Are you heading to Cancun for a vacation? Maybe you’re going out fishing on your boat this weekend? What kind of footwear do you have for the adventure? Surely you’re not planning on going barefoot or in your gym shoes, right? If you’re heading out for an aquatic adventure, you need the right equipment for the best experience.
Wet shoes offer you purpose-built footwear for wet and slippery conditions. Whether you’re heading to the ocean or the lake, a pair of wet shoes helps you enjoy your environment. You don’t have to worry about your running shoes or hiking boots waterlogging if you encounter water.
Wet shoes are the ideal choice for wet environments. They offer excellent draining and plenty of grip on wet surfaces to prevent you from losing your footing and injuring yourself.
This guide reviews the best water shoes. We’ll look at the top models and give you a buyer’s guide on the essential features of the best wet shoes for your trip.
Our Top Picks
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- Best Pick: Unisex Water Sports Shoes
These wet shoes win our award for the best overall model in this review. You get a well-designed shoe with a high-traction sole and drainage system. There are loads of color variations and a breathable, fast-drying upper that doesn’t waterlog when wading. - Premium Pick: Vibram KSO EVO
If you’re looking for the best premium wet shoe, we have to go with the legendary Vibram 5-Finger. The new KSO EVO model from Vibram brings you the classic 5-Finger design with independent toe pockets. There’s also a durable Vibram sole and excellent styling in a range of colors. - Budget Pick: VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes
If you’re looking for a hit-and-run pair of wet shoes for your next vacation, you’ll love these Vifuur water sports shoes. They’re remarkably affordable, giving you an ergonomic fit, protective sole, and easy slip-on-and-off fitment. They breathe and drain well and are incredibly well-priced.
Water Shoes Reviews
Best Pick: Unisex Water Sports Shoes
We recommend taking these wet shoes with you if you’re heading out on vacation. You get a lightweight, flexible shoe with ergonomic toe pockets and anti-collision rubber at the front of the shoe to prevent banging your toes on the rocks when exploring.
The wide toe design gives more room at the front of the shoe, fitting all types of feet. The sole features 11 drainage holes, quickly removing water from the shoe to prevent waterlogging. The sole itself comes with a high-traction design, giving your feet a grip on any surface at any angle.
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The soles have an ergonomic mold to your foot, with a thin layer of protection and a more igged feel to the sole than you get with dive booties. The result is a high-quality shoe offering you more protection from impact and standing on sharp rocks and sections of coral.
The durable nylon hybrid fabrics on the upper breathe well, bringing air to your feet while assisting drainage. It’s no problem walking in the water in these shoes, and the fast-draining action makes it easy to lift your feet without the shoe feeling waterlogged.
The pull tab on the rear makes pulling the shoes on and off easily, and the Velcro strap on the upper secures the shoe in place on any foot.
These wet shoes are ideal for men and women. They give you all the protection you need for your feet in any water scenario; plus, they come at a reasonable price, with over a dozen colors and styles available.
What We Liked
- Excellent drainage.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
- Protection high-traction sole.
- Velcro fitting with large toe box.
- Unisex design.
Premium Pick: Vibram KSO EVO
If you’re looking for the best premium wet shoe, we have to recommend the Vibram Five Finger range. This KSO EVO model is our choice for the best wet shoe in this review. The patented, molded Vibram sole offers you superior traction and excellent impact protection.
The ergonomic design of the sole features independent toe pads for each toe, giving you the closest feeling to being barefoot. The XS TREK soles provide excellent traction while making it easy to pivot. You get a technical compound formulation for the rubber, giving you the best grip on all surfaces in wet conditions.
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The upper of the KSO EVO features design and construction with breathable nylon hybrid fabrics. You get excellent airflow through the shoe and good drainage. We would like to see drainage holes in the bottom of the sole. However, the formfitting design of these shoes makes it challenging to waterlog them.
You get a pull-tab at the rear of the shoe, making it easy to take them on and off. The upper secures in place with an elasticated lacing system featuring a draw-clip to tie the shoe to your foot. You get an incredibly comfortable feel and wear. The lightweight design and XS TREK soles provide excellent comfort and protection.
What We Liked
- Well-known brand.
- Five-toe pocket ergonomic design.
- Excellent breathability.
- XS TREK sole for superior traction.
Budget Pick: VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes
Suppose you’re going on vacation and you want the most affordable wet shoes you can find. In that case, we recommend going with these Vifuur water sports shoes. They are under $10 and offer you everything you need in a wet shoe for your vacation.
Sure, these shoes aren’t built for durability and long service life. However, we’re not complaining; use them for one or two trips, tear them up on the reef and rocks, and throw them away. If you don’t go to the ocean or aquatic environments very often, there’s no sense in spending a fortune on your wet shoes.
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While these wet shoes are incredibly affordable, you’re getting a good deal for your money, considering the features. You get a clean design available in more than a dozen color combinations to suit your style and a unisex fit. The shoes have an ergonomic hugging fit to your feet with a decent toe box to accommodate people with flat or raised arches.
The sole features a rubber construction with plenty of traction and grip for all surfaces. Whether climbing on the rocks or moving across the boat deck, you’ll find these wet shoes give you all the grip you need.
The pull tabs on the rear make it easy to fit and remove the shoes, and the breathable upper keeps your feet dry while assisting with drainage. We would like to see drainage holes in the bottom of this shoe to prevent waterlogging. However, at this price point, we’re not going to complain.
What We Liked
- Very affordable, ideal for one-time use.
- Available in a range of color combinations.
- Unisex design.
- Durable high-traction sole.
Crocs Swiftwater
We all know the Crocs brand – you either hate them or love them. Crocs developed this wet shoe for people that demand more from their wet shoes. If you find yourself wearing wet shoes every day, they’re a fantastic choice. You get a highly durable wet shoe with a supportive, protective sole offering plenty of traction on all surfaces.
The Swiftwater from Crocs features a lightweight and sporty design, with a high traction sole that’s thicker and more protective than most wet shoes. There’s no chance of a sharp rock piercing the soles of these shoes, and you get excellent traction on the boat deck or on the rocks. The front of the shoe folds over to form a protective lip to protect your toes against bumps and knocks.
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The Crocs Swiftwater comes with an open-side design similar to a sandal, offering you ultimate drainage for these shoes and no chance of waterlogging. The breathable materials on the upper ensure your feet stay dry, preventing blistering. You get a Velcro strap securing the shoe in place and a tab at the rear for easy removal and donning.
The Swiftwater is a relatively expensive wet shoe. However, it’s a top-quality model with your choice of four colors to suit your style.
What We Liked
- Excellent traction and foot protection.
- Excellent drainage.
- Secure fit.
Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch
The Body Glove brand is well known in the water sports community. From surfing to wakeboarding, Body Glove has some of the best gear available. These 3T Cinch wet shoes are the closest alternative to the Vibram 5-finger shoes that are the best premium deal in this review.
You get a similar design and form factor, and a part of us loves the ergonomic design and look of these shoes more than the Vibram’s. Then there’s the price tag; they are less than half the price of the Vibrams and have many of the same features.
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You get a three-toe design instead of the five independent toe pockets with the Vibrams. We think this is a better idea and makes the shoes easier to don and remove. The high-traction sole gives you all the grip you need on any surface and a good grip on each independent toe pocket. The bumpers on the front are subtle and minimalist while protecting the toes from injury.
These shoes come in your choice of five colors to match your style, and we like the black with high-viz yellow accents for visibility in low-light conditions. These wet shoes come with an integrated drainage system (IDS) in the sole, preventing waterlogging when walking in the water.
Whether you’re looking for a minimalist shoe for wet trail running or a comfortable shoe for the boat or exploring, the 3T Cinch is a great choice for an all-around performer. The stretch-fit upper secures with an adjustable shock lace system connecting the rear. Taking these shoes off and putting them on is a breeze.
What We Liked
- Excellent styling and design.
- Close to the Vibram 5-Finger design.
- Premium branding.
- Great price.
- Excellent drainage and performance.
Racqua Water Shoes
These wet shoes offer a great alternative to the Body Glove 3T Cinch. If you don’t like the Vibram’s and the Body Gloves’ independent toe pouch design, you’ll appreciate these shoes. You get a similar ergonomic fit around the ball of the foot, with a design that focuses on providing each toe with an independent run in the sole.
The result is a close, snug fit without the constricting feeling of a toe pocket. The design allows for good grip on any surface and excellent comfort for your toes. The shoe’s sole comes with a high-traction grip, with large side and front bumpers providing impact protection.
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The upper features design and construction with breathable mesh materials. These shoes drain well and have a snug fit. The sole comes with drainage ports similar to the best overall model in this review. The result is excellent performance when wading, with no waterlogging of the shoe.
The sides of the upper come with a rubber-reinforced shock lace system with a clip and a pull tab on the rear of the shoe for easy donning and removal. The elastic closur on the upper adds to the formfitting, snug fit of the wet shoe.
The Racqua has an ergonomic form factor hugging the shape of your foot and is one of the best fits in a wet shoe for any activity. You can choose more than a dozen color options, and these shoes come with a unisex fit.
What We Liked
- Formfitting wet shoes.
- Secure fit with elasticated closur and shock lace system.
- Highly breathable and fast-drying.
- Anti-slip ergonomic sloe.
Mares Dive Booties
If you’re a scuba enthusiast or advanced diver, you’ll need a pair of bootie-style wet shoes for the boat and around the dive camp when preparing your gear.
These booties are the ideal companion for your fins, allowing a secure, comfortable fit of the fins. They help to remove the pressure on the top of your foot during the dive, and they also substitute as wet shoes when you’re on the surface.
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These wet shoes from Mares come with 2mm thick neoprene upper and ankle seals to prevent excessive water entry into the bootie. They are a great choice for diving in cold water conditions, but they are also suitable for warmer waters. They’re a great choice for divers, and they’ll also work for surfing.
The thick rubber sole comes with a high-traction design, making it impossible to slip on the boat when things get wet. You’ll have complete confidence in your footing on any deck and in any conditions. These booties are lightweight, and they fold away for easy packing in your travel gear.
What We Liked
- The best option for scuba divers.
- Easy fit to fin pockets on dive fins.
- Textured sole for excellent traction on the boat deck.
- 2mm neoprene for warmth and limited water entry.
BPS Storm Neoprene Socks
These BPS Storm neoprene wet shoes are another great choice for scuba divers. They don’t offer you the same rugged undersole as the Mares, but you get a dotted traction design that’s enough to give you the footing you need on the dive boat.
However, we wouldn’t wear these booties around the dive camp. The relatively thin sole and lack of rubber mean you’ll wear them out quick – and they are definitely not the right choice for exploring the rocks. However, they are warm and breathable, and they don’t waterlog when wading in the shallows.
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However, you get a snug, secure fit to your foot with a Velcro strap on the ankle cuff to prevent the flushing of water into the bootie. They work with all brands of dive fins, and they are a good choice for snorkelers and bodyboarders looking for a minimalist fin sock.
The socks are easy to don and remove, with an ankle tab making them easy to pull. You get a choice of a dozen colors to suit your gear, and you get a 12-month warranty on your purchase.
What We Liked
- High-traction non-slip sole.
- Ideal for use with fins.
- Velcro ankle cuffs to prevent flushing.
Barefoot Quick-Dry Sand Beach Socks
If you want a pair of beach wet shoes that are great for the sand and the shoreline, we recommend these socks from Barefoot. They have a tremendously lightweight feel with an ergonomic feel. You get a snug, formfitting design with a thin, lightweight non-slip TPE outsole.
These shoes are all you need to protect your feet when walking on a shelly beach or on the grass around the head or point. The ultra-stretchy soft uppers feel like a thick sock when pulling them on, and they are super easy to don and remove.
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These socks are machine washable, making them easy to maintain, and you get a fast drying time. The breathable fabrics in the upper offer you excellent drainage of the sock. The formfitting design ensures you don’t experience any waterlogging of the sock.
You get a choice of over a dozen color combinations to suit your style and a unisex fit. Overall, they are a great choice for activities like yoga, walking, or moving around the boat deck.
What We Liked
- A good choice for use with snorkeling or bodyboarding fins.
- Lightweight and formfitting.
- High-traction non-slip sole.
- Easy draining.
Other Best Selling Options
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Water Shoes Buyer’s Guide
Suppose you’re going out for an adventure on the water. In that case, you’re probably planning your outfit and looking through your selection of light, airy clothing for a fun day in the sun and surf. However, chances are you’re not thinking about your footwear.
Sure, you could say that you’ll just grab your sandals or flip-flops, which will be fine. The reality is that your footwear makes a huge difference to your experience. It could mean the difference between landing that cobia on the boat or landing a twisted ankle because your sandals slip out as you battle the fish.
A pair of wet shoes help you get the traction you need on any slippery surface. Let’s look through everything you need to know about choosing the right pair of wet shoes for your trip.
What are Water Shoes?
Whether you’re planning a scuba diving trip, a deepwater fishing expedition, or you plan on exploring a rocky coastline, you’ll need a pair of wet shoes. Wet shoes protect your feet while improving your grip on any surface.
Wet shoes vary in design and function. Some are thin socks like dive booties, while others are lightweight waterproof shoes. The primary function of the wet shoe is to give you footwear adapted for use in wet scenarios.
When the deck of the fishing boat floods after a wave splashes on board, you need footwear that won’t slip or hydroplane. Wet shoes give you the grip you need, and they keep your feet as dry as possible without waterlogging the material in the shoe.
Wet shoes protect your feet when you’re exploring the rocks, preventing you from injuries caused by stepping on urchins and other spiny creatures around the pools. They also prevent stubbing injuries to your toes and give you enough traction to navigate any surface.
Why Do I Need Water Shoes?
If you’re doing anything around the water, you can benefit from adding a pair of wet shoes to your gear. If you’re scuba diving, wet shoes are great for the boat and the launch. The sock versions of wet shoes are usually compatible with your dive fins, allowing you to wear them as booties.
If you’re kayaking or hiking along lakes and rivers, wet shoes are great for protecting your feet from the elements. Climb on rocks and other challenging terrains, and walk across shallow streams without waterlogging your footwear.
Boating
If you’re going out on the boat, choose a pair of wet shoes with a fast-drying, breathable upper and good traction on the soles.
They come in handy on board and around the dock when loading and unloading the boat. If you’re planning a spearfishing trip, look for wet shoes that work with your fins, we have a couple of options for you in our review.
Kayaking
Kayaking involves getting in and out of the boat around the shore. Doing it barefoot or in regular hiking shoes leaves you with injuries or waterlogged shoes. A pair of wet shoes is all you need to ensure you get the most out of your kayaking experience.
Whitewater Rafting
You’ll need shoes with mesh uppers and rubber soles offering plenty of grip and traction. Wet shoes offer you drainage systems on the soles, and a shock lace system ensures they stay on your feet and don’t waterlog in extreme water conditions like rapids.
Fishing
Take along your wet shoes if you’re heading out for some deep dropping. They’re great for use around the dock and the commercial areas of the marina and shipyards. You get protection from sharp objects and traction on any surface.
Exploring
If you’re taking a trip out to the rocky shoreline to spend a morning exploring, you need wet shoes that can handle the sharp rocks. Trying to walk on the rocks without shoes cuts your feet up real fast. If you’re wearing flip-flops, you don’t have the right support for your ankles, and you may slip and injure yourself. Wet shoes allow you to walk around in rockpools without the risk of injury.
Water Shoe Materials
Wet shoes feature design and construction with a variety of materials. The wet sock variety typically utilizes neoprene in the design. Neoprene allows a thin film of water to enter the sock, trapping it against your skin where your body heat warms your feet.
Other wet shoes have tough rubber soles with mesh material uppers. These uppers allow water to drain and dry fast while keeping the shoe highly breathable. Choose the materials that make sense for your activities.
Key Performance and Design Considerations
Drainage
The best wet shoes come with drainage to keep your feet as dry as possible. If you’re using regular sneakers on the beach or in the boat, they’ll water log when they get wet.
The sodden materials weigh down your feet, causing problems with your step. They may also become so saturated that they pull right off your feet when you take a step, causing you to slip and injure yourself.
Look for wet shoes offering drainage ports or systems in the soles. These shoes wick the water away from your feet, ensuring no waterlogging. The shoes are ideal for wading in the water, and they dry fast when you’re on land.
Warmth
If you’re visiting cold-water locations, look for bootie-type wet shoes for diving or wet socks. These models use neoprene for the upper. They are excellent at keeping your feet warm, even in the coldest waters.
Breathable
Wet shoes should be breathable. When you have airflow around your feet, the shoes dry faster. It also prevents your skin from softening from too much water exposure. You’ll find you don’t get blisters, and the shoes dry fast.
Ergonomic Fit
Your wet shoes should come with a snug fit. Look for models with ergonomic soles and molded toe pockets or toe boxes to give your feet the most comfortable fit while enhancing traction and functionality in the shoe.
Easy to Take on and Off
Your wet shoes should be easy to don and remove. Most models will come with tabs on the shoe’s heel, allowing you to pull them on and off. Some models rely on shock lace systems for securing the shoe to your foot. Others have elasticated closure designs or Velcro straps.
Sole Traction
All wet shoes should come with some form of traction on the sole. If you’re looking for scuba socks or booties, choose models with non-slip soles that let you get a grip of the deck on the boat on the way to the dive suite.
If you’re venturing out onto the rocks or wading in estuaries or lakes, look for models with rubber soles. The soles should have a form-fitting design for your feet and offer enough protection to stop rocks and sharp objects from piercing your feet. It’s important to note that wet shoes provide decent protection against stepping on sharp objects. However, the sock model rarely has a rubber sole. Therefore, you will feel it if you step on something sharp.
Flexibility
Your wet shoe offers you a high degree of flexibility in the sole and the upper. They are easy to fold up and store away in your gear, and they’re incredibly lightweight.
Most wet shoes come with a minimalist sole that’s thin enough to flex in any direction. As a result, you get the best contact with the ground, and it almost feels like you’re barefoot.
Support
Wet shoes aren’t very supportive. The minimalist sole means that there isn’t much room for padding. Instead, brands try to give the wearer the most form-fitting, ergonomic sole possible.
However, it’s important to note that arch and ankle support are weak on wet shoes, so bear that in mind during your activities.
Cross-Over Use and Versatility
There are purpose-built wet shoes like socks for divers. Then there are multi-purpose wet shoes designed for various activities, like kayaking, fishing, and exploring.
You’ll need to decide what you want your wet shoes to do. They are usually reasonably affordable, with most models priced around $30 or less. So, it’s not such a big deal to pick up a few different wet shoe models for various watersports activities.
For instance, wearing your dive booties for exploring the rocks will only tear them up, and you’ll be lucky if they last more than a few days.
Service Life and Durability
Since most wet shoes are cheap, they don’t really focus on service life. Some models are designed for single-trip use. Take them with you to Cancun, explore the rocks and wade through the rivers, wreck the shoes, and then throw them away.
Other models have a more durable design. Look for wet shoes with good stitching in the soles and the upper. Generally, even the best wet shoes will only survive a year or two or regular use.
Sizing Your Wet Shoes
It’s important for your wet shoes to have a snug fit. If they’re loose, then they will take on water and waterlog, pulling the shoes off your feet. Shoes that are too large may also cause rubbing on the back of your ankle and around the ball of the foot, leading to the formation of blisters.
A snug fit is more important on wet shoes like booties and other neoprene models. These wet shoes feature materials that stretch around your foot, providing a lightly compressive effect that boosts circulation.
A tight fit is also not a good idea. You’ll experience rubbing in the tow box of the shoe, leading to blisters. Many manufacturers have a standard sizing curve. They denote a W or D for wide and deep fits and N for a slimline fit.
So, it’s important to read the manufacturing brands’ information on choosing the right shoe to fit your feet. Look at the shoe to see if it is secure with shock lacing or Velcro straps or if there is a slip-on design. Choose the right configuration to match your activities on the water.
Wet Shoe Insole Design
It’s important to note that wet shoes are not waterproof. Therefore, you can expect them to let in water. Some models like booties need a thin film of water in the shoe at all times. Others have a drainage system to prevent the shoe’s waterlogging and improve drying times.
Insoles of wet shoes for water sports provide limited cushioning but offer excellent breathability. The shoes with fixed insoles will be less flexible and require a longer drying time. However, they offer a little more support and comfort for your feet.
Wet Shoe Outsole Design
The outsole design of the water shoe refers to the part of the sole making contact with the surface. If you’re only going to be around the dock, boat deck, or dive camp, you can wear wet shoes that don’t have thick soles.
However, these wet shoes don’t provide any protection for your feet. If you step on a fishing hook, it will go right through the shoe. Essentially, these types of wet shoes are just a little more protective than wearing nothing.
However, if you’re planning on exploring the rocks, you’ll need to go for a pair of wet shoes with tough rubber soles. The shoes should also offer traction on the sole to help you navigate and traverse rough terrain like rocky patches on the beach.
Water Shoes FAQ
Q: What are the differences between wet shoes and boat shoes?
A: Wet shoes typically don’t have as much protection as boat shoes. They have a purpose-built design and are more aligned with dive gear than adventuring equipment. Boat shoes are also more suited to boating, giving you more of a “shoe-like” look and feel.
The wet shoe has more in common with the dive bootie in terms of its design. Wet shoes offer you fast-drying times over boat shoes, and they are suitable for crossover use in wet and dry conditions. If you like a minimalist shoes, then a wet shoe is a great choice for utility footwear. Boat shoes may withstand the water, but you can’t go wading in the shallows with them.
Q: What are the activities suitable for wet shoes?
A: Wet shoes are available for any water activity. From hiking along wetland trails to taking a trip to a scuba site, wet shoes are available for all water conditions and aquatic adventures. Whether you need a pair of wet shoes for kayaking, scuba, or exploring, we have something for you in our review.
Wet shoes protect your feet from damage and injury when you’re exploring. They come in varying degrees of protection. Most models feature a purpose-built design offering you a sock or shoe for your chosen watersports activity.
Q: Do wet shoes have traction on slippery surfaces?
A: It depends. Most models come with some sort of traction on the sole. However, there are wet socks that don’t have any traction underneath. All of the models in our review, from shoes to socks, have traction on the soles to prevent slipping on wet surfaces.
Some wet shoes have more sturdy soles than others. We have models in your review for all conditions. From exploring the reef and rocks to running on the sand or staying steady on the boat, we have a model to suit any activity.
Q: Where can I buy the best wet shoes?
A: We recommend picking up your wet shoes from Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer. Amazon has the widest range of wet shoes and the best prices. If you’re a Prime member, you get fast, free shipping, and all orders come with full buyer protection.
Water Shoes: Verdict
Wet shoes have plenty of utility. If you’re going to the beach or the lake house, a pair of these shoes is an essential piece of kit. Suppose you’re walking in the water or around slippery, wet areas. In that case, wet shoes can give you the stability and protection you need.
We understand that you might be struggling to decide on the right pair of wet shoes. There are so many great models in this review that it’s challenging to settle on just one pair. If that’s the case for you, why not go with one of our top picks?
- Best Pick: Unisex Water Sports Shoes
These wet shoes win our award for the best overall model in this review. You get a well-designed shoe with a high-traction sole and drainage system. There are loads of color variations and a breathable, fast-drying upper that doesn’t waterlog when wading. - Premium Pick: Vibram KSO EVO
If you’re looking for the best premium wet shoe, we have to go with the legendary Vibram 5-Finger. The new KSO EVO model from Vibram brings you the classic 5-Finger design with independent toe pockets. There’s also a durable Vibram sole and excellent styling in a range of colors. - Budget Pick: VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes
If you’re looking for a hit-and-run pair of wet shoes for your next vacation, you’ll love these Vifuur water sports shoes. They’re remarkably affordable, giving you an ergonomic fit, protective sole, and easy slip-on-and-off fitment. They breathe and drain well and are incredibly well-priced.
