Men's Water & River Shoes Buying Guide

Who knows where this trail will lead? And, honestly, how realistic is it to swap shoes mid-hike? Life's too short. We say: get one pair for whatever comes your way this summer. And if you’re whitewater rafting, leading a scout camping trip, wandering through tidepools, or just washing the car, you’ll want a pair that can get soggy and then dry out fast.

Creek crossings, hot springs, or that Slip-n-Slide you set up for the kids every July 4th; we have shoes that are approved for aquatic adventures of all kinds. But which water shoes are the best match for your brand of outing? Find the just-right pair by choosing the sentence that describes you best.

“I’m looking for sturdy sandals for weekends outside hiking, fishing and kayaking.”

The Newport H2 sandal is our most supportive (and most rugged) water shoe. It’s well-ventilated, but it still protects your foot as you’re taking a running leap over a felled log or feeling your way across a murky riverbed. The heavy tread outsole helps you get a grip when the going gets slippery.

“I wear them every day in summer including in saltwater surf, wading while fly fishing, and on long-range kayaking.” - Mark in Idaho

Pro tip: If a Newport (or any KEEN shoe) has “H2” in the product name, that means it’s ok to wear in the water - so jump in!

SHOULD BE THE OFFICIAL FOOTWEAR FOR CRUISES"

All-terrain is great, but this time we went all in on water. SOLR (Sea. Ocean. Lake. River.) is a high-performance men's water shoe with serious amphibious grip and webbing made from recycled plastic bottles (yeah!).

"Purchased for the whole family before cruising to the Bahamas. Perfect for every occasion. Ship, beach, zip lining, climbing, island adventures…" -Jules

“I like sandals with more of that barefoot feel.”

The Clearwater CNX sandal feels like going barefoot (but without all the ouchy parts). It has a more contoured fit and a minimalist design with a slimmer outsole, so the feel is really light and flexible. Friends tell us the streamlined sole makes these perfect for paddle sports like rafting and SUPing.

“I river raft and need a sturdy shoe that can get wet, drain, dry, and then go straight to setting up camp. Perfect!” - Randy in Nevada