Deck shoes. What's good, and affordable?

[Divevac]

Forty years of racing and I've tried every deck shoe imaginable. You've just described Keen. Solid synthetic construction (dries quickly-doesn't stink), non-marking sticky sole, full solid protective toe, comfortable for moderate hiking duty while cruising...I have three pairs and that's all I'm taking on our 5-6 year cruising adventure!

[bailsout]

Look on eBay: used fishing sandals, your size.

[ValiantV]

Originally Posted by bailsout

Look on eBay: used fishing sandals, your size.

"used fishing sandals"?

[DsquareD]

I like the soles on my Xtra Tuff boots. So when I saw some Xtra Tuff deck shoes on sale, for ~$15, in my wife's size I got her two pairs. She loves them and wears them around the marina as well as on the boat. They don't pick up stones in the parking lot and have great grip.

[ebsail]

I've found that any inexpensive soft rubber sole shoe of any type works as a boat shoe as long as the rubber stays soft. So time is crucial. After a year or two, buy cheap new ones. The best ones I ever had were made in Vietnam and cost $3. Clear plastic sandles and soft grippy soles.

[GordMay]

I just saw an ad' for "BooJoy" winter shoes.
Has anyone tried them, for colder weather sailing?

BooJoy winter shoes seek to solve everything: Waterproof, non-slip, warmth, durability, light weight, comfort and style.
CA$82.51 ➛ CDN $47.09 / $34.99 USD
➥ https://www.carlameco.com/products/w...ref=unsafe-url

[MicHughV]

I recently got acquainted with "Temu", which is a Chinese "Amazon" online shopping site.

I found an awesome pair of sneakers for only $14.

I have owned probably countless brands of sneaker made by Nike, Adidas, etc, but my current "Temu" pair is outstanding and the price can't be beat.

I am not affiliated with Temu in any way, shape or form.

[Huskybeer]

I love my crocs.

[thinwater]

I find it amusing to watch people brag about the cheap, crappy shoes they wear. I wear orthodics, and proper fit and support are important to me. As my point of contact with the boat, they are important to me.



For winter, I wear my regular deck shoes, but I add waterproof socks by Gill (very warm) or Randy Sun (shoulder seasons). In this way my winter footwear remains agile.


I have tested many deck shoes on friction ramps etc. The always out grip ordinary sneakers and all but better basketball or indoor court shoes. Crocks and bare feet, for example, aren't even close. Obviously, you can wear anything you like on the boat, but that doesn't make them deck shoes. They are just what you wear.


Shoes vary in how soon and how severely they good slick. Replace them. Obviously.Wear hem around town and they will wear out before that happens. (All manufacturers recommend wearing deck shoes on concrete to keep the rubber fresh.)



I'm also not for open toed shoes in spirited weather; rope can catch between the sloes and toes, creating a tripping hazard. OK in fair weather, but that disqualifies them as real deck shoes. I love my Chacos, but not in a breeze.


I sometimes were my regular sneakers. They're pretty good and very comfortable walking. But they don't grip as well and I wouldn't call them deck shoes, just "shoes."

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I have tested many deck shoes on friction ramps etc. The always out grip ordinary sneakers and all but better basketball or indoor court shoes. Crocks and bare feet, for example, aren't even close.

Wondering, have you tried your testing when the ramp is wet? And, how did you evaluate the grip or friction on the ramp?

It seems that a smooth grippy sole dry could trap a film of water and become very slippery.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Wondering, have you tried your testing when the ramp is wet? And, how did you evaluate the grip or friction on the ramp?

It seems that a smooth grippy sole dry could trap a film of water and become very slippery.

(Sperry Harbormaster)


The angle of the ramps are adjustable, and they are tested wet and dry.



Yup, slicks are not the thing in rain! In fact, as a mater of convergent evolution, it seems that indoor basketball shoes (sweat is slippery) and deck shoe treads are now similar.





Gill Race

[LakeSuperior]

So how are you doing the testing?? Are you actually getting a coefficient of friction?

[HC Sailing]

Originally Posted by Divevac

Forty years of racing and I've tried every deck shoe imaginable. You've just described Keen. Solid synthetic construction (dries quickly-doesn't stink), non-marking sticky sole, full solid protective toe, comfortable for moderate hiking duty while cruising...I have three pairs and that's all I'm taking on our 5-6 year cruising adventure!

Which Keen ones are you referring to, the Jasper ones?
Thanks

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

So how are you doing the testing?? Are you actually getting a coefficient of friction?

On a viable slope rig, wet and dry, many surfaces. The coefficient of friction is defined as the tangent of the angle to which the shoe will stick. So yes.


Surfaces tested include:

• Teak
• Gelcoat
• Molded gelcoat non-skid
• Paint
• EVA foam decking
• Various grit tapes and molded tapes
• Cinder block, just for comparison

The results vary with the surface type. For example, rock climbing shoes win on cinderblock but lose on gelcoat, and deck shoes win on all smoother surfaces. Some deck shoes win on smooth gelcoat, and others on non-skid.


The trickiest thing, when it comes to comparisons, is that all shoes are stickiest when new, and how old is the stock you just bought at the store? I've seen Sperrys that were slick as bowling shoes out of the box, because they were old stock in a chandlery. Maybe 5 years, who can say.

[LakeSuperior]

So is the shoe weighted on the ramp? Am probably some what dense here but seriously interested in how you are doing the testing.

Maybe explain with a little more detail so an engineer could understand. Many thanks.