I don’t always travel with waterproof shoes.
In fact, on most trips I don’t.
A 30% chance of showers has never changed what goes in my bag. After traveling full-time for over 5 years, my biggest weather hack is “wait it out.”
But there are definitely trips where that strategy changes.
When fall and winter approach, the gray and damp is just what some parts of the world look like. In those cases, there is nothing to wait out.
That’s when my carry-on bag always has at least a pair of waterproof sneakers or booties.
So here are the 9 best waterproof shoes for travel I would actually pack, plus the honest answer on which trips need them and which ones don’t.
Here’s what you’ll learn today:
✅ When the best waterproof shoes for travel are worth the suitcase space, and when they are not
✅ My 9 picks across sneakers, boots, flats, and sandals, including the pairs I own
✅ The difference between waterproof and water repellent, in plain English
The 9 Best Waterproof Shoes for Travel (That Still Look Good)
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my blog if you’re planning to shop! 💛 (if not, just enjoy the post)
Estimated reading time: 17 minutes
The best waterproof shoes for travel are the ones you would happily wear on a dry day too.
My top picks are the Vessi Soho for a leather sneaker, the Blondo Valli for a waterproof bootie, and the Reef Water Vistas for a dressier sandal perfect for anywhere near water.
Most trips only need one or two solid waterproof picks, not a whole bag of them.
Jump to your style 👇🏼
👟 The Waterproof Sneakers: Vessi Soho | On Cloud 6 | SOREL Ona Ave
🥾 The Waterproof Boots: Blondo Valli | Ariat Wexford
🩰 The Waterproof Flats: Vessi Market Flat | VIVAIA Mabel
🌊 The Waterproof Sandals: Reef Water Vista | Birkenstock Arizona
☔ When You Actually Need the Best Waterproof Shoes for Travel
Here is the question I ask before a trip, and it is not “will it rain.”
It is whether I can get out of the rain when it starts.
A shower you can duck away from is a coffee break. A week of gray is a wet-sock and soggy-shoe problem.
City trips give you cafes, museums, and doorways every hundred feet. That is a lot of dry places to escape to when rain appears.
What tips the scale is the forecast staying wet for days, or a destination with a reputation. Yes, we’re looking at you UK and Ireland 🤭
The same math applies closer to home. A rainy week in Boston or the Pacific Northwest, spring in the Smokies, or Florida in storm season all call for the same swap.
That is when I switch things up. My usual white leather sneakers stay home and the waterproof pair comes instead.
And if it’s really looking cold and drab, I’ll swap in my favorite pair of waterproof booties instead of my go-to sock booties.
💡 Pro tip: Beach and pool trips are the exception to all of this. I always bring a waterproof sandal there no matter what the forecast says, because the water is the whole point.
💧 Waterproof vs Water Repellent (They Are Not the Same)
Brands use these words like they mean the same thing. They really do not, and knowing the difference saves you from a bad surprise on your vacation.
💧 Waterproof means there is a sealed barrier inside the shoe. Puddles, sustained rain, none of it gets through.
💦 Water repellent means the surface sheds light rain and it beads off. Give it long enough and water will work its way in.
🌊 Water friendly means the shoe is fine getting soaked and dries fast. Your feet get wet, the shoe does not care.
All three can have a role in your suitcase, but the best waterproof shoes for women are the ones matched to the right job.
👟 The Best Waterproof Sneakers for Women
This is the slot that matters most, because it is the shoe you will walk the most miles in. Most of the best waterproof shoes for travel live right here.
⭐️ marks my top pick in each category.
1️⃣ Vessi Soho & Vessi Weekend (⭐️ top pick)
Best for: replacing your everyday leather sneaker
The Vessi Soho is the pair I own, in the Selene and Hyperpink colors.
It’s a stylish everyday sneaker made with vegan leather and Vessi’s waterproof knit technology built in.
I always travel with white leather sneakers, and with the Vessi Sohos I feel like I’m not giving up anything on style. And they are genuinely super comfy (and run true to size)!
The Soho will be my go-to waterproof travel sneakers for a while.
✅ Honorable mention: the Vessi Weekend Classic is another great waterproof sneaker in a 4 way stretch version instead of vegan leather. This one runs slightly snug, so size up if you are between sizes.
The Weekend’s knit feels airier, so it is the better pick for a warm destination where you still expect rain.
💡 Pro tip: Sizes come and go on these, so it is worth checking availability before you count on them for a trip.
2️⃣ On Cloud 6 Waterproof
Best for: the most cushioning under your feet
The On Cloud 6 Waterproof is the rain ready version of a sneaker plenty of women already swear by, with the same cushioned sole and a waterproof membrane added.
On Cloud is known for being some of the most comfortable shoes out there.
My husband has the men’s version, and plenty of women in my community wear the women’s Cloud 6. He loves them so much that I’m thinking about joining him and many women in my community who swear by this shoe.
✅ Honest tradeoff: a waterproof membrane keeps water out and it keeps warmth in, so these run warmer than the standard Cloud 6. That’s not a problem in November, but not ideal on a hot afternoon.
3️⃣ SOREL Ona Ave Waterproof Low Top
Best for: the most serious waterproofing on this list
The SOREL Ona Ave uses what SOREL calls bootie construction, which means the waterproof layer is sealed inside the shoe rather than sprayed on the outside.
A sprayed on treatment wears off as the shoe scuffs. A sealed inner layer keeps working.
It also has an EVERTREAD rubber outsole and a removable footbed, so there is real grip underneath and room for your own insoles if you use them.
✅ Honest tradeoff: this sneaker tends to run snug, so it’s recommended to size up half a size. Especially if you’ll also be wearing warmer socks.
🙋🏻♀️ My take: SOREL built its name on shoes that handle weather, and the Ona Ave can be trusted to do just that. If you want a genuinely waterproof sneaker that still reads as a fashion sneaker, this is a great option.
🧳 Not sure what to pack for your trip?
Shoes are the hardest thing to get right, and they are usually what pushes a bag over the edge. Tell me where you are going by answering two quick questions and I’ll build you a packing list that actually fits.
Answer them here ⬇️
🥾 The Best Waterproof Boots for Travel
Boots earn their space when it is cold and wet. Your warm, dry feet will thank you ☺️
4️⃣ Blondo Valli Waterproof Suede Bootie (⭐️ top pick)
Best for: the one bootie that does everything
The Blondo Valli is the pair the Ways of Style community brings up more than any other bootie, and it’s coming with me on my winter trip to Northern Italy.
Waterproof suede, a side zip, and a low stacked heel that walks fine on uneven streets make it a great travel bootie.
Blondo runs true to size and comes in four colors.
The low heel means they work with jeans, ponte pants, and a dress with tights, which is most of what I pack for a cold trip.
💡 Pro tip: black nubuck is the color I would pack if you are only bringing one. It handles a rainy afternoon and a dinner out without looking like two different shoes.
5️⃣ Ariat Wexford Waterproof Chelsea Boot
Best for: wider feet and serious weather
If you want waterproof chelsea boots women actually walk in during vacation, the Ariat Wexford is the sturdier option here.
The detail worth knowing is that it comes in multiple widths, which is rare in a waterproof boot and a genuine reason to choose it.
🙋🏻♀️ My take: I love this boot, but for my personal style, Chelseas don’t go great with most of my travel outfits. Make sure to consider what outfits you plan to travel with before ordering your waterproof boots!
They look great with straight leg jeans and anything cropped at the ankle, and less great with wider or flowy pants that bunch at the shaft.
✅ Honest tradeoff: it is the priciest pick on this list and the heaviest. If your bag is already tight, the Blondo is the lighter choice.
🩰 The Best Waterproof Flats for Travel
This is the pair for dinner, or for any day when a sneaker feels like too much. Both of these waterproof flats fold down to almost nothing.
They earn their spot on shoulder-season trips when temperatures are mild but rain is still in the forecast, and on any trip where you want something for evenings that will not be ruined by wet pavement.
Full disclosure: I don’t personally travel with waterproof flats, simply because I don’t find them warm enough for the seasons where I find waterproof travel shoes most appropriate. But plenty of women in my community do.
6️⃣ Vessi Market Flat (⭐️ top pick)
Best for: a flat that is fully waterproof, not just resistant
The Vessi Market Flat is a loafer shape in the same waterproof knit as the sneakers, with extra cushioning underneath.
It is the only flat on this list that is genuinely sealed against water, which is the whole reason it earns a spot.
✅ Honest tradeoff: it is a plainer shoe than the VIVAIA below. You are trading a little polish for total peace of mind in a downpour.
7️⃣ VIVAIA Mabel Square Toe Flat
Best for: dinner out when it is drizzling
The VIVAIA Mabel is the prettiest option in this section, with a square toe, a 1.5cm heel, and dual arch support underneath.
It’s super light, suitable at a resort pool or dinner out, and just a genuinely pretty shoe.
The square toe and low heel dress up a pair of trousers or a midi dress without looking like you tried too hard.
It is also accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (meaning your foot will have tons of support!) and machine washable, which is not a combination you see often.
✅ Honest tradeoff: this one is water repellent, not waterproof. It handles drizzle, poolside lounging, and wet pavement beautifully. But it is not the shoe for a real soaking.
🌊 The Best Women’s Waterproof Sandals for Travel
Let’s be honest about what a sandal does. It will not keep your feet dry, but it will not be ruined by water either, and that is exactly what you want on a beach or resort vacation.
8️⃣ Reef Water Vista Slingback (⭐️ top pick)
Best for: the sandal you can wear from the beach to dinner
The Reef Water Vista came to me from the women in the Ways of Style community. My ladies have been raving about it for years, and as the most dressed up waterproof sandal on the list, I know why 😉
The braided detail along the side gives it an espadrille look without any of the fabric that would fall apart when wet. There is an adjustable velcro backstrap, so it stays put when you walk.
The neutral colors go with sundresses, linen pants, and a swimsuit coverup, so it carries a whole beach trip on its own. That’s why it’s my top pick, even if I don’t own it (yet).
✅ Honest tradeoff: if you are a half size, it’s recommended to size down.
9️⃣ Birkenstock Arizona Essentials Waterproof Slide
Best for: pools, showers, boats, and beach days
The Birkenstock Arizona Essentials has literally been in my bag since we started full-time travel. They go on every warm weather trip, no questions asked.
They are molded from a single piece of EVA, so there is nothing to soak through and nothing to dry out. Rinse them and move on.
They are on the casual side, so I keep them around for the beach, water adventures, or running quick errands around town.
💡 Pro tip: these run big. I wear a 5 to 5.5 in them, so size down if you are between sizes.
🤔 Which Pair Is Right for Your Trip?
If you only take one thing from this list of the best waterproof shoes for travel, let it be this. Match the shoe to the trip, not to the worst case scenario.
- Cool and rainy city trip: a waterproof sneaker plus a bootie covers almost everything.
- Winter in a wet climate: bootie first, then a sneaker, then a flat for evenings.
- Beach or island trip: a waterproof sandal is the only pair you truly need to think about.
- Just a chance of showers: pack what you already love and find a good cafe.
Quick Recap: The 9 Best Waterproof Shoes for Travel
- Vessi Soho. My personal pair, and the one I swap my leather sneakers for.
- On Cloud 6 Waterproof. The most cushioning for long walking days.
- SOREL Ona Ave. Sealed waterproof layer and the best grip here.
- Blondo Valli. The community favorite, and my pick for Italy in winter.
- Ariat Wexford. The sturdiest option, and it comes in multiple widths.
- Vessi Market Flat. The only flat here that is fully waterproof.
- VIVAIA Mabel. Water repellent, feather light, and the prettiest of the flats.
- Reef Water Vista. A community pick, and dressy enough for dinner.
- Birkenstock Arizona Essentials. Mine live in my bag. Size down.
And there you have it. The best waterproof shoes for travel, sorted by what you are actually doing.
The mistake I see most often is packing for a storm that never comes. A dry pair of shoes is not worth giving up a pair you love wearing.
But when the forecast is gray all week, one good waterproof pair changes the whole trip. You stop checking the sky and just go.
Thanks for reading!
XO,
Aimara
PS: Still staring at an empty suitcase? Answer 2 quick questions here and I’ll send you a customized packing list for your trip.
About the author:
I’m Aimara, and I have been living out of a carry-on since 2021. My husband and I travel full time, which means every pair of shoes I own has to earn its place in a 20 inch bag.
I write about packing lighter and dressing better, mostly for women over 50 who want to look like themselves on the road. No suffering, no giant suitcase, no outfit you regret by lunch.
MORE TRAVEL SHOE ARTICLES 👇🏼
- The 5 best shoes for travel
- The best walking shoes for long sightseeing days
- What to wear for the airport and what NOT to wear
- 15 best travel essentials for women (no BS list)
- What to pack for fall in Italy 🇮🇹
Waterproof Travel Shoes FAQ
What are the best waterproof shoes for travel?
The best waterproof shoes for travel are the ones you would wear on a dry day too. For most trips that means one waterproof sneaker, like the Vessi Soho or the waterproof On Cloud 6. Add a bootie if it will be cold, and a waterproof sandal if you are going anywhere near water.
What is the difference between waterproof and water repellent shoes?
Waterproof means a sealed barrier that water cannot pass through, even in a downpour. Water repellent means the surface sheds light rain, but water gets in eventually if you stay out long enough. Repellent is fine for drizzle and wet pavement, and not enough for a full day of rain.
Do I really need waterproof shoes for a trip?
Honestly, not for most trips. A chance of showers is easy to wait out in a cafe or a museum, and normal shoes dry overnight. Bring waterproof travel shoes when the forecast is wet for several days in a row, or when you are heading somewhere with a reputation for gray weather, at home or abroad.
Are leather sandals waterproof?
Most are not. Leather absorbs water, stains from it, and dries stiff, so a leather sandal is the wrong choice around a pool or on a rainy day. Molded EVA and rubber sandals like the Birkenstock Arizona Essentials handle water without any damage at all.
Do waterproof shoes make your feet hot?
They run warmer than a regular sneaker, yes. The same barrier that keeps water out also keeps warmth in, so a waterproof pair feels cozy in October and stuffy in August. Knit styles usually feel airier than coated leather ones if heat is a concern.
Are there cute waterproof shoes, or do they all look like rain gear?
There are plenty of cute waterproof shoes now, which was not true a few years ago. The trick is looking for styles where the waterproofing is built into the material instead of added as a coating. Stylish waterproof shoes like the Vessi Soho and the Blondo Valli look like ordinary sneakers and booties.
What should I look for in waterproof shoes for city walking?
Grip matters more than anything, because wet stone and polished floors are where people slip. Look for a rubber outsole with real tread, a sealed inner layer rather than a spray on treatment, and a shape that works with the clothes you already packed. Waterproof sneakers women can walk all day in beat anything technical.
DID YOU LIKE THIS POST ABOUT THE BEST WATERPROOF SHOES FOR TRAVEL? SAVE IT FOR LATER OR SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND! 📌
Leave a Reply