One of the most important part of your outfit when out at sea is your footwear. Slippery surfaces and wet conditions mean that you need shoes with adequate traction that will keep you in place, as well as help keep your feet dry.
To that end, many companies make shoes that are meant to be worn on a boat and out at sea. These are called boat shoes, water shoes, or fishing shoes, but the defining theme to all of them is the fact that they are made specifically to wear in wet environments. Today I’ll be talking about how to find the best fishing shoes and show you some of the best models out there.
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the Columbia Men’s Drainmaker II
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the Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoes
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The Top-Sider Men’s Voyager
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the Rugged Shark Men’s Tidal Wave Boat Shoe
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the Men’s A/O Boat Shoe
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the Sebago Men’s Docksides Boat Shoe
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the Teva Men’s Churn
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the Aleader Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
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the Castaway Boat Shoe
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the Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Bowman Boat Shoe
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How to Choose the Best Fishing Shoes
Material
Since fishing shoes are meant to get wet, there are only a few materials that will work in such an environment. All fishing shoes have thick rubber soles to keep you steady, but the three top materials these shoes are made of are:
- Leather: Treated to stay dry and will help keep your feet dry
- Canvas: Designed to provide comfort and protection from the elements
- Synthetic Mesh: This material is best for allowing water to escape and keep your feet dry
Price
Since fishing shoes are specialty items, the cost for this type of footwear can be more expensive than going to a regular shoe store. Some models can cost a couple hundred, but others may be less than fifty.
When looking at the best fishing shoes, keep in mind how often you will use them and how long they should last. Additionally, accidents happen out on the water and you may lose a shoe or two, so be prepared to replace your set every so often.
Versatility
Although fishing shoes are perfect while boating or fishing, they are not necessarily good for walking around. Some models have arch support and extra padding to allow you to walk, run or hike in them, but most are not built to withstand extended use on hard surfaces.
If you want a shoe that is more versatile, choose a model that has extra padding and support. Otherwise, you can get away with a flatter, more simplistic style of fishing shoe.
Style
For some people, it’s not the clothes that make the man; it’s the shoes. Boating shoes especially are made to look good, but water or fishing shoes are usually built to be more rugged than flashy. Depending on your personal preference, you may want a more stylish, classic looking boat shoe, or a plain, durable fishing shoe.
Also, when choosing a style, keep in mind that there are two types of shoes: lace-tied and slip-on. Lace shoes are snugger and will not fall off by accident, but require you to tie them. Slip on are more convenient, but they may slip off if you’re not careful. Choose a style and look that fits your needs.
Recommended Fishing Shoes
Editor Rating:
First on our list is the Columbia Men’s Drainmaker II. Columbia is consistently one of the top brands for outdoor clothing and gear, and the Drainmaker is no exception. It’s a bit on the higher end of the price scale, but it is a durable, high-quality shoe.
The Drainmaker is made of synthetic mesh that will expel water superbly even if submerged. This black and red shoe is lace-tied and comes with a solid rubber sole. The midsole is also drainable, allowing for less water to be retained.
The Drainmakeris sturdy enough to be a decent walking shoe, however I would not recommend it for hiking or anything too strenuous.
Highlighted Features
- Synthetic and mesh
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Drainable Midsole
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Next on our list is another winner from Columbia, the Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoes. If you want to look stylish with a rugged and dependable boat shoe, the Bahama PFG is the way to go.
The PFG is a slip on shoe that is made of canvas and rubber. It has a stylish white and gray design that is not only functional but fashionable as well. You can also get this particular model in a variety of colors to match your outfit.
The Techlite rubber sole will keep you in place even in the wettest conditions. The PFG also has a cushioned midsole which provides extra comfort while walking and working. This model is good for light walking in and around the water.
Highlighted Features
- Rubber sole
- Ideal for activities around the water
- High-traction rubber outsole is razor siped
- Combination of canvas and leather
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If you want high-class boating gear, one brand that you should always look for is Sperry. When it comes to clothes and accessories, Sperry knows how to keep you both looking sharp and staying dry. The Top-Sider Men’s Voyager is a perfect showcase for Sperry’s commitment to excellence.
The Voyager is a synthetic mesh shoe with a rubber sole that will keep you grounded in all conditions. This shoe is lace-tied and comes in a modest blue and gray color scheme. The Voyager is also completely waterproof, to help keep your feet dry while on the water.
Like many Sperry products, the Voyager is made in the USA, although some models may be imported. This shoe is ideal for boating but not so much for heavy walking.
Highlighted Features
- Synthetic
- Imported
- Synthetic sole
- Made in USA or Imported
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Moving along, we have the Rugged Shark Men’s Tidal Wave Boat Shoe. If you want a boat shoe that works well on the water and off, the Tidal Wave is one of your best options. Rugged Shark has a whole line of top-quality gear, and the Tidal Wave is the perfect example.
This shoe is a composite model, made with leather, synthetic mesh, and rubber. The leather provides durability and rugged dependability, the mesh helps drain water that gets in, and the rubber will maintain traction in the slipperiest conditions.
Rugged Shark has developed a proprietary traction system called Hexagrip which provides superior support and handling while walking.
The Tidal Wave also has arch support and extra padding making this a perfect shoe on the water and off. However, I would not recommend it for hiking or strenuous activity.
Highlighted Features
- Synthetic
- Full grain leather upper
- EVA insole
- Compression molded EVA midsole
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Another model from Sperry’s Top-Sider line, the Men’s A/O Boat Shoe is both classic and stylish. Looking more like a men’s loafer than a boat shoe, the A/O is perfect for lounging around on the deck or walking around the marina.
The A/O is a leather slip-on shoe with a rubber sole. Although it can slip on easily, the A/O also has laces to provide extra snug fitting should you need it.
This shoe comes in brown, but you can get it in a variety of colors to match your style and outfit. The A/O also has a heel cup that provides shock absorption for extra comfort on the high seas.
Highlighted Features
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Leather boat shoe featuring moccasin-stitched toe
- Shock-absorbing EVA heel cup
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Like the A/O, the Sebago Men’s Docksides Boat Shoe looks more like a loafer than a boating shoe. With the Sebago, you can take on the town or work on the deck and still look good no matter what.
This shoe is a leather-made slip-on shoe. Laces are also provided to give you extra support and keep the shoe on in rough conditions.
The Sebago also comes in brown, but you can get it in a broad range of styles and colors to meet your fashion needs. Also, this model has a soft foam insole to help keep you comfortable while walking around town.
Highlighted Features
- Rubber sole
- Boat shoe featuring moc-toe stitchin
- Molded EVA foam insole
- Non-slip, non-marking rubber outsole
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If you’re looking for a rugged, dependable boat shoe and aren’t worried about looking stylish or chic, then the Teva Men’s Churn Performance Water Shoe is for you. Other boat shoes are made to look good for the fashionable boater, but the Churn Performance is built for those who care more about durability than looks.
This shoe is made of synthetic mesh material to help keep water out and your feet dry. The Churn Performance Water Shoe is perfect for working topside or walking around since it has thick, shock-absorbing heels.
This model is tied with a bungee lacing system, but you can easily fold down the heel to make it a slip-on shoe in seconds. This model also comes with Teva’s proprietary grip, comfort, and stay-dry systems, making this one of the most versatile and dependable water shoes on the market.
Highlighted Features
- Elasticized opening with rear heel pull
- Fold-down heel for clog conversion
- Compression-molded EVA midsole
- Encapsulated shock-absorbing ShocPad technology
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Nearing the end of our list, we have the Aleader Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes. If you want style and function, these Aqua Water Shoes are the perfect blend of fashion and dependability.
The Aqua Water Shoes are made of synthetic mesh. The mesh design is wider than other models, and it is incorporated not only on the top but in the rubber sole as well. The futuristic style of this shoe makes a bold statement while helping keep your feet dry and protected.
Because the rubber sole is also mesh-designed, the Aqua Water Shoe is super lightweight, making it seem like you’re wearing nothing at all.
The Aqua Water Shoes are perfect for on the water or walking around, as they have cushioned insoles to keep your feet comfortable in all conditions. These shoes are also lace-tied.
Highlighted Features
- Fabric
- Rubber sole
- Breathable and durable air mesh
- excellent bounce-back and durability
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When it comes to stylish and affordable clothes, Dockers is one of the best brands around. A perfect example of this is the Castaway Boat Shoe, which, like other models on this list, looks more like a loafer than anything else.
The Castaway is made of rubber and leather, with a moccasin-style toe stitch. This shoe is perfect as a slip-on, but laces are provided to give you extra grip to keep them on in rough conditions.
This shoe comes in either brown or stylish red to meet your fashion needs.
Highlighted Features
- Leather
- Rubber sole
- Heel measures approximately 0.75″
- Mocc-toe loafer featuring two-eyelet lacing and slotted collar
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Finally, we come to the Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Bowman Boat Shoe. Like the Docker’s Castaway or the Sperry A/O, this shoe is a loafer style model that is both at home on the town or working on the deck.
The Bowman is made of leather, with a sleek rubber sole and rawhide laces. Even though it is lace-tied, you can easily adapt the Bowman to be a slip-on shoe as needed.
This shoe comes in your choice of five colors, including brown, gray, and navy.
Highlighted Features
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Heel measures approximately 0.5″
- Rawhide laces
Final Verdict
Whenever I’m boating, I like to have just as much style as I do comfort. If I am hiking or backpacking, I prefer a more rugged shoe, but if I’m strictly going to be on the water, I prefer something with class to go with my boating outfit. That being said, I love the Columbia Bahama or the Rugged Shark Tidal Wave.
I’ve never been a big fan of loafers, but if you like that look, any of the loafer-inspired boating shoes will be more than sufficient for your needs.
If you want something more rugged, then I highly recommend the Teva Churn Performance Water Shoe, as it is perfect for rough terrain and the water, making it one of the toughest and most versatile shoes around.
