Footwear for yacht sailing a week in Greece in July?

Posted by bertieruffles@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 45 comments

Hopefully self explanatory titles.

I’ve not sailed on yachts for years and doing a week live aboard where I’ll be crewing. What would be everyone’s recommendations for cheap, sensible footwear? Need something comfy, quick drying/waterproof, non marking soles and easy to get on or off.

Or is it likely I’ll be barefoot most of the time? I just remember stubbing toes and sunburnt feet from years ago.

Thanks

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globalgelato@reddit

I bought some water shoes from Amazon and they work great. No sense in spending $$$$ on something you may only use once!

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bertieruffles@reddit (OP)

Any idea which ones you bought?

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Der_Weihnachtsmann@reddit

I usually use white clogs (think Crocs but not branded). Multiple advantages: - Cheap - Dry really fast - Quick on and off - Protection from stumting toes - Good Grip

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okbrln@reddit

Sounds stupid and they are kind of bulky, but Crocs are great for sailing. Don't go barefoot. Deck fittings can cause very ugly feet injuries.

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kosieroj@reddit

I'm happy with Vessi, a Canadian company. Waterproof, stretchable, slip on easy enough, flat soled. Last forever.

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Shorelines1@reddit

Wow. Never heard of this brand before. Will check them out. Thanks

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jonnohb@reddit

Gonna check these out thanks!

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snipe94@reddit

Sperry has a whole section on their website titled “boat shoes,” but that’s sort of become a style. I prefer their sneakers (which are also boat shoes) because they stay on my feet real well when racing & I’m hopping all over the boat. Their CVO style may fit the bill for you. Compare prices on the West Marine website because sometimes they have better deals than the Sperry site.

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Shorelines1@reddit

Has anyone else found that Sperrys in the last 5 to 10 years has put out a sole that slips on a dry deck? I used to absolutely love them, always had a couple of pair, would wear them with suits or shorts or whatever. But I can’t be walking around a deck with dull hockey skates. I did a request in this channel about a month ago for what people are using for boat shoes. Many felt the same about Sperry. Hope they’re listening

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Ed_from_Good_Burger@reddit

I like some of the PFG line from Columbia.

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captcraigaroo@reddit

I just bought these, I love them. https://olukai.com/products/moku-pae-mens-shoes-trench-blue-off-white?srsltid=AfmBOoqqJrIztz6pih1RxHfShNGRYBJDVRoJQTwTAFhby1HqhLxdumxa

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JanGirl808@reddit

Um, sailing in Greece? Barefoot 🦶

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bertieruffles@reddit (OP)

Not officially for sailing, but What would everyone’s thoughts be on something like this:

These casual men’s shoes have an ultra-lightweight construction, featuring a breathable mesh upper and elasticated side panels to provide all-day comfort. Easy to slip on, they’re perfect for running errands or relaxing at home. · Sleek slip-on design · Mesh nylon upper – flexible and breathable · Elasticated panels · Pull tab · Peter Storm logo · Recommended use: Leisure / casual

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Disastrous-Angle-591@reddit

barefoot

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CrazyJoe29@reddit

A lot of running shoes will work. Many (if not all, at this stage) are non-marking.

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StuwyVX220@reddit

Barefoot and crocks if any of the decks are teak

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omahlama@reddit

I did an Atlantic crossing this winter, we had one professional sailor with us. While the amateurs like myself wore ”proper” sailing shoes, he swore by Crocs, saying he combines them with waterproof socks (eg sealskin) if the weather gets bad. Cheap solution and good enough for the guy with way more experience than anyone else onboard.

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oudcedar@reddit

Barefoot every time for experienced cruisers but a lot of charter people prefer shoes because it takes more than a week to find the places round the boat that might be hit by your toes.

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TheFunkyMentat@reddit

OluKais are nice, but these are the best I’ve used:

Adidas Terrex Boat Slip-Ons

https://www.adidas.com/us/terrex-boat-slip-on-climacool-shoes/JI3502.html

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pabugs@reddit

even with black soles?

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TheFunkyMentat@reddit

They grip awesome, even on the varnished cabin sole. They don’t mark the non-skid either.

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kentschele@reddit

Crocs of course!

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Ok-Science-6146@reddit

Think skateboard shoes or Chuck Taylor style shoe.

Flat bottom, mostly flat tread (but must have tread), cloth shoe.

I like wearing "aqua sox" style shoes on the boat too, but I don't worry about stubbing my toe anymore as I'm so used to scrambling around on my own boat.

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pabugs@reddit

Aqua sox can get stinky/over slippery quick if there is not enough drying time in between uses.

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ros_marinus_@reddit

Currently in Greece, working on a sailboat! It is HOT here and the sun is intense, you’ll want deck shoes for sure. Teak gets very hot, faux teak even more so. I used to be a barefoot gal but I’ve crushed my toes too many times and as an elder millennial, my feet hurt now 😅

I love my olukai sneakers. Removable soles for faster drying and I throw them in the washing machine when they get super grody. Crocs are ok, if you get sweaty feet they can actually chafe pretty badly but they are certainly convenient. I like their sandals and sneakers better than the traditional clogs. Allbird tree runners are my daily driver for work, very cushy, pretty quick dry, and also washable. They’re a popular yachtie uniform shoe, I’ve tried them out for two months now and I’m quite happy.

For rocky beaches and climbing around tying the boat to shore, I like neoprene water shoes. They slip around less and let you articulate your toes for grip. Essentially a sock with a bit of a sole. I’m not giving a brand because you can buy a pair here at a million tourist shops, I just got a new pair for 10€ and I’ve seen cheaper.

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ShortOneSausage@reddit

Xtratuf.

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caeru1ean@reddit

Barefoot

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GigglesGuffaw@reddit

Surprisingly, the white soled Skechers S Sport slipons I grabbed in desperation while on vacation have become a fave on deck. I add an arch support. They're comfy, dry pretty quickly, provide good traction, and can be washed easily when they get too briny.

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Early_Material_9317@reddit

If you dont want to get sailing shoes (hardly a necessity) its respectful to avoid anything with a dark sole as black rubber can leave scuff marks on the gel coat which are a pain to wash off. But I personally rarely wear shoes on my boat (especially in july!)

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toejamster9@reddit

24 comments and this is the only one that mentions non-scuff. Thank you.

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Aargau@reddit

Just a word of warning on buying cheaper brand topsiders. I had a pair that bled dye all over the boat and my socks after getting wet, and marked up the boat.

I do prefer barefoot or even sneakers a lot of the time.

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boatstrings@reddit

I recommend sailing shoes

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Ok-Wallaby-7369@reddit

Barefoot

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lucidwray@reddit

I just spent a week sailing the BVi and wore the new Hey Dude H20 deck shoes and they were fantastic on deck. Not quite as hardcore as sperrys or chucks since they don’t have laces but quite comfortable.

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Electrical_Cut8610@reddit

Not cheap, but Vessi makes waterproof shoes. They have low profile ones with nice treads that I love to wear sailing. I also wear them in the rain, which was the original use case I bought them for.

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3-2-1_liftoff@reddit

I like shoes with soles that have many small incisions; they grip the deck very well. Look at Sperry’s Striper 2 CVO sneakers, which also lace up so you won’t squish out of them backwards or sideways if you’re doing something that requires muscle (issues with Crocs & llbean-type “boat shoes”), are sturdy so you can walk on rocky shores with them, and they’re canvas so you can chuck them in a dryer or hang them on a lifeline to dry. I used them sailing for a week in the Adriatic Sea (Croatia) and they worked perfectly.

Have fun!

Like many here, I ran around barefoot until I smashed a toe on a boat’s binnacle (age 22), and since then I’ve worn footgear aboard.

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MasterShoNuffTLD@reddit

Reef boat shoes. Can wear them on the boat on the water or also on shore. Just leaving Greece now with mine:)

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frankenpoopies@reddit

Crocs get a good rep. Sperry’s are the traditional.

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Final_Alps@reddit

Sailing shoes are called sailing shoes for a reason.

Barefoot is very common but watch out for sitting your toe. I shattered my pinky toe in Hawaii 10 years ago going barefoot. There are plenty obstacles in deck waiting to chew your foot.

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FalseRegister@reddit

Also called deck shoes in some places, fwiw

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bel_ray@reddit

Barefoot usually, but if you must wear shoes I'd suggest the Nike ACG Watercat+. Not sure if they count as reasonably priced to you, but they're perforated and super breathable. Also the sole has holes, so no water stays in, if you decide to wear them in the sea. I really liked them for swimming to shore and hopping on rocks to secure ropes.

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overthehillhat@reddit

Unlike casual cruising -- this sounds like it's more structured

They will probably have required attire

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