Best Footwear for Slipways

[Denis O]

Having slipped, launching the boat, on an algae covered slipway can anyone recommend a shoe that won't slip.

I went down quite heavily on left knee, shoulder and head and feel quite stiff this morning. I have plenty of movement in my shoulder so don't think anythings broken but I'd rather not do it again so new shoes required.

I was wearing Crocs at the time.

 

[Paragon]

I'm interested to hear a response to this too!

Crocs are rubbish on slipways, I wear them all the time but know they're rubbish so walk very tentatively when launching the dinghy. I'd buy something else if I knew what would work other than perhaps garden wellies.

They're great otherwise

 

[Poignard]

What about golfing shoes or even crampons?

 

[CX54WEK]

Waders

 

[jhr]

Wellies are probably as good as anything. I usually wear neoprene dinghy boots with non-slip soles. I haven't come a cropper yet but I've come close once or twice.....

 

[landlockedpirate]

Yep,standard crocs are rubbish and very very slippy. However they also do an 'off road' type crock with big chunky treads. They are no good on the boat and leave dirty marks everwhere but they do give a lot more grip on dirt and algea.

And of course, like all crocs, you will look a plonker in them

 

[bigwow]

I use my Llidl waders

best £14.99 I've ever spent!

 

[Jurgen]

Waders, have some great shakespear fishing waders, a little more expensive but they come upto my neck and more importantly have great grip & dont leak!

 

[Csail]

I have survived wearing hiking boots.

 

[Denis O]

So fishing waders seem to be the concensus. Practical I admit but in the warm Ionian a little OTT as footwear goes.

I do have some waders here but would prefer something a little more conducive to the temperatures. Something smaller and less obtrusive perhaps.

I did consider hiking boots and crampons but again, not really suitable for the environment.

 

[Solitaire]

Having slipped, launching the boat, on an algae covered slipway can anyone recommend a shoe that won't slip.

I went down quite heavily on left knee, shoulder and head and feel quite stiff this morning. I have plenty of movement in my shoulder so don't think anythings broken but I'd rather not do it again so new shoes required.

I was wearing Crocs at the time.

Dare I ask the question as to why you even have to venture onto the slimy bit? If you are launching your boat off a decent slipway there is no need to even get your feet wet.

But as you have not given much detail about the launching conditions it is a hard to really make suggestions. I launch and recover boats about 3-4 times a week, sometimes a day and never get my feet wet.

 

[Siochair]

I know you can get anti-slip boot chains from some fishing stores. They are used to increase grip on your wellies-waders during icy conditions. A bit like crampons only without the spikes. I'm not sure how much grip they would give you on wet weed but I imagine it will be better than what you have at present.

 

[moonraker 36]

tape some 60grit sandpaper to your feet..

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

bare feet

 

[AndieMac]

Do as much preparation as you can up in the car park before backing down the ramp, to minimise any walking around the boat.
Wear an old pair of white/clear soled runners firmly tied, and keep even pressure straight down, talking very small steps, steadying yourself on the car/boat as you move around. You may feel a bit retarded walking like this, but it's better than landing on you butt.

I do agree with solitaire about the wet feet thing, but I guess not everybody does lots of boat launching to the stage where they are fully confident and well practiced.
There could be some room though for modification to your launch process.