SailNet Community banner
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Need New Boat Shoes

4K views 28 replies 14 participants last post by  sanctuarysam 
#1 ·
the last time i bought boat shoes (rockports)..i got em for arch support, now i've found, i am sliding like a big dog across the deck, rendering them pretty useless for sailing.
i have come to the realization that happy feet make me a happy skipper (and those around me happier too)...soooo..anyone here have any suggestions for quality shoes w/ good arch support?
 
#4 · (Edited)
Got a pair of Crocs for Christmas. Boat is on the hard for the winter so I have yet to try them out on the water but my wife has had them for some time and they provide good traction. I have been wearing them and they are very comfortable. Also read a report in the Washington Post that they actually have some therapeutic value regarding foot problems. Around 30 bucks a pair.
 
#7 ·
SailinJay said:
Got a pair of Crocs for Christmas. Boat is on the hard for the winter so I have yet to try them out on the water but my wife has had them for some time and they provide good traction. I have been wearing them and they are very comfortable. Also read a report in the Washington Post that they actually have some therapeutic value regarding foot problems. Around 30 bucks a pair.
Jay,
thanks..i have a pair of crocs, and although really lightweight, they tend not to have the arch support i need (i have really high arches and have to wear orthotics in my sneakers and chef shoes after having plantar fascitis in both feet)...
uhm..not quite sure i can get my arms around the Tevas..no matter how much support they give...
anybody have experience w/ dunham?...
 
#8 ·
Sam- I'm really surprised the Rockports aren't providing good traction. They are my favorite boat shoes for both comfort and traction and have never had a problem.

G- Stop picking on Cams little shoes, their cute!
 
#10 ·
Just remembered this.

My father in law has high arch and suffers from other feet problems. For him, the regular dock side shoe is very unconfortable.

So he went to a tennis store and bought a pair of NIKE shoes, (I believe )whose sole was specifically designed for grass tennis courts. They are perfect as the tennis shoes soles have a "brake" design at the bone behind the big finger (I don't know the name, so call me stupid), (ball of the foot??), and have excellent grip.

Now the beauty is that inside because they are designed for hard impact on ground, the arch is very high.

The downside is they are leather and it was not made for sae water. But they make them in cloth, too.

Hope it helps, he is very happy. I had forgotten about him.
 
#11 ·
In other words about half the population of Portugal would be waving at me?? <grin>
[/B][/QUOTE]

Hey, behave yourself, you are the Robot Cam, the Dirty HarryCam, the Clint EastCamwood.......lead by example!!! No jokes about us stupid foreigners!!!:D

By the way, maybe you mean France..... and remember, Broke mountain is in the US!!:D

Got me you dirty b*******
 
#13 ·
T,
maybe the rockports don't like my 'new to me' boat..they liked the J/24, maybe they aren't crazy about the Sabre..who knows...i only ever wore them sailing, so it isn't like they were worn out on the asphalt.
it did take me a while to stop laughing at Cam's post so i could reply...touche'
 
#14 ·
Shoes and non skid?

T34C said:
Sam- I'm really surprised the Rockports aren't providing good traction. They are my favorite boat shoes for both comfort and traction and have never had a problem.
Interesting, I too find the rockports do well on our boat, (Tartan 37) This makes me ponder if different shoes perform differently on different non skid? Sounds like a good test for Practical Sailor uh?

:confused:
 
#16 ·
slip slidin' awaaay

T37Chef said:
Interesting, I too find the rockports do well on our boat, (Tartan 37) This makes me ponder if different shoes perform differently on different non skid? Sounds like a good test for Practical Sailor uh?

:confused:
this begs an interesting question about age.. the shoes have only ever been worn on the boat ..the remaining 'tread' is fairly significant, but the shoes are 6 years old.i keep wondering if just roughing up the soles a bit wouldn't help..
the worst part..they are really comfortable, but damn if i want to try to swim w/ em on...and they weren't cheap if i remember correctly...
speaking of practical sailor..mine came today...i guess the safety tether article might be appropriate to read....
 
#17 ·
Sam- I wonder if the rubber on your shoes hasn't dried out a bit making them slick. I have noticed on some of my older Rockports (the ones now used for working on the boat/painting) get a little dried out??? The other idea, I don't know your boat, but if you have a layer of oxidation on the gelcoat, that could also make the deck slick. (even with "non skid")
 
#18 ·
Don't wear shoes on the boat. Bare feet has the best traction there is.

If you're worrying about showing your gnarly toes and green moldy stuff on your toenails, go to a slip-on, or BUY Giullettas new improved plasticised foot covering. It sprays on and it totally environmentally friendly. Once it starts to peel, you can strip off pieces and use for stink bait. As the product wears, simply spray on more layers. Note: 6 to 7 coats are suggested with sanding between coats.
 
#19 ·
Bare feet are fine when lounging on deck at the end of the day, but not when water is splashing over the deck when heeled 20 degrees--it gets slippery then! :eek: And barefeet increases the chances of stubbedd toes or cuts if you are going forward quickly and misjudge where the chainplate or padeye is located. :mad:
I think a good pair of deck shoes is a safety requirement.
Frank.
 
#21 ·
I hope so too, but I have seen many sailors with bare feet, and have been barefoot myself on certain occasions--so especially for inexperienced readers of this website, I think it's important to draw attention to the potential risks of sailing barefoot--it's so tempting when it's hot out, wind is blowing, to wear only swim suit and t-shirt....and some don't even wear that much!!;)
Frank.
 
#25 ·
put on those sailing shoes

figured out, despite the comfortable fit of my rockports, and their previous gripping capabilities, the soles are the culprit. just got some new sperry deck shoes and they have great arch support, and actually do what deck shoes are supposed to do. granted it was a thrill to slide across the deck and check out the lifelines and stanchions for integrity, i now know they are in working order.
maybe i can use the rockports for, i dunno,..ice skating...
thanks all for the advice...
 
#26 ·
Yeah Frank, that is a joke, it goes along with Guiliettas powdered electricity etc.

I like barefoot sailing, but after a couple broken toes (I learn slow), I purchased a couple pair of performance sandals. The only thing good about broken toes is that they're easy to set, pop that pinky straight and tape it and you're ready to go, but it does get tiresome. What I don't like about sandals is that it leaves a white "X" on my tanned foot.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top