What Shoes to Wear on a Boat – All You Need to Know!

One of the biggest clues someone doesn’t “have their sea legs” is by the type of shoes they have while on a boat. Ask anybody who’s been boating for a while and they’ll tell you that not all shoes are created equal. If you’re wearing the wrong shoes, or no shoes at all, you’re pretty much just asking for trouble.

So let’s break this down and go over exactly why some shoes are better for boating, while others are better off sitting it out in your closet. Here is all you need to know about what shoes to wear on a boat.


Do You Really Need to Wear Shoes on a Boat?


Ok, so let’s hit this point first since it’s actually really important and can be a huge problem if you aren’t careful.

To the question, “Do you need to wear shoes while boating?” the answer is “Absolutely, yes!”. We’ll go over which shoe is the best in a bit, but before we can even get into that, you need to know that not wearing any shoes can lead to some pretty nasty problems.

Why?

Well, to put it simply, pretty much all boats with fiberglass decks are covered with non-skid material. This material coating provides traction on the ship and helps keep you from falling over or slipping and sliding when you’re walking around, even if there’s water on the deck. It’s a very good and very important part of the boating process that a lot of non-boaters just aren’t aware of.

Now here’s where the problem comes in.

If you’re running around barefoot, your feet are constantly rubbing against this non-skid coating material. And because this material is basically made to prevent slipping, you can end up having a lot of cuts and tears on your feet very fast. At the smaller end of things, you may just need to wash it off and not run on it for a few days. In the more extreme situations, you may literally be putting your foot’s health in danger.

Basically, imagine the boat deck is coated with sandpaper. If you’ve ever dealt with the material before, you know that’s not something you want to run across with your bare feet!


What Shoe Features Should I Look For?

There are a few things you should keep in mind when looking for quality boating shoes. You want shoes that won’t leave marks, have a good grip, has some water resistance, are reasonably thick, and can dry quickly. Below, let’s go over each of these in more depth.

Non – Marking

It’s important that the shoe be non-scuffing or non-marking. Without question, this is the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to whatever shoe you decide to wear.

Like I mentioned earlier, these boats all have a non-skid material that makes sure people aren’t going to slip or fall while sailing through choppy waters.

Scuffing shoes, basically remove this deck coating and creates a whole bunch of problems. You’re not only scuffing the deck, making a bunch of ugly marks (something that is very difficult to remove later on), but you’re also removing some of that non-skid coating and making it easier for someone to accidentally slip or fall.

In boating, there aren’t a whole lot of screw-ups you can do that can potentially get you kicked off by the captain. Shoes that scuff, as crazy as it sounds, are one of those screw-ups.

Do you need to wear shoes on a boat

Grippy

Next up, you want to look for shoes that have a good grip. Even with the non-skid materials covering the deck, that doesn’t mean it can’t get very slippery, especially during very choppy weather.

This is particularly true if you haven’t been on ships that much in the past. Having that extra bit of gripping protection can literally be the difference between staying on deck or falling overboard.

Incidentally, this also shows just how important the non-skid material is to the ship, as decks can be slippery even while using it.

Water-Resistant

While not as essential in terms of safety, investing in a pair of water-resistant and water-wicking shoes is definitely worth considering. Because water is constantly splashing onto most ship decks, taking care to keep your feet from getting wet is really your best bet.

Thick

A thick shoe offers a lot of the same benefits as a water-resistant shoe. Not only do they keep your feet dry, but their thick material can also make sure your feet aren’t super cold either. Plus, most ships have a ton of different pieces of deck hardware that you have to be aware of. If you’re not careful, it’s really easy to bump your foot against something. Having a pair of thickened shoes can protect you from suffering a very real injury.

Quick Drying

Finally, you want seriously invest in shoes that are able to dry quickly. Again, no matter what type of shoe you get, you have to remember that you are literally walking on a boat. By wearing shoes that can dry quickly, you’re able to walk around more comfortably and not deal with the “squishing” effect that wet shoes deal with. You also lower your chances of getting sick later on, which is always a plus.


What Shoes to Choose From?

While it may seem like there are no options available, you’ve actually quite a few shoe options to choose from. Shoes like tennis shoes and moccasins are great all-around while sandals and flip-flop thongs offer a lot more benefits than you’d think.

Tennis Shoes

Like sneakers and athletic wear, Tennis shoes are great options and are very popular for many boating veterans. Not only are they readily available to nearly everyone, but they naturally offer nearly all of the things you need when deciding on boating shoes.

Just make sure to get high-quality shoes that are water resistance, and you’re good to go!

Moccasins

Moccasins are some of the most commonly worn boating shoes out there. They may not have the same amount of protection as quality sneakers, but they are way more comfortable!

If you’re ever curious if a person knows their stuff about boating, take a look at their shoes. If they’re wearing moccasins, you know they know.

Sandals & Flip-flops

Now, you might not think that sandals or flip-flips have what it takes to be good boat shoes, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Like moccasins, sandals don’t have the same level of protection sneakers may have, but that’s it! They are almost as comfortable as moccasins and won’t ever scuff a ship’s deck. They will also dry pretty much immediately since there isn’t any way for the water to collect in the sandal the same way it would with shoes.

Just make sure you’re paying attention to what’s around you and sandals are a perfect boating option.


Final Word


The type of shoes you wear while boating is very important. Wearing shoes that aren’t particularly sturdy or without grips can cause major problems, as will the extra heavy shoes like boots.

Surprisingly, you don’t need to go out and get magical shoes to keep your feet safe. Rather, investing in some quality, everyday sneakers, sandals, or moccasins can be all you need to enjoy sailing the high seas and not falling on your butt in the process.

What shoes do you wear on a boat? I would love to know.

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4 thoughts on “What Shoes to Wear on a Boat – All You Need to Know!”

  1. Good information on the types of shoes to wear on a boat. I wouldn’t have put any thought whatsoever into the type of shoes to wear. I normally wear hiking shoes pretty much everywhere. I do own sandals and tennis shoes but don’t wear them often. If I were going on a boat I now have the information needed to chose the right shoes. Thank you for your informative article. 

    Reply
  2. I loved the article. Personally, it’s something I have never contemplated before because I just don’t get to be on a boat that often yet. But it’s really good stuff to know for whenever we do decide to get on one. Plus, this wins the argument that you shouldn’t be doing it barefoot. It definitely feels like a terrible, terrible idea.

    I 100% agree with the notion of water-resistant shoes. Plus, the other features you mentioned also make so much sense. 

    What would you say are the absolute best option for boating? Meaning, are there any specialized footwear for the occasion? And if so, is it terribly expensive?

    I mean, I get that we can use tennis shoes and flip-flops but what if I was genuinely okay to invest in this? What would I get?

    Cheers. 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi Matiss,

      Thank you for passing by and the comment.

      The best option for boating is non-slip and non-marking shoes that dry fast and are comfortable to wear. That’s all. 

      There are many options available for boating. You just need to know what to look for:) You might want to take a look at this list of the best boat shoes for sailing.”>best boat shoes for sailing. I am sure you’ll find a good pair of shoes for your next boating excursion.

      If you need any help. Please let me know. I’ll be more than happy to assist.

      I wish you a lovely day.

      Reply

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