boat shoes

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Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
A couple years ago with a recommendation from POTL, my wife and I bought Sperry Figawi deck shoes.

They are a bit pricey at stores, but I found them on-line for about $35/pair. We found that they are comfortable and perform well on a wet deck.
Rich-
How funny. I saw the thread and was getting ready to put in my vote for the Sperry Figawi and you beat me to it. I still wear these shoes and find them comfortable and grippy on deck. While I like the Figawis for on the boat I don't think they are that great of a walking shoe. Besides with my extensive shoe collection I can usually find something else that goes better with my outfit than my boat shoes.
 
Jan 22, 2009
133
Hunter 31 '83_'87 Blue Water Marina
Thank you all for taking the time to answer.
I got some good suggestions, as I knew I would.

Thank you, again.
 

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
they call em top sLiders for a reason.....
my favorite boating shoe is bare feet..
the only decent boating shoe i ever found is no longer available on west coast.couldnt find em in louisiana or fla either-- reef warriers by omega.. awesome--ONLY things i ever found could stand up to the mud monster from the briny deep, other wise known as avalon mooring mud. EVERYTHING else FAILed badly.
 

BrianW

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Jan 7, 2005
843
Hunter 26 Guntersville Lake, (AL)
Agree with all on the "Top-Sliders". Just last week, while wearing my Top-Sliders, I slipped and fell into the drink while boarding my boat..... with my Blackberry still in my pocket. BrianW
 

rfrye1

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Jun 15, 2004
589
Hunter H376 San Diego
Yes bare feet are the best, but until you ram your toes into a dock cleat (not watchin wear your going), I prefer to keep me toes protected (ie KEEN).

Bob
 
May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
not so sure about bare feet...

I took off my boat shoes to go below, and slipped off the 1st companion way stairs to the floor and sprained my ankle... pretty bad. (it was very wet at the time)

it was a bene, and varnished steps...

the keens look pretty good for soft gummy soles. (and mountain climbing shoes)
 
Sep 25, 2008
385
Harpoon 5.2 Honolulu, HI
You shouldn't feel foolish posing this question -- I think this was actually one of the more useful posts I've seen in a while!! My Sperry Billlfish slipons have done exactly as described -- hardened over the years. I can scuff them up and get some grip back, but they are pretty much done. My Sperry sandals work good in the summer. I might go back to Vans for colder months but I know my wife would give me grief about it (she says they make me look like I have hobbit feet!)
 
May 11, 2004
24
Beneteau 445 Mahone Bay, NS
I have been wearing Rockports for years. They are comfortable and have a good nonslip sole.
 
Oct 1, 2007
1,865
Boston Whaler Super Sport Pt. Judith
Sebago makes these boat shoes with a very unusual gripping surface composed of hundreds of little knobs, which are the grippiest boat shoes I've ever used. I have three pair. On my boat there are sea going shoes which never leave the boat so they stay clean. And shore going shoes which are taken off before boarding. Sea goers are Sebagos as described. Shore goers are your choice of walking shoes.
 
Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
Barnacle Bill says, use hiking boots!

In the Northwest and Southeast Alaska we don't have much in the way of sandy beaches. In fact, there are practically none that you can actually anchor off of and go ashore on. Standardly they are barnacle encrusted ragged rocks.

So, those cushy tennis shoes won't cut it. You need real tough shoes and the toughest ones turn out to be along the lines of hiking boots.

Several years ago I needed some work boots for a project and wound up getting a pair of Timberland hiking boots, classified as waterproof (up to the top of the boot, of course). Turned out they make the best boat "shoes".

In spite of the black rubber-like soles they don't leave black marks on deck. Being "waterproof" they're good for the dingy and for going ashore on the aforementioned barnacle-encrusted rocks. No slipping, no problem.

Couldn't find the ones I've got in their current lineup but they're similar to these without much of the hyped-up orange markings. Round laces and three hooks on top above the eyes.

http://shop.timberland.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11689019

Sometimes I envy you guys with the sandy beaches but then I don't have to worry about tracking all that sand on board. Being waterproof I can just dip the boots in the water and rince off any dirt.
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,669
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
In the Northwest and Southeast Alaska we don't have much in the way of sandy beaches.

Sometimes I envy you guys with the sandy beaches but then I don't have to worry about tracking all that sand on board. Being waterproof I can just dip the boots in the water and rince off any dirt.
And in the meantime, the rest of us are envying you sailing in the Northwest and Southeast Alaska.
 
Oct 20, 2011
1
Shooter II said:
I feel more than a little foolish positing this, but...

I have been wearing Sperry Topsiders for a few years and they're in need of replacement.

I never found them REALLY comfortable, actuallly, standing long time is painful.

Have you had any experience with boat shoes that were comfortable to stand in for hours?

If so, what brand?

just thought i'd ask...
I'm a big time racer & curser also a live abroad ... I have found over the years with all the money I've spent on expensive shoes the best ones for foredeck and all around are my chucks !! ( converse ) they don't last long but are cheap ! Super sticky , flexible , and cozy with good socks ... Good luck and don't fall overboard !!
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,987
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
In spite of the black rubber-like soles they don't leave black marks on deck. Being "waterproof" they're good for the dingy and for going ashore on the aforementioned barnacle-encrusted rocks. No slipping, no problem.
Hey, John, how come we can't get the Coast Guard boarding parties to wear those?
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Cost a small fortune, worth a small fortune. The only deck shoe I'd buy.
i am glad to see some one else knows about those shoes...i have worn the ones with the mock sole for 35 years ...the have a very thick band on the sides to rear of the tounge...leather laces and are very durable...only thing is i just wore out my last pair and looking on line i cant find them listed in there cataloge......they were about 135.00 rto 150.00 the last time i bought them....but they usually last me 8 to 10 years...maybe they discontinued them due to low turn over ...if you know where one might find them please let me know......i dont usually spind a lot of money on clothing but when it comes to foot ware i always spaire no expense as you only get one pair of feet and when they are gone thats it...kput....

regards

woody
 
Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
To Stu Jackson: Yea, I know!

Hey, John, how come we can't get the Coast Guard boarding parties to wear those?
That's one of my pet peeves.

When I clear customs in Blaine which is right at the US/Canadian border, I get a group these jerks wearing polished (that's important!) black leather foot-high GI boots with their "army-green" (or what ever color you want to call it) pant legs tucked in (we did it like that in boot camp) that like to just climb aboard and tromp over everything. You can't tell them a damn thing because they're "Homeland Security" and they could be saving the country from a terrorist.

What works for a steel container ship or a barge doesn't really work for a personal fiberglass "yacht" but our Senators, Representatives, and the White House just don't seems to see it that way. They're too busy doing other stuff that's a lot more important and they're not about to change any rules for a minority of little yachties.

Their "dress code" is a one-size-fits-all. To issue some kind of a slip-on bootie like they have at boat shows.... well, that'd make them look like sissies, be too expensive, or there is no military issue for that kind of thing.

My preference is to try and avoid Blaine and clear through Port Townsend where there is only one guy (due to budget and staffing I suppose) and we have to call in ahead. He is beginning to know us now so that's a good thing, he likes his job, and he is courteous, as we are to him. Same organization but a different way of thinking.

Stu - see, now you went and did it. (pushed my button!)
 
May 24, 2004
7,164
CC 30 South Florida
Sebagos are a good choice. I will wear a pair of boat shoes until the grooves on the sole wear down and they become slipery. Beware of using flips flops on an unfamiliar boat. I broke a toe and some foot bones on a cleat. Boat shoes are bacteria farms specially in the summer months and they will stink. Have tried everything from sticking them in the freezer to dousing them with foot powder. Now I just hose them down periodically and apply a fresh coat of leather oil after they dry.
 
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