The NRS Kicker Wetshoe. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Water shoes are one of those most random pieces of footwear out there. They’re not something you’d wear to the office, on a night out with friends, or even for a typical beach day. But there is a time and a place for water shoes: Waterfall hikes, river rafting, stand up paddling, kayaking, or any aquatic adventure involving sharp, hot, or slippery surfaces. When you find yourself in one of these scenarios, you’ll be grateful to have water shoes securely strapped to your feet.
Through our guide to the Best Women’s Water Shoes, I’ve had the chance to test a number of excellent options. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t go into gear tests with an idea of which shoe would be my favorite. But in the case of water shoes, the shoe I assumed would be one of my least favorites turned out to be one of my top choices, and the water shoe I find myself reaching for the most frequently, especially for paddling. That surprise pick? The humbly priced NRS Kicker Wetshoes ($75).
Bottom Line: Made from 3 mm neoprene, the NRS Kicker Wetshoes are an excellent pair of water shoes. At $75, they’re relatively affordable and deliver warmth, reliable traction, and keep your feet protected, regardless of how you choose to adventure.
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Putting the NRS Kicker Wetshoes to the test in Hawaii. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
Testing Out the NRS Kicker Wetshoes in Hawaii
I am lucky enough to call Oahu, Hawaii my home. I try to make the most of life on the rock and do my best to get in the water every day. Whether it’s surfing, stand up paddling, free diving, kayaking, or swimming, I am happiest when my hair is wet.
To put the NRS Kicker Wetshoes to the test, I’ve worn them on various adventures over the past year. My favorite way to use them is for stand up paddling, and I’ve worn them countless times while on my SUP. But I’ve also had the opportunity to test them out on some short hikes as well as surfing and kayaking.
Notable Features
NRS Kicker Wetshoes ($75)
Weight: 20 oz
Upper: Neoprene
Sole: Rubber
Pros: Neoprene, stretchy, form-fitting
Cons: Runs a little big, not a lot of support
Sizing & Fit
The NRS Kicker Wetshoes are designed to be form-fitting and snug. Think wetsuit booties. The openings are plenty wide and stretchy, so it’s not a battle to get your foot in. The shoes also have a pull tab on the ankle and above where the tongue would be on a regular shoe to make it easy to get them on.
The fit of the shoes is slim near the ankle, which is ideal for activities where you might want to move your feet around a lot, like surfing or stand up paddling. The sleek design fits nicely into tight kayaks as well. The toe box is on the wider side, allowing your toes to spread out for a nice, natural feel.
I have narrow feet and wear a women’s size 8. I ordered my regular size and found that the shoes are a bit on the wide side in the toe box, so I’d suggest sizing down if you prefer a tight fit throughout. The shoes do have a strap across the top that allows for some customization.
Made from 3 mm neoprene, the Wetshoes deliver just the right amount of warmth. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
Materials & Construction
Like surf booties, the Kicker Wetshoes are made from neoprene. The neoprene used is petroleum-free Terraprene, made from limestone and recycled tires. It feels and looks like ordinary neoprene, but the stretch is impressive for 3-millimeters thick. A titanium adhesive is used throughout for increased warmth. It’s not especially cold in Hawaii, so I didn’t get to truly test the warmth of the Wetshoes, but my feet did get toasty even when wet! I plan to bring them on a trip to colder waters soon.
The outsoles are designed to be as protective as possible. The shoes sport 3 mm patterned rubber outsoles for protection and traction, paired with 2 mm plastic shims for further protection. A lot of the spots I paddle require walking over rocks or broken coral, so I like to wear some sort of shoe. The Wetshoes have kept my feet well protected, and nothing has penetrated the soles. Because the soles are designed to bend and move with your feet, they’re not as hard or thick as ordinary shoes, so I wouldn’t recommend walking on broken glass or anything crazy sharp, but for my needs, they’ve performed perfectly.
Patterned rubber outsoles provide excellent traction. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
Trustworthy Traction
Reliable traction is important for all shoes, but it’s paramount for water shoes. The thick rubber with patterned grooves performs remarkably well on wet surfaces. Although paddleboards and kayaks aren’t too slippery themselves, the water entry can be, so it’s nice to have some solid grip. The boat ramp by my house, where I typically paddle, is super rough and slippery, and although I prefer to paddle barefoot when I’m training, I’ve found myself wearing my Wetshoes regularly to avoid face-planting on my way in or out of the water.
The Wetshoes are a great shoe for stand up paddling. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks
There’s so much to love about the Kicker Wetshoes, but I do have a few nitpicky complaints. As I mentioned above, the shoes run a tad big. I ordered my typical size, and they fit fine, but for this type of shoe, I would prefer a tighter fit. The strap allows you to snug down the shoe near the top of the foot, but without a more sophisticated closure system, you can’t dial in fit too much. I fear a full size down would be too tight, so hopefully NRS will add half sizes in the future!
If you plan to hit the trails wearing the Wetshoes, it’s important to note that they don’t offer a lot of support. They aren’t advertised as hiking shoes, so it’s not surprising. I’ve found they work well for short treks to waterfalls, where you’re frequently crossing creeks and don’t want to deal with the hassle of taking your shoes on and off. But for longer hikes, you’ll want to wear a true hiking shoe.
Finally, the Wetshoes do work okay for surfing and aren’t a bad idea if you’re learning or surfing over a shallow reef. However, as an experienced surfer, I found that they limited my mobility with their thick soles and would prefer a true surf bootie.
The Wetshoes are form-fitting, but don’t offer a lot of support. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
The Competition
If you’re looking for a water shoe that offers a bit more support and performs better on the trail, the Astral Brewer 3.0 is an excellent option. The new Brewer is a unisex option that has built-in sock liners, drainage and ventilation holes, a lace closure, and it looks pretty darn cool. But it costs $150 as opposed to the Wetshoes $75.
If you’re searching for something more affordable than the Wetshoes, the Body Glove Horizon Water Shoes are only $20. They have a similar profile to the Wetshoes, but they aren’t warm and offer no support. But, if you need shoes that prevent the bottom of your feet from getting scraped without getting in the way, they are a good, affordable option.
The NRS Kicker Wetshoes deliver warmth, reliable traction, and keep your feet protected, regardless of how you choose to adventure. Photo: Sarah Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The NRS Kicker Wetshoes are a relatively affordable pair of water shoes and are extremely comfortable. Made from 3 mm neoprene with patterned rubber outsoles, they deliver warmth and reliable traction on wet and slippery surfaces. Easy to take on and off and form-fitting, the Wetshoes are a great option for stand up paddling, kayaking, river rafting, surfing, and short hikes. If you spend your time on the water, the Kicker will serve you well.
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Related: Best Stand Up Paddle Boards | Best Life Jackets | More Paddling Reviews
The Best Women's Water Shoes of 2025
