Best Boat Shoes for Sailing

By Taylor Jensen

Finding the Best Boat Shoes For Sailing is easier than you think. Here’s a rundown of our favorites for sailors including our top picks - the Helly Hansen Men’s Aquapace 2 Water Shoe & Columbia Women’s Vulc N Vent Lace Canvas Shoe.

best boat shoes for sailing

Every experienced sailor needs a decent pair of boat shoes. If you’re serious about boating, a pair of flimsy flip flops just won’t do. More substantial footwear protects your feet and provides you with ample traction in the event of a slippery situation. The best boat shoes for sailing are low-cut, and have a slip-on design making them practical and comfortable – must-have qualities.

According to Gentleman’s Gazette, boat shoes originated in the early 1930s, when Paul Sperry, an ardent sailor, took his dog out for a romp and was amazed by his grip while running across ice. The traction he managed to generate on the slippery surfaced intrigued him. Paul figured that it had something to do with the pads of Prince’s feet. Upon closer examination he realized the cracks and grooves on Prince’s feet formed a herringbone-like pattern that gave him grip. Sperry then hit upon the idea of cutting similar patterns on the soles of the shoes he used while boating. And voilà boat shoes were born (mind you Sperry is still a top brand today and featured in the article).

When shopping for the best boat shoes for sailing, there are a few questions you’ll want to ask yourself. Will the shoes protect and support my feet? Will the shoes keep my feet warm or cool? Will the shoes provide adequate deck traction? Will the shoes be sufficient for the type of sailing I’ll be doing? If you’re not sure what to look for in a good pair of boat shoes, we can help. Our team pulled together a list of top footwear options.

What to Look for in Boat Shoes for Sailing:

Size: When purchasing boat shoes, it’s important to know that they are often sized differently than street shoes. Use the size chart provided by the footwear company to find the perfect fit.
Material: Today, you can find boat shoes in a wide range of materials. The most common fabrics used for boat shoes include leather, suede, canvas, and synthetic materials.
Non-Slip Sole: To prevent sliding around on slippery decks, it’s important to find a pair of boat shoes that have a non-slip sole. Rubber soles often provide optimal resistance against slips. Grooves in the sole can also provide a better grip.
Uppers: Most boat shoes feature uppers which help to wick water away from the foot bed to keep it dry and comfortable. While leather uppers are often preferred for their softness and appearance, synthetic uppers typically dry faster.

Best Men’s Boat Shoes for Sailing

Helly Hansen Men’s Aquapace 2 Water Shoe

Our first top pick for best boat shoes for sailing is not your average deck shoe. The Helly Hansen Men’s Aquapace 2 Water Shoe resembles a trendy athletic shoe with the construction of a water-resistant topsider. Available in several vibrant color combinations, the low-profile show features breathable mesh uppers as well as protective overlays. A bungee-lacing system keeps the foot firmly in place during all of your water activities.

What Users Are Saying:

Look and feel great
Lightweight and comfortable
Wore these on a wet deck with no problems
Elastic bungies provide the perfect fit
Love the style and color selections
Great value for high-quality boat shoes

Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Sea Kite Sport Boat Shoe

Sperry is a widely-known brand in the boating industry, creating high-quality products that perform hard and long last. The Sperry Top-Side Men’s Sea Kite Sport Boat Shoe features a sporty style in a selection of colors. The imported leather shoes have a synthetic sole that dries fast and water-resistant leather and mesh uppers that help keep water out. A soft fabric lining and removable padded insole keep your feet comfy.

What Users Are Saying:

Great looking shoes
Very comfortable
Fit is great (true to size)
Feels like an athletic shoe
Best shoe on the market
I love the extra support

Adidas Outdoor Unisex Climacool Boat Lace Water Shoe

Adidas doesn’t just make great athletic shoes. They’re also a leader in water shoes. The Adidas Outdoor Unisex Climacool Boat Lace Water Shoe is a synthetic shoe with a rubber sole. What makes them the best boat shoes for sailing are there Climacool tooling construction, open mesh, and EVA tongue top that provides enhanced breathability and comfort. The shoes also have a stretchable heel insert for the ideal fit.

What Users Are Saying:

Best water shoe ever
Great for both men and women
Not just for the water!
High-quality construction
Quick draining and drying time
Really good grip on the soles

Sperry Top-Side Men’s Tarpon 2-Eye

If you like the look of classic boat shoes, you’ll love our next pick. The Sperry Top-Side Men’s Tarpon 2-Eye boat shoes are quality made with fabric construction and hand sewn stitching throughout. Non-marking rubber outsoles provide sure-footing on both wet and dry surfaces. The foot bed is well cushioned for optimal comfort and the shock-absorbing EVA heel helps prevent foot fatigue after a long day of sailing.

What Users Are Saying:

Beautiful shoe at a good price
Not too casual, not too dressy
Fits perfectly! Great quality!
These should last for years
Very satisfied with my purchase
Easily slip on and off

Aleader Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes

When it comes to water shoe materials, breathable, durable air mesh makes for one of the best boat shoes for sailing. The Aleader Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes not only feature a mesh construction, but also a rubber sole that keeps your feet well gripped to any surface, wet or dry. Another great feature of these water shoes is the ComforDry sockline and arch support insole that offers a dry, comfortable environment.

What Users Are Saying:

Best water shoes on the market
Great quality and super comfortable
Drain quick and dry fast
These boat shoes look great
Must-have footwear for boaters
Lightweight and extremely airy

XTRATUF Finatic II Men’s Leather Deck Shoes

Our next choice for best boat shoes for sailing features quality water-resistant materials and visually appealing features that make them popular water shoes. The XTRATUF Finatic II Men’s Leather Deck Shoes have premium full grain leather uppers, slip-resistant and non-marking chevron outsoles, and pigskin-lined, antimicrobial Ortholite memory foam inserts that control odor-causing bacteria while providing long-term comfort.

What Users Are Saying:

Very comfortable
Good value for a leather deck shoe
Durable and stylish
Goes great with any casual outfit
Provides great arch support
For the price, you can’t beat these

Best Ladies’ Boat Shoes For Sailing

Columbia Women’s Vulc N Vent Lace Canvas Shoe

Our ladies top pick for the best boat shoes for sailing is a little different than our other picks, as it looks more like a deck shoe than a sneaker. The Columbia Women’s Vulc N Vent Lace Canvas Shoe is constructed of textiles with a synthetic sole. The classic lace-up style provides a secure fit with sufficient ventilation. The non-marking Omni-grip outsole gives you the ultimate grip on any surface, making these shoes great for sailing.

What Users Are Saying:

Cute, sporty look
Look exactly like they do in the picture
I received tons of compliments on these shoes
Lightweight, yet durable
Comfortable and stylish
These are my new favorite shoes

Helly Hansen Women’s Aquapace 2 Water Shoe

The Helly Hansen Women’s Aquapace 2 Water Shoe has many of the same great features as the men’s Aquapace, but with a feminine twist. Available in many vibrant colors, this women’s boat shoe features a synthetic construction and rubber sole. Quick-dry mesh is the perfect material for sailing and the low-profile and speed-lace slip-on design makes wearing these shoes easy and comfortable.

What Users Are Saying:

Inexpensive but great quality
Wear these in and out of the water
Bright water shoes!
These fit perfectly snug
Drain well and are very comfortable
Provide a great grip

Adidas Outdoor Unisex Climacool Boat Lace Water Shoe

From solar blue to lemon peel yellow, Adidas Outdoor Unisex Climacool Boat Lace Water Shoes come in a wide range of colors to suit all wearers. This synthetic shoe is not just visually appealing; it also has a variety of features that make it one of the best boat shoes for sailing. The Climacool open mesh provides enhanced breathability while the stretchable heel insert creates the perfect fit.

What Users Are Saying:

Comfortable right out of the box
Wear them with or without shoes
Laces stay tied all day
High-quality construction
Provides a great grip on the soles
Drains and dries quickly

Sperry Top-Sider Women’s Bluefish Two-Eye Boat Shoe

Our last pick is another great Sperry shoe. These 100 percent leather shoes are imported and feature a rubber sole and padded tongue. The Mocc-toe boat shoe has water and stain-resistant uppers along with two-eyelet lacing, giving the shoe a snug fit. As a classic style, you can’t go wrong no matter what color you choose. These durable shoes are the perfect footwear option for an active lifestyle.