Boat Shoes and Sailing Boots

What makes a true boating shoe?

- What you should look out for when buying -

Why buy a boat shoe?

A good deck shoe will fit well and have a non-slip sole that also carries as little dirt as possible on deck. Find the right shoe for you here, whether a classic low shoe in leather, a deck shoe made of nylon with a waterproof membrane, leather/nylon sailing boots or short or long rubber boots. Modern boat shoes made of breathable material are not only light and well insulated but also ensure a comfortable environment for your feet, without them getting wet.

As a sailor's tradition, shoes with seawater resistant leather and a slip and abrasion-resistant sole have stood the test of time. These shoes, which are highly water repellent and prevent the wearer from slipping, are also comfortable to wear, which is certainly one reason why they are still among the most worn boat shoes, and not only on board. Newer shoes made of breathable materials or sailing boots are waterproof and usually more lightweight. For open seas, especially in colder regions, sailing boots are very suitable. Sailing boots made of leather in combination with breathable materials not only keep your feet warm but also dry.

The shoe: outer and inner material

What is there to know about the outer material & interior of boat shoes?
The outer material, the shaft, the interior and the laces of a classic deck shoe are made out of leather. More and more sailing shoe manufacturers not only use leather, but also special textiles and membranes such as Gore-Tex in order to increase breathability and wearability of the modern boat shoe. However, SVB's water sports experts recommend pure leather shoes with greater activity on board, because leather as a shoe material prevents bad odors and sweaty feet. Even though blisters can occur when breaking in a new pair of leather shoes, the pain is worth it - the shoe will turn soft and whether during summer or wet fall days will keep your feet feeling comfortable. Good boat shoes have to be manufactured in such a fashion that they are seawater-resistant, which means for example that the eyelets should not rust.

How should the sole of a boat shoe be designed and what should it be able to do?

The boat shoe sole - an original!
Deck shoes for sailing must meet certain requirements to ensure safe movement on deck. The sole of a boat shoe or technical yachting shoe is very special. True boat shoes have a sole that is made of very flexible rubber or natural rubber. The right sole will make the deck shoe skid-proof, provide good grip, cushion your steps, repel water easily and, of course, be waterproof.

Over 70 years ago, the passionate sailor Paul Sperry invented the innovative and still widely used soles with razor-cut wave-siping. Due to its fine grooves, this particular sole profile is perfect for repelling water, preventing slipping even when the boat is heavily heeling, and giving the wearer extra support. Furthermore, the sole has been designed so that no small pebbles can embed themselves and scratch the deck. 

Until recently, all boat shoes were made with white rubber soles, since it was believed that dark soles would leave marks on the deck. However, due to substantial developments in the area of technical boat shoes over the years, these fears are now a thing of the past. Today, yachting and boat shoes are available with colourful soles that don't rub off due to their high quality rubber, even in blue or black colours. However, this only applies to top quality, technical boat shoes - fashionable boat shoes that are sold by other, non-expert retailers might not have the same quality standards.