anyone have suggestions on some decent water shoes? Need something that will hold up, and be fairly comfortable. I have oneil wesuits so that would match but who cares really, any suggestions out there?
thanks
When it's warm I really like my Vibram 5 fingers... The lightest thinnest pair they make. The soles are incredibly grippy.
When it gets cold, well cold for here, I switch to Zhik 460 trap boots. With or without the super warm socks depending.
where are you located?
a big factor around here is the little crustations / shells that are all over here. they will get in any hole and be a PITA
that being said I don't like boots. they trap water in and cause your foot to prune up and also promote fungus
but they are the way to go in cold water
MN3
For summer
These are 3mm neoprene, very durable and keep sand and gravel off.
http://www.mec.ca/product/5028-584/mec-zuto-neoprene-shoes-unisex/?f=10+50004+50026
I was going through a pair per season until i've found these.
or sandals + socks
For spring/fall go for 5 mm booties
In the fall, winter I use xcel boots 8mm, but then its really cold.
they don't make them anymore.
Using a dry-suit with latex socks I don't have the "fungus" problem MN3 described.
Instead I wear thermo-socks inside the dry-suit and scaled up the "winterboots"
one size.
MN3 wrote:
that being said I don't like boots. they trap water in and cause your foot to prune up and also promote fungus
but they are the way to go in cold water
During the summer I use the cheapest boots I can find, my favorites are
from Declathon, a French shopping-mall mainly for outdoor sports.
With stores all over Europe.
Picked up a pair for €25,- and drilled holes in the sole to prevent being a
water-trap. And also wash them out after each trip.
Where it comes down to, is the soil structure where You launch
the cat. Mine is clay with an occasional rock, so I need something
to protect my feet.
When you are in a warmer climate, pick the thinnest boots
You can find. and wash them after a sail.
Regards, André
André de Bruin, Amsterdam,the Netherlands
P 18-2
Best cheap boat shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars, either high top or low top. Drill holes in the back so water drains when hiking out. Flexible rubber bottom with a traction pattern that won't pickup rocks that scrape the deck..but enough so they don't slip on the deck. They used to be cheap, like $20, until they started coming back into fashion. Now they are around $35-40. Plus they come in many colors to coordinate with the boat!
Do they still make Okewinds? Those were the best you could buy if you found yourself trapping on a slippery 5.8.
Body Glove Men's 3T Max Water Shoes.
Okewinds still available thru AEROTECH windsurfing distributer. Okespor Kite-Low top boot with wrap around Velcro strap is $55. Pete
prindle pete