Luther's nephew Dobie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:52 am
Hi Guys,
Frankly this thread perplexes me. I can see celebrating a beautiful Hawaiian shirt or a watch that borders on being a work of art. But boat shoes? It's not that I dislike them, in fact I am wearing a
pair right now, for padding around the house in comfort. But to me boat shoes are like a belt or socks, utilitarian items of no particular merit aesthetically.
I don't recall any threads about TC's or Agatha's shoes. Or Higgins's smoking jacket. So what's up regarding boating shoes?
Maybe this is a West Coast yachting thing. Are they are an iconic symbol of the boating scene there and sailors take pride in owning certain stylish versions?
I am not being a wise guy, it's just that if the shoes are a "thing" maybe somebody could explain why.
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"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares? He's a mile away and you've got his shoes."
Billy Connolly
As a sailor on the west coast, I would say that most of these trends originate on the east coast and are followed here for no other reason than tradition. Yacht clubs here even have opening season galas though there is no season for sailing that closed and then opened. My wife and I decline to participate in the opening season events anymore. It’s pretentious more than anything. I think we bowed out the year we went to the opening and several women wore furs when it was close to 80 degrees out. Ridiculous, to say the least.
Canvas boat shoes had a purpose years ago before synthetic materials made them obsolete. Still, many members wear boat shoes at the club, but almost never onboard. It’s a nod to tradition and anyone who showed up to actually sail wearing leather deck shoes would likely be judged as a newbie.
Great insights, Pahonu. I think the same thing can be said for sneakers and running shoes. Anyone serious about athletic performance would be looking at the latest models from the big shoe companies. They've come a long way with sneaker engineering the last few years. However, I don't personally like the trendy, neon, multicolored shoes that are so popular now, especially for everyday casual sneakers. Even Puma has gone down that path with their recent Future and City Rider sneakers. So I searched high and low and found these much simpler, (Magnum-esque) sneakers from Adidas: https://www.endclothing.com/us/adidas-t ... fresh=true. If I were training for a 10K, I probably wouldn't wear these. But man...they are awesome for walking down to the bar to meet a couple of buddies for a beer.
As for boat shoes, me and the family don't race, so I'll sometimes wear boat shoes onboard. But mainly, I'm sailing barefoot, lol.
Best,
To The Regiment
Hi To The Regiment and Pahonu,
Thank you for the feedback.
Luther's nephew Dobie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:52 am
Hi Guys,
Frankly this thread perplexes me. I can see celebrating a beautiful Hawaiian shirt or a watch that borders on being a work of art. But boat shoes? It's not that I dislike them, in fact I am wearing a
pair right now, for padding around the house in comfort. But to me boat shoes are like a belt or socks, utilitarian items of no particular merit aesthetically.
I don't recall any threads about TC's or Agatha's shoes. Or Higgins's smoking jacket. So what's up regarding boating shoes?
Maybe this is a West Coast yachting thing. Are they are an iconic symbol of the boating scene there and sailors take pride in owning certain stylish versions?
I am not being a wise guy, it's just that if the shoes are a "thing" maybe somebody could explain why.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares? He's a mile away and you've got his shoes."
Billy Connolly
As a sailor on the west coast, I would say that most of these trends originate on the east coast and are followed here for no other reason than tradition. Yacht clubs here even have opening season galas though there is no season for sailing that closed and then opened. My wife and I decline to participate in the opening season events anymore. It’s pretentious more than anything. I think we bowed out the year we went to the opening and several women wore furs when it was close to 80 degrees out. Ridiculous, to say the least.
Canvas boat shoes had a purpose years ago before synthetic materials made them obsolete. Still, many members wear boat shoes at the club, but almost never onboard. It’s a nod to tradition and anyone who showed up to actually sail wearing leather deck shoes would likely be judged as a newbie.
As for boat shoes, me and the family don't race, so I'll sometimes wear boat shoes onboard. But mainly, I'm sailing barefoot, lol.
Best,
To The Regiment
Damn, you go barefoot on your sailboat?!?!? With the Genoa tracks and blocks, the furling line leads, and other deck hardware, I never actually SAIL barefoot. I’ve had enough cuts and scrapes even with shoes on to do that. Now “dock sailing” with friends and libations is a different thing. Still I’ve had more than one friend need first aid after stubbing a toe or cutting their foot on the toe rail while we were still in the slip!
Luther's nephew Dobie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:52 am
Hi Guys,
Frankly this thread perplexes me. I can see celebrating a beautiful Hawaiian shirt or a watch that borders on being a work of art. But boat shoes? It's not that I dislike them, in fact I am wearing a
pair right now, for padding around the house in comfort. But to me boat shoes are like a belt or socks, utilitarian items of no particular merit aesthetically.
I don't recall any threads about TC's or Agatha's shoes. Or Higgins's smoking jacket. So what's up regarding boating shoes?
Maybe this is a West Coast yachting thing. Are they are an iconic symbol of the boating scene there and sailors take pride in owning certain stylish versions?
I am not being a wise guy, it's just that if the shoes are a "thing" maybe somebody could explain why.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares? He's a mile away and you've got his shoes."
Billy Connolly
As a sailor on the west coast, I would say that most of these trends originate on the east coast and are followed here for no other reason than tradition. Yacht clubs here even have opening season galas though there is no season for sailing that closed and then opened. My wife and I decline to participate in the opening season events anymore. It’s pretentious more than anything. I think we bowed out the year we went to the opening and several women wore furs when it was close to 80 degrees out. Ridiculous, to say the least.
Canvas boat shoes had a purpose years ago before synthetic materials made them obsolete. Still, many members wear boat shoes at the club, but almost never onboard. It’s a nod to tradition and anyone who showed up to actually sail wearing leather deck shoes would likely be judged as a newbie.
As for boat shoes, me and the family don't race, so I'll sometimes wear boat shoes onboard. But mainly, I'm sailing barefoot, lol.
Best,
To The Regiment
Damn, you go barefoot on your sailboat?!?!? With the Genoa tracks and blocks, the furling line leads, and other deck hardware, I never actually SAIL barefoot. I’ve had enough cuts and scrapes even with shoes on to do that. Now “dock sailing” with friends and libations is a different thing. Still I’ve had more than one friend need first aid after stubbing a toe or cutting their foot on the toe rail while we were still in the slip!
Ha! Yep. I wouldn't recommend it due to the reasons you mentioned, but I do sail barefoot. Unfortunately, I once broke a toe while sailing on a Catalina 22. Caught my toe on a cleat if I recall correctly. I learned my lesson...for a while...then found myself kicking off my shoes on those leisurely days when the wind is light. Right now, I have a first generation O'day Mariner with the lines run to the cockpit, so it's not quite as bad on the bare feet.
Luther's nephew Dobie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:52 am
Hi Guys,
Frankly this thread perplexes me. I can see celebrating a beautiful Hawaiian shirt or a watch that borders on being a work of art. But boat shoes? It's not that I dislike them, in fact I am wearing a
pair right now, for padding around the house in comfort. But to me boat shoes are like a belt or socks, utilitarian items of no particular merit aesthetically.
I don't recall any threads about TC's or Agatha's shoes. Or Higgins's smoking jacket. So what's up regarding boating shoes?
Maybe this is a West Coast yachting thing. Are they are an iconic symbol of the boating scene there and sailors take pride in owning certain stylish versions?
I am not being a wise guy, it's just that if the shoes are a "thing" maybe somebody could explain why.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares? He's a mile away and you've got his shoes."
Billy Connolly
As a sailor on the west coast, I would say that most of these trends originate on the east coast and are followed here for no other reason than tradition. Yacht clubs here even have opening season galas though there is no season for sailing that closed and then opened. My wife and I decline to participate in the opening season events anymore. It’s pretentious more than anything. I think we bowed out the year we went to the opening and several women wore furs when it was close to 80 degrees out. Ridiculous, to say the least.
Canvas boat shoes had a purpose years ago before synthetic materials made them obsolete. Still, many members wear boat shoes at the club, but almost never onboard. It’s a nod to tradition and anyone who showed up to actually sail wearing leather deck shoes would likely be judged as a newbie.
As for boat shoes, me and the family don't race, so I'll sometimes wear boat shoes onboard. But mainly, I'm sailing barefoot, lol.
Best,
To The Regiment
Damn, you go barefoot on your sailboat?!?!? With the Genoa tracks and blocks, the furling line leads, and other deck hardware, I never actually SAIL barefoot. I’ve had enough cuts and scrapes even with shoes on to do that. Now “dock sailing” with friends and libations is a different thing. Still I’ve had more than one friend need first aid after stubbing a toe or cutting their foot on the toe rail while we were still in the slip!
Ha! Yep. I wouldn't recommend it due to the reasons you mentioned, but I do sail barefoot. Unfortunately, I once broke a toe while sailing on a Catalina 22. Caught my toe on a cleat if I recall correctly. I learned my lesson...for a while...then found myself kicking off my shoes on those leisurely days when the wind is light. Right now, I have a first generation O'day Mariner with the lines run to the cockpit, so it's not quite as bad on the bare feet.
Best,
To The Regiment
A broken toe and you still kick of the shoes! More power to you man. I’m not too familiar with the O’Day but I’ve sailed on a Catalina 22 a few times actually. It had the pop top on it. I thought it was pretty clever, but I think they ditched that feature on more recent models. I have a Columbia 28 I bought almost 20 years ago and slowly fixed up.
My boating shoe of choice are slip on Vans, but seeing as my boat is just a Laser I usually go with neoprene booties or barefoot. I’ll be crewing on a J-24 later this month though and the Vans will be invaluable. Especially for racing.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."
Styles Bitchley wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 2:34 pm
My boating shoe of choice are slip on Vans, but seeing as my boat is just a Laser I usually go with neoprene booties or barefoot. I’ll be crewing on a J-24 later this month though and the Vans will be invaluable. Especially for racing.
Dinghys are a different story than keelboats… no deck to walk on covered in hardware.
I almost always sail in a pair of water shoes. They actually look just like black running shoes but are made of synthetic materials made to drain water and wick moisture away. They dry out quickly too, while canvas shoes can start to get funky when they’re wet too often. I often wear them kayaking too, especially if I might be getting off it at a dock rather than a beach.
Styles Bitchley wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 2:34 pm
My boating shoe of choice are slip on Vans, but seeing as my boat is just a Laser I usually go with neoprene booties or barefoot. I’ll be crewing on a J-24 later this month though and the Vans will be invaluable. Especially for racing.
Dinghys are a different story than keelboats… no deck to walk on covered in hardware.
I almost always sail in a pair of water shoes. They actually look just like black running shoes but are made of synthetic materials made to drain water and wick moisture away. They dry out quickly too, while canvas shoes can start to get funky when they’re wet too often. I often wear them kayaking too, especially if I might be getting off it at a dock rather than a beach.
Yes, canvas isn’t ideal. But they look cooler than most more practical options. And that has to count for something.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."
Styles Bitchley wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 2:34 pm
My boating shoe of choice are slip on Vans, but seeing as my boat is just a Laser I usually go with neoprene booties or barefoot. I’ll be crewing on a J-24 later this month though and the Vans will be invaluable. Especially for racing.
Dinghys are a different story than keelboats… no deck to walk on covered in hardware.
I almost always sail in a pair of water shoes. They actually look just like black running shoes but are made of synthetic materials made to drain water and wick moisture away. They dry out quickly too, while canvas shoes can start to get funky when they’re wet too often. I often wear them kayaking too, especially if I might be getting off it at a dock rather than a beach.
Yes, canvas isn’t ideal. But they look cooler than most more practical options. And that has to count for something.
The coolness factor has to count for something but having funky smelling shoes after the race knocks it down a notch!
I actually say this from experience, more than once having had drinks at the club after an event and smelling wet canvas shoes as described. Wet leather smells different and water shoes are pretty dry by time you button up everything on board.
T.Q. wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 4:42 pm
I've never been a boat shoe guy even though I got my first boat a few years ago.
I have my PUMAs for my exercise bike though.
I really don’t wear them anymore either. There are far better choices for sailing today as I described in the above post.
I remember when you posted about first getting your boat. I think Iight have been the first to comment back.
Embarrassingly, I wear Crocs on my boat Pahonu.
Honestly, while Crocs are probably at the bottom of the cool-meter as Styles commented on they essentially function like water shoes. While I don’t have any, they look like they would drain water well and give reasonable traction. They seem to be a decent choice, but don’t tell Styles! You have a center console, if I recall correctly?
T.Q. wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 4:42 pm
I've never been a boat shoe guy even though I got my first boat a few years ago.
I have my PUMAs for my exercise bike though.
I really don’t wear them anymore either. There are far better choices for sailing today as I described in the above post.
I remember when you posted about first getting your boat. I think Iight have been the first to comment back.
Embarrassingly, I wear Crocs on my boat Pahonu.
Honestly, while Crocs are probably at the bottom of the cool-meter as Styles commented on they essentially function like water shoes. While I don’t have any, they look like they would drain water well and give reasonable traction. They seem to be a decent choice, but don’t tell Styles! You have a center console, if I recall correctly?
Yep, they're good for da boat.
Yes, centre console.
Knocking my rubber chicken or my sloppy habits is within the rules, but you're attacking my character. I would like to think you don't mean that.
T.Q. wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 4:42 pm
I've never been a boat shoe guy even though I got my first boat a few years ago.
I have my PUMAs for my exercise bike though.
I really don’t wear them anymore either. There are far better choices for sailing today as I described in the above post.
I remember when you posted about first getting your boat. I think Iight have been the first to comment back.
Embarrassingly, I wear Crocs on my boat Pahonu.
Honestly, while Crocs are probably at the bottom of the cool-meter as Styles commented on they essentially function like water shoes. While I don’t have any, they look like they would drain water well and give reasonable traction. They seem to be a decent choice, but don’t tell Styles! You have a center console, if I recall correctly?
Yep, they're good for da boat.
Yes, centre console.
Yes, a centre console. What colour? My parents are Canadian.
