sailing footwear

I've recently heard about this footwear for land and water, I've brought some to try out.
http://www.kroten.com.au

I use a pair of Shimano 'Aqua Shoes'. They appear to be very similar to the New Balance Aqua Shoe.

Self draining sole, neoprene and mesh upper, elasto stretch lace.

There's no possibility of 'suck off' and they're very light weight and drain almost instantly....and very cumfy to wear even sock less.

I got mine at a fairly large Fishing Store for AUD$50, which makes them about USD$50.005c

I wear thongs almost exclusively (Flip Flops for our US cousins....so don't get harmed by any mental images!), and found the Shimano shoe very easy to wear for long periods in & on the water.

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Yellow 09 Oasis
Red 2010 AI /Grey tramps.

After two seasons on the water with our various yaks, we both still use Teva style sandals during the warmer months, but haven't settled on what to use with our dry suits during the colder months yet.

So far Cindy has tried neoprene dive boots (too tight) and big rubber mud boots (much better fit, but bulky and hard to walk in when they're filled with water). I've tried removing the soles of fabric hiking shoes (perfect fit, except too cold) and big rubber boots (very roomy, but bulky and hard to deal with for various reasons).

Still looking for the perfect solution for both of us while using our drysuits.

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Mitch

2010 Tandem Island
2010 Revolution
Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore

My sailing blog
Our sailing videos

After so many years of dry docking myself on shallow reefs or on a rocky shoreline, I found wearing ankle length felt bottom booties helpful when in a self rescue situation.



They're not the coolest looking footwear and you end up sporting a wierd foot tan. But they grip pretty well on slippery rocks/sharp reefs and offers good protection against Vana (sea urchins). You also can swim in them and they fit well in strap style dive fins. I had a split-toe style in the past which were much comfortable. But I can't find them locally nowadays.

Aloha,

Cliffs2yak

If my drysuit comes in this weekend, I'll be trying thick wool inside the suit with a thin layer of wick against my skin ... and my fly fishing boots outside

they're felt bottomed like the pic above

... I need to find my diving weights and test the boyancy of my vest

being somewhat of a water safety geek, I'd really like to do some pre-sail testing all geared up but the water temp is already below 55* - I may do it anyways whilst everyone points to the nutjob in the Papaya suit going for a swim

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Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV

Mitch,
I have tried lots of combinations with footwear in Winter and the best so far are the NewBalance aqua shoes (mentioned previously) with Sealskinz water blocker socks and two pair of synthetic Coolmax socks worn underneath. I wear Goretex trousers that come down over the Sealskinz.
With this combination I can step into knee deep water to launch and still have dry and warm feet.
Not sure how this would work with a Drysuit though?

Can always try a set of surplus polypro.

http://www.vtarmynavy.com/military-polypro.htm

Soaking wet it will still keep you warm. Just keep it away from fire unless you want to be shrink wrapped.

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I usually use my Teva sandal when I go fishing. It has a rough sole so you won't worry in moving on the boat. I guess you have to try this sandal.

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My Mephisto shoes