These are not like wearing thick soled water shoes, but more like a light layer of protection for your feet..  I use them in my water aerobics class and they hold up well to walking laps in the pool or kicking with a float board.  The same shoes are nice for walking on a beach full of stones or shells, but probably not great for a multi block walk to the beach on side walks.  Small enough to roll up and store in a roomy pocket.