Sailing Shoes – Top Features to Look for When Buying
08 August 2022Given the impact of the elements; heat, moisture, strong winds, and saltwater, it is recommended for people on board to wear the right sailing outfit. One part of the outfit is shoes, which are essential in maintaining one’s balance and grip during sailing and protecting one’s feet from harm.
Footwear to Avoid when Sailing.
If you will be buying a pair of sailing shoes, you must avoid footwear options that maximise metal components like zippers. Metal components can easily corrode when exposed to the salty environment and can scratch the boat when you’re moving around.
High heels must also be avoided since people wearing them can trip and fall once the water conditions become rough. Additionally, the pointy parts of these shoes will only scratch the deck and other boat surfaces.
Canvas shoe options tend to not dry out easily once exposed to water. As time passes, they will only start to smell bad. They may even discolour quickly. Leather soles are likewise not recommended as they will only leave skid marks on the deck.
Features of Good Sailing Shoes
Knowing the features of a good pair of sailing shoes can help you find one that is comfortable, safe, and valuable. Some features your sailing shoes should possess are as follows.
- Good Grip: One feature your sailing shoes should possess is a good grip. Since the deck may be covered with water during rough weather, having a pair of grippy sailing shoes can protect you from potential injuries caused by falling or tripping. Gripping sailing shoes can also prevent you from falling overboard.
- Non-Marking: Your sailing shoes must also be non-marking or non-scuffing. Opting for shoes with this feature can prevent them from removing the deck’s non-skid or creating marks on the deck when moving around. This type of coating is essential as it prevents any from slipping or falling.
- Water-Resistance: Depending on the conditions you’re facing water resistance is another key feature to consider. Temperature and the amount of water you expect to encounter are major factors that determine which style of shoe to go for. Really wet and cold conditions require water-resistance/waterproof shoes or boots to prevent any water on your feet. Whereas hot, and watery conditions would require a shoe that is light weight, drains the water quickly and dries quickly.
- Quick-Drying: Your sailing shoes should not only be water-resistant, but they must also dry quickly. Quick-drying sailing shoes help you walk around the deck and other parts of the boat.
- Thick Layers: One more feature your sailing shoes should possess is thick layers. Thick sailing shoes can protect your feet from cold temperatures. They are likewise expected to last for a long time.
Buy Sailing Shoes from Riggtech
If you need quality sailing shoes, you can buy them from us at Riggtech. Some sailing shoes we offer include Dubarry Admirals Deck Shoe, Dubarry Regatta ExtraFit Deck Shoes, Musto Dynamic Pro II Adapt and other Musto/Dubarry wet weather boots. All these shoes have most if not all the qualities mentioned above, making them the perfect shoe options for your sailing experience.
Feel free to browse our ONLINE SHOP for all your sailing needs.
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