Boat Shoes Explained: What Actually Matters

Can you go barefoot on a boat? You can—but on most boats it’s a fast way to stub a toe on cleats, winches, blocks, tracks, and other deck hardware. In this video, we walk through how to choose safe boat footwear and how to tell if a shoe you already own will work. You’ll learn the boat-shoe essentials: siping (grooves for traction and water drainage), how to do a quick rubber softness test for grip, why boat shoes have a lifespan as rubber hardens, and how to avoid the classic mistake of tracking grit into your soles (especially on teak decks). We also cover offshore boots—including gaiter + bib setups designed to keep water out. Looking for boat shoes or boating apparel check out Team One Newport - https://www.team1newport.com Trying to become a better boater check out NauticEd - https://www.nauticed.org 00:00 - Barefoot on a Boat? 00:48 - Boat Shoe vs Sneaker (what actually matters) 01:02 - Siping Explained (grooves = traction + water channeling) 02:15 - Boat Shoe Lifespan (rubber hardens = slippery) 02:41 - Pro Tip: Swap Shoes Onboard 03:38 - Offshore Boots 04:06 - Zhik Boot Design (soft rubber + flex) #sailing #boating #sailboat #boat