Best Boat Shoes of 2023

Boat shoes have been around since the 1930s but only recently underwent a major overhaul. With modern materials, companies have begun to stray away from traditional style “boat shoes” and offer innovative and stylish alternatives. Regardless of what they look like, a good boat shoe—like a good fishing shoe—should keep you from slipping on a wet deck and be breathable enough to wear even on the hottest days. These are the best boat shoes I’ve ever tested, including some of the most comfortable pairs from Columbia, Huk, and Grundens.

How We Picked the Best Boat Shoes

As a fisheries biologist and avid angler, it sometimes seems I’m on boats more than I’m on dry land. Between electrofishing surveys and fishing whenever I can, I’ve come to appreciate a good pair of boat shoes. The best pairs of shoes I’ve tried have all been comfortable to wear with amazing grip. This is especially important on aluminum boats, where any bit of water on the deck can make it super slick. Regardless of what brand of shoe you go with, make sure the soles are designed with traction in mind, and you’ll be much happier with your purchase. I also make sure I know what purpose I plan to use my boat shoes for. If I know they will be underwater at times, I look for shoes designed to dry fast. If I’m fishing through colder days, I prefer a shoe that is fully waterproof to keep me dry and warm. Here are some of the criteria I used to evaluate my selections for the best boat shoes.

• Durability: What materials go into the shoe and how durable is it?
• Waterproofness: Is the shoe waterproof or quick-drying?
• Flexibility: How much flex in the sole is there and how comfortable is it?
• Support: How much support is in the insole for long days on the water?
• Available Sizes: Are there a variety of different sizes and options?
• Sole Design: How does the sole improve traction on wet surfaces?

The Best Boat Shoes: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Grundens Seaknit Boat Shoe

Specs

• Sizes: 8-14
• Colors: Metal, Anchor, Coastal Blue, Fog, Red Orange
• Sole Design: Gum Rubber Soles with razor cut siping

Pros

• The most comfortable shoe we tested
• Offered in a wide range of sizes
• Soles have great traction

Cons

• Laces aren’t designed for a tight fit

The Grundens Seaknit boat show combines an athletic style sneaker with all the benefits of a boat shoe. The shoe is lightweight and comfortable out of the box, and unlike other boat shoes, they fit true to size. These are offered in a wide range of sizes—up to size 14—which is rare for boat shoes. It is slightly water-resistant in case a rain shower pops up or spray comes over the gunwales. If you do soak your shoes, don’t worry, they dry fast with their light and breathable design. Grundens opted to go for gum rubber soles that are non-marking and beefed them up with razor cut siping. Whether on the water or around town, these are my go-to for just about anything.

Best for Men: Columbia Dorado CVO PFG Shoe

Specs

• Sizes: 7-15
• Colors: Oxford Tan, Black
• Sole Design: Omni grip sole with razor siping

Pros

• Stylish shoes
• Water and stain-resistant
• EVA lower foam for extra cushion

Cons

Columbia offers a wide variety of boat shoes, but the Dorado CVO PFG shoe stands out among the others. As part of Columbia’s Performance Fishing Gear line, it is designed with fishing in mind. The soles feature Blood’n Guts technology which repels blood, water, and dirt from staining your shoes. The shoe itself has a stylish design similar to street shoes but built of quick-drying material. In a pinch, you can even wet wade in them, and they’ll be dry by the time you’re back to the car. Like other shoes, we tested the outsole, which has a razor siping design, allowing more surface area contact to improve grip. For a flat shoe, I was very impressed with the insole support. Even after poling a skiff for several days, my feet and back felt surprisingly strong. 

Best for Women: Columbia PFG Tamiami Shoe

Specs

• Sizes: 5-12
• Colors: Titanium, Grey Ice, White
• Sole Design: Omni grip sole with razor siping

Pros

• Great ventilation
• Stain-resistant
• Comfortable insoles

Cons

When it comes to finding women-specific shoes, there aren’t many options out there. Luckily, Columbia has introduced several options including the Tamiami shoe designed specifically for women. The shoe features all the options common in Columbia boat shoes including the Omni grip sole, Blood’n Guts stain resistance, and plenty of ventilation. It is offered in several color options tailored towards women anglers and offered in sizes 5-12 with half sizes available. These shoes are designed to get wet and dry fast. The drain ports in the sole help get rid of water quickly and circulate air to dry them in no time. Even barefoot, these shoes are incredibly comfortable and ready for anything on or around the water.

Best for Fishing: Huk Rogue Wave

Specs

• Sizes: 7-14
• Colors: Grey, Blue, White, Mossy Oak Bottomland
• Sole Design: GripX Wet Traction 

Pros

• 100% Waterproof
• Extremely comfortable
• Several color options

Cons

These are my go-to pair of boat shoes for long days on the water. One of the best and most popular pairs of fishing boots out there, the Huk Rogue Wave boots handle everything I throw at them. This slip-on style deck boot is easy to take on and off while still providing plenty of support. The inside of the boot is lined with a thin neoprene coating that keeps your feet dry and warm when it’s cold. The Rogue Waves keep my feet completely dry on my boat and have great traction even if the deck is wet. They can be submerged without allowing a single drop through. I’ve even used them turkey hunting in a pinch, and they work surprisingly well. The only downside is on hot summer days, they can be a little too warm.

Best Budget: Hey Dude Men’s Wally

Specs

• Sizes: 8-15
• Colors: Natural Blue, Steel, Ice grey, Natural white, Slate, and many more
• Sole Design: Manmade Sole

Pros

• Affordable for boat shoes
• Plenty of sizes and colors
• Flexible sole and toe box

Cons

• Soles lose some traction when wet

Traditional style boat shoes have been around for a long time but are notoriously not kind to the wallet. Hey Dude has solved this with the introduction of the Wally boat shoe. They are similar in design to traditional boat shoes; however, they utilize modern materials to make an affordable and comfortable shoe. Traditional boat shoes are made entirely of leather which can be sticky and uncomfortable. To solve this, the shoe features a cloth-lined inside to help keep your feet dry and comfortable in combination with a memory foam insole. The only downside to this shoe is the lack of traction on wet surfaces. It is more designed as a comfort shoe than a working boat shoe and are best for pleasure boaters or casual sailors. 

What to Consider When Choosing Boat Shoes

While any shoe can technically be a “boat shoe,” the best boat shoes are made specifically for boating with key features that address water activities. Make sure to consider these factors in order to make the best decision for the open water.

Comfortability

Perhaps the most important part of any shoe is it’s comfortability. This is exceptionally important for boat shoes. They must offer support for your feet all day, especially in rough conditions. But just as important, they need to be breathable to keep your feet dry and comfortable, especially if you wear them without socks. Breathability and comfortablility should be a the forefront of any boat shoe purchase. 

Waterproofness

Spend enough time on the water and you will get wet. Boat shoes solve this problem one of two ways: They either are completely waterproof, or they are built to dry fast. Several companies make a fully waterproof shoe and offer hardworking designs that are built to withstand rough seas. These can be worn year-round but sometimes lack breathability during the hottest months. The quick-dry approach has gained popularity with modern fabrics making shoes that look like everyday wear. If they get wet, a series of mesh openings and breathable fabrics typically allow air to pass through and dry shoes within minutes in some cases.

Sole Type

The most important aspect of any boat shoe is sole type. The best soles keep you from slipping around a wet boat. Look for soles that are sticky with good tread or razor cut siping for added stability. In addition, many boat shoes offer models with non-marking soles. People can be quite protective of their white boat so nonmarking soles are always helpful to have.

FAQs

Best Boat Shoes: Final Thoughts

Boat shoes can make a big difference when you’re on the water. The right shoes are comfortable and supportive, so you can focus on fishing all day. Like any pair of shoes, each will fit differently, so trying them on is a must. Once you find a pair that fit comfortably, take time to look at the features in the shoe. Look for breathability, support, and above all, traction. Any shoe with all three is worthy of time on the water. No matter what shoe you end up going with, remember to buy what feels right to you.

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