Spring 2014 Boat Shoe Collection

woodster · Mar 11, 2014

One brand......

Nom De Guerre said:
Spring is nearly here and I see the dog has taken a bite out my left Sperry Mako insole. I feel like it's time to fork out the dough for a new pair of kicks.

I'd like your feedback on this year's latest and greatest boat shoes. Or, just your old standby favorite(s) that you'll buy again when the timing's right.

If you have two faves and need tie- breaking criteria to raise one over the other, I'd prefer something that can serve as casual office attire too.

and only one brand ....Timberline.......

regards

woody

Don S/V ILLusion · Mar 11, 2014

My only suggestion is to stay away from the boat stores when shopping.

Brian S · Mar 11, 2014

I'm exclusively in the Sebago Clovehitch II camp. These shoes come in wide and extra wide widths, to accommodate my developing bunion. (Thanks, Mom, I really appreciate that genetic hand-me-down…) Every other boat shoe I have ever tried on is FAR too tight in the toe box. I've seen some big guys (who should have wide feet) wearing regular boat shoes, and I don't know how they do it. (For the record, I've been a ski boot salesman, so I probably have a weird sense of foot shapes and sizes…)

My current pair is the Dark Taupe/Dark Brown combo, which is softer and more comfortable than the last pair, which was the Walnut, made with stiffer leather.

http://www.sebago.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/11608M/20261/Mens/Clovehitch-II?dimensions=0

I know other people who love the Crocs Ace Boating shoe, but they don't make them anymore. They look like original Crocs, but with a Velcro adjustable back strap, and a different sole material molded into S shaped channels. They aren't razor cut siping like on Sperrys or Sebagos, but they do kinda stick to wet decks, I guess. Original Crocs soles are HORRIBLE on wet surfaces, but these are ok. I was lucky to get one of the last pairs on Amazon.com last spring, and they are quick and easy to get on and off. But they don't fit too snugly around the foot, so I feel like I don't have the greatest stability if my foot is slipping around inside the shoe, whereas I can cinch down the lacing on the Sebagos if I need to.

There is actually a Crocs store at our local outlet mall. Last spring, I went in looking for the Ace Boating Shoe, not realizing they had been discontinued. Everything they had that was a "boating" shoe may have had Docksider-type styling cues, but the soles were completely unsuitable for wet deck traction. I don't know if they have changed anything for this year. I guess it's too bad they don't make that Ace Boating Shoe anymore, it was pretty reasonable.

Brian

py26129 · Mar 11, 2014

Unless we're racing (on someone else's boat), the boat is a barefoot zone.

Cheers

Matt

Winkfish · Mar 11, 2014

In the past, I've had Sperry and Rockport. Both were uncomfortable for me, and after a couple of years, the soles got hard and slippery - the exact opposite of what a boat shoe was supposed to be.

Before our recent trip to the BVIs, I bought a pair of Magellan Laguna Madres at Academy - $39.99. They are very comfortable. I love them. If they only last a few years, the price makes it alright by me. I also wear them to work on casual days. There are other Magellan models as well.

kloudie1 · Mar 11, 2014

Plain Crocks! ugly but very comfortable.. Wife laughs when I am barefoot because the holes in the Crock uppers make tan dots on my feet.. she calls it "Crock Foot"

py26129 · Mar 11, 2014

I use a pair of court shoes. They do double duty in the winter when I play squash. The soles are non marking, grip well and you can buy them in a variety of stores, from top pf the line running shoe storres to the discount chains. I found my current pair at Walmart for ~$25.

Cheers

Matt

Gunni · Mar 11, 2014

Harken Vortex when I need maximum stick, Croc flip flops when I'm in low gear. Old dock-sliders when I'm mopping her down. (Not to scale

)

zeehag · Mar 11, 2014

wow i been sailing my formosa four ?? three ?? fergit how many years and no broken toesies...not since april 21, 2010when i was sailing with phil in gom, .......still sailing barefooted and going to shore with birkenstocks...crocs are for sailing electrical storms, as are rubber suits and hats. now i have wood wheel, i can go without gloves.......

jimmcgee · Mar 11, 2014

I started buying Sperry gold cups. They have vibram soles so are easier on your joints. Nobody gives them a second look in the office.

I figure it's worth spending the money on good boat shoes since I pretty much live in them unless it's snowing.

justsomeguy · Mar 11, 2014

zeehag said:
wow i been sailing my formosa four ?? three ?? fergit how many years and no broken toesies...not since april 21, 2010when i was sailing with phil in gom, .......still sailing barefooted and going to shore with birkenstocks...crocs are for sailing electrical storms, as are rubber suits and hats. now i have wood wheel, i can go without gloves.......

But, but, it's fashion!

finding41 · Mar 11, 2014

I came across a pair of Vans deck shoes 2 summers ago. Vans are know to the skateboard community. (Different forum all together.)
I love them. (Except the Port and Starboard on the corresponding shoe bottoms. That's a little tacky.) They hold the deck really well even when it's wet.
This is exactly what I have.

Roadking Larry · Mar 11, 2014

Won't fit with most office dress codes but for hot weather I go with these.

http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/product/shoes/men/waterfront/newport h2/raven!bossa nova

topcat0399 · Mar 11, 2014

One thing I've learned - flip flop type foot wear have no place while crewing or constructing on our boat, extreme tripping hazard.

This thread has me feeling a little self conscious about the duct tape holding my boat shoes together....

woodster · Mar 11, 2014

topcat0399 said:
One thing I've learned - flip flop type foot wear have no place while crewing or constructing on our boat, extreme tripping hazard.

This thread has me feeling a little self conscious about the duct tape holding my boat shoes together....

it ok if you are using Gorilla duct tape but if not then your shoes are called ......May Pops......:stirthepot:.......

regards

woody

seanshine · Mar 11, 2014

Hardtoe Tiva sandals for me. I think barefoot is damn dangerous. Slippery too.... heh heh SS

Gene Neill · Mar 11, 2014

No mention of the Vibram 'Five Fingers' yet, I see. Anyone own them?

That's the shoe I'd been thinking about (for when it's too cold to go barefoot).

Brian S · Mar 12, 2014

I also have an old pair of Chaco sandals. They are well regarded in the rafting community. Footbeds are supposed to be more stink resistant than Tevas, etc. They used to make a boating specific sole, which was gum rubber colored and non-marking, with razor cut sipes for wed deck traction. I love them because the strapping system goes in front of my bunion, unlike, say, a flip flop which goes behind the bunion and hurts a lot. Mine are getting old, and the sole is probably getting hard. I think they are Vibram soles, and Chaco might be able to refresh the sole for me. I should look into that. But as I say, they don't make them anymore. This is the closest I think I could get http://www.chacos.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/27546M/0/Mens/Updraft-Sandal?dimensions=0 This, and the Z-1, is the strap style I need. In the Updraft, they say it is a non-marking sole, and it is light colored, but there is no siping cut into it. Though they say it is designed for walking on wet rocks and such, without the siping, I don't know how well it will do on a smooth, wet deck.

Spring 2014 Boat Shoe Collection

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