Growing up in a city that’s surrounded by rocky shores and green, sandy beaches, it seems like almost everyone I know has at least one pair of water shoes on their feet. It’s a footwear must-have for summer and springtime — especially if you live somewhere where the ocean is particularly cold.
But why do they include water shoes with our purchases? What’s the actual purpose of water shoes and why are they so popular?
As I understand it, the main purpose of water shoes is to protect feet from potential damage when stepping on sharp rocks. It’s not that we’re unaware of the dangers — many people come to realize that these barefoot contraptions can actually cause serious foot injuries, especially on the toes — but because there are so many other ways to prevent them (e.g. thick socks, waterproof bandages, etc.).
While a lot of people would assume that they could just wear flip flops or another type of casual shoe, I say it’s better to be safe than sorry. And to be completely honest, it seems as if many types of water shoes offer a bit more protection than other ordinary shoes and boots.
That being said, here are ten reasons why you should start making water shoes a part of your footwear collection:
1. Water shoes are comfortable as hell.
Even though you’re bound to encounter some tide pools and slippery rocks, wearing water shoes is still a breeze; it’s like walking on smooth sand without any effort at all. It’s just like wearing flip flops, but without the risk of stepping on a pebble; it makes for a fun way to spend time in the great outdoors with family and friends.
2. Water shoes protect your feet from harmful bacteria and dirt.
When you step on anything in the ocean — whether it be a rock, shell, coral, or any other gross stuff that’s usually found at the beach — your feet will have to get through all of it. It’s kind of like the “Great Sand Wash” — you get everything that goes through the sand, including dirt and bacteria.
Avoid this by wearing water shoes so that you won’t have to step on anything potentially dirty. If you end up stepping on something gross and/or wet, then at least your feet won’t be ruined.
3. Water shoes help prevent cuts and blisters.
Water shoes will help keep you from getting a nasty cut or blister on your foot — assuming you don’t end up stepping on a sharp piece of coral, shell or rock. You can only avoid this by wearing water shoes, and I’m sure that’s why many people choose to wear water shoes when they go to the beach.
(And if you do end up getting nicked, make sure to use something like Band-Aid Waterproof Tape to help stop bleeding.)
4. Water shoes protect your feet from hot sand in warmer climates.
If you live somewhere around the equator or further north, then you’re going to have to deal with the extreme heat. However, keeping water shoes on your feet will help prevent too much sun exposure and heat-related injuries. (This is especially true of people who are sensitive to direct sunlight).
5. It offers a good grip on rocky shorelines.
It’s true — water shoes are great for rocky shorelines. With a good grip, you can quickly wade through the water and avoid tripping on rocky shores. It’s especially useful for places like Hawaii, where shorelines can be quite rocky.
6. Water shoes are lightweight and take up little space.
Water shoes are incredibly lightweight and easy to fold up, making them incredibly convenient to bring on trips to the beach or other aquatic areas (e.g. lakes, rivers, etc.). It’s essential to have water shoes on trips like this, since you never know what you might step on.
7. Water shoes are good to wear at the beach in warmer weather.
If it’s too hot to wear flip flops in the sun, then don’t. Instead, wear water shoes so that your feet won’t experience too much burning or heat. While they aren’t as good as flip flops, they definitely beat putting on thick socks and other heavy shoes.
8. Water shoes can be used in dry conditions.
Most flip flops aren’t good for going through water, since they’re not very durable and are pretty shallow. However, water shoes are incredibly awesome at swimming — they offer added grip and support. If you ever find yourself in a dry environment without much water, wear a pair of water shoes so that you don’t have to deal with uncomfortable sandals.
9. Great for indoor and outdoor activities alike.
If you’re not planning on going to the beach anytime soon, then water shoes can still be great to wear around the house as well. There are a number of activities that would benefit from water shoes, such as playing sports in the backyard or swimming in your own pool. (It’s also good for gardening or cleaning.)
10. Water shoes last a long time.
How many times have you bought flip flops and they’ve broken after only a couple of uses? A lot, right? It’s really frustrating to spend money on something that you can barely use.
However, water shoes don’t have the same problem. They tend to last a long time, especially if they’re made of proper materials like leather and rubber. With proper care, water shoes should last for at least a couple of years.
Final Thoughts on Water Shoes
If you’re looking for some great reasons to wear water shoes, then I hope I’ve given you at least some of them. Overall, they’re amazing — they can make the great outdoors feel like the beach (and let your feet breathe easier). If anybody has questions about water shoes or reads this post, then let us know and we’ll try to get back to you. In addition, I recommend checking out this list of the best water shoes on Amazon.