We will be snorkeling for the first time on Kauai and Maui soon. I think we will need the water slippers mentioned on this forum, but don't know anything about them, or what kind to buy. I see them around at our local stores here for $13.99 on sale. These have rather thick soles and a mesh top. Should we bring them with us, or buy them in Hawaii. Hate to spend a lot of time shopping, I'd rather be on the beach, but I also hate to pack a lot of extraneous stuff too. Thanks for your expertise.

Betty,

I have three pairs. I bought a pair from a sports supply store, and two more pairs at K-Mart here in town (central Ohio).

I have used all three and would recommend that you don't spend a lot of money on them. The ones from K-mart are just as good and costs less than the ones from the sports store. I have used mine in Aruba, and several snorkeling trips to the Carribean. They provide lots of protection from rocks and coral.

My advice is to get them now. You don't want to waste time in Hawaii shopping for them.

Maureen

You should be able to find good water shoes for under $6 at a discount store.

I have used these water shoes when in water with lots of shells or rocks. However, when you are snorkeling you have on flippers. No?

Definitely get the discount pairs. Wal-mart has great ones for like $5. I also wear them when snorkeling - my fins have the open heel with a strap, so it protects your foot if you have to walk into the water and its rocky. Other fins have a full rubber foot, so you don't need the booties - or have room for them. The booties also come in really handy when you just want to explore the shoreline, looking in tidepools seeing all the creatures.

Just my thoughts: If you're not going to use them a lot, I'd wait and buy them there. Get the cheapest ones you can find.
If you ARE going to use them a lot and maybe even use them later (at home or on another vacation), get some good ones before you leave and make sure they fit.

I really hate to advertise Wal-Mart, but we did buy some on the Big Island for $4.99 last year, that worked just fine on our ten day vacation. They spent a lot of time in the water and held up pretty well. While I do agree that you don't want to waste your time shopping, it's probably inevitable you'll end up at some sort of store for postcards or other souvenirs, and you could just pick them up there. I don't think they would be hard to find. Either way you'll be fine. Have a great trip.

Appreciate everyone's help so far. I will look at Walmart tomorrow. I guess you don't wear these while snorkeling, just wading. So, it doesn't matter if you buy a cheap pair? Why do some outfits charge $50 and up? Maybe durability. If so, we will only need them for two weeks so that's not an issue.

Buy them fast - stores around here are wrapping up their summer sales and starting to put out sweaters!

Why pay $50 for something you might lose on the beach. Have a good trip.

See, this is why I am addicted to this board. You guys just saved me money! I hightailed it to Walmart and, just as you said, got them for $4.97 a pair. In the nick of time, too, as they were getting rid of them. Thanks so much everybody.

My local Kmart had them on sale this past weekend for $3.99 a pair.

Betty,
You have to decide if you want water shoes (aka Surf Mocs, Aqua Socs, etc.) or neoprene booties. Water shoes are mostly for wearing on the beach if it's rocky. I've seen some people wear them with open foot fins but they are not made for this function and seem a little too flimsy to me. Neoprene booties (starts around $30 at sporting goods stores) are made for use with open foot fins and are good when you have a rocky shore entry at a snorkel/dive site. If you do not have your own snorkel gear, most rental gear you find in Hawaii have closed (or full foot pocket) fins and shoes/booties will not fit inside these. Hope this helps.

You will enjoy them for many things besides Hawaii...like watering the lawn. One great thing you can do in Hawaii is walk the rocks & lava that jut into the ocean, looking at tide pools, etc. Definitely get the cheap ones at WalMart or wherever.
Have a great trip. Aloha, Linda

At Walmart, where do you find these shoes..in the sporting goods or shoe dept. ??? thanks!

they usually are sold in the shoe section- hanging on racks near the rubber slippers. I've always bought the cheap ones, but my husband buys the expensive types as he surfs and walks on the reef a lot. He wears them often enough to notice the difference in comfort, but I doubt most of us could tell.

For what it is worth, watch out for the cheap water shoes. I bought some from Land's End for my kids (more expensive) and the shoes fit well. I waited until we got to Kauai, bought at pair at an ABC store, and those water shoes gave me horrible blisters. I would buy a pair at home, wear them in the yard or around the house and see how they fit.