Footwear Sugestions

[HobieScot]

I am curious as to what type of shoes everyone uses for kayak fishing. I have been wearing a pair of old Sanuks that are kind of similar to a boat shoe but they have holes in the front, back, and sides to alllow water to drain out. They are meant to be worn around water, but not the best option to get wet on a regular basis as they have stretched out from getting wet and drying repeatedly and no longer fit properly.

I generally take them off to launch if possible, then I will put them back on later in the day when I notice my feet are starting to burn.

I know there are much better options out there so I was wondering what everyone wears when you take your kayak out. Something that I could wear the entire day including the launch and recovery would be ideal.

Can anyone offer a better option for me to look into?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.

[YakDout]

I just go barefoot, if it's colder I wear neoprene socks.

[PescadorPete]

I use lightweight low top neoprene scuba dive boots. The zippered ones are easier to get on/off over my waders booties. I got ones with a sturdy sole so I can walk in them. The sole is also good to protect my feet on the Hobie pedals. They also make low cut ones that look like loafers that might work better if you are not putting them on over waders.

[beerman]

I use lightweight low top neoprene scuba dive boots. The zippered ones are easier to get on/off over my waders booties I got ones with a sturdy sole so I can walk in them. The sole is also good to protect my feet on the Hobie pedals. They also make low cut ones that look like loafers that might work better if you are not putting them on over waders.

Same here..EZ on the feet on shore too..Zippers a must

[Irishman]

In the colder months my surf booties, summer time barefoot, but lots of sunscreen every couple hours

[Caseym]

If its hot, i wear Tevas.
If its cold, I wear waders and Tevas.
When I get back on the beach, i wear my Reef sandals, so I dont look like a dork.
-mazer

[ronbo613]

These felt bottom wading booties work petty well when it's colder. You can take them off easily if it warms up.

http://www.watermanatwork.com/KayakFishing/KayakFishingWear/FeltSoleBooties.jpg

Most of the time I wear Tevas because, around here, getting to the water can be pretty tough and flipflops don't cut it. Once I'm on the water, I take the Tevas off and work barefoot.

[tattuna]

Native. Over waders or barefoot. Had mine for a couple years now and still solid

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j295/yakalot/fish/nativeshoes_zpsydwnucdo.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/yakalot/media/fish/nativeshoes_zpsydwnucdo.jpg.html)

[HobieScot]

I was looking at the Tevas. That is what I was thinking about switching to. My only hesitation is because I bought a cheap pair that are similar to Tevas when We went to Hawaii and I really liked them. But my hesitation is because both my girlfriends and my pairs started to smell by the end of the week.

Do the Tevas start to smell from being in the water then drying repeatedly? I'm hoping that the ones we had in Hawaii smelled because they were made of cheap materials and that the Tevas don't do that.

I am also a diver so I already have the boots to wear. I never thought about using them before. They seem like they would be hot except during the winter.

[Caseym]

re. Tevas...
I havent noticed a smell, but im 6'2" and my flexibility isnt for shit anymore, so trying to get my nose down there is impossible. But to be honest, my waders are so nasty by the end of the day, with coffee stains, crumbs, blood, peanut butter and "I tried but kinda dribbled at the end" piss stains that I wouldnt even notice a little foot odor. After all, its fishing so stuffs gonna get kinda grungy.
Anytime you wanna go together Id be down, Im really a pretty cool guy, real clean too.

[DanaPT]

Left my Sanuk slip on at the launch and had an old pair of new balance running shoes. Light weight and they breathe too. They worked great and now my kayak shoes.

[FISH11]

I use a pair of Body Glove 3T shoes. Got them on E Bay from Dick's Sporting Goods, they were on clearance for $34. They work great.

[FlyFishinYakr]

I was looking at the Tevas. That is what I was thinking about switching to. My only hesitation is because I bought a cheap pair that are similar to Tevas when We went to Hawaii and I really liked them. But my hesitation is because both my girlfriends and my pairs started to smell by the end of the week.

Do the Tevas start to smell from being in the water then drying repeatedly? I'm hoping that the ones we had in Hawaii smelled because they were made of cheap materials and that the Tevas don't do that.

I am also a diver so I already have the boots to wear. I never thought about using them before. They seem like they would be hot except during the winter.


Look for sandals that have an anti-bacterial footbed.
With my back injury I can't bend over to tie my shoes without taking a chance of pinching any nerves, so I've just about lived in my Boardshorts, Keen's and Teva's for the past couple years. I just gave them a smell test and they don't stink (just as advertised), so I'm not too worried.
Once I can finally get out, I have a couple different pair of "flats booties" or float tube booties I can wear with my waders (if they're necessary) and can store my sandals in the pouch of my SEAIRSPORT Angler seat if it gets warm, although I wouldn't use the float tube booties due to the lack of foot/arch support and thin footbed.
Much will depend on where I'm launching also. If launching @ LJ, I could get away with sandals, if further up this way closer to home (like the "boulder fields" near Malibu, Leo, Pt. Dume or areas of SB) the "Flats Booties" would be necessary.
FFY :sifone:

[tacmik]

Barefoot

[HobieScot]

Thank you all for your ideas. I took a look at the Tevas and a couple other similar style shoes yesterday at sports challet. The only problem is they seem to be a hassle to get off and on easily while sitting in the kayak.

I also took a look at surf shoes and found one similar to what tattuna posted that seems like it might fit the bill.

I need to dig out my dive gear and see what all I have. I'm sure I have something that wll work as well.

Thanks again! 👍🏼

[HobieScot]

Barefoot

I usually launch barefoot but last week at Dana Point we launched from the boat ramp and those ridges were a killer on my feet. For a regular launch that's not on a boat ramp or rocks then barefoot is the easiest way to go

[Gunner58]

I either go barefoot or I also have a pair of 3mm dive booties that are low cut and have a little tread on them.

[RK]

Yellow crocs only way to go.....

[jorluivil]

I bought these at kohl's about 4 years ago, getting ready for a new pair

Paid $15

[HELLSTER INC.]

You can get at least 2 more years out of those!

[jorluivil]

You can get at least 2 more years out of those!


right? a little goop and they'll be as good as new

[Molten Furnace]

I wear Merrell water shoes -- more for sun protection than anything else. They are great.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$T2eC16VHJGYFFkvfu7,RBSB3ENMrWg~~_32.JPG (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCLqygPzh2MYCFckQkgodImYC6w&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fgds%2FTop-10-Water-Shoes-%2F10000000177678358%2Fg.html&ei=PQekVfqfNsmhyASizInYDg&bvm=bv.97653015,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNFKq-euT66cP2QsBIMQQQn1oJCpBg&ust=1436899513549534)

[kjsdad619]

Barefoot when warm..and booties when cold..but I'll go barefoot then too sometimes..

[HobieScot]

I wear Merrell water shoes -- more for sun protection than anything else. They are great.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$T2eC16VHJGYFFkvfu7,RBSB3ENMrWg~~_32.JPG (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCLqygPzh2MYCFckQkgodImYC6w&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fgds%2FTop-10-Water-Shoes-%2F10000000177678358%2Fg.html&ei=PQekVfqfNsmhyASizInYDg&bvm=bv.97653015,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNFKq-euT66cP2QsBIMQQQn1oJCpBg&ust=1436899513549534)

I really like those. What store carries that brand?

Couple questions...
Do you launch barefoot then put those on afterwards? Or do you walk right into the water with those?

[Molten Furnace]

I really like those. What store carries that brand?

Couple questions...
Do you launch barefoot then put those on afterwards? Or do you walk right into the water with those?

I think mine were from REI, but they may not carry them anymore. I just checked Amazon and they have these. They are called Merrell Waterpro Maipo.

I put these on at home and wear them the whole time until I land the kayak at the end of the day. I throw them in the trunk for the drive home, just to minimize the amount of sand in the car. They are great if you have to park a ways from the launch point and wheel your kayak down the sidewalk or such. I also wear them when I go surf fishing from the beach or whenever else I think I might encounter water -- boats, exploring tide pools, etc.

[octico]

I use these (http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Mens-Powervent-PFG-Sneakers/dp/B00NGGLMIO)and love them


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91l8bj91yDL._UL1500_.jpg

[HobieScot]

I think mine were from REI, but they may not carry them anymore. I just checked Amazon and they have these. They are called Merrell Waterpro Maipo.

I put these on at home and wear them the whole time until I land the kayak at the end of the day. I throw them in the trunk for the drive home, just to minimize the amount of sand in the car. They are great if you have to park a ways from the launch point and wheel your kayak down the sidewalk or such. I also wear them when I go surf fishing from the beach or whenever else I think I might encounter water -- boats, exploring tide pools, etc.

Thanks for the info!

Do you find that they dry pretty quickly after you launch? Or do they stay a little wet all day?

[HobieScot]

I use these (http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Mens-Powervent-PFG-Sneakers/dp/B00NGGLMIO)and love them


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91l8bj91yDL._UL1500_.jpg

I saw those at Sports Challet. I liked them but they looked like they had a decent amount of padding that wouldn't completely dry after launching in them. Do you find that to be the case or do they totally dry out throughout the day?

[octico]

They dry really quick, the padding does not absorb water.

[Molten Furnace]

I really like those. What store carries that brand?

Couple questions...
Do you launch barefoot then put those on afterwards? Or do you walk right into the water with those?

Thanks for the info!

Do you find that they dry pretty quickly after you launch? Or do they stay a little wet all day?


To be honest I don't ever think about them too much when I'm on the water. Whether they are wet or dry, they don't bother me. Now that I think about it, I would have to say that they stay a little wet all day. In fact, I usually hang them up to dry on a close line when I get home.

[HobieScot]

To be honest I don't ever think about them too much when I'm on the water. Whether they are wet or dry, they don't bother me. Now that I think about it, I would have to say that they stay a little wet all day. In fact, I usually hang them up to dry on a close line when I get home.

Thank you for the info

[FlyFishinYakr]

Check out these...
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/teva-churn-shoes-amphibious-for-men~p~4958t/?filterString=mens-water-shoes~d~451%2F&colorFamily=10
FFY :sifone:

[Rufus]

Vibram Five Finger shoes.

The Hobie pedals' horizontal pattern non-skid gets to be a pain after about a half day.

The Vibrams are perfect and don't waterlog my feet.

[Fishin' Magician]

I have a couple of pairs of actual kayak shoes that really seem to work well. They're completely vented so that water and sand can drain out. Easier than than an old pair of tennis shoes and easier on the feet than going barefoot and trying to land on sharp shells, rocks, boat ramps, etc... And they're quick drying, so after a hard day on the water, you can rinse them off, dry them and they're good to go.

The real reason why I got them is that for some reason my feet get terribly sunburned very easily. Not sure why, but no amount of sunscreen will keep them from burning. Go figure.....

[Hunters Pa]

Red Pumps, in case I take on water

Seriously, scuba booties with a tread on the bottom. My feet are too pale to be exposed to sun for too long.

[HobieScot]

So I decided to go with a pair of surf shoes from O'niel. They look like a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor knock offs. They are neoprene and have drain holes so they do dry out much faster than I expected. Extremely comfortable. They worked perfectly. We shall see how they hold up over time. Not bad for $30

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

[mclanea]

I wear Tevas.

As far as the smell goes, I hose them off and hang them to dry after each use just like my PFD.