes. 

Material and Traction

The uppers and insoles are made of a 3mm Terraprene neoprene with a titanium adhesive to keep your feet warm. When it comes to the bottoms, the rubber soles are tough enough to protect against rocks and patterned to give you excellent traction. Beyond this, the soles feature 2mm plastic shims for additional protection from rocks. 

Features and Comfort 

The features on the NRS Kicker Remix kayaking shoe are also excellent. The toe box is roomy, the stretchy rubber bands give you lateral stability, while armor patches guard the uppers. Rounding up the shoes are shoe-top drawcords that provide a secure fit, and make the shoe easy to put on and take off.

The best kayak shoe for cushioning and support is the Ryka Hydro women's kayaking shoe. It's equipped with a cushioning Nitracel insole, a compression-molded EVA midsole, and a webbing midfoot cage. On top of this, the aqua shoe is grippy on slick surfaces, durable, and stylish.

Material and Traction

The upper part of the Hydro water shoe is made of mesh and synthetics, which means the shoe is lightweight, breathable, and dries fast. As for the sole, it's made of rubber with a pattern that ensures these kayaking shoes have a good grip on every surface you stumble upon while kayaking.

Features and Comfort  

To give you the secure fit and comfort you need when kayaking, the Ryka feature a conventional lacing system and a padded tongue and collar. Furthermore, the shoes are easy to take on and off even when wet, and the drainage ports on the soles ensure water drains quickly. All these make them some of the best water shoes for kayaking.

When it comes down to durability, the WateLves kayaking shoes are the best water shoes for kayaking to consider. Use of heavy-duty material and a thick sole ensures they won't fall apart quickly even with constant exposure to water. Thanks to thick yet flexible foam arch-support inserts and thick toe caps, they are also among the most comfortable kayaking shoes on the market.

Material and Traction

Despite being heavy-duty, the material the uppers are made of is stretchy, lightweight,  and breathable so you're in for a comfortable kayaking experience. The thick sole offers excellent protection from rocky beaches, while the patterned traction offers a nice grip on a wet kayak interior. 

Features and Comfort

Designed to get wet, the WateLves water shoes have drainage holes on the bottom to ensure water flows out quickly and the shoes don't get soggy. As for fit, the uppers stretch, and the elastic laces allow you to make them as tight as you want.

The hiitave women’s shoes for kayaking are all about comfort. They are lightweight, breathable, and the wide duck feet like toe box offers plenty of room to wiggle your toes. Featuring thick and no-slip rubber outsoles, they offer top-notch protection and grip as well and are some of the best water shoes available on the market.

Material and Traction

The top part is made of a polyester air mesh, which makes the hiitave kayaking shoes super light, breathable, and quick-drying. The rubber soles are tough enough to protect from the hot sand, and sharp rocks and corals. Furthermore, the pattern provides superb traction in wet and slippery conditions.

Features and Comfort 

Besides the extra-wide toe box, the hiitave shoes also have a Solyte midsole for cushioning comfort. The drawstring keeps them snug on your feet, while the drainage holes on the bottoms ensure the water that gets inflows right out. Finally, you have several nice color options to choose from.

Designed with kayaking in mind, the NRS Vibe kayak shoes for men are the best kayaking water shoes for all types of paddling from flatwater to whitewater and ocean kayaking. While they look like sneakers, they offer the functionality of water shoes. Because of this, they are fantastic for use in and out of the water.

Material and Traction  

The material is a tough and water-resistant Cordura nylon that can stand up to constant water exposure, breathes well, and dries quickly. And, with the siped outsole, you can rest assured you'll enjoy solid footing whether you're portaging, getting in and out of the kayak, or exploring the surroundings.

Features and Comfort 

With a non-absorbent EVA foam footbed and a seamless interior, the NRS Vibe is a very comfortable kayaking shoe. To ensure they don't get soggy, the bottoms have drainage ports that naturally shed water.