Deck shoe laces

[Fantasie 19]

The "proper" deck shoes are the blue fabric-and-suede trainer style, not the traditional "poncing around in red trizers" pattern which I've always disliked.

Nah... any fule no the proper deck shoe is a Croc.. no laces, no velcro, comfy, and dry easily...

 

[Robert Wilson]

I'm sure they're very nice when it's cold and wet. But most of the time a cheap pair of Decathlon trekking shoes do me - they're actually grippier than my "proper" deck shoes.

The "proper" deck shoes are the blue fabric-and-suede trainer style, not the traditional "poncing around in red trizers" pattern which I've always disliked. But even so, they haven't come out from under my bed since I realised my "working on the boat" shoes could also be my "sailing the boat" shoes.

And the non-leather laces do up securely with an ordinary double bow.

Pete

Same with mine. Almost constantly worn. (much to the probable dismay of my late father who insisted that shoes were never worn on consecutive days - to make them last longer; and probably have less "whiff")

As to "field trial" as mentioned in my previous, I can confirm that the "reef bow" has worked effectively and tirelessly since yesterday afternoon.
What amazingly useful sources of practical information are the Fora!

 

[ghostlymoron]

I did specially say that new shoes were not an option. "Solutions other than knots considered but not new shoes - these ones will last me for many years yet!"

 

[Robert Wilson]

I did specially say that new shoes were not an option. "Solutions other than knots considered but not new shoes - these ones will last me for many years yet!"

That parsimonious course of action is NOT going to help George with his attempt to keep the Eekonhomie going until after the next elekshun!

 

[prv]

Nah... any fule no the proper deck shoe is a Croc.. no laces, no velcro, comfy, and dry easily...

I didn't mean to define the general "proper deck shoe" - just describe what my ones are like.

I have a pair of knockoff crocs by the back door for quick forays into the garden (taking rubbish to the bins, fetching something from the shed). But I think they'd be pretty slippery on wet fibreglass.

Pete

 

[Hypocacculus]

Oooo - thread drift!

I kept my Musto shoes done up with a double bow, modified by including the loose ends with the loops when making the second overhand knot but was irritated that the laces were barely long enough to allow me to do this. I never wear them now because I have found my cheaper (non-knock off) crocs more comfortable and no more slippery than my deck shoes or boots. I take extra socks though, cos I like sitting on the rail and we have low freeboard...

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Then there's the method of lacing whereby no knot is required and no ends show at all, taught to me in the Scouts auld lang syne. Put a stopper knot in one end of the lace, poke it through the bottom hole on the outside of the shoe from the inside, go around and around through the holes, working upwards, until a couple of holes from the top, then run up to the top and work down again to where you left off. Pull the lot tight and tuck the loose end down outside the tongue and under your instep on the inside of your foot.

The result looks somewhat like this (although this is not tied the same way), and is more comfortable than it might sound --

This does not provide a loose slip-on finish for deck-shoes of course, but it looks surprisingly neat on a pair of business shoes (and you'll never have to stoop to tie your laces again).

Mike

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Thank you all. I'm going to try Nigels tip first (possibly with a drop of superglue). The laces are much too thick to tie the double knot and it's not possible to re thread with cord laces because they're sewn into the back part of the shoe. It would spoil the look of them to modify with velcro although that is a feature I'll look for on my next pair.

Take them to Stimsons or similar shoe repair shop or kiosk and they'll replace the laces for you. I've had a couple of pairs of deckies/shoes with the the leather lace running the back where the lace has snapped and they've always been able to repair them for a pittance.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

The real solution is to wear Dubarry boots. They do not 'come undone' neither do they fall off or into the water at the critical moment (as one of mine did at 02.30 the other morning causing me to break a toe).

People may laugh and mock them but, at the slightest hint of sailing - off come the deck shoes and on go the boots.

Yep, expensive but I nearly always sail in boots, not deckies.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Take them to Stimsons or similar shoe repair shop or kiosk and they'll replace the laces for you. I've had a couple of pairs of deckies/shoes with the the leather lace running the back where the lace has snapped and they've always been able to repair them for a pittance.

I've got a special needle thing somewhere that you screw onto the lace (the needle is a tube and pointed at one end and the inside of the other end is threaded!) and you can easily rethread 'proper' deckshoes in a few moments.

I was always told to add another turn underneath when starting the bow. (Not sure how you describe it, but instead of the one lace going across and under the other at the tart of the bow tying sequence, you put it round and under twice. It makes the bow much more secure. I also echo the message about the 'strong' way to tie bows. Its how I taught our children to tie bows. SWMBO is gets complete knot dyslexia so she left that bit of life skill training to me.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Yep, expensive but I nearly always sail in boots, not deckies.

Its a bit sweaty in the tropics or even when the weather warms up here...

 

[BruceDanforth]

Just sikaflex them on.