Poseidon One Dive Shoe Review

A high-top, sneaker-style dive shoe best suited for warm water and pool dives. It offers excellent grip, fits in standard fins without issue, and stands out for its unique style. However, the original insole on my pair disintegrated due to poor material choice, requiring replacement. After a simple bungee lace and insole mod, it became a reliable and comfortable part of my warm-water kit. Recommended, but only if the insole flaw has been fixed in the current version.
Overall Score: 6.4 / 10 (Acceptable)
Last updated: July 2025
The Poseidon One is a high-top dive shoe that looks like a Chuck Taylor sneaker but is built for use in the water. I picked up a pair on closeout sale to use for pool work and warm water wetsuit dives. While they’ve been fun and functional overall, there was one design flaw that required a workaround.
Yes. No adjustments were needed. I’ve used them with regular open-heel fins without issue.
Grip is excellent. Much better than basic neoprene boots on gravel or textured decks. Comparable to standard sneakers on wet boat decks.
Yes. The factory insole disintegrated almost immediately. It appeared to be made of paper or cardboard, which is unacceptable in a shoe designed for water. I removed it and replaced it with an aftermarket insole. This might have been a QC miss on my pair, which was a discounted closeout version. Poseidon now sells an updated model, but I haven’t seen any confirmation that the insole material has changed.
Yes. I swapped out the original laces for bungee cord, which made getting in and out of them much easier on a boat or pool deck.
Yes, assuming the insole defect was a one-off or has been addressed in the current model. For warm water diving or pool training, it's a fun alternative to traditional boots.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Stylish high-top sneaker appearance | Factory insole was made of paper and fell apart |
Excellent grip on boat decks and rocky terrain | No update from Poseidon on whether the flaw was fixed |
Fits easily in standard fins | Not ideal for cold water or drysuit use |
Accepts custom mods like bungee laces | Only available in limited sizes/colors now |
Fun to wear for warm water or pool dives |
Why I Chose the Poseidon One Dive Shoe
I picked these up during a closeout sale. I didn’t need a new pair of boots, but the design was different and interesting, especially for warm water use and pool training. I figured they’d be a fun alternative to standard neoprene booties, and they’ve mostly lived up to that — aside from one serious insole issue.
Verdict
The Poseidon One is still in my kit for casual warm dives and pool sessions. After swapping out the insole and switching to bungee laces, they’ve performed well and held up to regular use. I would be cautious recommending them at full price until Poseidon confirms the insole problem has been resolved.
Would I buy it again? Yes — but only if the current model uses a better insole material.
Who the Poseidon One Dive Shoe Is Best For
This item is best suited for:
- Warm water divers who want a fun or stylish option
- Divers who want better grip for shore entries or slippery surfaces
- Pool instructors or frequent confined water users
It may not be ideal for:
- Divers in cold water or using drysuits
- Anyone expecting top-tier durability out of the box
Deep Dive into the Score
Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.
Category | Score | Raw Score | Weight | Weighted |
---|---|---|---|---|
Function & Performance | Good | 7.0 | 30% | 2.10 |
Ease of Use | Strong | 8.0 | 20% | 1.60 |
Versatility | Fair | 6.0 | 15% | 0.90 |
Durability & Build Quality | Weak | 4.0 | 15% | 0.60 |
Value | Good | 7.0 | 10% | 0.70 |
Brand Trust & Transparency | Weak | 5.0 | 10% | 0.50 |
Total | 6.40 / 10 |
Rounded Display Score: 6.4 / 10 — Acceptable
Deep Dive Score Explanations
- Function & Performance – 7: Good grip, fin fit, and comfort after insole replacement. The insole issue affects the score.
- Ease of Use – 8: Easy on/off, especially after converting to bungee laces. No struggle even on boats.
- Versatility – 6: Excellent for warm water and pools, but limited elsewhere.
- Durability & Build Quality – 4: The insole failure was a serious flaw. Outer construction has held up well.
- Value – 7: Worth the price I paid on discount. Full price depends on whether Poseidon fixed the insole problem.
- Brand Trust & Transparency – 5: Poseidon’s reputation is strong, but they haven’t acknowledged or addressed the issue publicly.
Performance in the Water
- Fin Compatibility: Fits standard open-heel fins with no trouble
- Traction: Excellent on slick decks, rocks, and poolside concrete
- Comfort: Great once the insole was replaced. Slightly narrow fit
- Water Retention: No ballooning. Drains and dries acceptably