Gearing up to spend summer in the water? Check out out this list to find barefoot shoes that will handle all your adventures. There’s a minimalist shoes option for just about anything you can dream up and enjoy this summer.
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Number 1: I have to mention my go-to summer adventure shoes that will do everything in one: Bedrock Sandals Cairns.
I’ve already reviewed them here. With savvy buying, including pre-loved, everyone in my family that’s got feet big enough to fit them has a pair, and I have 2 pairs. We have every size in hour house, from the smallest 5 men’s/6 women’s (they’re unisex) up to a men’s 11/women’s 12. We bigtime love our Bedrocks here. (Note: the 3D model, not the Cairn we sport, is not completely flat and does in fact have some arch support). You can take these around town, up a mountain, in the river, or to the water park. We’ve covered ours in mud. We’ve pressure washed in them. I purposely pick them for their grip above and below the footbed when it’s pouring rain. Seriously – do anything you want in these shoes. Check out the review, which is one of my first ones on the blog from last year, for details about sizing and more.
Number 2: Lunas
Luna Sandals has so many options they have a sandal picker on their site. You can get different foot beds, thicknesses, tread types, straps, and more.
Chose the best sandal for your adventure and have a blast, with or without an extra strap for security.
Number 3: Shamma
I’ve had 4 different Shammas and have both a mini-review and a big review with 3 different models in it.
You can get some really rugged options and include an extra strap for the security, just like with Luna.
Number 4: Earthrunners
Earthrunners have the best styling in a go-anywhere options and boost one of the few grounding options available to us. Big pluses!
There are trade-offs for water play in these. They’ll do it just fine, but know that while the thinnest option will dry the most easily, it also can be more slippery. On the flip-side, the thicker options will get you some more footbed grip, but they won’t dry that fast unless you take them off and let the sun shine on them. Save 10% with my code OWB. Review here covers all 3 footbeds.
Number 5: Astral
Wide toe boxes and easy water drainage, Astral can take you through a lot of summer water adventures.
The models generally have a small drop (as little as just 1 mm), but this can often be eliminated by taking out the insole, which also will give you better times in the water, though actual water models don’t come with an insole so the drop is there to stay. Read model details carefully to assess.
Number 6: Vibram Five Fingers
I’m a huge fan of VFFs and have several pairs. Check out my intro post on Vibram Five Fingers here.
You can usually get at least 1 model that’s specifically designed for water adventures, while others are marketed for road running, trails, etc. It’s hard to get more barefoot than this and the possibilities are nearly endless for where you can take them.
Number 7: Deliberate Life Designs
Adam from Deliberate Life Designs makes all the sandals during his travels with his family and he knows them inside and out because he wears them too. It hardly gets more personal and personalized than this.
This is the only option on the list that will give you a fully custom experience in the US. Highly recommend that you check his Instagram page for the latest options, as the website is not always current. Save 10% with my code OWBSHOES.
Number 8: Unshoes
Unshoes offers both read-made and custom-light sandals options.
You can get both toe-post and no-toe-post options that work for a variety of needs.
Number 9: Panta (EU Only)
EU only is sad, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention these as probably the best option you can get in the EU for sandals and water.
You can get different foot beds, including some great ones for water, a wide range of sizes (including kids), and even custom sandals. I ain’t jealous… I swear.
Number 10: Xero
Xero Shoes sandals are a great way to summer.
I have had the Z-treks twice now and hope to have a review on them this summer. I’ve also tried the Veracruz (didn’t work for me), the Jessie (not wide enough for me), and have the Aqua Sport that I really enjoy and need to review ASAP. AND the Colorado which is a nice-looking Keen dupe. For sandals, they have both Z-strap options (3), 2 toe-loop options (Jessie and Veracruz), 2 toe post options (Genesis and Cloud), and the DIY kit you can put together any way you like. So many choices for summer adventures, water, and hiking.
Number 11: Wildling
A more off-beat choice is the Wildling Tanuki model, which I’ve reviewed here.
Tanukis are designed to get wet and dry again. They won’t dry out particularly fast if you’re wearing them, and they aren’t designed for rough adventures, but in them you don’t have to shy away from wet ground, water crossings, or even mud. They also clean up easily.
Number 12: Water shoes
Cheap, practically throw-away water shoes, can be an easy way to summer, but there’s a lot more to this category than you realize. Yes, you can spend less than $10 on Amazon and get something in a fun color, but you can also spend more there and get a much more sturdy version that’s designed to get wet, but also offers some protection. You can also find some type of cheap, zero drop, probably wide, water shoe straight off the rack at big box stores like Walmart every year. Or you can go to Pedterra and grab the sturdier, grippier Slipfrees that should last you all summer long with an easy on and off combined with durability. Save 10% off your first order with my code OWBSHOES.
What are you wearing this summer?
Want more reviews?
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Love color or need a specific type of shoe?
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