Opinions needed - What do you wear on your feet?

MrB said:
Are these for Beach Barbie SK lol ;):encouragement:
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After barbies latests encounter i decided to give her an outfit more appropriate for the seasonal conditions. However it would appear the boots that came with the outfit dont fit due to her stupendously wide toes.

In all seriousness I'm quite surprised at the number of people who sail barefoot according to this thread.
I very rarely allow anyone to go barefoot on my boat while while under sail. A bare minimum is a lightweight sandle to protect soles from puncture and toes from snapping.
Personally i wear boots most of the time. But then I'm very often ankle deep in the cockpit.
If anyone has a particular boot shoe sandle or other kind of footware they're particularly impressed with, please send me a pic.
 
Sugar Kane said:
In all seriousness I'm quite surprised at the number of people who sail barefoot according to this thread.
I very rarely allow anyone to go barefoot on my boat while while under sail. A bare minimum is a lightweight sandle to protect soles from puncture and toes from snapping.
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You need to sail on a cat.

We've sailed barefoot now for 16 years (except for winter when we wear the Uggs) - no punctured soles and still got all our toes. Its one of the pleasures of sailing flat.

I crew on an Etchells and wear leather deck shoes, Rivers I think, and would not sail without them - I know what you mean:(

Jonathan
 
If barefoot, you do need to be aware of where the cleats & shroud fittings are, but other than that it's not an issue. I usually use cheap old sandals for going ashore because of sharp shingle, barnacles & shells.
 
I bought 2 pairs of neoprene slip-on surf shoes from Sports Direct (£7 or two pairs for £11!) on a whim, they're great, no sole cushioning to speak of but super-grippy and comfortable, as good wet or dry.

I hate Sports Direct and that Mike Ashley fool but I've bought loads of bargain kit for boat use there :)
 
Sugar Kane said:
In all seriousness I'm quite surprised at the number of people who sail barefoot according to this thread.
I very rarely allow anyone to go barefoot on my boat while while under sail. A bare minimum is a lightweight sandle to protect soles from puncture and toes from snapping.
Click to expand...

Soles from puncture? What on earth is your deck like? :)

I quite often sail barefoot in light to moderate conditions. I do put shoes on when things start getting more boisterous as the risk of a foot accidentally crashing into something painful is greater.

I let my crew make up their own minds.

Pete
 
Croc's for me. Tip:- Do not step backwards or you are sure to snag a rope between your heel and the Croc. Difficult to recover so just fall over gracefully then remove the croc.

Then grip the Croc firmly and beat the rope you tripped over, shouting and yelling swear type sailors curses.

I lost an invite for afternoon coffee recently from a neighbours boat because of that.
 
stray rigging clips, split pins in the wrong place, bits of wire, errant screws, stray other things that not where they shoujld be, hence accidentally standing on something that shouldnt be there. with the best will in the world, this kind of stuff still happens despite efforts contrary.

I ask everyone to please have some kind of lightweight footware on their feet. Its a responsibility to the rest of the crew, in the same way wearing a life jacket and lifeline at dusk and at night is a responsibility to the crew, we do it not because we necessarily want to, but the consequences of our choice causing harm to ourselves, causes harm to the crew as a working functioning team.
Obviously if its hot, sunny and flat calm, who gives a flying duck. but anything more than that, shoes on.

I have surplus chainplates since my boat was rerigged, I have a self tacking jib rail forward plus there's all kinds of awkward surfaces between helm and cockpit. its a perfect place to snap a toe sideways is my boat.
 
Barefoot sailing shows a complete disregard to the rest of the people on a boat. Sooner or later you will hurt yourself. Others will have to deal with it and you will have big pain. I promise this is true. Go naked but wear shoes is my top tip.

A broken toe hurts like a bustard. Please don't risk it!
 
capnsensible said:
Barefoot sailing shows a complete disregard to the rest of the people on a boat. Sooner or later you will hurt yourself. Others will have to deal with it and you will have big pain. I promise this is true. Go naked but wear shoes is my top tip.

A broken toe hurts like a bustard. Please don't risk it!
Click to expand...

Indeed, and as is often advised. I spend most of my life barefoot.
 
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