What kind of shoes do you wear when you’re fishing from a kayak or a boat, where you might end up needing to put your feet in the water?

Do you just take your shoes off, or do you wear crocs or other waterproof shoes?

I wear Crocs when I'm in my boat and use to go barefoot when I was in my kayak. Recently, I heard of some waterproof Heydudes, may be worth a look.

When I was in the kayak it was either muck boots when it was cold or Havianas when warm. I moved to crocs with an all terrain strap because a lot of the launches were muddy and I stuck a couple flip flops that I had to retrieve.

Muck boots or hey dudes would be more my style. The heydudes do look pretty good. Might be the deal.

I don’t have any muck boots. I just wear my work boots and wash them off, but I am never in serious muck. My fear with muck boots when boating, would be if I step in water up to my knees that they will fill with water.

For 20 years I've worn Teva Forebay. Actually had to replace them after 12 years and see no need to change.

Cold weather it’s gortex shoes. Summer it’s sandals.

For 4 years I’ve run the Astral Loyak. Initially I bought them just for tournaments to keep the sun off my feet, because the reviews said they had good wet traction, and they were on sale. After owning them for 4 years I’d swear by them for all things water. I wear them while wading rivers, as a co angler, and while camping. They are light, dry fast, and have astounding wet traction. I’m not longer concerned I’m going to crack my skull falling down a ramp from the smallest patch of algae.

The biggest plus I found is they’ve held up. Granted I don’t wear them as a day to day shoe, so durability in those conditions are unknown to me. But as a fishing only accessory they are fantastic. If they fell apart today I’d happily replace them at full price.

https://www.rei.com/product/204327/astral-loyak-water-shoes-mens?sku=2043270007&store=156&CAWELAID=120217890013523066&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=110260852985&CATCI=pla-331161953203&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_2043270007%7C331161953203%7Cbrand_flag%7C11306320442&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11306320442&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr4jSBhCSARIsAOX1E-Ln9MM7mQ8JzfnGfGRpy6SZpkt90pewEKNrHAolYQ1JWedyJ7_-DlsaAkQAEALw_wcB

7 hours ago, GreenPig said:

For 20 years I've worn Teva Forebay

I can't believe those lasted for 20 years. My Tevas lasted for less than 2 and then they would fall apart. Same with Keens. Maybe I should give Teva a second chance.

The most durable brand I've had was Sperry. But I don't think they make sandals anymore.

I like to go barefoot until it's too hot to work the trolling motor pedal, then sandals. I have a pair of water shoes my son gave me that I wear in the kayak. Forgot what brand but they've lasted for years.

I wear a pair of KEEN SOLR water sandals - they offer good grip (I had used Crocs but I slipped and went a** over tea kettle at the ramp, so I switched to the KEEN and have had no problems with slipping) but they do take a bit of time to dry once dunked in the water, overall comfortable to wear (I bought them on Amazon for significantly less than they cost if ordered directly from the KEEN website, YMMV)

41 minutes ago, Alex from GA said:

barefoot

I always thought this was a terrible idea because you know, hooks in a boat. Stepping on one barefoot would be disastrous.

I go straight up barefoot until the first time I blister the bottom of my foot, (used to use the trolling motor pedal for this test, but after I put a cool foot on it, it became the carpet test) the Crocs become standard equipment.

When the spots on top of my feet start fading, then it’s time to wear socks with them until next spring.

I got arch problems, so need to wear shoes with inserts pretty much all day, every day.

I do keep a cheap pair of wal-mart water shoes in the boat if I need to get wet.

NRS neoprene booties or Simms flats waders boots.

Sun burn on my feet are unacceptable.

I wear Chocos 95% of the time in the summer, and it's unlikely I'm changing out of them to go fishing. If I'm wet wading, I'll throw on some Simms flats booties or river shoes. When it's cold, I'll throw on a pair of Dryshod boots.

36 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

NRS neoprene booties or Simms flats waders boots.

Sun burn on my feet are unacceptable.

I got lobster feet once. Never again.

I don’t wanna go bare feet because some of the places that I fish that I might wanna put my feet in the water to launch or to get out would not be pleasant. I also might would like to do some wading.

In that case, look at the all terrain crocs. They come with an adjustable strap on the back so if you are going around and rough terrain to launch they stay put. The footbed on crocs is super comfortable to walk in. And if you hop in the water to launch or just cool off they drain and dry pretty quickly. I have two pairs that are a half size apart. One I wear with bare feet and the other fits a pair of thick wool socks for winter time. Most of the year I an in one of those two pairs or my plain black havianas for all of my casual ‘just need shoes’ requirements.

Flip flops, crocs, deck boots I’ve had for a long time, sneakers. Depends on the weather. Crocs are probably my favorite for the last 10 years lol

With my current trailer, my feet get wet when I launch my kayak. When the water is warm I wear either some Keen H2's or Skechers Ultra Go Slip Ins. When the water is cold I wear muck boots.

But I have to say, I worry about going overboard in muck boots and having them fill with water. So most times I'll swap out the muck boots for some sneakers once I'm out on the water.

7 hours ago, Kayak Koz said:

But I have to say, I worry about going overboard in muck boots and having them fill with water. So most times I'll swap out the muck boots for some sneakers once I'm out on the water.

Good call! I've been in the water fully clothed. I would be thinking the same thing. Might as well have some old-school mobsters make you some concrete shoes.

Crocs

If I know I'm going to be doing a lot of dragging the kayak, I use my Simms G5 boots with some neoprene socks. Overkill? Probably, but otherwise they just sit around when I'm not fly fishing.

When I'm just going to be getting my feet wet for launching I'll just use whatever pair of cheapy water shoes I have sitting around.

Warm weather/water … crocs

Cold water … cheap rubber boots

I usually take them off after I’m on the water, more comfortable without.