[poppies]

Hi all, I recently ruined a pair of espadrilles getting them wet with ocean water. Any thoughts on better sea-going alternatives?

I'd like to go closed toe, but since I'm generally wearing a rash guard by the water, leather items like fisherman's sandals or boat shoes may seem a little mismatched.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[ItalianStyle]

Neoprene shoes?

 

[poppies]

Neoprene shoes?

I was hoping to get something elegant enough to also wear with linen pants, etc., but I'm thinking I might just have to go full-on purpose-designed sporty.

 

[eagle2250]

You might take a look at Keens sandal offerings, They are too utilitarian for wear with linen trousers, but they are more than a match for the ravages of ocean water splashes. Good luck in your hunt!

 

[ItalianStyle]

And be careful with the 'water shoe' variety that's basically a thinly lined sneaker with extra holes for the water to run out.
The combination of bare skin, plastic/nylon and water (be it salt or fresh) is a recipe for a blister disaster.

 

[Dhaller]

Birkenstock makes some of its lines in EVA (a supple, waterproof synthetic.)

Are tennis shoes out? I like classic SeaVees myself.

You might look at OluKai as well, which has some nice resort-y beach-y types of shoes.

 

[poppies]

This has been very helpful, thanks all. I guess I can't cover as many bases with one item as I'd hoped!

 

[poppies]

I ended up getting some loafers by Swims:

https://swims.com/collections/shop-all-footwear/products/penny-loafer-navy

Not the most elegant option in the world, but I think I can get away with it with several outfits, and it appears to be a great option for water. I've been very pleased with the quality of the overshoes I have from the same brand, so I'm thinking these will likely be a pretty lasting purchase.

 

[eagle2250]

I ended up getting some loafers by Swims:

https://swims.com/collections/shop-all-footwear/products/penny-loafer-navy

Not the most elegant option in the world, but I think I can get away with it with several outfits, and it appears to be a great option for water. I've been very pleased with the quality of the overshoes I have from the same brand, so I'm thinking these will likely be a pretty lasting purchase.

To my eye, you made a great choice. May you long wear them (as the situation permits) and may you do so only in good health!

 

[ItalianStyle]

In my eyes, that is actually a very stylish design for something that can be submerged totally in water. A cross between a penny loafer and a driving moc :beer:

 

[poppies]

I ended up getting some loafers by Swims:

https://swims.com/collections/shop-all-footwear/products/penny-loafer-navy

Now that I've used them a few times, I'm popping back in to this thread to provide feedback on the Swims loafers:

They look just as nice as in the website photos; I felt perfectly appropriate taking them from the beach to a nice restaurant nearby, which is my style test for such items. They're constructed perfectly heartily and seem to be likely to last a long time, but they're also very light and comfortable. I've taken them through the gauntlet of swampy paths and lots of beach sand and ocean water; it's truly remarkable how they are able to be cleaned up in the shower with me afterward to the point that they still look practically brand new.

I strain to imagine a better solution for style-minded beach goers who will be active in ocean water.

 

[poppies]

Now that I've used them a few times, I'm popping back in to this thread to provide feedback on the Swims loafers:

They look just as nice as in the website photos; I felt perfectly appropriate taking them from the beach to a nice restaurant nearby, which is my style test for such items. They're constructed perfectly heartily and seem to be likely to last a long time, but they're also very light and comfortable. I've taken them through the gauntlet of swampy paths and lots of beach sand and ocean water; it's truly remarkable how they are able to be cleaned up in the shower with me afterward to the point that they still look practically brand new.

I strain to imagine a better solution for style-minded beach goers who will be active in ocean water.

A couple of years have gone by, and my fairly light colored Swims loafers have now gotten spots and marks that can't be rubbed off, and the plastic has yellowed considerably. I've enjoyed them so much, I'm getting another pair in a darker color to better hide wear. A word to the wise, these are wonderful shoes for the beach, but maybe consider navy, grey, or similar darker options.