Does anyone have experience with swim shoes?

We're going on holiday to Croatia and it was recommended to take swim shoes because of sea urchins and rocky beaches. I ordered these rubber swim shoes and the fit is actually not that bad, but they're just a bit too big. Now that both the shoes and my feet are dry they're quite comfortable, but they feel like I might just slip out in the back. I can't really do a test walk or get them wet because they're tied together and cutting the ties would make returns impossible.

These are a size 38/39. I typically wear a size 37.5/38 and reviews said to size up, especially if you're in the larger of the two sizes. I'm not sure if the 36/37 wouldn't be too small. If you own shoes like this, do they feel bigger or smaller in the water?

They are also available in a clear plastic, less visible on pictures and probably a better match with swimwear, but then you'd also see the squished toes better...

Do you think I should try the size down? If yes, should I get the blue or the clear ones? I guess I could hold on to these until the other pair arrives. Or would you keep this size? They actually feel pretty comfortable - I just worry that I might lose them in the water (although advertising says they float).

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7 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

I have some river shoes and not in this material but my gut says smaller size and clear.

Astrid

Thanks Bella.

Anonymous

I bought a pair of water shoes from Lands End that work fairly well. They're styled like tennis shoes, but have a bungee cord tie so they stay snug on your feet. They're not at all good for regular walking though, as they have no padding in the insole. But hey, they're good for what they're designed for.

Thanks BC. I definitely don't want to wear them for walking longer distances, just for swimming! And walking from towel to the sea, I guess. These are very simple too, but I don't need "more shoe". They're inexpensive and made in Germany, that's why I picked them.

Okay so I found just one place selling the smaller size in clear and they were under minimum order value so I ordered the 38/39 in clear, too. I'm going to return the blue ones. If the 36/37 is too small I'm going to keep the 38/39 in clear and keep my fingers crossed that they won't go missing.

Maneera

If the fit is snug, I don't think they're gonna fall off your feet in the water. If anything, they'll stay stuck to your skin in water. So this 'comfortable' size is right. But just to put your mind at ease - why not order the size small and hold onto these too? You can wear both & compare. You can always jump around and see if the shoe comes lose

I bought an inexpensive pair when I went to Maldives too. Way too much coral in the sea to walk or swim barefoot. They did the job!

ETA: I didn't walk around in mine at all. I would slip them off once I got on the sandy beach and throw them into my beach bag. I don't think they made an appearance in any photos ---- mine were pink!

Thanks Maneera. I ordered both sizes in clear now. So there won't be any need to worry about matching my swimwear. I had just ordered them in blue to start with because they were available via Amazon. I guess it will probably result in me keeping the more comfortable pair, but we'll see. Maybe I can't even get my feet into the smaller size and then the question will be moot! I plan to take them off out of the water too, just like you did. That's so great about these ones, they won't need much time to dry and are small enough to just keep them in the swim bag.

columbine(erin)

In my experience a snug fit in water shoes is better. A loose shoe with a little sand in it rubs the skin off your heels. No fun!

kkards

I've always wear water shoes that are a snug fit, and that have had more coverage than the pair you are showing...more like the find below...its hard to see from the picture you've attached, but what is the bottom like? on rocky beachs I think you want to make sure that the bottom will protect your feet from getting cut up and provide some cushioning. (also see the attached link, for a good description of what I've worn in the past)

http://www.dickssportinggoods......987.441799

Amazon

The Wave Women's Wave Water Shoes Pool Beach Aqua Socks, Yoga , Exercise

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Vix

Hi Astrid -- I see you'll soon have 2 sizes to compare but I wanted to let you know I've worn similar ones a bit too big and never had a problem keeping them on.

IME these are reef shoes (thin, floppy rubber) for scrambling over hot sand/rocky ocean floors to swim vs water shoes (sneaker-y sole, often mesh uppers) which are for more hiking in wet rocky (or smooth, I guess) areas where more support's needed.

Sounds like a wonderful trip coming up!

anchie

I have this model that fits tts and it works ok:
https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/.....ref=plSrch

Not sure if link would work, i am on the phone.

But there is also abundance of shoes like kkards posted that you can cheaply buy directly on the beach (I am from croatia btw-wondering where are you going)

Thanks Columbine! Good point...

Thanks kkards - the bottom is like the top, but the material there is a bit thicker. So the uppers are a bit more flexible. Reviews said that it was thick enough to keep anything from getting through. I don't mind feeling the ground through the shoes, I like to go barefoot too.

Thanks Vix! That's good to know. And you're right, reef shoes are what I'm looking for, from your description. I don't plan to hike in them or walk longer distances. They are called "Badeschuhe" in German, meaning shoes for bathing.

Thanks Anchie! That's the other pair that's coming up at Amazon with a quick search. I usually like to have my shoe needs met before a trip, but it's good to know I could buy a pair there if necessary. Oh and we'll be based in Medulin, but we go by car so hopefully we'll get to see quite a bit more besides.

Got them in the mail today and the smaller size is much too small, so I'm going to keep the bigger size. I cut the tags and they seemed fine walking around. Pretty comfortable and I don't slip out after all. And it was definitely a good idea to go with the clear ones, they're really unobtrusive - I like that!

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Chris987

I've been wearing these ones (LL Bean) for 10 years but I think they are heavier than you say you need.

I wear them for walking on rocky or gravelly beaches and coastlines, in the water a bit (but not much for swimming), and have worn them in Maine, in Hawaii, and at home. Hmm....I need to visit some SANDY beaches one of these days They DO have enough padding to wear for walking around too although a little sand sometimes gets in. There are lots of different brands available in this sort of shoe these days although they were less common when I bought them. I need to replace them soon...

Chris you're right, these are heavier than I need. My sister has a similar pair, she wears them as normal trekking sandals. I hadn't planned on taking any trekking shoes, although I do own a pair of Teva sandals which I haven't worn in ages.

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