Wirecutter

If you spend most of your time around water doing vigorous activities, these shoes have good traction and are super-durable, so they’ll last a long time. They’re available in men’s sizes 8 to 13.

OutdoorGearLab

Don't be fooled by the casual, stylish looks of the Astral Loyak. These are high-performing water shoes with a well-designed, sock-like fit, superb drainage, and sticky, siped outsoles. They are super comfortable on foot, whether in the water or on land. Their thin, neutral soles have a great ground feel that helps maintain balance and make them fun to swim in. 
Despite solid water performance, these aren't the most durable option. They're also not as adjustable as higher-performing models that offer more insulation on chilly days. However, this option is a good value for anyone searching for a paddling or river walking shoe that's versatile enough for chilling around camp, traveling, or going from water to watering hole.

Don't be fooled by the casual, stylish looks of the Astral Loyak. These high-performing water shoes have a well-designed, sock-like fit, superb drainage, and sticky, siped outsoles. They are comfortable on foot, whether in the water or on land. Their thin, neutral soles have a great ground feel that helps maintain balance and makes them fun to swim in. 
However, these aren't the most durable option. They're also not as adjustable as higher-performing models that offer more insulation on chilly days. This option is a good value for a paddling or river walking shoe versatile enough for chilling around camp, traveling, or going from water to watering hole.
Read more: Astral Loyak review

amazon.com

bazaarvoice

walmart

yotpo

If you need water shoes as soon as possible, this pair is available with two-day Amazon Prime shipping. They’re not as durable as some we tried, but they’re affordable and functional. And they come in a myriad of colors.

Consumer Reports

The Chaco Torrent Pro is the do-it-all shoe. We love it for rafting, hiking, light canyoneering, and for wearing around town. Chaco's Luvseat Footbed technology makes it feel like you're walking on a cloud without sacrificing sensitivity. The outsole, ChacoGrip Plus rubber compound, sticks great on wet, hard surfaces and has deep enough lugs to dig into mud and sand. This design makes it easy to transition from scrambling around a rocky shore to crossing a sandy beach and back to a raft. It's adjustable enough with the help of a quick-to-use elastic lace and stretchy mesh to add extra insulation without wrestling the shoe on or causing the feet to feel cramped or toes to go numb. After a long day on the river or a side hike, the elastic lace remains secure, tightening the shoe around the whole foot for top-notch snugness. This design contrasts with other models tested that only tighten around one portion of the foot, causing a loose heel or uncomfortable arches. 
While these shoes are superior in comfort and versatility, they have great but not the best traction. They also started to show signs of wear—beginning signs of separation between the mesh uppers and outsole—lacking the durability you might want for a more intense mission like canyoneering. Their potentially short longevity is worth considering if you're into rafting, where you'll be jamming your feet under thwarts day after day. Yet, if you're looking for a shoe that checks the boxes for almost any water activity and is good on dry land, we recommend the Chaco Torrent Pro. 

The Chaco Torrent Pro is the do-it-all shoe. We love it for rafting, hiking, light canyoneering, and for wearing around town. Chaco's Luvseat Footbed technology makes it feel like you're walking on a cloud without sacrificing sensitivity. The outsole, ChacoGrip Plus rubber compound, sticks great on wet, hard surfaces and has deep enough lugs to dig into mud and sand. This design makes it easy to transition from scrambling around a rocky shore to crossing a sandy beach and back to a raft. It's adjustable enough with the help of a quick-to-use elastic lace and stretchy mesh to add extra insulation without wrestling the shoe on or causing the feet to feel cramped or toes to go numb. After a long day on the river or a side hike, the elastic lace remains secure, tightening the shoe around the whole foot for top-notch snugness. This design contrasts with other models tested that only tighten around one portion of the foot, causing a loose heel or uncomfortable arches. 
While these shoes are superior in comfort and versatility, they have great but not the best traction. They also started to show signs of wear—beginning signs of separation between the mesh uppers and outsole—lacking the durability you might want for a more intense mission like canyoneering. Their potentially short longevity is worth considering if you're into rafting, where you'll be jamming your feet under thwarts day after day. Yet, if you're looking for a shoe that checks the boxes for almost any water activity and is good on dry land, we recommend the Chaco Torrent Pro. 
Read more: Chaco Torrent Pro - Women's review

powerreviews

The Astral Brewer is a shoe built to do it all in the water and on land. The shoe was a frequent favorite that was reached for most on various water-based pursuits. The shoe is comfortable and adjustable enough to accommodate nearly any additional insulation needed for different conditions. Its outsoles handle harder and rough terrain better than nearly all tested models. The sole balanced stiffness with flexibility, proving stiff enough to handle harder terrain yet flexible enough to have a good feel of the ground beneath you.
While these shoes are great for most water activities you can throw at them, they aren't quite as warm as paddling booties, like the NRS Paddle Wetshoe, that come with their thick insulation. The smaller lugs on these shoes were a bit difficult on slippery terrain. If you need a purpose-built shoe for more narrow usage, look beyond this shoe. If you want one shoe that can do it all, the Brewer 2.0 is ready to take on a variety of missions.

Water Shoe Comparison