Boating Footwear

Glocker

Member
Sep 7, 2019
39
Boat Info
Boat: 2000 Sea Ray 185
Tow Vehicle: 2019 Ford Ranger XLT FX4
Engines
4.3 Mercruiser
I love being out on the lake and out on the boat. I typically wear a type of footwear that is kind of like a hybrid of a sneaker and a sandle. The problem is; water gets in the sole and usually causes them to fall apart. Last night I experienced a new one! We couldn't figure out why the main level and basement of our house smelled really bad. It was so bad the my wife couldn't sleep! It turns out my most recent pair of water footwear smelled HORRIBLE!

So what's out there for me that I can wear in and out of the water all of the time? I'd need something for walking, boating, kayak fishing, and going on cruises (pool deck and beaches).

Thank you!
 
Sorry your feet smell HORRIBLE... there are fixes for that.
 
Have you tried water shoes, like these? These should not fall apart once wet, made for the water. This was just a random search on amazon for men’s water shoes, I’ve never owned a pair, but my brother has something similar. I just use flip flops, bare feet, or boat shoes (like Sperry’s, although, only wear these off the boat, oddly enough).
A19D6334-DB1E-475C-8CD7-BE1ED3037888.jpeg
 
Sorry your feet smell HORRIBLE... there are fixes for that.
HAHAHAHA It's not my feet! I think the soles filled up with lake water and got funky. LOL
 
Thanks guys. I'll take a look at those options. The pair that started smelling bad are supposedly made for the water, and are almost all rubber except for the upper. But I guess water got in the soles. Horrible!
 
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I bought a cheap pair of soft plastic sandals for our boat that I used when washing it. They were black with a Velcro strap and quite comfortable. Put them in the sun for ten minutes and they would get hot hot and dry out. Kept them in the wash bucket with my Woody Pine Soap. Saved my deck shoes from getting funky.
 
I know they have a poor reputation among the "manly" set, but Crocs work quite well for the listed use cases. They are 100% waterproof, float, dry super fast, and are durable. The absolutely DON'T get that "funk" you describe.

I've worn Crocs to the boat for years (same pair) because they are fully waterproof, dry fast, never stink, and slip on and off fast. Plus I really don't give a crap what someone thinks of my choice in boat shoes. This year I tried some "water shoes" from West Marine to wear on the beach. They were OK, but tended to stay wet with salt water and developed a God-awful stench.

There are now a number of styles designed for water activities, and specifically boating. They have less of a traditional "Crocs" look.
 
Water shoes by XTRA TUF work really well, picked up a pair at the St Clair boat races have worked out really good so far.

Jamie
 
Classic Vans Slip-ons or Oluki Flip Flops come along on the boat, but not worn.
 
I know they have a poor reputation among the "manly" set, but Crocs work quite well for the listed use cases. They are 100% waterproof, float, dry super fast, and are durable. The absolutely DON'T get that "funk" you describe.

I've worn Crocs to the boat for years (same pair) because they are fully waterproof, dry fast, never stink, and slip on and off fast. Plus I really don't give a crap what someone thinks of my choice in boat shoes. This year I tried some "water shoes" from West Marine to wear on the beach. They were OK, but tended to stay wet with salt water and developed a God-awful stench.

There are now a number of styles designed for water activities, and specifically boating. They have less of a traditional "Crocs" look.

My kids threw my crocs away on me years ago and threatened to do the same with any new ones I buy.
I loved them for the boat and for washing my cars in the driveway.
My favorite footwear on the boat in warmer weather is Sperry’s. They grip the deck well, don’t mark it up, don’t stink if they get a little wet and are easy to slip on and off. The new ones get worn regularly and the oldest ones are stored in the trunk of my car for when it’s time to give the boat a bath.
In the shoulder seasons I usually wear Brooks running shoes. My newest ones get worn to the gym in the morning and the older ones get used on the boat. They breathe well so don’t stink if they get a little wet, grip the deck well and don’t mark it up.
 
All I wear is a pair of Sperry flip flops all boating season. It's those or bare foot. Great on the boat and on the dock.
 
Barefoot only on my boat. Flipflops to get to/from.

I keep a pair of tennis shoes on the boat just in case I have to go someplace where I have to walk a good distance.
 
My boat shoe collection:

crocs for full on wet, deck washing etc
Columbia flip flops for non water boat wear

this summer I strayed from my usual Sperry Billfish boat shoes. My wife dragged me on an outlet store trip this spring where I found a pair of Cole Haan boat shoes that have held up really well and are really comfortable and still look decent.

I’ve also got a pair of UA water “shoes” that look like sneakers but can get completely soaked and be dry in less than an hour.

H
 
Not a huge fan of flip flops on the boat. I’ve pointed out the possible tripping hazard to guests and had a few stumble getting on and off the boat with them.
Worst one was my wife years ago when she went for a swim off the platform because she tripped over her own feet when wearing them as she was stepping from the boat to the dock.
It was actually pretty funny once it was apparent that she was okay.
Also had someone stub their toe on a cleat with flip flops on. Sure looked like it hurt, but that probably would have been true of most footwear.
 

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