Mountain Warehouse Bermuda Aqua Shoe review: a light and quick-drying water shoe

Mountain Warehouse Bermuda Aqua Shoe: first impressions

Simplicity is the name of the game with the Mountain Warehouse Bermuda Aqua Shoe, and to be fair, this is very much reflected in the price. It’s quite clear from the minute you set eyes on them that functionality is the main objective of these water shoes (see: what are water shoes?), which don’t pretend to be anything they’re not.

They're made with soft neoprene that is thick enough to provide the insulation needed for summer (and maybe the odd shoulder-season) swims. They have a nicely grippy sole with no real lugs to speak of but enough texturing to provide traction when walking on rocks, boardwalks, or patches of mud around the water. They also have an elasticated mesh top panel that makes them easy to slip on an off (bonus points for no zippers that prodding your feet while you're out on the water!) and can be easily folded up and stored away in your daypack (see our best daypacks) or even a small dry bag (see our best dry bags).  

Mountain Warehouse Bermuda Aqua Shoe: in the water (and around it!)

These simple neoprene water shoes are great for more casual swims where you need a little more protection under foot, or for popping on when you’re kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding for some extra grip and warmth.

They’re super lightweight, and their foot-hugging neoprene and mesh construction means you’ll barely notice them on your feet – they pretty much feel rather like an extension of your wetsuit. If you don’t like swimming in heavy, bulky shoes or sandals the Bermudas make a great choice.

The soles are on the thin side but do offer fair grip on muddy river banks and wet pebbles thanks to their surface, which is covered in grippy rubber dots. It’s a pity there isn’t any toe shield to speak of – which seems like an omission – and we’d stick to wearing these slipper-style shoes for a bit of extra protection when swimming rather than for scrambling about on rocks.

The lightweight and the pocket-friendly price of the Bermudas makes them a handy addition to your swim kit bag if you already own a tougher water shandal. We’d pick the neutral black versions over the bright pink or baby blue, but at least there are options available if you like a pop of colour in the pool.

Bottom line? The Mountain Warehouse Bermuda Aqua Shoe might lack a few of the bells and whistle found on pricier models, but the made their way onto our list of the best water shoes by dint of covering all their bases well and offering outstanding value for money.