Buying an extra pair of shoes for camping may seem like a bit of a luxury as the space is limited. But if you want your camping to be comfortable you need to get one for yourself. Camp shoes come in many forms and styles. What camping shoes you need depends on the type of camping you are doing. If you go on a backpacking trip to the desert you need different shoes and if you are planning to go to a forest then you need a different pair.
So to kick out the confusion on which pair to buy, this article has thorough research about camping shoes so that you can find yours easily.
Best Camping Shoes in 2021
There are a great number of camping shoes in the market now. If you check out this shortlist and the features you can easily choose what you need.
Image | Product | Features | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 | Packable and easily compressible Fully waterproof and breathable. 100% synthetic material. | $$ | |
 | Crocs Classic Clogs | Heel strap for a more secure fit. Fully waterproof. Utmost comfort and durability. | $ | |
 | HOKA Recovery Slides | Fully waterproof shoes. step-in comfort and durability. Built with dual-layer construction | $$ | |
 | Aleader Mesh Slip-on | Easy to put on and take off. Good traction on wet surfaces Durable outsole. | $$ | |
 | Feathered Friends Down Booties | These are lightweight. Fully waterproof outsole. Keeps your feet super warm. | $$ | |
 | The North Face Slides | A comfortable strap. A rubber outsole that provides great grip. Offers a lightweight and comfortable feel. Provides cushioned support. | $ | |
 | Vibram Five Fingers | Protection from insects and underwater obstacles. Fully waterproof Easy to pack. Built with a great rubber sole. | $ | |
 | Sea-to-Summit Booties | Protects the foot from other obstacles. Y-pull Velcro strap system. Comes with a flexible and sensitive sole. | $ | |
 | Speedo Surf Knit Pro | Provides great breathability and comfort. Comes with hydrophobic rubber EVA insole. The outsole disperses water and provides improved performance. | $$ | |
 | Sockwa Hi Water Shoes | Provides breathability and flexibility. Designed for use on concrete for extreme grip. These are crushable, durable, and minimal | $ |
1. Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 – Best Overall
Vivobarefoot is in the shoe market for a long time. They designed these great shoes for watersports but were adopted by the thru-hiking community. If you are looking for unique-looking shoes for your lightweight backpack then this is the right one for you. These shoes are fully waterproof and breathable. There is a honeycomb-patterned look on the upper side.
These shoes don’t absorb much water and dry very quickly. The laces of these shoes allow you to make the shoe tighten and loosen with ease.
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2. Crocs Classic Clogs – Best Budget-Friendly
Here is an affordable pair of camping shoes. If you are looking for something lightweight and fun these are the ones for you. Crocs have been making great shoes for camping since 2002. These shoes are used by large backpacker groups and other outdoor recreational groups. These shoes are durable and fully waterproof. It can be instantly dry with a wipe of rag or towel. Crocs Classic comes with a heel strap to be easily tucked in or out. The most interesting fact about crocs is they come in a lot of different colors.
Despite many brands having high-technology camp shoes, Crocs priorities comfort and affordability over other features.
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3. HOKA Recovery Slides – Best For Comfort
This pair of camping shoes is designed to help your feet cool and dry. The dual-layer construction and oversize midsoles give you comfort and durability. Hoka did not make these shoes for the whole journey of your camp as these don't give you the protection of stability. So you can use these as the shower shoes at the campground. The rubber sole of these shoes protects you from losing balance and gives a good grip on all surfaces.
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4. Aleader Mesh Slip-on – Best Waterproof
Introducing an excellent camp shoe for a more traditional look. It is a full shoe rather than a flip-flop or sandal. The drain holes and thin mesh material on the shoes ensure the protection of your feet. These shoes dry quickly after a thorough soaking in the water. If you are worried about water crossing then these shoes might be a handy tool for you. The water grain outsole provides incredible traction on wet surfaces.
Aleader Mesh Slip-on shoes are not fully compressible but you can fold these shoes and pack them inside a bag easily. They will take less space. It is a top choice for exploration and activity.
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5. Feathered Friends Down Booties – Best For Cold Weather
If you are looking for a cold-weather adventure where you can keep your toes warm all through the night these are the right shoes for you. You can think of these shoes as sleeping bags for your feel. The looks of the shoes might be unattractive to you but they will give you comfort. There are removable foam insoles that will provide you with little extra support.
The price tag on these shoes is not budget-friendly but if you are doing camping in cold weather these shoes is the best choice for you.
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6. The North Face Slides – Best Camp Slides
North Face is one of the greatest brands in the case of shoes. If your feet are swollen after a hard day of hiking then you can try these slides to recover your feet. These shoes are not for exploring rather they are used for recovering. These do not protect from serious water crossing but they are waterproof. You can easily carry these shoes in your backpack.
Although these shoes do not provide all-day protection, they can be used in the shower house on the campground. These are available for men and women in beautiful colors.
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7. Vibram Five Fingers – Best For Grip
Here's a pair of unique-looking camp shoes. Vibram Five Fingers looks like a glove for your feet. These shoes provide an excellent grip on wet and slippery surfaces. You can use these for water crossing in your camp. These shoes protect your feet from all kinds of insects and underwater obstacles. It is a great pair for your grip and protection.
When you wear this pair, you will feel minimalist and barefoot. But these will continue protecting your feet.
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8. Sea-to-Summit Booties – Best For Cushioning
Introducing ultra-flex booties for your camping companion. These shoes are a low-profile water shoe that comes with 3mm Neoprene uppers. These materials provide extra warmth in cold water. There is also a rubber laminated sole to give you great foot protection. These shoes are compressible and you can pack these easily.
Also, these shoes come with a hook and a loop to secure your feet. It will also give you extra support.
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9. Speedo Surf Knit Pro – Best For Daily Use
The Speedo Surf Knit Pro is popular in the market for its ability to shed water and dry off quickly. These shoes come with a hydrophobic rubber EVA insole. The outsole is grooved. So that it can provide protection and traction. These shoes are easy to put on as they come with a pull strap. Overall it is a great affordable shoe for your camping.
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10. Sockwa Hi Water Shoes – Best For Feet Protection
This pair from Sockwa protects your feet from water, insects, and underwater obstacles. These shoes provide more protection and support around the ankles. It gives you more warmth. These shoes are made with 2mm neoprene for warmth. These come with a lycra tongue for breathability and flexibility.
These shoes provide great tactile feedback when walking and excellent grip. Overall, it’s a great option for an affordable price.
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Best Camping Shoes Buying Guide
There is a wide range of features that make good camp shoes. Without great featured camp shoes the camping will be more challenging for you. You need to get your priorities right a get yourself the best camping shoes.
Weight & Packability
For backpackers, the importance of weight and packability is paramount. Some great camp shoes are lighter and more packable. You need to find those products so that you can utilize maximum space. Lightweight pairs also provide you with comfort.
Protection
You need to protect your feet while crossing streams and other obstacles in camping. Sometimes in camping, you will need to go through deep streams where you will not be able to see the streambed or sunken obstacles like sticks or logs. So you need to buy a pair which will protect you from these objects and insects.
Support
Usually, you will not get enough support from camp shoes. They mainly provide recovery and comfort. But there are still some shoes which will give importance to support. It is wise to choose the supportive options in your shoes.
Durability
If you want your camp shoes to last longer then you need to purchase a durable shoe. Durability is an important piece of a camp shoe’s overall value. If the shoe is not durable enough you will not be able to use it on every camp.
Final Thoughts
Camp shoes offer major comfort and protection at the end of your camping day. A good pair of camping shoes is as important as any other gear of camping. For those who are suffering from many problems after camping you still did not find your best camp shoe.
Although purchasing a shoe just for camping might be a luxury for you but you can use few camp shoes for other purposes also. Having a pair of camp shoes will improve your performance and provide you the best camping days.
Also Read: Best Rock Climbing Shoes