Anyone who spends time on a boat knows that the correct footwear is important. Whether you are fishing, sailing, or doing any other form of boating, the shoes that you wear must protect your feet, prevent slipping, and not mark the deck. Are Crocs good for this purpose, or are there better alternatives?
You can wear Crocs on a boat. Crocs were originally designed as boat shoes. They are waterproof and comfortable, but there are better shoes for boating that provide better traction, stability, protection, and durability, such as Columbia Drainmakers or Simms Currents, which are better overall boat shoes.
The shoes that you wear on a boat are critical, and many turn to Crocs for this purpose, but are these shoes the best for boating? Are Crocs even recommended for boating? Are there better boating shoe alternatives to Crocs?
Let’s find out how well Crocs works on boats and explore some of the alternatives to this iconic shoe.
Can You Wear Crocs For Boating?
If you spend any real-time on a boat, you will know that the shoes that you wear while boating are critical. There is nothing worse on a boat than slipping, losing grip, falling over, getting your feet caught on things, and having sharp objects such as hooks catch in your feet.
Having a good pair of shoes to protect your feet and keep you from slipping is the best way to avoid this, but the shoes that you choose must also protect the boat and deck by not leaving any marks behind and not carrying sand and debris onto the boat.
This leads many people to consider wearing Crocs for boating, as these shoes are lightweight, waterproof, and dry very quickly, but can you use Crocs for boating?
The truth is that Crocs were originally designed as boating shoes. Crocs are made from a durable closed-cell foam called Croslite. This foam was developed specifically for Crocs, and Crocs are the only shoes made from this material.
The Croslite foam that Crocs are made from is non-slip, waterproof, very lightweight, durable, and comfortable. This material does not leave marks on decks either, which is another reason why these shoes are often used for boating.
However, with all of that being said, Crocs are not the ideal shoe for boating. Crocs are comfortable, and they will not mark the deck, but they become highly slippery when the sole begins to wear out, they expand in saltwater, they shrink in the sun, and they can get surprisingly hot in the sun despite being open shoes.
Crocs are good for light boating, but if you spend any amount of real-time on a boat, there are far better boating shoe options than Crocs.
Are There Any Better Alternatives?
Crocs can be good for boating in some circ*mstances, but they are not the perfect boating shoe. The truth is that there are shoes that are far better for boating than Crocs, and many of them are far more durable while retaining the same level of comfort.
Let’s explore some of the best Croc boating shoe alternatives.
Columbia Drainmaker
Colombia Drainmakers are among the most highly recommended shoes for boating, as stated by sailors, fishermen, and general boaters.
These shoes are made from a durable, modern mesh that is quick-drying and breathable. Drainmakers feature midsole ports to enhance airflow for drying and breathability, but mainly to allow water to drain from them quickly.
These shoes are comfortable, offer fantastic foot support, are durable, and are ideal for wet conditions, and the outsoles are equipped with Columbia’s Omni-Grip non-marking razor siping rubber material that is ideal for boating in every way.
Huk Attack Fishing Shoes
Huk Attack shoes are designed by fishermen for fishermen. These are ideal boat shoes for long days on the water. They are durable and high-performing with breathable upper fabric combined with support cages for whole-foot comfort.
Huk Attacks have 360° water drainage, non-marking outsoles, they are quick-drying, lightweight, and they are available with both performance laces and bungee laces depending on your preferences and requirements.
These shoes are the ideal boating shoes, and they are affordable as well. These are highly recommended by boaters everywhere.
Columbia Tamiami
These water shoes have some of the grippiest outsoles of any water shoes. These are ideal for those who spend long hours on wet boats and those who are getting in and out of boats frequently.
Tamiami feature non-marking soles, the iconic Columbia midsole ventilation, and water drainage ports, synthetic upper overlays that are quick-drying, and a tough stitching system that makes the shoes more durable.
These are tough, durable shoes that are ideal for every boating situation and are famous for their outstanding traction on fiberglass decks.
Grundens SeaKnit
SeaKnit shoes from Grundens are the most lightweight boating shoes on this list. SeaKnits feature all-nylon uppers and an EVA midsole that provides outstanding traction. These features are what make these shoes so lightweight.
These shoes are also non-marking and are ideal for all boating forms. The materials that SeaKnits are made from make them durable and lightweight while also being comfortable and practical as well.
These are a favorite among boaters who prefer lighter shoes.
Simms Currents
Currents by Simms are the perfect boating shoe in many regards. These shoes have a wide heel which is great for stability on wet decks, siped outsoles for superior traction, non-marking soles, EVA insoles for comfort, multiple water drains, and air vents, and seamless welded quick-dry uppers.
These shoes are very durable, ultra-functional, lightweight, comfortable, and highly water-resistant but easily let water drain from the shoe. They are well-made, fully laced, and even feature anti-odor technology.
Conclusion
At the end of it, Crocs are not ideal boating shoes simply because they are not very durable, and it is easy for your feet to slip out of them. This can even make Crocs dangerous, and there are far better alternatives out there.
While it is possible to use Crocs are boating shoes, as this is their original intended purpose, it is better to use a boating shoe that covers the foot entirely, has laces, and provides better traction and durability.
