Water shoe

A water shoe is a type of footwear that is typically used for activities where the feet are likely to become wet, such as kayaking. Water shoes are usually made of mesh and have a hard sole used to prevent cuts and abrasions when walking in wet, rocky environments. They may often have tiny holes on the bottom or sides of the sole to allow for quick water drainage, which keeps helps wearer's feet dry faster, keeps the shoes light, and prolongs the lifespan of the material. Additionally, most people do not wear socks with water shoes.

Three pairs of water shoes.

Types

There are several types of water shoes based on the needs of the wearer, ranging from something that resembles a sock to footwear that can function as a sneaker or even a boot.

  • Water socks-Maintains the feeling of being barefoot when engaging in water activities. Ideal for swimming and can sometimes be worn inside a scuba gear.
  • Water shoe-The most common type and can be worn casually in and out of water because it functions as a normal shoe. They can be designed to be able to handle light hiking.
  • Water sandals-Has the fastest water drainage and allows for sand to easily pass through the shoe and fall out.

History

Water shoes are also used to protect people's feet in waters with sharp-rocked floors or zebra mussels, in which case their primary purpose is not to keep the wearer's feet dry. In some areas such as the Finger Lakes, wearing water shoes has become essential due to the infestation of sharp-edged mussels.[1]

References

  1. Hirtler, Judy (2004-06-21). "The Finger beaches". Star-Gazette. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Also, don't forget the water shoes. Zebra mussels can be a problem.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.