Deck Shoes. Which go hard in 1-2 seasons and which don't

[rslifkin]

On the boat (mine or others), I'm either barefoot or in sneakers. Good sneakers are plenty comfortable and grippy. And because they get worn off the boat too, they're used up before the rubber ever gets a chance to get hard and lose grip. The only time I've sneakers go hard and slippery is on an old pair long after it's been cascaded down to lawn mowing duty.

[chp]

Best deck shoes I've ever had are water shoes. Made for walking in water over slippery rocks and crap in the water. These grip the deck like you're glued to it. Like others my Sperry, even though they last a long time, the sole is slick as hell on my deck. The water socks will wear quickly when using them for just walking around, but they're cheap. They will not mark any decks. I only wear them when on the boat.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Jebtrois

...
Best shoe I have ever owned is the Bedrock Cairn Pro sandal. If it suits your taste and shoe needs you won't ever go back. I have worn a pair for the last 4 years. There is no tread left at all and I find this makes them even better. The sole grip is freaky sometimes. On land, especially if there is snow they get dicey, but for everything else I love them. No upper protection if you want or need that. Bottom line is that they last a long time, re-solable, very tacky grip, very comfortable with NO pinch points.
JEB

I've worn the very similar Chaoco with similar experience. But the problem with open toe sandals is that ropes can get between the sole and the toes and trip you. I won't wear them for active sailing on breezy days.

[GreenWave]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I've worn the very similar Chaoco with similar experience. But the problem with open toe sandals is that ropes can get between the sole and the toes and trip you. I won't wear them for active sailing on breezy days.

Agreed on the open toe, and no sandal should be near SNOW as was alluded to up-post.

[Hartleyg]

Like others, I was highly disappointed when my expensive Sperry deck shoes went slick in 2 years - and sanding 'em only added a couple of months. I've used various running & walking shoes, but they didn't make great deck shoes.
The last 3 years I've been wearing cheap Chinese "water shoes" like these:

https://amazon.com/DLGJPA-Drying-Spo...dp/B07TDY1PJ5/

. $25-30 depending on size and color. I got two years out of the first pair, but they were disintegrating at the end - the pair I wore all last year (May-October) look a little rough, but they'll do as spares for the new pair I'm getting for Christmas
But those are NOT good land/walking shoes as they have little to no support - and pebbles will come up through the open spots in the sole. I wear New Balance 4E "Fresh Foam" runners (with an orthotic insert) for shore - adequate but not great on a wet deck.

Hartley
S/V Atsa

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Hartleyg

Like others, I was highly disappointed when my expensive Sperry deck shoes went slick in 2 years - and sanding 'em only added a couple of months. I've used various running & walking shoes, but they didn't make great deck shoes.
The last 3 years I've been wearing cheap Chinese "water shoes" like these:

https://amazon.com/DLGJPA-Drying-Spo...dp/B07TDY1PJ5/

. $25-30 depending on size and color. I got two years out of the first pair, but they were disintegrating at the end - the pair I wore all last year (May-October) look a little rough, but they'll do as spares for the new pair I'm getting for Christmas
But those are NOT good land/walking shoes as they have little to no support - and pebbles will come up through the open spots in the sole. I wear New Balance 4E "Fresh Foam" runners (with an orthotic insert) for shore - adequate but not great on a wet deck.

Hartley
S/V Atsa

Good to see a fellow advocate of Chinese shoes my last Chinese’s decks were the best I’ve owned

[Phyrcooler]

Currently wearing a pair of Sperry Harbormasters. They are about 18mo old and still grippy. Bought on sale at WM, they were cost reasonable. They replaced a pair of traditional Sperry Top-Siders which were horribly stiff and not grippy. I tried to wear them a few times and get them to break in… but they were so unsupportive and uncomfortable that I sent them away.

Probably the best I’ve had as far as grippy soles were some Speedo “water shoes” that basically looked similar to a sports shoe. They had a white, soft rubber sole that were amazingly grippy - even on a soapy deck. I only wore while aboard while washing, or offshore if spray was flying. I purchased a couple times, each lasting about 2.5 - 3 years - finally getting smelly from being damp with saltwater. The soles never stopped gripping.

In my younger years, I found skateboard shoes (similar to Vans) as an economical, wear everywhere shoe. If you got the ones with a fine siped or grooved bottom, they worked well on a wet deck.

[Discovery 15797]

I've had a pair of Musto Dynamic Pro shoes with soles that got hard within 1 year, and a pair of Sperry 7 Seas 3-eye sneaker that became so slippery within a year of wear it was like walking on sheet of oiled glass.

I love my Musto boots that are 10+ years old and my Sperry Sea Kite shoes lasted a few years.

[thinwater]

How about...?

• Gill
• Zhik

[Jebtrois]

I was committed to Chaco for years and thought I would never switch...then I found the Bedrock which for me is better than even the toe loop Chaco. Bedrocks are lighter and more flexible and don't squeeze the outside of my foot. Of course they are very minimalist shoes with absolutely no cushioning which I prefer, but may not suit your taste. No heal cup either.
JEB

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by wingssail

but with my old shoes I am fine. Judy hates them because they are so ratty,

I got a laugh out of that and the pic you posted.
Even though I like the Gokey shoes, when I was working at a boat factory wearing a pair of Topsiders that looked like yours was a badge of honor.
But this was back when they were US made and just about the only thing on the market.
Nobody "worth their salt" wanted to be seen in a new pair, that would paint you as a newb.

[ggray]

As mentioned in one earlier post, I think cold dry weather makes the rubber get hard before its time. (Future PS test??)

When the weather gets cold, I don't leave the shoes on board.

[jparriott]

Sperry Sea Kite for me. Grippy, athletic soles and soft comfortable uppers. Wear them barefoot. The inner soles have a good arch, are odor eaters, and can be pulled out to wash. Two years, however, is tops -- but I sail in California year round, so YMMV.

[dfelsent]

In cold or wet weather I wear my hiking boots. Vasque Talus ultra dry.

https://www.vasque.com/mens-hiking-f...html?cgid=mens
About 6 years old now, still grippy.
Not very yachty though [emoji4]

[aprilhelen]

Anyone try Vibram Five-Fingers?

https://us.vibram.com/shop/shop-all-...s/watersports/

I’ve had amphibious luck!