Footwear for sailing?

[TangaraToo]

I might have found a position as crew/boat buddy on a 32ft yacht. First sail coming up this saturday
My problem is what to wear on my feet. The dinghy boots I normally wear are probably not appropriate being neoprean but as I''m likely to spend time moving around on the deck I would appreciate advice of the best type of footwear, ie lace up, velcro, shoe, short boot etc.
All thoughts appreciated

 

[prv]

To be honest, ordinary trainers will probably work fine.

I can tell you what I wear.

In the summer I quite often go barefoot (squeals of horror from the Health and Safety types ). Or I wear my normal summer sandals (they buckle on, not slip on). In cooler weather, or for boisterous conditions where I'm likely to be tumbling around so want a little more protection for the tootsies, I have a pair of fabric deck shoes vaguely like this:

(but not actually expensive Musto ones).

I also own a pair of sailing wellies, but rarely wear them these days.

Pete

 

[sarabande]

sailing Crocs. Just so comfortable.

 

[SteveSarabande]

Sebago trainers, so comfy and super sticky, or sea boots when it gets cold. I wouldnt trust sandals or crocks on the foredeck

 

[laika]

It's not cold, so getting wet feet is not the end of the world. If you're not racing you might keep your feet dry anyway. Something that won't take forever to dry is good. Closed toe is also good (to avoid stubbing your toes on deck fittings on an unfamiliar boat). Light is good. Grippy (especially when wet) is good. IMHO there's no place for short boots: you're either keeping water out or you're not (but that's just opinion). Wouldn't say the closing arrangement matters. The budget option is plimsoles (without socks) for the boat with a spare set of footware for when you get off the boat . At the higher end you could also buy deck shoes or any of the pricey sailing brands' trainer-style offerings

I have a pair of closed toe sandals like these:
http://www.teva.co.uk/mens-churnium/737872626594,en_GB,pd.html?start=3&cgid=men-sandals-water. Quick drying and not uncomfortable to wear when wet. Not super-grippy, but when the weather is nasty I'm wearing my proper boots.

Some people like crocs for the same reason but for others that's a fashion faux pas too far

I also have a pair of Dubarry deck shoes which are so amazingly comfortable I never wear them off of my own boat. End of line bargain at a boat show but I reckon they'd be stupidly expensive to replace.

 

[capnsensible]

Have always used the cheapest deck shoes I can find, wear them til they get tatty, then replace!

Barefoot? Well having twice broken a toe on a mid ships cleat posing barefoot I will never, ever do that again. It flipping hurts.

 

[Norman_E]

You may be too late unless your feet are very large or small, but the local Regatta outlet store was selling Regatta "Aquarius" shoes, which are a trainer style deck shoe, for £19.99 yesterday. Only a few sizes left and I had the last pair of size 10s.

 

[Lakesailor]

I would have said Crocs. Are sailing Crocs different?
My ordinary Crocs savaged my little toe nail a few weeks ago and pulled it out.
We have a podiatrition lives next door. He said it was fine and would regrow.

A warning to keep your toenails trimmed.

Some people like crocs for the same reason but for others that's a fashion faux pas too far.

Fashion? You'll be suggesting red trousers and a blazer next.....

 

[sarabande]

I hadn't realised that the Lake District was so replete with archosaurs. Dangling your tootsies over the stern of the trials car seems much safer.

View attachment 35000

 

[alant]

I might have found a position as crew/boat buddy on a 32ft yacht. First sail coming up this saturday
My problem is what to wear on my feet. The dinghy boots I normally wear are probably not appropriate being neoprean but as I''m likely to spend time moving around on the deck I would appreciate advice of the best type of footwear, ie lace up, velcro, shoe, short boot etc.
All thoughts appreciated

Nothing wrong with dinghy neoprean boots, cos they are designed to get wet. May have to wear shorts (waterproof versions are good) to complete the ensemble. I personally wear deck shoes in all conditions, with golfing weatherproof/breathable overtrousers (easier to use the heads), even well offshore.
If you want to look the part, see if you can get a pair of scruffy Dubarry boots.

 

[Angele]

... please make sure that, whatever you buy, it has non-marking soles. One way to guarantee not getting an invite back for a second time is to leave scuff marks on deck. Any white sole should be fine. Some darker ones are ok too.

 

[Keen_Ed]

Dinghy boots would be fine.

If you wear normal trainers, make sure they're non marking soles.

If you're going to be sailing over the winter, then yacht boots become ever more necessary. Breathable are far nicer than rubber, annoyingly.

 

[Vallich]

Dinghy boots would be fine.

If you wear normal trainers, make sure they're non marking soles.

If you're going to be sailing over the winter, then yacht boots become ever more necessary. Breathable are far nicer than rubber, annoyingly.

+1

My white soled plimsoles grip well and were cheap in the Topman sale! Whatever you do it's best to change into more suitable footwear as soon as you're piped aboard!

 

[Sandy]

Aldi have some "beach shoes" for sale at the moment, £4.50 black sole but non marking.

 

[Woodlouse]

I either go barefoot or sea boots. There's not much need for middle ground I find, either you want warm dry feet, or you don't.

 

[FullCircle]

I buy discounted shoes from E bay, usually Quayside or Chatham. Between 20 and 25 quid, last me a couple of seasons of hard wear.

Be careful of buying 'old' stock, as the soles become glazed and slippery.

 

[Iain C]

Another vote for Crocs boat shoes. They are brilliant and easily get worn more than my Dubarry deckies or Musto boots now (OK that will change in winter).

Unlike normal crocs they look really good, and you can wear the same shoes all day...on the boat, in a wet dinghy, on the beach, in the surf, in the shower, around town and out to the pub. Highly recommended...in fact I've even sailed an RS600 in one and they were fine!
http://www.crocs.co.uk/crocs-mens-b...en_GB,pd.html?cid=0A6&cgid=men-footwear-shoes

 

[nigelmercier]

I have a pair of fabric deck shoes...

+1

Don't even consider leather. There will be howls of protest at this, I suggest you ignore them.

 

[Keen_Ed]

Yup, for actual sailing I wear the trainer style of sailing shoe. With socks. Unlike trad moccasin sailing shoes, they stay on my feet. They also go through the washing machine (on its sport shoe cycle) after every weekend I've worn them.

Shoes/boots are 100% essential for racing. Less so for cruising. But even then at docking time etc, they're a must.

 

[l'escargot]

I would have said Crocs. Are sailing Crocs different?...

Yes. They now do a range of sailing shoes in both leather and the more traditional plastic...