There is no specialized type of footwear designed for Rafting only, yet it is still necessary to wear proper footwear for this sport type.
Your shoes largely depend on where you will be Rafting and what surfaces you will contact.
The Best Rafting Shoe Types
- Closed Athletic Shoes – You can use a closed-style athletic or training shoe that has quick-drying materials and is comfortable are good for most Rafting Trips es[ecailly those where you will come less in contact with the water.
- Hiking Shoes and Boots – Most Hiking shoes and boots are designed to be water-friendly or waterproof; they are robust and slip-resistant, and great for rafting. However, keep in mind that Hiking shoes and boots may be a bit on the heavy side.
- Neoprene Boots – Neoprene Boots are ideal, especially in very cold conditions, as they provide waterproofing and insulation.
- Sandals – As long as it is a Closed toe design sandal such as a hiking Fisherman’s sandal, it should suffice; however, stay clear of Flip Flops and Beach-type sandals.
- Water Shoes – A robust and slip-resistant water shoe is most likely your best bet and ideal for warmer weather in and out of the water.
Other Shoes You Can Use for Rafting
Here are a few shoe types that you may have that you can also use;
- Canvas Sneakers – Most Canvas sneakers have a rubber sole with lug patterns that offer good slip resistance, they are lightweight, and the canvas materials dry quickly, making them a good choice if you need a quick solution.
- Water Shoes – If you by any chance ever stumbled upon a pair of water shoes at the beach or found them in a store close by, these are a great choice; they are also usually available all over and in a pinch.
- Sports Sneakers – A pair of old sports sneakers are not ideal but will provide some protection and comfort; the lighter weight and mesh or fabric models are usually better.
- Sandals – Although you want to avoid exposing your toes, a hiking style or sports sandal can also be used even with an exposed toe; you will need to be more careful. However, anything that can slip on and off, such as a slide or flip-flop, is your worst choice.
Features of a Good Shoe for Rafting
- Uppers – Water Friendly and quick-drying uppers such as mesh, neoprene, nylon, or crosslite foam.
- Fit – A snug and comfortable fit with no laces hanging out and no slide-on or slip-on.
- Cushioning – Lightweight with light cushioning for comfort in the insole or midsole.
- design – Protective Closed toe sandals have adjustable straps.
- Outsole – A lug and slip resistant rubber outsole.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| No. | Shoe | Type | Upper | Closure | Cushioning (as listed) | Outsole | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crocs Swiftwater | Sandal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| 2 | KEEN Utility Detroit XT Mid | Work Shoe | Mesh | Not stated | Eva | Slip-resistant rubber | Yes |
| 3 | Merrell TIDERISER Sieve | Water Shoe | Not stated | Not stated | EVA | Vibram rubber | Not stated |
| 4 | Merrell Jungle Moc Slip-On | Slip-On Sneaker | EVA | Slip-on | EVA | Not stated | Not stated |
| 5 | Speedo Swimsuit Jammer Endurance+ / Tidal Cruiser (men's) | Not stated | Mesh | Slip-on | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| 6 | Astral Loyak AC / Loyak (men's) | Hiking Shoe | Mesh | Lace-up | EVA | Non-marking rubber | Water-resistant |
– = not stated on the Amazon listing. Specs as stated by the listing, not tested by us; check the listing before you buy.
Reviews: The Best Shoes for Rafting
These are some of the top favorite shoes to wear for Rafting;
We hope you love the products we recommend! We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
1
Sandal for Warm Days
The Crocs Swiftwater comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this sandal is worth a look for shoes for rafting.
- 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.
2
Supportive Waterproof Work Shoe for Long Shifts
The KEEN Utility Detroit XT Mid comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this work shoe is worth a look for shoes for rafting.
- Left And Right Asymmetrical Steel Toe Design Provides A Roomier Toe Box For Maximum Comfort And Unobtrusive Fit, so it is easier to get a secure, comfortable fit for long shifts.
- Keen.Dry Is A Waterproof, Breathable Membrane Liner That Lets Vapor Out Without Letting Water In For Keeping Your Feet Dry And Comfortable, handy for long shifts in changing weather.
- Oil- And Slip-Resistant, Non-Marking, Rubber Outsoles. Lug Sole Patterns Provide Grip Even On Slick Surfaces, helpful on the surfaces you meet during long shifts.
- Featuring A Contoured Heel Lock, And Keen.Key-Tech Flex, Which Is A Full Length Tpu Interlocking Torsional Plate For Underfoot Support That Provides Structure, Stability, And Comfort.
- This Boot Is Made With Direct Attach Removable Metatomical Pu Footbed, And Dual-Density Compression Eva Midsole For Long-Lasting Comfort, which helps keep long stretches of long shifts comfortable.
- KEEN.DRY is a waterproof, breathable membrane liner that lets vapor out without letting water in for keeping your feet dry and comfortable.
- Oil- and slip-resistant, non-marking, rubber outsoles. Lug sole patterns provide grip even on slick surfaces.
3
Water Shoe for Everyday Wear
The Merrell TIDERISER Sieve comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this water shoe is worth a look for shoes for rafting.
- Kinetic Fit BASE removable contoured EVA insole with water friendly top cover, worth noting if fit is a priority for shoes for rafting.
- 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.
4
Supportive Cushioned Slip-On Sneaker for Everyday Wear
The Merrell Jungle Moc Slip-On comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this slip-on sneaker is worth a look for shoes for rafting.
- Slip-on casual shoe with supportive sole unit, cushioned collar, synthetic upper and heel pull tab, which helps keep long stretches of everyday wear comfortable.
- M Select GRIP traction outsole, a practical detail for everyday wear.
- Compression-molded EVA foam footframe. Molded nylon arch shank, which helps keep long stretches of everyday wear comfortable.
- Comfort features like pigskin lining and an Ortholite footbed make this slip-on the perfect everyday companion, a practical detail for everyday wear.
- Compression molded EVA footframe provides cushioning.
- Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability.
5
Rafting Shoes
The Speedo Tidal Cruiser (men’s) and Swimsuit Jammer Endurance+ (women’s) are matching shoes from Speedo, and both are worth a look for shoes for rafting.
- Neoprene collar for easy on and off and secure fit, so it is easier to get a secure, comfortable fit for everyday wear.
- Mesh promotes ventilation and quick drying, which helps feet stay comfortable through everyday wear.
- Shaft measures approximately low-top from arch, the kind of support many people look for in shoes for rafting.
- 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.
6
Cushioned Lightweight Hiking Shoe for Trails
The Astral Loyak (men’s) and Loyak AC (women’s) are matching hiking shoes from Astral, and both are worth a look for shoes for rafting.
- Outdoor industry’s first drop-in midsole pairs with a flexible outsole, a wider toe box, and Level Footbed’s zero drop for a barefoot-like feel, a useful trait in shoes for rafting.
- G.15 Rubber Flex Grip Outsole | Astral’s most durable rubber compound increases abrasion resistance and longevity while ensuring an excellent non-marking grip on wet and dry surfaces.
- Ultrafine ripstop mesh upper with drainage ports at the toebox reduce the entry of sand and silt. Lightweight, flexible design packs in the tightest cockpits and fullest backpacks.
- Quick-drying canvas upper with drainage ports reduce the entry of sand and silt. Lightweight, breathable, flexible design packs in the tightest cockpits and fullest backpacks.
- Listing details: quick-drying, minimalist sneaker for kayaking, beachwear, fishing, & hiking.
- 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.
Index Table: Top Rated Shoes for Rafting
| No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crocs® - Sandal for Warm Days |  |  | Crocs | |
| 2 | KEEN Utility® - Supportive Waterproof Work Shoe for Long Shifts |  |  |
| KEEN Utility |
| 3 | Merrell® - Water Shoe for Everyday Wear |  |  |
| Merrell |
| 4 | Merrell® - Supportive Cushioned Slip-On Sneaker for Everyday Wear |  |  |
| Merrell |
| 5 | Speedo® - Rafting Shoes |  |  |
| Speedo |
| 6 | Astral® - Cushioned Lightweight Hiking Shoe for Trails |  |  |
| Astral |
Update History
- Oct 2026: Updated Crocs Swiftwater to a current in-stock listing
- Oct 2026: Updated Keen Newport H2 to KEEN Utility Detroit XT Mid
- Oct 2026: Updated Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve Sport to Merrell TIDERISER Sieve
- Oct 2026: Updated Merrell Vapor Glove 4 to Merrell Jungle Moc Slip-On
- Oct 2026: Updated Astral TR 1 Junction to Astral Loyak AC
- Oct 2026: Renamed Speedo Tidal Cruiser to Speedo Swimsuit Jammer Endurance+ to match the current Amazon listing
- Oct 2026: Removed Brown Oak Adjustable, Aleader Hiking Water Shoe, Anluke Watershoe and Body Glove Barefoot Cinch (unavailable)
- Jun 2021: Added Brown Oak Adjustable, Merrell Vapor Glove 4, Aleader Hiking Water Shoe, Astral TR 1 Junction and Body Glove Barefoot Cinch
- Mar 2021: Added Anluke Watershoe and Speedo Tidal Cruiser
- Mar 2020: First published
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