When you pack for a weekend on the water, do you think much about the type of shoes you will wear? While you’re likely to grab your favorite flip flops or sandals, it’s much more important to pack some proper boat shoes.

Not only will this allow you to stay safer from slips and falls, but you’ll find they are actually more comfortable too. If you’ve ever owned a pair of boat shoes for their attractiveness when living in a warm climate, you’ll now want to focus your attention on buying them for the importance of boating life. Take a look at the type of boating shoes you’ll want to wear when setting sail.

The importance of boat shoes

If you’ve ever heard of Sperry shoes or Sperry Top-Sider, these come from Paul Sperry back in the 1930s. He invented these shoes after getting tired of sliding around on a wet boat deck. The shoes are still one of the go-to boat shoe brands for boaters today that offer traction for moving around a rocking boat cut into the leather shoe.

Just like how your boat needs to be geared up properly for a day on the water, your apparel needs to be on point as well. Boat shoes are an important part of your day because you’ll do everything from walking on a wet deck to boarding the boat.

Regardless of the trip, you should always have a solid pair of boat shoes to protect you from injury and allow you to move as needed. Along with boat shoes, make sure to have a good hat for sun protection, a pair of high-quality sunglasses, and a rain jacket.

What makes a good boat shoe

Your boat shoes are made to keep you safe on board but they also offer a stylish option that you can wear around the boat and when docking to go on land. Make sure to first consider performance before aesthetic since you can always change shoes when you go on land if you need a different look.

The first consideration for safety is that the boat shoe should be water resistant. Make sure the material says that it is either water-resistant or quick-dry. Avoid shoes that are completely waterproof because you’ll actually find that the water will get trapped inside.

Look for something that offers a built-in way to drain. Neoprene and leather are popular choices for boating shoes, but make sure with leather that you give it additional care to protect it after use.

Another consideration is the tread pattern. You will find that boat shoes offer either anything from a modest tread to a more aggressive tread. Consider if you think that you’ll be in situations in which you need to hold on tight or if you plan to exclusive cruise in a leisurely way. The right tread will be a big consideration.

Next, consider what type of fasteners will work best for your situation. If you just plan to do some deep sea fishing or casual trips, you could go for a slip-on option. If you plan to do anything more, make sure to have fasteners such as laces or Velcro.

Style and color are some of your final considerations. Choose a sole light in color to avoid leaving scuff marks. Most choose something like a classic brown leather or a canvas boat shoe in order to have something that functions well on the boat but also allows you to fit in when leaving the boat for an outing. Something casual, functional, and stylish should be the goal.

Top brands on the market include Sperry Top-Sider, Speedo, and Vibram for men’s boat shoes. Check out Sperry’s Authentic Original Leather Boat Shoe and Astral Brewer 2.0 Water Shoes for some great options.

With the right stylish boat shoe, you’ll find that they are comfortable enough to want to wear traveling, doing business, or on a date. Make sure to consider the right safety options when purchasing your boat shoes and look for an option that you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of in many areas of life.