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The 7 best SUP shoes 2024?

by Vinzent

sup-shoes
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Anyone who has ever stepped on a sharp stone in the water knows how painful it can be. An avoidable experience! SUP shoes protect your feet from injury. SUP shoes are also a real blessing in winter to avoid freezing while paddling.

Avoid buying mistakes:

We present the 7 best SUP shoes 2024 in our recommendations. In our Checklist, we explain what types of neoprene shoes there are and what to look out for in detail when buying them. You are guaranteed to find the right SUP shoes.

Contents:

  1. Top picks: The best SUP shoes 2024.
  2. Checklist: What you should consider when buying.
  3. Bestsellers: The most popular SUP shoes at a glance.
  4. FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about SUP shoes.

The best SUP shoes 2024

How do we rate? Our experts thoroughly research and evaluate each recommendation. We take into account the most important product features, adherence to quality standards, prices, customer reviews, our own experiences, and much more. Learn more about our process.

Here you will find the best SUP shoes for summer and winter:

1. best stable SUP shoes

Durable
Mares Unisex Dive Boots Classic NG 5 mm*

    Mares SUP shoes are available in sizes from 35 to 47. They have a thickness of 5 mm and are equipped with wide toe flaps. The straight sole with a good profile ensures a high level of stability and comfort.

    What we like:

    • Thermal insulation
    • Wearing comfort
    • Robustness
    • Fit
    What we don’t like:

    • Weight

    Why we like it: Although the pair of SUP shoes is relatively heavy at 400 g, they are very comfortable to wear and have a regular fit. They keep your feet warm at all times and the sole always ensures a non-slip grip on stony ground.

    Recommended for: These SUP shoes are recommended for all water sports enthusiasts thanks to their high level of comfort and robustness.

    2. best lace-up SUP shoes

    Inexpensive
    SAGUARO water shoes*

      The SUP shoes from the SAGUARO brand are available in sizes from 35 to 48 and have a regular fit. They are available in 15 different colors and designs and are made of high-quality polyester and elastane. They are equipped with a non-slip rubber sole.

      What we like:

      • Wearing comfort
      • Robustness
      • Color selection
      • Price
      What we don’t like:

      • Thermal insulation

      Why we like it: The SUP shoes are particularly soft, but still robust. The rubber sole ensures a secure grip on stony ground. The material dries particularly quickly and is breathable. However, they don’t keep you as warm as other SUP shoes in our review.

      Recommended for: These shoes are recommended if you are looking for inexpensive SUP shoes with good wearing comfort.

      3. best SUP shoes made of neoprene

      High quality
      O'Neill neoprene shoes Epic 5 mm*

        The SUP shoes from O'Neill are made of 5 mm thick neoprene material. They are available in all sizes from 36 to 48 and have a good fit thanks to the supple material.

        What we like:

        • Thermal insulation
        • Wearing comfort
        • Robustness
        • Longevity
        What we don’t like:

        • Price

        Why we like it: These shoes are equipped with a very non-slip rubber sole, which guarantees a high level of stability. The high-quality neoprene material ensures good thermal insulation and makes the shoes durable.

        Recommended for: These shoes are suitable for any SUP athlete looking for particularly warm and robust SUP shoes.

        4. best lightweight SUP shoes with Velcro fastener

        Comfortable
        Hiko neoprene shoes*

          The Hiko brand neoprene shoes are available in sizes from 38 to 48. The neoprene material makes them light and flexible. The rubber sole guarantees a good grip even on the most slippery surfaces. The fit of the shoes is very comfortable.

          What we like:

          • Fit
          • Robustness
          • Thermal insulation
          • Weight
          What we don’t like:

          • Price

          Why we like it: The light weight and good fit of the shoes make them very comfortable to wear. They keep your feet very warm even in cold water. The robust rubber sole and neoprene upper of these shoes are particularly durable.

          Recommended for: These shoes are suitable if you are looking for SUP shoes with a good fit and Velcro fastening.

          5. best high SUP shoes

          Practical
          XCEL Drylock 7mm*

            These SUP shoes are made of quick-drying neoprene material that goes over the ankle. The fit of the shoes is very good, but they are not available in as many sizes as other SUP shoes in our comparison. They have a high-quality rubber sole.

            What we like:

            • Wearing comfort
            • Ankle protection
            • Thermal insulation
            • Robustness
            What we don’t like:

            • Size selection

            Why we like it: The soft material and ankle padding make the shoes particularly comfortable and secure. The non-slip sole offers high stability. At 600 g, the pair of shoes is very light for the size.

            Recommended for: The shoes are ideal if you are looking for high SUP shoes with ankle padding.

            6. best SUP shoes in many colors

            No product found.

            What we like:

            • Wearing comfort
            • Color selection
            • Thermal insulation
            • Longevity
            What we don’t like:

            • Flexibility

            Why we like it: These SUP shoes are lightweight, but the sturdy rubber sole limits the flexibility of the shoes. This sole ensures a secure grip on slippery surfaces. The upper material is breathable and dries very quickly.

            Recommended for: These shoes are suitable if you are looking for visually appealing SUP shoes to slip into.

            7. best cheap SUP shoes

            Inexpensive
            Mares Equator water sports shoe*

              The Mares water sports shoe is made of high-quality neoprene and is equipped with a non-slip rubber sole. The pair of shoes weighs just 360 g and is available in sizes from 35 to 46. The fit is very good.

              What we like:

              • Wearing comfort
              • Robustness
              • Weight
              • Price
              What we don’t like:

              • Thermal insulation

              Why we like it: The shoes are particularly comfortable to wear, which is enhanced by their light weight. The material can withstand even the most extreme conditions, but has poorer thermal insulation.

              Recommended for: These shoes are ideal if you are looking for SUP shoes with a particularly good price-performance ratio.

              SUP Shoes Checklist

              • Neoprene SUP shoes
                • Water temperature and thickness: The thicker the SUP shoes, the warmer your feet stay, while at the same time the weight increases. With thick shoes you also have less feel for your SUP board. How thick the shoes really need to be depends on the water temperature and how cold you personally feel.

                  Which shoe thickness is suitable for which water temperatures?

                  Water temperatureThickness
                  <7°C6/7/8 mm
                  7-14°C3/4/5 mm
                  14-18°C1/2/3 mm
                  >18°C1-2 mm
                • Shape: There are two types of neoprene SUP shoes:
                  • Split-Toe: The SUP shoe is split between the big toe and the index toe. This preserves the feel for the board more than a round toe shoe. However, split-toe SUP shoes are less good at keeping you warm.
                  • Round toe: Here the toes rest against each other like in a normal shoe. Round toe SUP shoes retain heat better, but provide a poor board feel.
                • Material: Neoprene keeps the foot warm and is comfortable against the skin. This material is therefore ideal for SUP booties. The sole of the shoe is made of sturdy hard rubber so that reefs and stones cannot harm the sole of the foot. SUP shoes can be lined on the inside to provide better thermal insulation.
                • Size: Better a little too tight than too big, as the neoprene expands slightly over time. The right size is important, as the foot should not wobble in the shoe so that movements can be better transferred to the stand-up paddling board. If the foot rubs back and forth in the shoe, the skin quickly becomes chafed.
              • Other SUP shoes: In addition to neoprene SUP shoes, there are other options:
                • Slip-on water shoes: These shoes, usually made of synthetic material, don’t really keep you warm, but they do protect your feet from scratches and cuts. They are therefore a great choice for summer in particular.
                • Barefoot water shoes: They are comfortable to wear, but also keep you warmer than neoprene shoes.
                • Sandals: Can also be worn as SUP shoes. However, the shoes should be made of plastic and not become too soggy.
                • Water shoes with laces: Can be worn in the water and on land. They are therefore also ideal for traveling and hiking. They provide good support. However, the straps can open easily.

              Also interesting: The most popular SUP shoes 2024.

              Bestsellers: The most popular SUP shoes on Amazon

              What do others buy? In our bestseller list, we present the TOP 11 most purchased offers. The selection is updated daily.

              (**Last update 2024-12-09)

              FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers

              Which shoes are best for SUP?

              With SUP, there is a choice of different shoes. Either neoprene booties or other water shoes. The advantage of neoprene shoes is that they keep your feet, and therefore your body, warm for longer. We present these in detail in our Checklist.

              What do good SUP shoes cost?

              Neoprene shoes are available from around 30 $ , normal water shoes are slightly cheaper. Slip-on water shoes are available at Empty from as little as 15 $.

              Where to buy SUP shoes?

              Either on the Internet, for example on Amazon.de, or in a sports store.

              What to consider when buying SUP shoes?

              You should ask yourself at what time of year and in what temperatures the SUP shoes should be worn. In Germany, different shoes are needed in fall, winter and spring than in midsummer.

              Do you need sturdy shoes or are simple slip-on water shoes enough? In addition, the price should be defined before the purchase so that the selection can be narrowed down accordingly.

              Is there any other SUP clothing?

              Yes, there is more SUP clothing, for example wetsuits, drysuits, neoprene gloves, board shorts, hats, tops and more.

              What alternatives are there to SUP shoes?

              Other water shoes are also recommended as an alternative to SUP shoes. However, these are often heavier and not as soft as SUP shoes. However, they are also suitable for everyday use.

              Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on SUP shoes?

              There is no current test or test winner for SUP shoes. Nevertheless, our bestseller list contains the most popular products from buyers.

              Editor's note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone. The content has not been endorsed, reviewed, approved, or in any way financially supported by any advertiser. We only include products we believe to be useful. How we work

              *Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.

              Vinzent

              Expert for paddle and SUP adventures
              Charlie doesn't surf, but Vinzent does. The books are thrown away and pens are swapped for board shorts. whenever his studies allow it. Otherwise, he likes to spend his time in nature, preferably by the water or in the mountains.

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