Deck Shoes
Recently I heard something interesting in a bar:
– I did visit Montenegro. My friends and I, we rented a boat there. I spent the whole sail trip by claw holding a table. It was bloody slippery.
It made me think that people go sailing in inappropriate shoes. For some reason, I remembered a story of a girl who kept in head that the yachts are luxury and came to a boat in an extremely expensive dress and on high heels. The outcome was in no way unpredictable. I knew that there was a wonderful sailing garment (and some other sailing stuff) manufacturer — Henri Lloyd — but I was a slightly upset by the selection of shoes. I checked some classics — Musto and Dubarry — but I wasn’t impressed. So I turned to my friend Alex who is a fashion expert living in Europe and asked him to help me to make a small selection of shoes that would be good for sailing.
Let us start with the essential rule: the shoes should be comfortable and slip-proof, otherwise the whole trip will be like hell: one will have not only to claw hold a table, but also to sink her or his teeth into something else.
A less essential rule: no black sole on a boat. Only white one. A rare exception is made for some models of foot-wear, not even brands.
Here are some more sail garment and foot-wear brands apart those already mentioned and then we will switch to something more exceptional.
Sperry
They look like VANS shoes, however they are secure and pretty to look at.
Left to right: Striper Slip-On Webbing — Striper LTT — Striper CVO Salt-Washed Twill — Striper Slip-On Leather.
Let’s consider something from Italy. The Italian shoes are broadly reputed: indeed it’s the quality and the beauty rolled into one. Moreover, this manufacturer is an old family business which was spotted some time ago making shoes for the debut collection of Hedi Slimane for Christian Dior: Buttero and it’s Vibram V-lite sole. The models are White leather and suede carrera sneakers and Topaz suede running sneakers.
Of course, these are city sneakers. However, due to the white and slip-proof sole, they suit for walking on the deck with a glass of red or white wine as well as for going to the nearest club or bar in the port.
Before we move over to the most interesting models in Alex’s and my opinion, I would like to make a small digression. Lately, there are more people wearing… Crocs while sailing. To my mind, it’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t they better wear a rubber amalgam of slip-on shoes and sneakers made by Swims?
This is Luca Sneaker Navy Green. If you don’t like a colourful brazilian-flag-like variant there are different ones. Just have a look on their website. There is even a model that copy the colour combination of those famous Bundeswehr Sportschuhe, which are so beloved by designers all over the world.
Helly Hansen and Columbia also have deck models. It’s said. Check. Next !
And now the most interesting stuff.
Surfer brand Reef and their Walled and Ridge Premium models.
They attract us by their particular sole technology Swellular. According to the manufacturer, this sole is as those anti-wheelspin tires.
The overview wouldn’t be complete without the country who gave us such boats as Bavaria and Hanse. Let me present you Boat Lace and Boat Breeze by Adidas.
And now the final flourish: Nike aqua socks. They don’t leave traces, don’t slip and look awesome. These are not 100% sailing shoes, but they deserve being here.
Unfortunately, one can find them only on ebay. =(
So it’s done. This is our selection of shoes, not 100% for sailing but useful anyway. Stay tuned.
Stan,
Anchor.travel co-founder.
Alex,
Fashion expert.
