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Top 15 Best Women's Boat Sandals In 2024

Brandon Forder
  Apr 24, 2024 2:40 AM

You may be familiar with the terms "boat shoe" or "deck shoe," but do you know what they refer to? The best boat shoes for women are typically constructed from canvas or leather and feature a non-marking sole, making them ideal for use on a sailing vessel. Women's sailing shoes are not only useful and comfortable; they are also considered a fashion accessory.

In this piece, we'll take a look at these and other varieties of women's deck shoes, some of which stray from the standard construction methods.


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Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Grip

When walking on a wet deck or surface, high-quality boat shoes should offer excellent traction. Wearing them in a potentially damp setting depends on how well they perform on a wet surface. To prevent damaging the surface from skid marks, the sole should be made of non-marking rubber.

Traction

Walking safely requires a surface with sufficient traction to prevent slippage. A quality pair of boat shoes will have a rubber outsole that is both slip-resistant and grippy. It's crucial to take extra precautions when walking on smooth, slippery surfaces like boat decks.

Fit

For a day on the water to go downhill fast, all it takes is a pair of shoes that pinches, chafes, or feels uncomfortably loose, so finding the right fit is a major consideration when shopping for sailing footwear. Always do a trial run before buying, as sizing can vary significantly between manufacturers. Choose a pair of shoes that fits your larger foot (most individuals have one somewhat larger than the other) and make sure they are snug in the ball of your foot, the back of your heel, and across your toes. Your heel should never fall out of the shoe while you're walking, and there should be at least a finger's width of room for your longest toe when you're standing.

Style

What materials, colors, and patterns complement your unique style is a big factor in selecting the perfect pair of sailing shoes. What you need from a pair of sailing shoes is also a factor. A cheap pair of water shoes should be OK if you only plan on wearing them a few times a year when you hire a dinghy at a tropical resort. High-end docksiders that are stylish and practical may be the ideal choice for a seasoned yachtie, but serious fisherwomen, offshore cruisers, and racing sailors should go with technical footwear made for their unique activity.

Material

Shoes worn while sailing should be made of durable materials. Uppers are typically constructed from waterproof materials like leather, canvas, or suede. Some modern sneaker styles are made from synthetic fabrics that are designed to dry quickly, be lightweight, durable, and breathable. Soles are often made of rubber or a rubber compound with razor-cut siping that aids in traction on wet surfaces, and this is true regardless of the shoe's design. Rubber's advantage is that it leaves no marks, so your deck will stay looking great.

Desire to wear

Try on as many pairs as you can to find the most comfortable ones. If you're set on a pair of synthetic trainers, it's important to get the right size the first time around because they won't stretch as you wear them.

Wuzzos and Orca Bay are two brands that provide high-quality leather deck shoes that are designed to break in comfortably because to their thicker leather and lack of synthetic lining. Choose a pair that is a bit snugger if that's the style you're going for; the leather will stretch to accommodate your foot.

Style vs practicality

Think about how you can put this to good use as well as how it looks. Boat shoes designed for serious sailing should wrap snugly around the foot to prevent them from slipping off while clambering about the deck in rainy weather.

A 360-degree lacing system, in which a single lace runs from the back of the shoe through the front tie eyelets, is ideal for leather deck shoes because it allows for a customized, snug fit.

Color

There is a plethora of possibilities when it comes to color when purchasing boat shoes. Instead of tan boat shoes, which won't go with as many things, think about getting a deeper brown pair. Navy is a close second when it comes to adaptability; nevertheless, you should not pair it with denim.

Water resistant

If you plan to spend a lot of time on a boat, you should look for water-resistant materials in your boat shoes. Therefore, the material needs to dry quickly.

Safety

Select a sturdy pair of women's sailing shoes made for the water to ensure your safety on deck and around the dock. Also, make sure the soles won't leave any marks.


FAQS

How do I clean boat shoes?

Keeping a pair of boat shoes spotless and looking brand new is not a huge hassle. In most cases, all you'll need to do to clean your boat shoes is spray the uppers with little dish detergent and water, then let them air dry. Most boat shoe designs also have a removable insole that can be washed in soapy water and hung to dry.

Can I wear socks with boat shoes?

Traditionally, sailors have gone sockless when wearing boat shoes, but that doesn't mean you can't rock a pair of socks with your boat shoes these days. If you are concerned about blisters being caused by rubbing, a nice pair of no-show socks may help.

How do I tie boat shoes?

Despite the fact that most styles of boat shoes feature laces on the upper and around the exterior, the shoe should fit comfortably loose without feeling like it would fall off. Your boat shoes should be slip-ons, meaning you can put them on and take them off without having to unlace them.

Should You Wear Boat Shoes With or Without Socks?

Shoes made for use on the water should not be worn with socks. Even if you have to cover them up with socks, though, that's the best option. In case you were worried about not being able to find socks that wouldn't show, rest assured: you're in luck. Wearing black socks with pants rather than shorts is a wonderful technique to hide your feet.


Conclusion

Women's deck shoes come in a variety of styles and materials, and not all of them are designed specifically for sailing. But if you're a woman in need of the finest boat shoes available, you've come to the right place. Popular brands of men's athletics, such as boat shoes, often produce complementary models for women.

Not all boat shoes are designed for serious sailing, so it's important to have a firm grasp on your intended usage before purchasing. Some deck shoes on the market are designed for and work best in an informal environment. Their increased adaptability comes at the expense of their usefulness as boats.

Despite this, deck shoes will still be made by shoe companies. Sailors who take their profession seriously always know when they've found a pair of quality boat shoes. Some boat shoe types are so comfortable that you won't care if no one ever sees your boat if you don't own one and have no plans to buy one.

You should be more equipped to choose the perfect pair of women's boat sandals after reading this list of some of the greatest options available.


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