How to recognise good boating footwear
The proper footwear is essential if you want to have the best boating experience and an important part of your personal equipment on board. The type of shoe you choose must be functional but also stylish. In this guide, find out what to look out for in new boat shoes, how the various types of boating footwear differ and which materials make a good shoe for boating.
1. What are boat shoes?
Boat shoes are specially developed for use on deck and designed to withstand the conditions on board. Various types of boat shoe are available, each designed for different uses and purposes, so finding ONE single shoe that is right for all purposes and occasions is, generally, not possible. In fact, some shoe types are more suitable for rough weather, while others are designed for leisure sailing and easy cruising.
The classic sailing shoe, well-known for its design, is made from leather and is similar in style to moccasins. These shoes are known as Top Siders and can be recognised by their distinctive leather-look appearance. The loafer style shoe is often worn on deck on more leisurely sails, but still meets all the requirements you would expect from a good boat shoe. You can also find other kinds of boat shoe for leisurely cruises and everyday use with a sportier look. So, it's really just a matter of taste as to whether you prefer a classic-look shoe or sportier style. Both of which are great at doing what they're supposed to do.
For the highest demands on footwear, for example at sporting events such as regattas, it is advisable to wear specially designed shoes that are particularly robust and hard-wearing and also promise maximum comfort.
Boat shoes, deck shoes, sailing shoes or top-siders - what's the difference?
Boat shoes, deck shoes or top siders are synonymous terms used for boating footwear. Whatever term is used, this type of footwear has some standard features that make them especially suitable for use on deck. Thanks to these unique properties, they provide the wearer with safety and comfort in all kinds of wind and weather.
Other popular types of boat shoes are boat sneakers, boat slip-ons and boat sandals. These types of shoes combine the best properties of sailing shoes and trainers, slip-ons and sandals in one shoe. Of course, they also have the necessary properties that a good sailing shoe should have.
2. What are the special qualities of boat shoes?
Shoes for boats have a number of features that distinguish them from normal shoes. Probably the most important feature is the rubber sole that helps prevent slips and falls around wet decks, even in harsh weather conditions. They usually have a near-smooth profile and special drain holes that allow water to escape from the inside of the shoe to the outside.
Thanks to these properties, the sole guarantees optimum grip, even on wet surfaces. The sole of the sailing shoe is often made of natural rubber. This material is particularly slip-resistant, even on wet surfaces, and shoes with a natural rubber sole do not leave coloured marks on the deck. In addition, the shoes are waterproof and windproof, but also breathable. Another essential aspect of sailing shoes is the outer material, which is generally resistant to salt water and usually particularly hard-wearing.
3. Boat shoe test
In our sailing shoe test, we compared a number of shoes from different brands.
Men's boat shoes / moccasins test
Men's sailing sneakers test
Women's boat shoe test
Our evaluation criteria for the test
1 Test winner for men and women
For the first evaluation, we looked at which shoe had the best features, regardless of price. Which shoe is the best quality? And which one performs best? Take a look at the test winner for men and women in the overview.
2 Top sellers for men and women
For the second test category, we looked at the top selling shoes among our SVB customers and compared them with each other. The test result shows the bestsellers in the SVB range, both for women's shoes and for men's shoes.
3 Price/performance winner for men and women
The best bang for your buck! Finally, we compared the shoes that offered the best value for money. Which shoe had the most to offer in terms of features, workmanship and quality, and at a price that matched? Here too, we looked at shoes for men and women.
4. Are all boat shoes waterproof?
Not all shoes for use on yachts and boats are necessarily waterproof. However, shoes from reputable and well-known brand manufacturers are usually designed to be waterproof.
By the way: The difference between waterproof and water-resistant sailing shoes lies in the workmanship. Often the material used for the shoes is waterproof, but the stitching may not be. After prolonged contact with water, it can still find its way through. Waterproof boat shoes are therefore either designed with no seams or the seams are treated so that water cannot penetrate.
5. How to recognise good boating footwear
Boating shoes are designed from the ground up not only to offer the best possible comfort, but also to fulfil the special requirements on board.
Marine-grade workmanship and robust, quick-drying materials are just as important as a perfect fit. Our checklist gives you an overview of what to look out for when buying a boat shoe. Take a look below.
The sailing shoe checklist: What to look out for in the best boating footwear!
- Good fit: Your boating footwear should be comfortable, but also fit your foot snugly. Boat shoes can feel a little tight at first but will stretch out as they are broken in and the leather starts to soften.
- Non-slip sole with smooth profile: The smooth profile of the sole provides good grip and also ensures that no dirt particles or small stones can get stuck.
- Integrated drainage system: Drainage holes integrated into the sole make sure water that has penetrated the shoe can escape to the outside.
- 360 degree lacing: This all-round lacing is characteristic of classic boat shoes and ensures that the shoe fits the foot perfectly.
The material for your boating shoes - something to keep in mind
6. The material for the shoes:
Top sliders are usually made of leather or synthetic materials. Both materials have their own individual properties. Leather shoes are generally salt-water resistant and non-slip thanks to the special sole, and the material makes them comfortable to wear and odour-resistant. Synthetic shoes are also resistant to salt water. They too are quick- drying, feel great to wear, offer good support and weigh very little.
More and more often, however, a mix of different materials is used, designed to offer the wearer the greatest possible comfort. Nowadays, shoes are also combined with membranes such as Gore-Tex, which is used to improve breathability. Non-rusting metals are also important. For example, the eyelets for the laces should be made of a non-corrosive material, such as brass.
The outer material:
The outer material you choose varies depending on use, purpose and fashion tastes. When selecting a shoe, make sure that the outer material is resistant to salt water. Most leather or synthetic shoes have these properties.
The sole:
The main feature of a boat shoe is the sole. It should be both non-slip and non-marking. Both features are the most important characteristics that a sailing shoe should have. The sole has to be functional but also suitable for everyday use. Shoes with thinner soles are intended more for design and style, whereas thicker-soled shoes can absorb impacts better. These kinds of shoe are much more comfortable to wear on longer voyages.
The sole should also have some kind of drainage system. This will ensure that any water that gets into the shoe is quickly drained off and away. A fine, almost smooth sole profile not only ensures slip resistance on deck, but also prevents foreign bodies, such as small stones, from getting stuck in the sole and marking or, in the worst case, even damaging the deck surface.
The outer material:
The composition of the inside of the shoe and the upper varies from model to model. The unlined upper of the classic moccasin-style shoe, for example, is made from robust yet soft leather.
The lacing:
Some shoes have so-called 360-degree lacing, which runs all the way round the shoe. This type of lacing allows the wearer to adapt the shoe perfectly to the shape of the foot and thus guarantees the most snug and comfortable fit.
7. How to care for your sailing shoes
The right care is important to ensure that your boat shoes last as long as possible. Various care products are available for you to clean your shoes with and make sure they last as long as possible. There are also special sprays for sailing shoes, such as sports hygiene sprays against odours. Waterproofing sprays are also available for the care of older shoes. Impregnating sailing shoes provides the surface with a protective layer that prevents the outer material from soaking up water.
Boat shoe accessories & care for sailing shoes
8. Boat shoes – The brands we trust
Additional sailing clothing for your next trip
Boat shoes are a basic and essential part of your boating gear, but you also need a few other important items of clothing so that you are well equipped for your next sailing adventure. Make sure you have the richtige right sailing jacket that is appropriate to the weather and level of difficulty of your next voyage. At SVB, you're guaranteed to find the right sailing jacket for women or jacket for men. The right sailing trousers are also important. Here, too, there are of course fashionable and functional trousers for women and trousers for men. Our SVB-online shop has both of the above, as well as practical jacket and trouser sets in our oil skin. sets category. At SVB you can also find other accessories such as caps and hats, sailing gloves and other items such as sunglasses or nautical scarves. And last but not least, the right care products such as detergents and waterproofing sprays for your sailing wear.