Wearing proper footwear is essential for hiking in Hawaii. The island’s rugged, slippery terrain and frequent stream crossings demand shoes with good traction, support, and quick-drying abilities. After extensive research, we’ve determined the best water hiking shoes for Hawaii are Merrell’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe. This shoe provides excellent traction on slippery terrain, protection against abrasions, and superior drainage thanks to the mesh upper.
While regular hiking boots offer stability and protection, they lack drainage and dry slowly. Getting your feet constantly wet leads to blisters and discomfort. On the other hand, sandals like Tevas may dry quickly but don’t provide enough traction or foot protection for Hawaii’s rough trails. As we covered in our “Do You Need Water Shoes in Hawaii?” article, the volcanic rocks and coral reefs can easily scrape bare feet.
The ideal compromise is water shoes designed specifically for hiking and outdoor adventures. These shoes drain well while providing toe protection, secure lacing, and grippy outsoles to prevent slips on wet rocks and trails. Breathable uppers keep feet cool in the Hawaiian heat.
We’ve compared dozens of styles and brands like Keen, Chaco, and Merrell to highlight the top picks across three categories: sandals, trail runners, and hiking boots. Read on for reviews of the best water hiking shoes for your next trip to Hawaii.
QUICK ANSWER
If you don’t have time to read this entire article and are simply looking for a recommendation, we recommend the following three great water hiking shoes for Hawaii:
- Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe – Our top overall pick. Great traction, protection, and drainage.
- Chaco Z/Cloud Athletic Sandal – Most comfortable hiking sandal. Excellent support and adjustability.
- Salomon Speedcross 5 – Ideal lightweight trail runner. Aggressive grip and quick-drying mesh upper.
Sandals
Sandals like Tevas allow feet to breathe and drain freely. The open design keeps you cool while fording streams. However, most regular sandals lack arch support and can come off in mud. We recommend sport sandals with secure straps and grippy tread for hiking Hawaii’s wet, slippery trails.
In our “Best Hiking Sandals for Hawaii” article, we covered how important adjustability and traction are when selecting sandals. Models like Chacos and Keens excel in these areas.
KEEN Newport H2
The Newport H2 combines the comfort of a sandal with KEEN’s signature toe protection. The hydrophobic mesh lining prevents waterlogging during stream crossings. Dual straps across the midfoot provide a secure adjustable fit. The razor siping outsole and multi-directional lugs grip even wet, algae-covered rocks.
Teva Omnium
Teva sandals are known for their bombproof durability. The Omnium has sturdy crosshatch straps lined with quick-drying mesh. Dual-density EVA footbeds cushion while providing stability underfoot on uneven terrain. Spider rubber outsoles are designed to stick on slick surfaces like Hawaii’s wet trails.
Chaco Z/Cloud
Chaco’s proprietary LUVSEAT arched footbed offers pronounced arch support, keeping feet comfortable mile after mile. Adjustable jacquard webbing straps conform to your foot for a custom fit. The non-marking Z/Cloud rubber outsoles generate traction even on slippery rocks.
Our top sandal recommendation: Chaco Z/Cloud. Unbeatable comfort and custom adjustability. The Z/Cloud tread pattern is ideal for gripping Hawaii’s wet volcanic rock.
Trail Running Shoes
Trail running shoes like Salomons provide more coverage, cushioning, stability, and traction than sandals. They’re lightweight and flexible for all-day hiking comfort. Breathable mesh uppers and panels drain quickly after creek crossings. Consider trail runners with aggressive grip for navigating Hawaii’s muddy trails and loose lava rock fields.
Our article on the best shoes for running in mud and water, you can read more about the importance of high-traction outsoles and quick-drying performance when selecting hiking shoes.
ASICS Gel-Venture 7
ASICS high-abrasion rubber outsoles and rearfoot GEL cushioning absorb shock on rough trails. The mono-sock construction prevents debris and sand from getting inside the shoe. Oval laces cinch securely while the gusseted tongue keeps out dirt.
Salomon Speedcross 5
Deep, multi-directional lugs provide supreme uphill, downhill, and side-to-side grip on muddy terrain. The aggressive tread sheds mud well. The anti-debris mesh upper and integrated gaiter seal out small rocks and dirt. Ortholite insoles wick moisture and provide cushioning.
Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator
The Vibram TC5+ outsole sticks to wet rock while resisting abrasions. Breathable mesh panels dry quickly and ventilate feet. Air Cushion pads absorb heel strike impacts. Merrell Kinetic Fit insoles conform to the foot for a secure fit.
Our top trail runner recommendation: Salomon Speedcross 5. Unmatched traction and fast-drying performance.
Hiking Boots
Hiking boots like Keens offer the most protection and stability for hardcore Hawaii trail hiking. Waterproof versions keep feet dry while preventing abrasions from lava rock. Look for lugged outsoles and secure lacing to navigate Hawaii’s steep, uneven terrain. Considering selecting lightweight boots to offset the heat.
In our “Best Hiking Boots for Hawaii” review, we looked at important factors like waterproofness, traction, breathability, and stability when picking hiking boots.
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus
Omni-Grip non-marking rubber soles provide steady footing on slippery surfaces. The waterproof full-grain leather upper withstands abrasions from lava rock. Techlite midsoles supply responsive cushioning and rebound. Padded tongues and collars prevent blisters during long hikes.
Merrell WaterPro Maipo 2
Breathable mesh and leather uppers shed water and resist tearing from sharp lava. M Select DRY seals keep feet dry inside. Molded nylon arch shanks prevent overpronation on uneven ground. Vibram outsoles maintain grip through water and mud.
Keen Targhee III Waterproof
Keen’s proprietary waterproofing lets vapor out without letting water in. Cleansport NXT natural odor protection inhibits bacteria and funk. Multi-directional lugs provide 4×4 traction control on loose terrain. Torsional stability shanks support the foot’s natural flex.
Our top hiking boot recommendation: Keen Targhee III. Waterproof protection plus secure fit and superior traction. The Targhee strikes the best balance for Hawaii trails.
Final Thoughts
The right footwear makes all the difference when hiking hot, humid Hawaii trails. Look for water hiking shoes that dry quickly, grip wet terrain, cushion impacts, and protect feet. Prioritize traction and drainage over insulation.
For most hikers, we recommend waterproof trail runners like the Salomon Speedcross 5. Trail runners provide excellent grip, comfort, breathability, and protection in a lightweight package.
Sandals like the Chaco Z/Cloud work for beach hikes but may lack traction and support for extended mountain treks.
Hardcore backpackers should consider waterproof hiking boots like the Keen Targhee III for the ultimate in stability, cushioning, and protection.
Choose footwear with features tailored to your priorities. Focus on fit and comfort over style. Test shoes on shorter hikes before wearing them on longer adventures. Have a wonderful trip hiking Hawaii’s natural beauty! Let us know if you have any other questions finding the perfect water hiking shoes.