The 10 Best Shoes to Wear to the Beach

A clear derivative of the Croc Clog, Merrell's Hydro Moc is a sporty rubber shoe with a raised heel and an additional heel strap. It can be worn into the water, because the heel and high tongue keep the shoe on, or on the sand when it's too hot to walk on. Best of all? It's super easy to wash, even with its closed toe.

Sneakers and the beach might not sound like a perfect match on paper. However, Rothy's aptly named The Sneaker in a color called Sand can be washed. You simply remove the insole and stick them in the washing machine. The upper, which is knit from recycled bottles, is soft and breathable, making them okay for hot days. The hard sole helps the wearer manage even the softest sand, too.

Are sandals shoes? Is a hotdog a sandwich? Is cereal soup? Technically speaking, it's a firm no to all of these, but you must be practical when you're going to the beach. Sandals with serious traps, like these, count according to this list. These from Teva, a style called the Hurricane Drift, are made from injection-molded EVA, which is comfortable and durable. You can get these wet, bury them in the sand and then wash them off and wear 'em again.

Sanuk's hemp-based slip-ons are the ideal beach shoe. First, these are machine washable. Second, the heel is convertible, meaning you can slide right into these without reaching down and getting your hand sandy or wet. Plus, these are pretty flexible, making them easy to stuff into a bag when they're not on.

Crocs are everywhere. Seriously — people are playing basketball in them, wearing them to fashion week, and, of course, taking them to the beach and pool. Why? Well, they're pretty breathable, comfortable and cheap, meaning you won't have to stress much if high tide takes them away. But you should do your best to keep them on (and close by), and the adjustable strap should help with that.

The Kane Revive is similar in concept but it's shaped much more like a traditional sneaker. There's a high tongue, a wraparound collar and a raised heel, plus a separate outsole. All of it is rubber, though, making it easy to clean once sandy. Pick from white or over a dozen other colors.

The best beach shoes can't all be rubber. Case in point? Seavees' Cardiff Espadrille, which can't be machine washed but is actually named after a beach town, Cardiff-by-the-Sea. They have a three-eyelet lacing system, a stretch canvas upper and a natural rubber outsole. You're best taking these off before you hit the water, but they should be good on sand.

These are probably best for drinking or dining on the beach — or attending a beach wedding. They're made from a leather upper and a rubber sole, which can be resoled for as long as the leather lasts. That being said, I wouldn't get these wet. They will dry, but water exposure will shorten their lifespan.

You might get some sideways looks if you wore these to the New Jersey shore nowadays, but UGG boots originated on the beach. Despite their omnipresence today, UGG boots were original to surf circles. They offered surfers respite after long, cold sessions catching waves, courtesy of their high rise capable of covering the toes, feet and shins and sheepskin liners that lock in heat. This was the '70s along the coast in California, long before they became the footwear of choice for teens and cozy adults.

They can certainly withstand sand and salty water, but they prove hard to clean — and hot if you're not surfing on a cold shore.

Learn more about UGG here.

The Sperry Authentic Original — aka the A/O — is an iconic silhouette that's as capable on land as it is water. In fact, they were made be to worn on boats, where, well, water could make the deck slippery. They've since expanded landside, where they are worn everywhere from frat parties to formal dinners. You can definitely wear yours to the beach, though. A/Os are easy to shake out, totally okay to get wet and comfortable even when walking on hot sand.