Wearing the right type of shoes on boats is essential to your comfort and safety. The good news is you have plenty of good choices. The bad news is you might end up wasting your money and compromising your safety if you buy the wrong ones.
So, what shoes to wear on a yacht, the beach, or any uneven, wet surface? What should you consider when buying them?
The best shoes to wear on a yacht are boat shoes. They come in different materials, styles, and construction. But overall, they’re designed to keep your feet comfortable, cool (or warm), and dry, as well as provide excellent traction to prevent slipping when the yacht is moving.
When shopping for the best boat shoes, consider these:
- Upper material (mesh, leather, textile, canvas, cotton, and suede)
- Material and design of the insole and outsole
- Drainage system
- Your purpose for wearing them
- Ability to withstand wear and tear
- The overall style of the shoes
Below is a quick list of the most comfortable, stylish, and durable boat shoes for men and women. Each has unique features that you’ll surely like.
- Sperry Men’s Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Skechers Men’s Expected Avillo Relaxed-Fit Slip-On Loafer – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Sperry Women’s Angelfish Shoes
- Crocs Men’s Santa Cruz 2 Luxe Loafer
- Sperry Men’s Billfish 3-Eye Boat Shoe
- ALEADER Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
- Dreamcity Men’s Water Shoes Athletic Sport Lightweight Walking Shoes
- Mishansha Mens Womens Water Shoes Quick-Dry Barefoot for Swim Diving Surf Aqua Sports Pool Beach Walking Yoga
- Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe
Now that you have a list of some of the top boat shoes on the market, let’s take a closer look at their features and the reasons people love them.
Also, for excellent boat shoes, take a look at our top pick, the Sperry Men’s Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
What Shoes to Wear on a Yacht? Our Top 9 Picks
1. Sperry Men’s Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe
Sperry Top-Sider is the go-to brand for boat shoes. And, the Sperry Men’s Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe seems to live up to the brand’s reputation.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The shoes are hand-sewn and made from 100% leather for exceptional durability, stability, and weather resistance. They feature Sperry’s 360º Lacing System to make sure they fit comfortably.
The outsole with Razor-Cut Wave-Siping™ and beveled heel provides superior traction on uneven, dry, and wet surfaces.
Pros:
- Fit properly, as promised
- Great styling and rich color
- Great shoes for daily use and different terrains
- Become more comfortable as the shoes break-in
2. Skechers Men’s Expected Avillo Relaxed-Fit Slip-On Loafer
Stylish and extremely comfortable, the Skechers Relaxed Fit Expected – Avillo is one of the best boat shoes you could ever buy. The upper material is a sturdy canvas with a soft sanded finish.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The elastic gorings on both sides ensure a custom fit. For all-day comfort, they have memory foam-cushioned insoles and shock-absorbing midsoles. The rubber outsoles with high-grip sections offer good grip and stability.
Pros:
- Don’t require breaking them in to be comfortable
- Great to wear for casual walks, boating, and driving
- Keep your feet dry and well ventilated (thus, perfect for the summer season)
- Can be washed in a washing machine
3. Sperry Women’s Angelfish Shoe
The lightweight Sperry Women’s Angelfish Shoe is made of three premium materials: tumbled leather, nubuck, and suede—all of these make the shoes resistant to water and long periods of wear.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The E.V.A. (ethyl vinyl acetate) molded midsoles offer good cushioning and stability. It also has 360º Lacing System and non-marking rubber outsoles with Sperry’s razor-cut Wave-Siping™, which delivers top-notch traction. These shoes are hand-sewn with a padded tongue.
Pros:
- Comfortable shoes with lots of room and a soft fabric tongue
- Fully adjustable, thanks to the laces that go around the shoes
- Look nice with casual clothes
- Have a memory foam insole
4. Crocs Men’s Santa Cruz 2 Luxe Loafer
When it comes to the overall look, Crocs Men’s Santa Cruz 2 Luxe Loafer has a cleaner look than its predecessor, Crocs™ Men’s Santa Cruz.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
It’s constructed with lightweight canvas uppers and their exceptionally soft Croslite™ memory foam-fitted insoles to make sure your feet feel comfortable all day. The low, lace-less design with elastic gorings make them easy to wear and take off.
Pros:
- Can be easily used as slippers
- Easy on-and-off design
- Office-appropriate shoes
- Extra soft insoles and canvas for all-day cushion
5. Sperry Men’s Billfish 3-Eye Boat Shoe
The Sperry Men’s Billfish 3-Eye Boat Shoe features true moccasin (Tru-Moc) construction and a padded tongue. These prevent foot slippage and ensure a comfortable fit.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
These also have the 360º Lacing System with rust-resistant eyelets and ethyl vinyl acetate-molded midsole. These are non-marking shoes that are designed for good traction on wet and dry surfaces. The outsoles have small and deep wavelike grooves (Adaptive Wave-Siping™) to keep water away.
Pros:
- Vented sides allow feet to breathe
- Mold to your feet for a custom fit
- Clean and fashionable design
- Great arch support, which helps ease foot pain and make standing or walking more comfortable
6. ALEADER Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
Planning to go for a swim or engage in water activities? Get a pair of affordable but high-quality water shoes, like the ALEADER Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The fabric mesh and drainage sole allow your feet to breathe and dry them faster than regular shoes. The insole features Asic’s ComforDry™ Sockliner to act as a moisture barrier and provide just enough cushioning.
The Solyte™ midsole offers more shock absorption and is significantly lighter than the E.V.A. sponges. The strategically placed rubber pods on the outsole provide optimal traction – perfect for slippery surfaces on a yacht or sailboat.
Pros:
- Fully protect your feet, whether you’re walking on a yacht or slippery rocks
- Drain water really well and dry quickly
- Comfortable to wear whatever you do—run, walk, play, or just relaxing
- Stay on your feet, even with rigorous underwater activity
7. VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes offer a blend of convenience, comfort, and foot safety. The smooth neck design prevents chafing during wear and facilitates easy on and off.
The shoes provide a comfortable fit with breathable and stretchable fabrics on the uppers, offering a sock-like feel that is flexible and pleasant. The rubber outsole ensures durability and protects feet from sharp objects.
These shoes are versatile and suitable for various activities, including yoga training, beach outings, swimming, weight training, water sports like kayaking and windsurfing, as well as everyday activities like walking and gardening.
Available in various sizes, they cater to different feet, including those of kids, men, and women.
8. Mishansha Mens Womens Water Shoes
The Mishansha Mens Womens Water Shoes will keep your feet protected and comfortable when you do your favorite land and water activities. The breathable spandex uppers give enough stretch to make it easier for you to walk, run, and swim.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Meanwhile, the thick camo rubber sole protects your feet from hard or sharp objects or surfaces. These shoes have an outsole with improved drainage holes to provide a cool and dry environment for your feet.
Pros:
- Provide adequate surface grip to prevent slipping
- Protect feet when walking on sharp, uneven ground or rocks
- Comfortable to wear all day long
- Fit the feet well and don’t shift around
9. Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe
The Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe is built to get wet and withstand wear and tear. The Vibram® outsole with deep grooves provides great traction as your feet move through different terrains.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The leather and neoprene uppers keep the shoes flexible and water-resistant. Merrell equipped the All Out Blaze Sieve with UniFly™ midsole that effectively distributes impact, allowing softer landings.
Pros:
- Will dry in record time
- Excellent traction on slippery, rough, and uneven surfaces
- Completely comfortable right out of the box
- Easy to clean and machine washable shoes
Conclusion – What Shoes to Wear on a Yacht?
So if you are still wondering: what shoes to wear on a yacht? In my opinion, these are the best boat shoes that are currently available on the market:
- Sperry Men’s Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Skechers Men’s Expected Avillo Relaxed-Fit Slip-On Loafer – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Sperry Women’s Angelfish Shoes
- Crocs Men’s Santa Cruz 2 Luxe Loafer
- Sperry Men’s Billfish 3-Eye Boat Shoe
- ALEADER Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
- Dreamcity Men’s Water Shoes Athletic Sport Lightweight Walking Shoes
- Mishansha Mens Womens Water Shoes Quick-DryBarefoot for Swim Diving Surf Aqua Sports Pool Beach Walking Yoga
- Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I hope you consider it the next time you shop for a new pair of boat shoes. Feel free to explore other boat shoes if you didn’t find anything that you like on this list. Just make sure to scrutinize what you’re buying before making a final decision.
Related reading:
Which Boat Shoes Are the Best? [5 Top Picks]
Do You Wear Boat Shoes with Socks?
What to Wear on a Boat in 60 Degree Weather?
Which Boat Shoes Are the Best?
