Water shoes (溯溪鞋), a trending fashion footwear for outdoor lifestyle in China

Water shoes (溯溪鞋) have become the outdoor fashion item of choice for Shanghai's refined professionals this summer. On Xiaohongshu, there are over 60,000 posts about #watershoes#, more than 100,000 items for sale, and popular posts have garnered tens of thousands of interactions.

Trending notes about water shoes on Xiaohongshu/RED. Image: Xiaohongshu@长条儿

Trending notes about water shoes on Xiaohongshu/RED. Image: Xiaohongshu@T - Toughcookie

KEEN, the pioneer of water shoes, has become a staple for Shanghai's stylish professionals in 2024. Following KEEN's lead, brands like HOKA, Salomon, On Running, ASICS, FILA, and Camel have all introduced their own water shoes, achieving impressive sales on e-commerce platforms.

KEEN‘s water shoes products on its Tmall flagship store. Image: KEEN’s Tmall flagship store

Taobao’s best seller water shoes brand is CAMEL. The price is ￥269 ($37) per pair. Over 300,000 pairs have been sold for the past 365 days. Image: CAMEL’s flagship store

What makes water shoes special in the eyes of Chinese consumers?

● Wide Toe Design: The toe area of water shoes is relatively wide to protect your toes from impacts or scratches during outdoor activities.

● Mesh Material: The upper part of the shoe usually uses mesh material to prevent small stones and other debris from entering the shoe while increasing breathability.

● Hollow Design: Some parts of the shoe feature a hollow design, reducing the shoe's weight and enhancing breathability, allowing for quick drainage after being in water.

● Open Heel: Some water shoes have an open heel design to provide additional ventilation.

● Thick Sole Construction: The soles are thicker to offer better cushioning and protection, especially on uneven outdoor terrains.

● Khaki and Military Green Combination: Khaki combined with military green is a common colour scheme, giving the shoes a rugged, outdoor gear appearance.

● Rubber Sole: The soles are made of rubber, enhancing grip and slip resistance, suitable for walking on wet or rocky surfaces.

● Versatility: Water shoes are designed to meet the needs of various outdoor activities such as hiking, wading, and climbing, offering excellent versatility.

● Fashionable: Although the design of water shoes focuses on functionality, some have started incorporating fashion elements to suit different occasions.

Water shoes outfit inspiration posted by Hotwind. Image: Xiaohongshu @Hotwind

Water shoes have followed the trend of young people customizing their clogs, adding personal touches like dopamine-style colourful chains, stars, ribbons, and beads. Images: Xiaohongshu @GGGinGin @广州天环keen-凡仔

The rise in popularity of water shoes can be attributed to several factors beyond their mix of functionality and style:

●Outdoor Activities Trend: As outdoor sports and mountain lifestyles become more popular, water shoes have naturally become a favorite among those who embrace this lifestyle.

●Fashion Industry Influence: In recent years, high-fashion brands like Balenciaga and Dior have showcased water shoes on their runways, helping to establish their trendiness.

●Celebrity Endorsement: Celebrities such as supermodel Bella Hadid, Chinese stars Qin Lan (秦岚) and Chinese stars in reality show have been seen wearing water shoes, increasing their visibility and appeal.

●Social Media Buzz: Platforms like Xiaohongshu are filled with popular posts and discussions about water shoes, with thousands of likes, comments, and shares, further boosting their popularity.

●Youth Fashion Trends: Young people today often embrace the idea that ‘ugly is cool,’ meaning items that might seem less refined or traditional are celebrated for their uniqueness. DIY water shoes with added chains, stars, ribbons, and other accessories enhance personal expression and interaction.

Water shoes as a fashion element appearing in runways. Image: Xiaohongshu @大杯可乐不加冰

Chinese actress Qin Lan (秦岚)‘s water shoes outfit and Chinese stars wearing water shoes in a reality show. Image: Xiaohongshu @鱼儿游游游 @pp星私服分享

However, the longevity of this water shoe trend is uncertain. Fashion expert Zhang Peiying (张培英) argues that water shoes lack long-term potential. Their seasonal nature limits their appeal, and their specialized design and high price make it easy for average consumers to choose cheaper, non-specialized alternatives. These alternatives, however, still need improvements in comfort. From a fashion standpoint, water shoes don’t have the same versatility as clogs, making it harder for them to keep reinventing themselves. They might quickly fade from consumers' view.