Shoes

[severnmd]

I was gonna type a long posting here, but basically, what are the "best" shoes for sailing? Those "top siders" seem to be the thing to get, but are they actually good for sailing or just "fashionable"?

Thanks!

[mcrow33]

I have a pair of the Sperry Topsider sneaker style. This is my second year using them. They have good grip on deck, cool, and dry fast. They were less then $75 as West Marine last year.

[T37Chef]

I'm a fan of Keens for everyday use KEEN Footwear - Mobile


But every sailor should have a pair of Topsiders/Doscksiders in which I prefer Rockports Rockport Men's Shoes: On The Water, but I also have a pair of Sperry Topsiders. Sperry Top-Sider Shoes Boat Shoes

[mdbee]

When you wear a 15, you can't be too choosy... sigh

At least Sperry makes one in my size. Good to see Keen makes some too.
Rockports make some others also but evidently not in their "on the water" series.

[Sabreman]

Ever since I was in high school, many years ago, I've had 2 pairs of Docksiders/Sperry/St.John'sBay/Timberland moccasins. One for "nice" and the other for working. As the working pair wear out, they are replaced with the nice ones which become splattered with paint, epoxy, and other assorted debris.

I do not buy the cheapo West Marine moccasins because there is virtually no heel padding and my feet hurt when I stand for a while.

[ccriders]

I received some Vibram 5 Finger shoes for Christmas from my son and they are fabulous on the boat. Better traction and contact with the deck than anything else I've ever tried. They are a warm weather shoe. Tried them in February and my feet were cold. But they are great for now.
John

[mstern]

Any sneaker with a non-marking sole will do; I find that the shoes made as indoor basketball shoes have really sticky, soft soles and have the best grip. The downside is that they don't dry as quickly and aren't as resistent to salt water as the "marine" sneakers. However, you can get basketball sneakers for less than the marine sneakers.

That being said, I usually sail in Sperry Topsiders. They may not stay on your feet as securely as the sneakers, but they are cooler and more comfortable in the summer. My "new" pair of Sperrys are used solely on the boat. When the soles on that pair get worn smooth or hard, I switch that pair to the knock-around off-boat use, and buy a new pair for sailing. Sperry makes shoes in extra-wide widths (the curse of my family!), so I am a loyal wearer.

[severnmd]

Thanks for all the info!!!

[Minnewaska]

I've worn Sperry Topsiders as far back as I can recall. Standard issue in my family and my kids are no exception. They are better made today. When I was in grade school, you would take your brand news Sperrys and walk in the salt water with them on and keep them on all day until dry, at which point they would be molded to your feet.

I too have three generations: new, worn and rotten. The multi generational thing just bit me last week, when I accidentally brought two right feet to the boat.

[Sabreman]

The multi generational thing just bit me last week, when I accidentally brought two right feet to the boat. As mentioned above I always have three generations.

I don't have that problem! You can always tell which are my oldest shoes - the ones that look beat up. Oddly enough, I usually sail in the beat ones so that I can wear the nice ones to work or social occasions. Actually, I usually sail bare foot unless racing or docking. A bare foot is the ultimate in nonskid.