If you’re a novice in boating or fishing, you might have made an oopsie when you went climbed onboard a boat and realise you were wearing the wrong type of shoes. You might have found yourself slipping or hurting your feet over time. Wearing the right pair of boat shoes is vital to wear whenever you are on a boat because simply, they are designed to wear for boating activities.

If you’re familiar with the brand Sperry shoes, you know that they are specially made for sailors. These boat shoes have features that are helpful for wearers to be safe on the boat while looking fashionable as well.

Nowadays, with so many shoe brands out in the market, it’s easy to just choose which style of boat shoes you can wear for your boating activities. You can even wear shoes that are not necessarily made for boating but they offer the same functionality as well. You probably find in your closet the type of shoes you can wear.

So, the next time you’re on your Yellowfin boat or you’re on a yacht, you’re already wearing the appropriate boat shoes. Read the article below to know how what shoes you can wear on a boat:

How to Choose the Right Boat Shoes

Remember to look for these features when you’re buying a pair of boat shoes:

Non-Marking: Your boat shoes should not leave a mark or a scuff when you’re walking on deck. Boat decks usually have a non-skid coating on their surface to prevent people from slipping while sailing. If your shoes leave marks on the floor surface, they could scratch the coating, which could get ruined and increase the chances of anyone falling onboard. Choosing boat shoes that have a good grip on a surface can help you be steadier while standing and walking on the boat even in choppy waters.

Waterproof: You need shoes with water-resistant materials. Wearing wet shoes can be uncomfortable and sometimes, it takes a long time for them to dry. Plus, if they get damp over time, they will smell awful. Avoid wearing shoes that absorb water. Wear the ones that quickly dry out.

Thick material: You also need shoes that offer protection to your feet from cold temperatures and heavy and dangerous objects. Shoes with thick materials can help keep your feet warm and protected from injuries.

Style: Of course, you can never let go of style, unless you’re the type of person who is not too keen on what shoes you have as long as they are functional. Most of us want to wear shoes that look good on our feet because they are pleasing to look at. This feature is solely (no pun intended) up to you on what your style preference is. However, we suggest choosing shoes that are in neutral colours so you can easily pair them with whatever outfit you’re donning. The good thing about this is that there are countless different styles of boat shoes available in the market.

Shoes That You Can Wear on a Boat

Shoes like tennis shoes and moccasins are great to wear to all types of conditions while sandals and flip-flop thongs offer a lot more benefits, especially during those hot summer days.  

Tennis Shoes: These types of shoes are widely available and are very practical to use anytime, anywhere. Make sure the sneakers you choose to wear on a boat are non-slippery and water-resistant.

Moccasins: These types of shoes are made of soft leather skin and they are designed to have a flat surface to make them comfortable to wear. It’s no surprise why boaters love to wear these pairs of shoes on board, they are easy to put on and snug to the feet. If you want to wear moccasins, know that they may not be able to give you much protection as other boating shoes.

Boots: Whether it’s fishing boots or sailing boots, these types of shoes offer the most protection to your feet when you’re on board your boat. They are waterproof, they have insoles to keep you comfortable, and they have non-slip materials on their soles to keep you from slipping.

Sandals and Flip-Flops: If you’re tired from constricting your feet in shoes, flip-flops and sandals are a great option to wear on the boat. They are open making your feet exposed to the air and they offer great comfort to your soles. Just make sure not to do strenuous activities while wearing sandals.

You can buy these shoes in marine shops or you can order through online stores.

Whatever boat shoes you decide to wear when you’re sailing or fishing, make sure it is comfortable and safe to use. Your feet carry your entire weight and you need to give them support so your feet will not get tired or injured easily. If your feet are in great condition, you can do your boating activities without any problems.