Deck shoes vs trainers. A cheapskate writes . . .

[Poignard]

. . . .apart from the classic deck shoe with its leather laces looking more chic around the marina bistros, are they any better as practical sailing footwear over trainers or plimsolls?

I don't think you can still buy them but I used Dunlop Green Spot (Flash?) plimsolls as deck shoes for years and they seemed perfectly OK for the job.

 

[MontyMariner]

looking more chic around the marina bistros

Dubarry sailing boots and green sailcloth shorts. What else?

 

[Laysula]

Hi Tec squash trainers work for me. I've worn them for the last 20 years or so..

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I wear whatever specialist deck trainers are in the half price bin in my size.

 

[Bobc]

There are lots of good trainers with white soles at Sports Direct which do the job very well. You can even get waterspprts trainers there which self-drain.

 

[Sandy]

Really depends if it is a proper deck shoe or fashion shoe that looks like a deck shoe.

A proper deck shoe runs the lace round the heel so that the shoe is snug. Leather is warmer when wet than Green Flash.

 

[William_H]

I always sail bare footed. But then I would not go if it was cold or raining. ol'will

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I always sail bare footed. But then I would not go if it was cold or raining. ol'will

Good thing you live in Australia, or you’d never get out at all

 

[Neeves]

As above, better to change your yacht to one that does not heel - like a Tri or Catamaran and then you can sail barefoot even in the rain. Maybe we are tougher but we would sail barefoot even in the depths of winter (allowing us to keep the deck shoes as a fashion statement ! ).

Jonathan

 

[Chiara’s slave]

As above, better to change your yacht to one that does not heel - like a Tri or Catamaran and then you can sail barefoot even in the rain.

Jonathan

Only if you like cold feet. You get wet from both directions on a multi, from time to time. Besides, even though it’sca softer environment than a mono, I wouldn’t have any barefoot sailors on my boat on H&S grounds. And blood is so difficult to remove from the upholstry.

 

[Neeves]

Only if you like cold feet. You get wet from both directions on a multi, from time to time. Besides, even though it’sca softer environment than a mono, I wouldn’t have any barefoot sailors on my boat on H&S grounds. And blood is so difficult to remove from the upholstry.

Ah!

We planned in advance - red leather upholstery. It can help when you come to sell (with apologies to Noelex)


Jonathan

 

[xyachtdave]

Classic Timberland boots, non marking soles and ankle support.

With the added bonus people avoid you in marinas.

 

[Refueler]

The last pair or real Deck Shoes I bought were literally as a fashion item ... they were no better than a pair of reasonable trainers / tennis shoes.

The problem with trainers today though - most have multi-coloured synthetic soles and side joins .... which leave scuff marks. Finding ones with just white is getting harder.

A purchase a while back - were excellent (some chinese cheap pair) but once saltwater had got to them ... within a month or so - the uppers started to crack and the soles hardened up. My present 'boaty' shoes are Nike general purpose soft sole / upper shoes ... ~50 euros a pair .... No they are not counterfeit.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Ours is blue and grey, and fabric. And would it not soak into teak decks too? We have teak cockpit seats, they show the odd red wine stain especially if they’re coming up for a re oil. Shoes have multiple functions, grip being just one of them.

 

[aslabend]

Deck shoes for me. They don't go smelly after getting soaking wet in the dinghy. Also found trainers slip more on wet decks.

 

[capnsensible]

Decathlon do a good range of both. I hardly ever use any other footwear than triboard boat trainers. I'm out on boats once or twice a week.

Sorry all you bare foot people, but I reckon it's completely daft. Too many things to bash toes on....have had broken toe twice over the years. I never let my students go barefoot it's just not worth the pain.

 

[Refueler]

Decathlon do a good range of both. I hardly ever use any other footwear than triboard boat trainers. I'm out on boats once or twice a week.

Sorry all you bare foot people, but I reckon it's completely daft. Too many things to bash toes on....have had broken toe twice over the years. I never let my students go barefoot it's just not worth the pain.

I have two no-no's on my boats :

Wellies of any description ... OK to goi ashore - mud wading etc,. - but not on-board footwear.

Bare foot - too many bits and bobs on deck to hurt ... to me a deck is like a house floor with Lego on it !!

 

[Bobc]

I also like the Decathlon deck shoes. There is a massive Decathlon in Nantes.

 

[fredrussell]

I’ve always worn black soled trainers on my boat and never a mark left. Is it a myth?

 

[greeny]

Crocs.