Almost all babies spend about 9 months swimming in amniotic fluids. The world of water is quite familiar to them, so the journey of taking them to the beach, a lake, the pool, a river, or another large body of water can feel like home. It’s an incredible adventure that parents must prepare for.
While we can’t help you with the nerves of watching your little one learn how to swim, we can assist you with the right footwear for this next chapter. We’ve compiled a list of the seven best baby water shoes your tiny human can sport below.
Best Baby Water Shoes
1. FEETCITY Water Sport Shoes
(Best water shoe designs — $$)
Why it’s great: No need to sacrifice quality and design when it comes to a water shoe for your child. Feetcity combines a well-made “aqua socks” of breathable and stretchy materials with a quick-dry mesh finish. You also get over thirty (30) designs to choose from.
These easy-to-wear shoes can also help shape your baby’s feet and keep them protected with its Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) sole to drain water and prevent slipping. They go on and off with ease thanks to the hook-and-loop feature, tucks away without fuss when folded, and work perfectly in any weather condition year-round.
Keep in mind: These tend to run somewhat larger, so buy accordingly.
Good for: Children 0 to 30 months old, water activities, and sporting shenanigans.
Why it’s great: Whether the beach or a pool, Barerun has conceptualized these very cool and effective water shoes for any little boy or girl. These sporty aqua shoes are so incredible, they’ll feel like a sock or second home for your baby’s feet when in the water. With more than forty (yes, 40!) designs to choose from, you’ll both be ready for the water while looking good doing so.
The rubber sole is lightweight, strong, and slip-resistant, which makes it excellent for pools. It works as great protection from sharp obstacles and it won’t easily pull apart when wearing. The rest of its body is made from polyester and spandex, giving your baby’s feet a chance to breathe and flex without hassle to put on or take off.
Transition to any indoor or outdoor activity thanks to this versatile, quick-to-dry water shoe. Just roll it up and tuck it away when you’re done.
Keep in mind: Be sure to put these shoes on before your child enters the water so it goes on easier.
Good for: Newborns up to 24 months, water, and indoor and outdoor activities.
3. Storeofbaby Water Barefoot Quick-Dry Aqua Shoes
(Best for 6 months up — $)
Why it’s great: Storeofbaby delivers a strong water shoe contender with over thirty (30) design options to choose from. These quick-dry shoes are made to resemble the lightness, smoothness, and stretchy ability of socks to give your baby’s tiny feet a familiar feel.
It’s got comfort covered with a soft neck to stop chafing, safety in mind with a rubber sole so sharp objects like rocks won’t cause discomfort, and ease for taking off and putting on with the assist of the pull tab.
Whether for strutting about the pool (it’s got great traction) or swimming, these shoes will last with their breathability and flexibility to suit any water-based occasion.
Keep in mind: Some parents find these run small, so you may want to consider buying one size up.
Good for: Newborns to 24 months, water, sporty activities, and a comfortable wear.
Why it’s great: Jiasuqi’s water shoes are so incredible that they’ll feel like a second skin for baby’s feet. With a convenient neck design, your baby’s feet won’t scratch during wearing, and it goes on and off smoothly due to the stretchy polyester and spandex body. It also provides breathability, flexibility, and lightness.
The rubber soles are ultra-durable to prevent slips and protect baby’s feet from things like hot sand and sharp rocks. You can also choose from over forty (40) brand designs to make a splash in any indoor or outdoor situation.
Keep in mind: To get the best sizing, use their chart to match your baby’s sole in inches.
Good for: Children 0 to 24 months, water-based activities, and flexibility.
Why it’s great: Water shoes that work just as great for sporting activities? Yes! These breathable sneakers can do walking, running, and any water activity you can think of. Waterpark anyone?
It’s made from high-quality materials inside and out. The sole is Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, which means it’s non-slip with shock absorption for intense sporting activities and it acts as a barrier against sharp rocks. The lining and insole are comfortably cushioned to protect your child’s feet, too. You can also remove and wash the sock liner for a fresh wear every time.
These water shoes dry quickly, go on and off with convenience, are stretchy, and they’re built to reduce abrasions during use. Choose from thirty (30) plus designs for any and all kinds of play.
Keep in mind: These are great for regular activities, not just water, without sacrificing what you expect from water shoes.
Good for: Newborn infants up to 3.5 years old, sporty and water activities, and chunky feet.
On An Important Side Note… Asher and I (pictured) feel it’s necessary to highlight the value of life insurance for parents with young kids. After extensive research, we discovered that parents can get insured for as little as $10 per month. We use Ladder Life who offers coverage up to $3M per parent (without a medical exam, just a few health questions) and you can apply 100% online.
6. Nautica Kids Kettle Gulf Protective Closed-Toe Water Shoe
(Best protective closed toe water shoe — $)
Why it’s great: Nautica’s sporty water sandal features over thirty (30) cool designs for your child’s feet. Its hook-and-loop feature makes it easy to get your little one’s feet in and out in precious seconds. These athletically constructed sandals are closed-toe to protect the most delicate part of your child’s feet, and it has a toe guard for added protection. Its open side panels make it both water-friendly and quite breathable.
These water shoes are otherwise light on the feet, comfortable on the sole, slip-resistant, and long-lasting whether in water or on land.
Keep in mind: Most find these shoes are true to size or somewhat larger, leaving some room for inevitable growth.
Good for: Ages 1 to 12 years old, athletic activities, water, and activities requiring closed-toe shoes.
Why it’s great: These real leather water shoes are a unique contender. Its entire sole is leather-based while still allowing it to be great for water activities. Its breathable urethane sole is soft and light, making it perfect for non-water activities as well. You don’t have to worry about any scuff marks from regular use or rusting because the brass buckles are protected accordingly.
These “Sun-San Sailors” are flexible for the feet but can easily be worn for any occasion that might involve water, like the park. With four (4) styles to choose from, your baby will look casual, cool, and cute whilst being prepared for anything.
Keep in mind: This is the priciest shoe on our list, but it makes up for it with a quality leather material build.
Good for: Newborns up to 12 years old, saltwater, and casual wear where water may be involved.
The FEETCITY Water Sport Shoes is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
1. What are the best advantages of baby water shoes?
Buying water shoes specifically has many benefits, but the safety considerations are by far their best assets. Water shoes are made from non-slip material and they tend to dry quickly while still remaining breathable. Having a comfortable and prepared child always makes all the best difference in the world.
Not all shoes are best to get wet as well. Water shoes tend to dry quickly (which also reduces smelly feet) and thus last longer, too.
2. What are the best materials for water shoes to be made of?
Polyester and spandex are typically the best water shoes materials. They provide much-needed durability, flexibility, comfort, and breathability.
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, or EVA, is a non-slip material that’s typically featured in water shoes as well.
3. How do I figure out which size to buy?
All the brands above have a suggested age range for their water shoes. However, all babies’ feet aren’t exactly the same, though most measure at a certain average.
When in doubt, use a tape measurement to capture your baby’s feet in inches. Most companies list the inches associated with the age range categories to provide the most accurate fit. When in absolute doubt, buy somewhat larger so your baby can grow into their water shoes.
4. When can I buy water shoes for my baby?
Most water shoes on our list have a starting age range of infancy or zero (0). Most parents wait until their babies are between a month and three (3) months before taking them to the water, so buy according to your readiness.
5. Are there any safety concerns to keep in mind before purchasing or using water shoes?
Despite water shoes having the added safety measure of non-slip, please supervise your child and avoid slippery surfaces.
Conclusion
Growing in and out of shoes is inevitable. Whether you’re buying exclusively for water activities, or you need a water shoe with a splash of sporty accessibility, preparing your child for these occasions can help make any situation safer and less stressful.
So, don’t skip the water shoes if your kid is heading to the beach, pool, waterpark, or they’re partaking in any activity where water may be involved. You’ll both be glad you took the extra step of looking through our list and getting one of our suggestions.
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