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Find the best and most popular products and review them.
Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.
Where to Buy Vibram FiveFinger V-Aqua Water Shoes:
Amazon (Men's)
Amazon (Women's)
Vibram (Men's)
Vibram's (Women's)
The Vibram FiveFingers V-Aqua Water Shoes are a versatile and innovative choice for water shoes, with their unique design and versatile performance. These shoes offer a nearly barefoot experience, featuring a thin footbed that maximizes ground feel without sacrificing comfort, quality or performance.
Durability and quick-drying materials are non-negotiables when it comes to water shoes, and the V-Aquas do not disappoint here. These shoes can certainly keep up with beach outings and most water sports, and are even hearty enough for moderate hiking in wet environments. The Vibram rubber outsole boasts excellent traction, ensuring steady footing on both wet and dry surfaces.
The adjustable velcro straps deliver a secure and personalized fit, while the breathable upper material keeps feet cool and comfortable during extended wear. Although the individual toe pockets may take some time to get used to, the V-Aqua water shoes otherwise offer exceptional performance and comfort for those seeking a more natural and agile experience in and around water.
Things we like:
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Ultimate barefoot feel -
Secure, snug fit
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Packable – Lightweight and quick drying
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Durable and long-lasting
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Versatile – Great for hiking, beach, and watersports alike
Things we don't like:
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Not everyone finds these shoes comfortable -
Not everyone finds these shoes stylish
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Not very convenient to put on or take off – especially when wet
Where to Buy Vibram FiveFinger V-Aqua Water Shoes:
Amazon (Men's)
Amazon (Women's)
Vibram (Men's)
Vibram's (Women's)
Rating
- Outoria Score: 4.8/5
- Quality: 5/5
- Comfort: 4.5/5
- Performance: 5/5
- Price/Quality: 4.7/5
- Use: Wet Rock Trekking, Canoeing, Kayaking, River Expeditions, Tubing, Paddleboarding
- Weight: 4.9 oz
- Upper: Mesh
- Outer Sole: 3.7 mm Megagrip Outsole with drainage perforations
- Inner Sole: 2 mm Ethylene Vinyl Acetate insole with Silicon Treatment
- Closure: Velcro straps
- Care: Machine Wash Cold / Air Dry
- Other: Silicone prints inside the shoe for a secure fit
Stepping Lightly
While we have mostly positive things to say about the Vibram FiveFingers V-Aqua Water Shoe, the fit does take a bit of getting used to. The Vibram Aqua-Vs are designed with toe pockets which can make for a strange sensation if you’re unfamiliar with the feeling of fabric between your toes. To us, these water shoes feel more like snug compression socks that hug every single toe.
Otherwise, we found these shoes to be high quality and high performing. They truly fit like a glove, no joke intended, and allow the most mobility and flexibility that we have seen in a water shoe that still provides adequate protection and coverage for the entire foot. All to say, we were definitely impressed.
Comfort
As we have mentioned, the Vibram FiveFingers V-Aqua Water Shoes have a pretty unique shoe design that takes some getting used to. These water shoes fit very snug like compression socks, with individual toe pockets, almost like gloves. Some people love it, and some people hate it, but we think they’re quite comfortable.
The Silicone insoles make for a really cushioned strike and a secure fit. With a barefoot design in mind, these shoes are far more contoured to your feet than any other option on our list. This design is ideal for people who follow the barefoot philosophy that minimal arch support is required, and strengthening the muscles in your feet is far more of a priority.
Use
The Vibram FiveFingers V-Aqua Water Shoes may look a bit strange, but they perform very well in a variety of applications. Wet Rock Trekking, Canoeing, Kayaking, River Expeditions, Tubing, and paddle boarding are just some of the activities these shoes are well suited for.
Additionally, many claim to love these as trail running and even rock climbing shoes. The V-Aqua design discourages heel striking by shifting to the balls of the feet, effectively correcting running form and reducing the overall impact on runners’ joints. They are also well suited for rock climbing because of the great traction and snug form-fitting design.
One of our only grievances regarding the V-Aqua’s performance is how difficult they are to put on – when dry, and especially when wet. While it’s not impossible, it’s about as easy as getting your tightest pair of jeans on right after a shower, or putting a rubber glove on while your hands are still wet from washing. It’s not a deal breaker for us, but something to keep in mind.
Material
The design of the 3.7 mm Megagrip Outsole slightly mimics the anatomic structure of the soles of your feet, molded to move with your feet the way they might when you’re barefoot. These outer soles of the Vibram shoes provide support and protection in the exact shape of the soles of your feet, offering a very unique footwear experience as opposed to the usual thick, flat sole.
The 2 mm Ethylene Vinyl Acetate insole with Silicon Treatment provides a decent cushion for high-impact activities like trail running and helps to provide a more custom feeling fit. The shoes already fit really snug, but the supplemental velcro straps across the top of the foot and the heel ensure a fit that’s not going to budge.
Value
The Vibram FiveFingers V-Aqua Water Shoes ring in at around $95, which is definitely on the spendy end of the spectrum. They sit in the high-end price range with the best of them, like the Luna Mono Winged Editions or the KEEN Newport H2s.
We find these shoes to be high quality and versatile, so we expect them to last a long time through rigorous, varied use. That being said, they are a fairly unique design that doesn’t appeal to everyone, so we recommend trying them on before you take the leap and make the purchase.
To(e)tally Impressed
Ultimately, we liked the FiveFingers V-Aqua Water Shoes, and we believe they are more than capable of serving the purpose of water shoes – and capable of doing it quite well, at that. We weren’t crazy about the look or feel of the toe pockets, but we could understand the appeal for those who prioritize ground feel and ultimate mobility and flexibility. We wouldn’t let our personal style preferences keep us from recommending these to anyone looking for a lightweight, high-performing, versatile water shoe.
Things we like:
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Ultimate barefoot feel
-
Secure, snug fit
-
Packable – Lightweight and quick drying
-
Durable and long-lasting
-
Versatile – Great for hiking, beach, and watersports alike
Things we don't like:
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Not everyone finds these shoes comfortable
-
Not everyone finds these shoes stylish
-
Not very convenient to put on or take off – especially when wet
Frequently asked questions
Barefoot style shoes are rapidly growing in popularity, as they are a natural and unrestricted alternative shoe that is said to have foot-health benefits. Vibrams, much like the Luna Mono Winged Editions or the Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch Water Shoes, are designed to strengthen the feet and prevent foot health issues. The design also helps to prevent heel striking in your stride, and encourage the ball of the foot or the midfoot to strike the ground first, which reduces impact on your joints.
Rubber is likely the best sole material for wet surfaces due to its excellent grip and water resistance. Specifically, soft rubber, rather than hard rubber, has an almost sticky feel to it that grips to surfaces – both wet and dry. Rubber soles are best for preventing slips and providing stability when traversing wet or slippery terrain.
While not all Vibram shoes are made for water wear, the Vibram FiveFingers V-Aqua Water Shoes are designed specifically for that exact purpose. The built-in drainage, awesome breathability, and ultra-grippy soles of the V-Aquas are perfect for a wide range of aquatic or amphibious activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, or even trail running through the rain.
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