What do you look for in a boat shoe/sandal

[Dougcole]

This company is very familiar with the Pacific Northwest, it is the warmer 2/3 of the US seacoast that they don't know as well.

[HeyJude]

We're in the S so wear sandals year round. I prefer Tevas with velcro straps & no toe thingys. I like the way they protect my toes & heals from abrasion, can be wet 100% of the time & not seem to care. I do not like the black soles transfering their color to the bottom of my feet. Maybe I sweat mineral spirits.

[Besslb]

We are in NC and can boat just about year round.* My perfect shoes would*have the characteristics of*a good pair of running shoes, Saucony's for example, but slip-on with no laces, and non marking.* I'd like the same comfort out of a pair of Sperry like topsiders and Tevas.* Both fast drying and draining.* For winter I would like some nice looking Ugs (fun fuzzy boots) that had real grip.*

When I jump onto the dock during docking or onto the boat when departing, I want nonslip and good cushioning.* In a size 5 for women.* Women's feet do not always begin at 6 or 6.5.

I want to say cheap too, but honestly if there was such a line of shoes, I'd pay almost anything to have all of them on the boat.

(don't tell Tom...that's about a boat buck in shoes)

[Tom.B]

I have a GREAT pair of boat shoes by Margaritaville. They are like a combination of suede Topsiders and bedroom slippers. they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. On a non-working boat, toe protection isn't really needed. I carry a pair of flip-flops for beach walks or for skooting around the hot deck, but comfort during long stands behind the helm (on very hard fiberglass) and non marking, non-skid is a must. I also prefer slip-on and lighter colors to stay cool. I think I paid $60 at Rack Room Shoes for them.


-- Edited by GonzoF1 on Wednesday 8th of February 2012 08:51:56 PM

[HopCar]

I sell boat shoes in my stores. Unfortunately I can't wear any of them. I have very wide feet and the brands we sell, Sperry and Rugged Shark, don't make extra wide. By default I wear Crocs. Crocs get dangerous when the sole gets worn. They get extremely slippery. I also wear a pair of old Tevas like HeyJude refers to. If I were making boat shoes I would not use black soles even if they don't mark. It's less of an issue now than a few years ago as people are learning that you can make non-marking black soles but it still comes up. If you want to go darker, use grey and put a big tag on them saying "Non-Marking".

If you want me to buy your shoes, make them wide and comfortable! (13 EEEE) I want a nice leather shoe like the Sperry Billfish http://www.hopkins-carter.com/spbidatan07.html , a nice sneaker like the Rugged Shark Marlin http://www.hopkins-carter.com/rushma2.html , and a sandal like HeyJude describes but with a good boat sole.

[HeyJude]

(13 EEEE)...damn!* bet you've been mistaken for*Sasquatch.*

*

**

[Steve]

Shimano, the fishing tackle people, make a nice shoe similar to Crocs but with an good non skid non marking sole.
I like Teva sandals in the summer, but find they need frequent washing to keep them from smelling terrible! The newer ones supposedly donot have that problem but it still happens.
Steve W

[Tidahapah]

Normally don't wear anything on my feet but allways own 2 pairs Sperry 2 strap Santa Crz sandals.
One pair for working around the boat yard and the other for going out.
Have been using the same sandal for the past 12 odd years , don't know how many pairs I have had but love them.
Good pair become old pair and good pair renewed and so on.

[Portuguese]

Sorry:

I don't want to*sound rude or partial. In the Tropics, Crocs, Crocs, Crocs, and then bare feet!

Portuguese

[dwhatty]

Portuguese wrote:
Sorry:

I don't want to*sound rude or partial. In the Tropics, Crocs, Crocs, Crocs, and then bare feet!

Portuguese

*Crocs, crocs, crocs, bare feet[img]../../download.spark?ID=1078432&aBID=115492[/img] and then no feet.

*

[Dougcole]

Thanks for all your input guys....I'm not voicing any opinions (even though I have them!) just gathering info and trying not to influence people. At some point, in some other thread I might chime in on what 20 years of selling outdoor footwear has taught me, but not here.

Great info from everyone, and I really appreciate it.

Doug

[Chrisjs]

Perhaps not quite in the spirit of this discussion, but has anybody noticed how Sperry Topsiders (mocs) have changed over the years. It used to be the bottoms were white, very grippy, and lasted well.
Now they are grey and get quite slippery over a few months of use. The soles seem to be made of a harder material that develops a shiny slippy surface. I have actually taken a couple of falls related to this phenomenon. Perhaps this is just the chinafication of boat shoes??
Chris

[JD]

Chrisjs wrote:
Perhaps not quite in the spirit of this discussion, but has anybody noticed how Sperry Topsiders (mocs) have changed over the years. It used to be the bottoms were white, very grippy, and lasted well.
Now they are grey and get quite slippery over a few months of use. The soles seem to be made of a harder material that develops a shiny slippy surface. I have actually taken a couple of falls related to this phenomenon. Perhaps this is just the chinafication of boat shoes??
Chris

*Mine have worn out quickly.* They get smooth and slippery like Croc.* I wore Croc's exclusively for over two years but all of a sudden I started to have an Achilles heel problem.* Stopped the Croc's and went back to Sperry's and the problem cleared up after a couple of months.* Found a pair of Croc's in the closet just a few months ago.* Decided to try them again.* After about a week the tendon started to act up again.* So they are now gone.

[Dougcole]

JD wrote:Chrisjs wrote:
Perhaps not quite in the spirit of this discussion, but has anybody noticed how Sperry Topsiders (mocs) have changed over the years. It used to be the bottoms were white, very grippy, and lasted well.
Now they are grey and get quite slippery over a few months of use. The soles seem to be made of a harder material that develops a shiny slippy surface. I have actually taken a couple of falls related to this phenomenon. Perhaps this is just the chinafication of boat shoes??
Chris

*Mine have worn out quickly.* They get smooth and slippery like Croc.* I wore Croc's exclusively for over two years but all of a sudden I started to have an Achilles heel problem.* Stopped the Croc's and went back to Sperry's and the problem cleared up after a couple of months.* Found a pair of Croc's in the closet just a few months ago.* Decided to try them again.* After about a week the tendon started to act up again.* So they are now gone.

*Usually an achillies problem is related to an activity that puts a lot of strain on the muscles in the back of the leg, especially the calf.* Crocs are super cushioned but offer little to no support.* Their design also forces you to grab them with your toes to keep them on.* This causes your calf to tighten.* That could be what is happening with your achillies.

Support isn't always a good thing though, many studies are showing that it actually weakens the foot and legs over time.* Kind of like walking on a crutch.

[JD]

Dougcole wrote:
*Usually an achillies problem is related to an activity that puts a lot of strain on the muscles in the back of the leg, especially the calf.* Crocs are super cushioned but offer little to no support.* Their design also forces you to grab them with your toes to keep them on.* This causes your calf to tighten.* That could be what is happening with your achillies.

Support isn't always a good thing though, many studies are showing that it actually weakens the foot and legs over time.* Kind of like walking on a crutch.

*Thanks Doug

[psneeld]

Chrisjs wrote:
Perhaps not quite in the spirit of this discussion, but has anybody noticed how Sperry Topsiders (mocs) have changed over the years. It used to be the bottoms were white, very grippy, and lasted well.
Now they are grey and get quite slippery over a few months of use. The soles seem to be made of a harder material that develops a shiny slippy surface. I have actually taken a couple of falls related to this phenomenon. Perhaps this is just the chinafication of boat shoes??

*Chris - They would do the same back in the 80's when stopped wearing them.* Some people say take a grinder to them to get to softer sole material..I say for the price...cheap sneakers are a better deal. The slit soles have NEVER been a good idea for traction...any tires out there with the same design?

[Dougcole]

Those slits in the soles are called siping. The "invisible" ones (that appear when you flex the outsole) are called razor cut siping. They are more effective in my opinion than the open sipes. They were invented by the man who started sperry. The story is that he noticed his dog slipped less on the deck than he did, so he felt the pads of his dogs paws. They are rough in one direction, smooth in the other. I don't know if this is true or not, my lab slips around on the deck a lot, but it is an interesting story.

Some tire companies actually will sipe your tires for a little extra $. I've never tried it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it works. I would think it would reduce the lifespan of the tire, though. Tires are under a lot more stress than a shoe sole.

[JD]

Dougcole wrote:The story is that he noticed his dog slipped less on the deck than he did, so he felt the pads of his dogs paws. They are rough in one direction, smooth in the other. I don't know if this is true or not, my lab slips around on the deck a lot, but it is an interesting story.

Some tire companies actually will sipe your tires for a little extra $. I've never tried it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it works. I would think it would reduce the lifespan of the tire, though. Tires are under a lot more stress than a shoe sole.

Some tire companies*call them Siping*and they are already in the tire new from the factory.* I think Cooper Tire does.

As far as the dogs paws go that is true.* The pad is smooth in one direction and rough in the other.* On dogs with long hair, when the hair gets long between the pads it then gets between the pad and the surface.* So trimming your dogs hair will improve his traction.* This happens to dogs that are inside a lot because the hair doesn't get a chance to wear off.* Another problem is long toe nails which is also related more*to inside dogs.*When the dog walks across the hardwood floors or kitchen floor you should not hear their nails ticking on the floor.*When the nails are to long*and the dog uses his natural instant to grip with*the nails, if to long*they*are more in touch with the surface than the pads.* This will cause the dog to slide around on a surface as well.*You might check both hair and nails*on you Lab.

[twiisted71]

I have been buying these for about 4 years now. *I hate shoes that I have to "break-in". *these are amazing, I wear them probably 360 days a year! *But the soles will mark the deck. *My two cents says if you want to design a nice sandal go buy a pair of these, model your insole off of them and design a sole that won't mark the deck. And they have great traction. These look great new and even better when you geat some wear on them. *I like the cloth covering on the insole as opposed to plain rubber/foam. *I will get them wet but if I'm going ashore with the dogs or to explore a beach I try to put on my water shoes. *But these slip on easily, stay on very well due to the shape, and did I mention comfort? *I wear them nearly everyday at some point. *I usually buy them 2 pair at a time because I usually break the thong part that goes between the toes and I hate having to wear tennis shoes or the like until I can buy another pair.

*

http://www.teva.com/productdetails.a...=Agate%20Thong


-- Edited by twiisted71 on Thursday 9th of February 2012 04:37:44 PM

[Marin]

Chrisjs wrote:
Perhaps not quite in the spirit of this discussion, but has anybody noticed how Sperry Topsiders (mocs) have changed over the years.

Yes.* My last pair became downright dangerous as their soles got very hard and were like walking on grease.* This was what motivated me to try the REI insoles in the Seabaggo shoes I had bought years earlier.* I will not be buying any Sperry shoes again.

-- Edited by Marin on Thursday 9th of February 2012 04:39:17 PM