In this article I will discuss the best cheap water shoes. I will cover options for people who are planning intensive outdoor activities like hiking. However, I will also cover options for very mild activities – like just getting your feet wet once in a while. All the options on this list are considered cheap. That being said, if you want a good water shoe that is suited for intensive outdoor activities, you will have to pay a bit more.
In a rush? This is my personal favourite allround water shoe when on a tight budget: UBFEN Mens Womens Water Shoes.
Best cheap water shoes
In this article, I will try to be as helpful as possible. I know that some people are looking for other types of cheap water shoes. This is why I will always mention the main focus group at the top of a product description. As always, feedback is welcome in the comment section below.
1. UBFEN Mens Womens Water Shoes
Best allround cheap water shoe
Let’s start this list with my personal favourite cheap water shoe. At least, for people who are looking for an allround water shoe.
- Beach walks, Swimming, Surfing
- Fishing, Sailing, Boating
- Jogging, Cycling, Volleyball
- Snorkeling, Diving
- Kayaking, Windsurfing, Wake-boarding
- Yoga
- And many more…
There are simply so many activities that this shoe is optimized for that it wasn’t a hard decision to crown this one as my favourite. The fact that you can get all that for a very affordable price (and it’s actually pretty durable as well) is pretty amazing.
This water shoe will be a very good option for most of you. I would only recommend an alternative if you are looking for a dedicated water shoe for serious hiking. Or if you will only be using a water shoe for swimming, you could also decide to go even cheaper and buy a minimalist water shoe instead.
Overall, I’m absolutely in love with this water shoe and I’m pretty confident that this is the best option for most of you guys!
In case you are interested, amazon usually has the lowest price for this product: UBFEN Mens Womens Water Shoes.
2. Mishansha Mens Womens Water Shoes
Best allround cheap water shoe – runner up
The Mishanda Water Shoes are the runner up option for “best allround cheap water shoe
My favourite thing about these shoes is that they come in so many different forms and colors. So , if you are looking for a stylish water shoe, you might take a closer look at this option.
However, there is a very good reason why the UBFEN water shoes are still better overall: quality. These shoes are pretty high-quality, but they are definitely less durable than the first option on this list.
Also, the grip is not super good. Which isn’t a big issue for some activities, but if definitely is an issue for some activities. Which results in this product being less “allround” than the UBFEN water shoes.
If you are planning on using your water shoes on slippery terrain (maybe on wet rocks) – I wouldn’t recommend these shoes. However, if you will only be using these on the beach and other non-slippery environments + you care about the styling options, this is probably the right option for you.
These shoes are definitely not meant for hiking or any intense outdoor activity with the potential of encountering rough and slippery terrain.
All in all, it’s still a great shoe, especially for the cheap price. However, it’s simply not the best option for everybody.
This product is available on amazon: Mishansha Mens Womens Water Shoes.
3. RAX Quick Drying Water Hiking Shoes
Best cheap water shoe for hiking
The next option on the list is the only water shoe that’s actually good for hiking. It has more cushioning than other water shoes and it’s still lightweight + dries very quickly.
Additionally, this shoe offers more protection than the average water shoe and has a very good grip. All these facts result in this shoe being absolutely great for hiking. The RAX Quick Drying water shoes even made in on my list of best cheap hiking shoes.
Now, if you are planning long distance hiking trips, you should know that there are a lot of benefits of using a water shoes. However, there are also a lot of negatives/risks. One of the most prominent risks is that real hiking shoes tend to be even more durable and offer more protection.
The obvious benefits are that these are perfect for crossing streams/rivers and that they are a lot lighter than traditional hiking shoes.
I think this water shoe is a great mix between a traditional hiking shoe, a trail runner and a hiking sandal. If you want to learn more about the benefits and risks of using sandals/water shoes in comparison to traditional hiking shoes, I would recommend you check out this article: Are sandals good for hiking.
As a conclusion: these cheap water shoes are absolutely amazing for hiking. However, there are still some risks/negatives in comparison to wearing traditional hiking shoes.
This product is available on amazon: RAX Quick Drying Slip-Resistent Aqua Water Hiking Shoes.
4. Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Sports Shoes
Best extreme budget water shoe
The Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Sports Shoes will be the absolute cheapest option on this list. It’s suited for people who are on a super tight budget and who will only be using them for swimming, sailing, surfing, kayaking walking on the beach and other non-intensive outdoor activities.
They are not suited for walking in streams/rivers with a rocky underground – you should go with the “UBFEN Water Shoes” if you are interested in that sort of activity.
Considering how cheap they are, these shoes are absolutely amazing. That being said, if you are willing to spend a bit more, you can get a more durable and a more comfortable water shoes. This is why I would still recommend the Speedo Men’s Surfwalker over this shoe if you are looking for a good minimalist water shoes.
If you want to do a wider range of activities, you should take a look at one of the allround options on this list.
So who am I recommending these cheap water shoes for? For people who are on a super tight budget and really want to buy the cheapest available option (that doesn’t suck).
The lowest price can usually be found on amazon: Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Sports Shoes
5. Speedo Men’s Surfwalker 3.0 Water Shoe
Best minimalist water shoe
The Speedo Men’s Surfwalker 3.0 Water Shoe is another minimalist water shoe. Perfect for activities like swimming, sailing, beach activity, etc. They are not really suited for hiking or walking in rivers/streams with a rocky underground. It’s pretty clear that these shoes are awesome, but not if you are planning on walking a lot in them. There are far better options for that.
There is not much to be said about these shoes. They are basically the upgraded version of the “Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Sports Shoes”. Being a bit more durable and comfortable.
These shoes are a bit more expensive, but can still be considered super cheap.
If you are looking for a solid minimalist water shoe, these shoes should definitely be considered. Just know what they are and aren’t meant for.
This product can be found on amazon as well: 
6. Dreamcity Men’s Water Shoes
Best cheap water shoe for multi-functional use
If you are looking for a cheap water shoes that can be used in many different situations, these shoes might be your best option.
If you plan on going to the beach or to a lake and you want to visit a city afterwards, you could simply wear these shoes instead of having to bring an additional pair of shoes. Of course you have to take into account that some mud/small rocks can get stuck in the soles, so they might not be very clean after visiting a muddy place.
That being said, these shoes are still the best water shoes for multi-functional use. They look very close to regular shoes and they can also be worn like regular shoes.
They are not as good for hiking as the “RAX Quick Drying Water Hiking Shoes” and they are not as good for allround water activities in comparison with the “UBFEN water shoes”. However, they are decent at all things and can be used in many occasions. A very good option to bring when you are travelling.
Also, these shoes are surprisingly cheap. I’m really amazed by some of the prices of these shoes.
If you are interested in buying these shoes, you can find the latest price on amazon: Dreamcity Men’s Water Shoes.
There is also a separate women’s version of this shoe: Dreamcity Women’s Water Shoes.
7. Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe
Best cheap open water shoe for hiking
The Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe is a bit more expensive than the other options on this list. However, considering the quality, it’s still a pretty budget-friendly product.
This is another water shoe that is excellent for hiking. It is super durable, has a very good grip and is pretty comfortable as well.
In other words, it’s direct competition for the RAX Quick Drying Water Hiking Shoes. So, which one is better for you? Well, as usual, the answer is: it depends. If you prefer a more open shoe the Merrel is the way to go. Also, these shoes are a bit more “high-end” than the Rax Water Shoes. That being said, these shoes are also a bit more expensive.
It’s definitely a solid option, so I wanted to include it on this list. However, it’s at the verge of budget-friendly and normally priced. Worth the money if you ask me, but if times are rough, the RAX might be the better option.
From time to time you might get lucky and get these shoes on a discount. In which case they are very good value for money. Your best bet is probably to take a look on amazon: Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe.
What water shoe is right for you?
Some of you might not know exactly what shoe is right for them. So I will try to give a quick summary.
If you are looking for a good allround hiking shoe, that is suited for multiple outdoor activities, you should go with the UBFEN water shoes or with the Mishansha Water Shoes.
Looking for a water shoe that is suited for some more serious hiking: go with the RAX water shoes or with the Merrel All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes.
If you want a minimalist water shoes, mainly suited for swimming, surfing, kayaking, etc. Take a look at the Speedo Men’s Surfwalker 3.0 Water Shoe.
Is this option still too expensive? Go with the extreme budget option Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Sports Shoes instead.
If you want water shoes that you can wear on the beach and in the city, you might want to take a look at the Dreamcity Men’s Water Shoes.
Conclusion
A good water shoe does not have to be expensive at all. However, it will be a lot easier to find a good cheap water shoe for kayaking than for hiking.
For more intense outdoor activities, you really need dedicated footwear and this means the price will be a bit higher.
That being said, as long as you do proper research, you are definitely able to find a good hiking water shoe that is still budget-friendly. Just take a look at the RAX Quick Drying Water Hiking Shoes.
That basically wraps it up, I hope you were able to find the right budget-friendly water shoes for your needs. If you didn’t please leave some feedback, I’m always trying to optimize my articles. Additionally, if you have any experience with any of these shoes, I would love to hear about it!