Going on that long-awaited summer holiday, or if you are lucky enough to live at the beach, here are some great ideas for shoes to wear to the beach that is fashionable, practical, and comfortable.
Beach shoes today are not only limited to Flip Flops and Sandals, but wide varieties accommodate the sand, heat, and wetness.
Different Types of Beach Shoes
As I have mentioned before, there are a few types of shoes that you can use on the beach;
- Flip Flops – The most common and popular beach shoe is the Flip Flop. I recommend using a rubber or EVA flip-flop type in this range, which can repel water and is easily rinsed for cleaning.
- Slides – Like the flip flop in an open design, the slide has one solid strap that goes over your toes and not in between. Likewise, I recommend a rubber, EVA, or foam-type slide for the beach.
- Water Shoes Or Aqua Socks – Water Shoes and Aqua socks are designed, especially in water and wet conditions. They offer excellent grip on rocks and slippery surfaces; they have a closed and more protective design and dry quickly and drain water.
- Canvas Shoes – Canvas Sneakers or slip-on shoes are casual and comfortable with a lightweight and breathable construction for those cool days on the beach.
What To Look for in a Good Beach Shoe
- Breathability – Breathability and Ventilation in a beach shoe is much for hot summer days; therefore an open-design sandal or shoe from lightweight and breathable materials is recommended.
- Water Wise – Your shoes will most definitely get wet on the beach, so look for a shoe that will either dry quickly or is made from a foam or rubber from which the water slips off easily.
- Easy Cleaning – Sand, water, and the sticky residue are inevitable at the beach, so opt for a shoe that you can clean and dry quickly, easily, and regularly.
- Grip – Slippery rocks, sand, and wet surfaces can all cause slipping hazards at the beach; therefore, always make sure that the outsole on your shoes offers a good grip. Rubber is a great choice in outsoles.
Anatomy of an Excellent Beach Shoe
- Uppers – Soft and comfortable uppers from rubber, foam, Polyester, Mesh, or canvas materials. Breathable and open design. Quick-drying materials.Drainage holes in closed shoes.
- Outsole – Durable and high grip rubber outsole.
- Footbed – Some cushioning for comfort and shock absorbency, such as EVA or memory foam. A contoured and supportive design. Arch support and a deeper heel cup.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| No. | Shoe | Type | Upper | Closure | Cushioning (as listed) | Outsole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaco Zx2 Classic Outdoor / Zx2 Classic Sport (men's) | Sandal | Not stated | Buckle | Not stated | Not stated |
| 2 | KEEN Newport H2 Closed | Sandal | Not stated | Lace-up | Not stated | Non-marking rubber |
| 3 | ALEADER Adventure Aquatic | Water Shoe | Mesh | Slip-on | Not stated | Rubber |
| 4 | adidas Terrex Tracefinder Trail | Trail Running Shoe | Mesh | Not stated | LIGHTMOTION | Not stated |
| 5 | Crocs Crocband | Work Shoe | Croslite foam | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| 6 | Teva Hurricane XLT 2 | Sandal | Not stated | Hook-and-loop | Not stated | Rubber |
| 7 | Teva Original Universal | Sandal | Not stated | Hook-and-loop | EVA | Not stated |
| 8 | FitFlop LULU Glitter Toe-Post / Trakk II Leather (men's) | Work Shoe | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Slip-resistant rubber |
| 9 | adidas Supernova Rise 3 | Running Shoe | Synthetic | Lace-up | Dreamstrike | Not stated |
– = not stated on the Amazon listing. Specs as stated by the listing, not tested by us; check the listing before you buy.
Reviews: Best Beach Shoes
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1
Adjustable Sandal for Warm Days
The Chaco Zx2 Classic Sport (men’s) and Zx2 Classic Outdoor (women’s) are matching sandals from Chaco, and both are worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Polyester jacquard webbing.
- Adjustable and durable high-tensile webbing heel risers, worth noting if fit is a priority for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Injection-molded ladder lock buckle.
- All Jacquard webbing made with Repreve 100% recycled preformance fiber.
- Double-strapped polyester jacquard webbing upper wraps around the foot and through the midsole for a customized fit toe loop for secure fit adjustable and durable high-tensile webbing heel risers injection-molded ladder lock buckle.
- Women’s specific LUVSEAT PU midsole vegan-friendly construction, a useful trait in Beach shoes for women and men.
- Non-marking ChacoGrip rubber compound 3mm lug depth, helpful on the surfaces you meet during beach days.
2
Cushioned Sandal for Warm Days
The KEEN Newport H2 Closed comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this sandal is worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Washable polyester webbing featuring quick dry lining for active use in and out of the water.
- Lace lock bungee capture system provides a secure fit while offering quick and easy on and off. Light flexible cushioning springs back after each step, which helps keep long stretches of beach days comfortable.
- Multi directional lugs with water channeling grooves help provide superior grip on slippery or wet terrain. Non marking rubber leaves no marks indoors or on boats, a practical detail for beach days.
- Built on a women specific foot form that is wider than the industry norm for improved fit and comfort. Non removable footbed with added arch support for all day comfort, the kind of support many people look for in Beach shoes for women and men.
- KEEN water sandals are machine washable. Use a small amount of detergent then wash on gentle cycle and air dry. Then get back out there and have some fun in warm weather.
- Quick dry washable synthetic straps and lining for active use in and out of the water all summer long.
- Lace lock bungee capture system provides a secure fit while offering quick and easy on and off, worth noting if fit is a priority for Beach shoes for women and men.
3
Supportive Lightweight Water Shoe for Everyday Wear
The ALEADER Adventure Aquatic comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this water shoe is worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Comfortable and skin-friendly mesh upper provides excellent breathability, keeping your feet cool and dry, which helps feet stay comfortable through beach days.
- Lightweight water drain outsole quickly drains the water from the water shoes, providing the possibility of flexible mobility in the water, a practical detail for beach days.
- Slip-on design provides convenience when you put on or off your water shoes, which significantly improves your wearing experience, helpful on the surfaces you meet during beach days.
- Constructed with a rubber sole for excellent traction, maintaining dependable stability in the wettest of terrains, a feature worth weighing when comparing Beach shoes for women and men.
- Suitable for both everyday wear and water activities, these women’s water shoes effectively cater to your needs.
- Breathable mesh upper with hot melt overlays for support and keeps your feet cool and comfortable.
- Synthetic hot melt toe caps protect toes and uppers from bumps and abrasion.
4
Cushioned Breathable Trail Running Shoe
The adidas Terrex Tracefinder Trail comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this trail running shoe is worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Women’s versatile trail running shoes for comfort and durability.
- MIDSOLE DROP: 10 mm (heel 29 mm / forefoot 19 mm), which helps keep long stretches of beach days comfortable.
- Light AND Durable: a mesh and synthetic upper offers the right combination of breathability, durability and light weight, which helps feet stay comfortable through beach days.
- Adidas LIGHTMOTION provides super-light cushioning for a great step-in feel, which helps keep long stretches of beach days comfortable.
- Traxion outsole maximizes grip in all directions with lugs designed for rugged terrain, a practical detail for beach days.
- MIDSOLE DROP: 10 mm (heel 30 mm / forefoot 20 mm).
- MADE IN PART WITH RECYCLED AND RENEWABLE MATERIALS: By choosing recycled, the brand can reuse materials, which reduces waste, and lessen the brand’s reliance on finite resources.
5
Cushioned Work Shoe for Long Shifts
The Crocs Crocband comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this work shoe is worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- If you are a 7.5, size up to an 8).
- Crocband clogs offer unbeatable comfort for both men and women. They’re super light, water-friendly, and buoyant, thanks to the Croslite foam. Get your pair now, which helps keep long stretches of beach days comfortable.
- Crocband clogs are your versatile companions, serving as comfortable beach shoes, reliable garden shoes, and cozy house slippers, a practical detail for beach days.
- Practical, reliable, and incredibly comfortable. Effortless cleanup – just rinse with water to say goodbye to sand and dirt.
- Crocs go by US sizes on the sole, UK sizes follow a one-size conversion (e.g., US M5 | W7 corresponds to UK M4 | W5).
- Enjoy all-day comfort with Crocs’ Croslite foam, and elevate your style with vibrant colored bands, which helps keep long stretches of beach days comfortable.
6
Sandal for Warm Days
The Teva Hurricane XLT 2 comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this sandal is worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Quick-dry webbing made from recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE polyester yarn by Unifi supports your foot and stands up to abuse | Easy hook-and-loop closure comes on and off quickly and gets the fit just right | Rubber outsole for durability and traction | Iconic Universal styling with a hearty platform for wear and tear.
- Quick-dry webbing made from recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE polyester yarn by Unifi supports your foot and stands up to abuse, a feature worth weighing when comparing Beach shoes for women and men.
- Injection-molded strap ends for quick and easy grip and adjustability, Easy hook-and-loop closure comes on and off quickly and gets the fit just right, the kind of support many people look for in Beach shoes for women and men.
- Robust EVA footbed for enhanced comfort built for all-day wear, which adds step-in comfort for beach days.
- Nylon shank stabilizes and supports your foot on uneven terrain, the kind of support many people look for in Beach shoes for women and men.
- Men’s and women’s versions are listed separately on Amazon, each with its own size range.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
7
Adjustable-Strap Cushioned Sandal for Warm Days
The Teva Original Universal comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this sandal is worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- ‘W’ mentioned on the product box and product denotes ‘Women’s, not width, so it is easier to get a secure, comfortable fit for beach days.
- Classic athletic sandal featuring hook-and-loop webbing straps with padded heel strap, a useful trait in Beach shoes for women and men.
- Contoured EVA footbed and midsole, which helps keep long stretches of beach days comfortable.
- Versatile sandal featuring strappy upper with multiple hook-and-loop adjustment points, worth noting if fit is a priority for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Durabrasion rubber outsole for durable traction.
- Men’s and women’s versions are listed separately on Amazon, each with its own size range.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
8
Slip-Resistant Sandal for Warm Days
The FitFlop Trakk II Leather (men’s) and LULU Glitter Toe-Post (women’s) are matching sandals from FitFlop, and both are worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Slip-resistant rubber outsole, a practical detail for beach days.
- Firm at the heel to reduce impact, soft in the middle to maximise comfort, medium at the toes to help you ‘push off’, which helps keep long stretches of beach days comfortable.
- Featuring the brand’s ergonomic, ultra-cushioned eva microwobbleboard midsole for instant and all-day comfort, a useful trait in Beach shoes for women and men.
- Men’s and women’s versions are listed separately on Amazon, each with its own size range.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
- Compare the size chart on the listing, since fit can vary between colorways and versions.
9
Cushioned Running Shoe for Daily Miles
The adidas Supernova Rise 3 comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this running shoe is worth a look for Beach shoes for women and men.
- Shoes with Dreamstrike+ midsole super-soft cushioning for added support, a useful trait in Beach shoes for women and men.
- Textile and synthetic upper.
- Running shoes with DREAMSTRIKE+ cushioning for comfort and support, a useful trait in Beach shoes for women and men.
- Men’s and women’s versions are listed separately on Amazon, each with its own size range.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
- Compare the size chart on the listing, since fit can vary between colorways and versions.
Index Table: Top-Rated Beach Shoes
| No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaco® - Adjustable Sandal for Warm Days |  |  |
| Chaco |
| 2 | KEEN® - Cushioned Sandal for Warm Days |  |  |
| KEEN |
| 3 | ALEADER® - Supportive Lightweight Water Shoe for Everyday Wear |  |  |
| ALEADER |
| 4 | adidas® - Cushioned Breathable Trail Running Shoe |  |  |
| adidas |
| 5 | Crocs® - Cushioned Work Shoe for Long Shifts |  |  |
| Crocs |
| 6 | Teva® - Sandal for Warm Days |  |  |
| Teva |
| 7 | Teva® - Adjustable-Strap Cushioned Sandal for Warm Days |  |  |
| Teva |
| 8 | FitFlop® - Slip-Resistant Sandal for Warm Days |  |  |
| FitFlop |
| 9 | adidas® - Cushioned Running Shoe for Daily Miles |  |  |
| adidas |
Update History
- Oct 2026: Updated Chaco Zx2 to Chaco Zx2 Classic Outdoor
- Oct 2026: Updated KEEN Venice H2 to KEEN Newport H2 Closed
- Oct 2026: Updated Aleader Mesh to ALEADER Adventure Aquatic
- Oct 2026: Updated Adidas Climacool to adidas Terrex Tracefinder Trail
- Oct 2026: Updated Crocs Beach Line Hybrid to Crocs Crocband
- Oct 2026: Updated Teva Tirra to Teva Hurricane XLT 2
- Oct 2026: Updated Teva Original to Teva Original Universal
- Oct 2026: Updated FitFlop iQushion to FitFlop LULU Glitter Toe-Post
- Oct 2026: Updated Adidas Adilette Lite to adidas Supernova Rise 3
- Oct 2026: Removed Olukai Ohana, Plaka Oceanside, Aerothotic Original and Olukai Kulapa Kai (unavailable)
- Jun 2021: Added Olukai Ohana, Adidas Climacool, Olukai Kulapa Kai and FitFlop iQushion
- Jan 2020: Added Chaco Zx2, Teva Original and Adidas Adilette Lite
- Apr 2019: Added Aleader Mesh, Crocs Beach Line Hybrid, Teva Tirra, Plaka Oceanside and Aerothotic Original
- Jun 2016: First published
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