How to Choose the Best Shoes for Water Hiking

Southern Utah is a hiker’s paradise, boasting breathtaking landscapes with red rocks, towering cliffs, and the enchanting beauty of the desert.

One of the unique features of hiking in this region is the opportunity to explore amidst majestic canyon walls.

Whether you’re embarking on an easy hike, a moderate scramble, or a technical canyon descent with ropes and rappel devices, the experience is always spectacular.

Canyons, shaped by water over time, often feature water as a key element of these hikes.

Think of the Narrows in Zion Canyon National Park, where the trail is actually the knee-deep water of the Virgin River.

While the Narrows is an extreme example, there are many other stunning water hikes, such as the Paria Canyon, Coyote Gulch, Death Hollow, Kanarraville Falls, and the Escalante River.

A common question for first-time water hikers is what shoes to wear.

This guide will help you understand what to expect on a water hike and how to choose the best footwear for these adventures.

What is a Water Hike?

A water hike is any multi-mile trek that involves frequent stream crossings and/or prolonged stretches of wading in at least ankle-deep water.

The key characteristic of a water hike is that keeping your feet dry is not an option.

The stream crossings are frequent and wide enough that you can’t skip across on logs or rocks, and the water is deep enough that waterproof boots won’t help because water will enter your boot above the ankle.

Recommended Shoes for Water Hiking

1. Are Sandals Like Tevas or Chacos Suitable?

Sandals are not ideal for water hikes. Hikes like the Narrows, Coyote Gulch, and Paria Canyon involve challenging creek beds with big river cobbles, submerged logs and roots, slippery mud, and rocky scrambles.

Sandals offer no toe protection, trap pebbles and sand, and lack good traction for slippery conditions.

They also don’t provide the necessary support for multi-mile hikes.

2. What About Water Shoes?

Water shoes are designed for boating or lounging by the water, not for hiking.

They protect your feet for limited movement but aren’t built to support your feet and legs on multi-mile hikes.

Their soles aren’t suitable for hiking, making them unfit for water hikes.

3. Can I Switch to Sandals or Water Shoes for Stream Crossings?

Switching to sandals or water shoes for stream crossings is impractical. If your hike involves prolonged wading, sandals aren’t suitable.

For hikes with frequent river crossings, changing shoes at every crossing is time-consuming.

If a hike has infrequent enough stream crossings to make switching shoes practical, it’s not considered a true water hike.

4. Are Waterproof Trail Shoes or GoreTex Hiking Boots a Good Choice?

Waterproof footwear is not ideal for water hikes.

Once water enters a waterproof boot from the top, it gets trapped inside, making your feet heavy and uncomfortable.

This also increases the risk of blisters and trenchfoot as your feet don’t get a chance to dry out between wading sections and water crossings.

5. What Shoes Should I Wear for Water Hiking?

The best footwear for water hiking is a trail shoe or boot designed for hiking that can get wet but will dry quickly.

Look for lightweight, synthetic trail shoes or boots that are not waterproof. Avoid leather, GoreTex, and other waterproof fabrics.

Some recommended brands and models include:

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6. Is Hiking in Wet Socks and Shoes Problematic?

Hiking in wet socks and shoes can be surprisingly comfortable.

Just like in dry conditions, ensure your boots and socks fit well. Blisters are usually no more of an issue than in dry conditions.

If you’re prone to blisters, pre-taping your feet with KT tape or climbing tape can help.

7. What About Neoprene Socks?

Neoprene socks don’t keep your feet dry; they work by trapping a small amount of water near your body, allowing your body to heat up this layer of water and have it act as insulation.

They are useful in cold conditions but can be uncomfortable for long hikes.

If you use neoprene socks, size up your footwear to avoid pressure points and blister issues.

8. Should I Use Gaiters or Waders?

Gaiters don’t seal tightly enough to the top of your boot to help with waterproofing.

They can be useful in keeping debris out of your footwear but make it more cumbersome to remove accumulated debris.

Waders are designed for fishing, not hiking. They are not breathable and not suitable for active cardio exercise like hiking.

Tips for Comfortable Water Hiking

• Ensure Proper Fit: Make sure your boots and socks fit well.
• Choose the Right Socks: Use lightweight synthetic or wool hiking socks. Avoid cotton.
• Empty Shoes of Debris: Stop as needed to empty your shoes of accumulated sand or rocks.
• Take Breaks: For full-day hikes, take your shoes and socks off during a longer break at midday to give your feet a chance to breathe.
• Backpacking Tips: For backpacking trips, bring a lightweight pair of camp shoes to change into after hiking. Rinse your socks and footwear at the end of the day. Bring a dedicated pair of dry socks for camp. Be aware that your shoes may not dry overnight, but that’s okay since you’ll get them wet again immediately.

In Summary

Water hiking can be an incredible experience if you have the right footwear.

Once you get past the idea of hiking in wet boots, you’ll find it surprisingly comfortable.

Start with shorter hikes to figure out what works best for you before committing to longer adventures.

Try out your footwear and socks in a local stream, bring blister care, and be proactive about footcare.

Most importantly, have fun and be ready to be amazed by the places your feet can take you if you’re willing to get them a little wet.

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