Best Shoes for Walking & Running on Beach Sand 2023

Make your time on the beach comfortable, with our best shoes for walking and running on the beach sand for 2023.

Running on the beach is not as easy as it may seem. And the same goes if you want to walk. The terrain is quite sandy, and you have to work different muscles than you do on your treadmill.

This is where good-quality shoes promise a pleasant experience with less fatigue.

Related: Best Lightweight and Comfortable Beach Sandals 2023

What to Check When Buying Shoes for Walking & Running on the Beach?

Whether you love to go on a sugary sand beach or to a golden sand desert, walking on the sand can be quite difficult. So, it’s good to choose your shoes wisely to avoid the following hazards:

• A 3rd-degree foot burns from hot summer sand.
• Insects bite like fleas, tiger beetle, or the Australian spider bite.
• Sudden slips, skin cuts, or foot injuries from sharp rocks and glass pieces on the beach.
• An unusual soreness after a run along the shore.

Thus, consider the following buying guide before you make an actual purchase:

Practical & Flexible Design

When buying shoes for walking or running on the beach sand, don’t choose something you just find appealing. Go for a more comfy, functional, and flexible design that adds support but still allows the natural function of the foot.

Because shoes that are designed to restrict motion can cause injury to your foot. This doesn’t mean choosing a shoe that is so flexible that you sacrifice support and balance, however, a little movement in the sole can make running a lot more comfortable on a sandy beach.

Quick-Dry Design and Material

It’s just obvious to get the feet wet at a run along the beach. So, pick running shoes that dry quickly and offer plenty of water drainage to keep you safe from blisters or discomfort.

The best shoes for walking and running on the beach sand should be lightweight and offer ample airflow to keep your feet dry and comfy. Further, shoe design should not offer sand to stuck between your foot and shoes.

Go for fast-drying material that won’t hold onto water and avoid water-absorbing materials. Some of the popular quick-dry materials are spandex, rubber, neoprene, and synthetics.

Mesh materials are perfect for letting water and sand particles get easily out of your shoe.

Camel Sole Design

Mother Nature is our best teacher. Wider sole shoes like camel feet are best for walking or running on sand. Because they will provide you with an ample surface area as your foot hits the sand.

The wider sole gives more stability and balance on uneven surfaces. While on the other hand, narrow sole options can cause pain, sudden tripping, and even falling into a soft spot or a hole in the sand.

In short, wider-sole shoes are great for running on the beach as they offer support to easily maneuver and jump over obstacles.

Ankle Protection Design

Protecting your ankles is a critical factor while walking or running on uneven surfaces such as along the sandy shore or in a desert.

The elevated areas, low area dips, troughs, bumps, rock formations, and obstacles on the beach… all call for protecting your ankles from shifting around or losing balance. Thus, go for a comfortable shoe design that offers plenty of stability and balance.

10 Best Shoes for Walking and Running on Beach Sand

Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch Water Shoe

Enjoy the happiness of being barefoot while still shielding your feet with the easy peasy 3-toed Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch water shoes. Perfect minimalist design for everything from beach running to some adventurous water activities.

Features:

• Body Glove’s 3T Barefoot patented footwear series is designed to enhance the articulation of the toes while offering maximum protection and reducing injuries during running or walking on uneven sandy surfaces.
• Its 3-toe pocket system offers:
• First and second toes the articulation to enhance performance while minimizing the potential for injury to smaller toes
• Also, allow an easier wear-on entry as compared to a 5-toe system
• Its Integrated Drainage System (IDS) lets the water flow from the upper through the outsole and maximizes the airflow for a quicker drying time. This, give you a more breathable option.
• Its reduced sole height, ergonomic design, and lower profile outsole offer:
• Natural balance and grip just like being barefoot
• Protection from the outer elements
• Can be worn in restrictive spaces such as in a kayak
• Natural stability and improved body posture
• Its upper stretch material gives your feet a cool and skin-friendly feel. Also allows natural movement to your feet on sandy surfaces and an easy slip-on entry.
• Adjust the fit of your shoes easily with its advanced elastic shock lace and adjustable strap, to enhance performance.
• Body Glove improved ultra-grip sole designs enhance traction and stability on wet sandy surfaces. This feature makes it one of the best shoes for walking and running on the beach sand.
• Finally, it comes in 3+ classic colors and standard-size options.

VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes

Unisex footwear with fine stretch fabric offers the advantages of being breathable and barefoot feel, however, still maximizes protection for your feet.

Features:

• ViFFUR aqua shoes are lightweight, elastic, and portable.
• Quick-drying, soft, elastic, comfy, and breathable shoe.
• Its non-slip rubber sole offers strong stability and maximum protection to your feet from gravel, stone, and sandy ground.
• Its smooth neck design makes it convenient to wear and take off.
• Comes in various chic colors.
• Great shoes for yoga, surfing, running, and walking on the beach sand.
• Amazon’s #1 Best Seller in Women’s Water shoes with 90,238 ratings.

DLGJPA Quick Drying Water Shoes for Beach

A multi-functional shoe with an exclusive lightweight mesh with a midfoot webbing system that offers breathability and an adaptive supportive fit. It makes it one of the perfect shoes for walking and running on the beach sand.

Features:

• Comes with soft cushioning and breathable RB/Eva outsole.
• The articulated flex grooves provide plush comfort and natural flexibility.
• The aqua/mesh slip-on shoes with barefoot fitting offer you exceptional comfort for river walking and other water activities.
• Its special hydrophobic engineered mesh upper gives you quick-drying breathability.
• The fluid-flow excellent drainage starts from the upper mesh to the outsole, to create a cool and dry feel for your feet.
• The Anti-slip rubber outsole comes with slight cushioning to make your every step comfortable.
• Stretchy, wear-resistant, and unique shoelace design.
• Comes in various pastel solid colors that make it suitable for both men and women.

KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal Water Shoe

With the airiness of a sandal and the toe protection of a shoe, Keen believes that you can wear it anywhere from beaches to mountains to city streets because the outdoors is any place without a ceiling.

Features:

• They are made from natural, pesticide-free probiotic-based technology called Eco Anti-Odor for eliminating odor in sweat.
• They are PFC-free water repellent and their leather is sourced from Leather Working Group (LWG)-certified tanneries.
• It has a washable polyester webbing upper that is ideal for hiking, walking, running, and all other adventures, in and out of the water.
• The under-razor-siped sole offers excellent traction on wet surfaces.
• Its quick lace bungee system provides a great fit.
• Comes in different elegant colors and standard sizes.

Mishansha Unisex Quick-Dry Water Shoes

Mishansha’s multifunctional water shoes are best for walking and running on the beach sand, swimming, surfing, pools, sailing, boating, kayaking, and yoga, and even ideal for performing pilates exercises aerobics, etc.

Features:

• The Upper comes with salt resistance, wear resistance, and breathable Lycra material.
• Comes with fast draining and cross ventilation.
• Offers excellent flexibility and comfort.
• Features a top-quality anti-slip camo rubber sole with several holes to ensure proper fluid flow out of the shoe for a cooler and healthier feel.
• From a wearing point of view, the pull tap at the heel allows for quick entry and also protects your feet from slipping off.
• Comes with a soft insole for extra comfort.
• You can also adjust the elastic straps according to the width of your foot for a perfect fit.
• Comes in various stylish and fun colors.
• Available on Amazon with 22,571 ratings.

Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes

Hit the beach or explore the rough trails with Merrel water shoes that completely fit your needs and your environment.

Features:

• Merrel water-friendly shoes with a hiking design are perfect for both wet and dry terrain with ease.
• Comes with 100% Leather/Lycra Neoprene material.
• Features an anti-slip Vibram tc5+ outsole for extra stability and comfort on sandy surfaces.
• It has stylish bungee lace for a perfect fit.
• Shoes come with a waxy waterproof leather and neoprene stretch collar for easy wearing.
• Featuring hollowed lugs for ultimate lightness with a 3 mm lug depth.
• Comes in different beautiful colors and standard sizes.

Crocs Men’s Swiftwater Mesh Deck Closed-Toe Sandals

The Swiftwater Crocs sandals are all about ultimate comfort and functionality, with a sporty and minimalistic look that offers one to pass through life swiftly.

Features:

• Comes with 100% imported textile material and an exclusive man-made sole.
• Featuring a water-friendly design with wider ports to channel water away rapidly and offers a relaxed fit.
• Iconic Crocs comfort from water relaxation to land exploration, as the flexible mesh sandals are made of Croslite material.
• The mesh uppers and adjustable strap offer the best fit.
• Incredibly lightweight and fun to wear even as casual wear.
• Hard-toe coverage and flexible mesh make it perfect as an all-purpose water sandal.

PENGCHENG Unisex Water Sports Shoes 

 PENGCHENG is another name for Environmental Protection, Fashion, and Comfort. Its new summer unisex water shoe is all about classic toe, wide sole, durable material, and easy-to-all-match feature.

Features:

• Offers ample traction and protects your feet from scrapes.
• Perfect beach shoes make walking on the hot sand a breeze.
• Featuring breathable vamp fabrics and comfortable mesh lining for quick drying.
• It also comes with a comfy removable insole for ultimate ease.
• Its rubber sole with numerous drainage holes ensures proper fluid flow out of the shoes.
• The barefoot shoes drain sand as well, which makes it easy to walk and run on sand, concrete, and underwater with no issues.
• The water socks offer quick, easy entry. Further, shield your feet from dripping off.
• For easy to wear, there is a pull ring at the heel part that also makes it easy to hang on.
• The material is high-quality rubber with a most fashionable toe cap.
• Made of durable and anti-collision design, dual anti-skid high elasticity and shock absorption provide extra security for travel.
• The rubber and the non-slip outsoles are Skid resistance and Abrasion resistant.
• Insole is:
  • Honeycomb design and Lightweight
  • Breathable drain
  • Sweat prevention
  • Smell reduction
  • Extra comfy
• Comes in chic and fun colors.

SEEKWAY Water Shoes Quick-Dry Aqua Socks

SEEKWAY water shoes are all about lightness, free, easy, unfettered pleasure, and protective rubber soulmates.

Features:

• Comes with 92% polyester material that is perfect for both water use and dry land.
• Its rubber outsole protects your feet from scraps like glass pieces, gravel, shells, rocks, and hot sand.
• The anti-slip stripe on the soles provides the ultimate grip on slippery sandy surfaces.
• Lightweight & flexible enough to feel just like socks.
• The lace-free design lets you wear them like a breeze.
• The breathable, soft, and elastic spandex upper offers a quick dry and perfect fit.
• Its elastic neck design prevents chafing and protects from slipping off.
• The unisex design comes in various colors.

Speedo Men’s Water Shoe Surfwalker Pro 3.0

With Speedo Surf Walker Pro 3.0 takes, you can explore sea to shore with ultimate comfort and ease. 

Features:

• Made from 100% neoprene upper.
• Imported Rubber sole for extra grip.
• An Updated version of the Speedo water shoe.
• The Stretch upper allows for pull-on entry, natural movement, and a secure fit.
• The S-trac outsole offers an anti-slip grip for wet surfaces.
• Comes with maximum breathability
• The lightweight shoe just weighs only 10.0 oz.
• Finally a Quick-drying material.
• Available in different color options.

Related: How to Get Beach Sand off Your Feet