Footwear for a kayak

[casts_by_fly]

I wear muck boots until about now in the year. I also wear rain/waterproof bibs until about now.  The neoprene uppers are comfy and the soles are good enough. Now that the water is 70 and rising and the air is 70+ I will swap to flip flops.  I’ll wear them to launch and once in the boat I take them off. 

[padlin]

Flip flops would work at some put ins, and get stuck in the muck at others. I need something that will stay on the feet, drain and dry quickly, and also have soles that give some protection from rocks. SO far it looks like water shoes or some sort of Crocs/sandals. Going to look at some today, thanks all.

[Junk Fisherman]

On 5/21/2022 at 6:47 PM, Bird said:

Keen water shoes, wear them in the bass boat as well.

 

This is what I wear in my kayak.  In the boat I always wear the most comfortable running shoes I own.  Used to wear the Keen sandals in the boat but running shoes are better when you are standing 8-10 hours.  

[Bankc]

In the winter, I use waterproof rubber wading boots.  The water is cold and I don't want to get wet.  In the warmer months, I take old tennis shoes, drill holes in the soles to let the water drain easier, and just wear them.  It's cheap, easy, and effective!  Then I store them in the garage.  I'll often bring a second pair of shoes so I don't have to wear wet shoes all day when I'm not in the kayak.  I replace them about once a year.  And since I go through about 2-4 pairs of sneakers a year at my job, I've got no shortage of old tennis shoes.  

[KSanford33]

On 5/21/2022 at 4:53 PM, MN Fisher said:

I got these for wearing in the canoe - I'll still wear them in the F-9

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NPFZY8K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

This is pretty accurate. Any pair of reasonably cheap neoprene hiking shoes will work well. I wear Vibram Five Finger shoes, but I'm weird and the places I go don't have any jagged rocks.

[Darth-Baiter]

Sumner time I wear the shorter NSR booties.  I get them wet all the time and simply dry them hanging upside down.  Going on my third year with them.  Winter time I wear the knee high version. 
 

My worst sunburn was the tops of my feet when I was younger.  I go fishing 95% shrouded from the sun. 

 

[Bluebasser86]

I rock the Crocs

 

I have the NRS paddle shoes for colder weather though and do recommend them, but they're too hot once the temps get above about 50 for me. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Bluebasser86 said:

I rock the Crocs

Dude! What is it with you and eye-bleed colors?

[Bluebasser86]

16 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Dude! What is it with you and eye-bleed colors?

I like to make people uncomfortable. I know Crocs make people squirm enough, so I try to go all out. 

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I like to make people uncomfortable. I know Crocs make people squirm enough, so I try to go all out. 

Want to make people really uncomfortable?

 

 

Just show up in your work clothes.?

[Choporoz]

>~65 deg. - Merrell Water Shoes (not their sandals or crocs) - traction on slick ramps and rocks was a big consideration for me

 

<~65 deg.- NRS Boundary boots

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

33 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Want to make people really uncomfortable?

 

 

Just show up in your work clothes.?

It's so hard to cast with the vest and all the gear mounted on it though.

[Ventenberry]

All Terrain Crocs.  They are built tougher than regular Crocs.

 

 

[padlin]

Thanks, they just happen to be on sale!

[schplurg]

On 5/22/2022 at 7:55 PM, TNBankFishing said:

Covering my entire body exposed to the sun with sunscreen every two hours is tedious and I’m going to miss spots. 
 

Saying “Sunscreen works” is like saying brakes work on cars so who needs to worry about seatbelts. Yes, I know it’s a bit extreme but all of us spend a lot of time in the sun. I want everyone who enjoys fishing to be able to do so for their entire lives. 
 

I hound my fishing club members, my friends and anyone willing to listen. Save your skin and get more years of catching big ones. 

 

A bit extreme yes. Sunscreen works on its own just fine, period. If we are just talking about feet then it's not such a big deal to put on. Sunscreen lasts hours for me in the kayak.

 

I've also been sunburned through clothes so be careful about what you wear. I've been wearing sunscreen under my hats. Not all clothes are made equally, even UV ones (or sunscreens).

 

I have the whitest feet ever. Sometimes I wear shoes, sometimes I'm barefoot in the kayak. Or I will wear shoes then take them off once I'm in. I keep thinking about buying boots like Greg Blanchard wears but I don't see the need in warm weather.

 

I'm not 100% sold on barefoot pedaling, just saying it isn't a problem, except maybe bottom of the foot getting sore from the pedal. A shoe is nice for that sometimes.

 

Funny, back when I was a kid it was called "sun tan lotion".

[FishTank]

Don't do Crocs. The bottoms are too slick for rocks and boat ramps. I have seen more injuries at the ramps from those shoes than I can count. 

 

I have had a pair of Teva water sandals for 3 years and they have been great on slimy boat ramps and for hiking. Prior to that I had Keen water shoes.  NRS also makes a great pair boots for cold water kayaking and shoes for warmer weather but I prefer the Tevas. Also don't do tall Muck boots. They are a guaranteed death trap if you fall in. You might as well be wearing cement shoes.

[GTN-NY]

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

Don't do Crocs. The bottoms are too slick for rocks and boat ramps. I have seen more injuries at the ramps from those shoes than I can count. 

 

I have had a pair of Teva water sandals for 3 years and they have been great on slimy boat ramps and for hiking. Prior to that I had Keen water shoes.  NRS also makes a great pair boots for cold water kayaking and shoes for warmer weather but I prefer the Tevas. Also don't do tall Muck boots. They are a guaranteed death trap if you fall in. You might as well be wearing cement shoes.

Any chance you have a link to those tevas?

[gim]

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

Don't do Crocs. The bottoms are too slick for rocks and boat ramps. I have seen more injuries at the ramps from those shoes than I can count. 

 

I have had a pair of Teva water sandals for 3 years and they have been great on slimy boat ramps and for hiking. Prior to that I had Keen water shoes.  NRS also makes a great pair boots for cold water kayaking and shoes for warmer weather but I prefer the Tevas. Also don't do tall Muck boots. They are a guaranteed death trap if you fall in. You might as well be wearing cement shoes.

I don’t do crocs either. My feet stink to high heaven in the summer with those things on.

 

I had a pair of keens but they came apart on me only the second season I had them. Currently using Teva water sandals, year 3 coming up and they’re holding up pretty well.

 

Years ago I had a pair of Sperry Topsider sandals. Sperry makes sandals and shoes that are specifically designed for sailing, but they also work well for fishing.

[FishTank]

17 minutes ago, GTN-NY said:

Any chance you have a link to those tevas?

 

Here you go. 

 

https://www.rei.com/product/148563/teva-strata-universal-sandals?color=BLACK

 

They aren't cheap but I have had mine for 3 years and to me that makes them worth it. They are supportive like a boot and the sole is non-slip.  I am always the one backing the boat trailer up on the boat ramp and I have to get into the water to get it hooked up so I can tell you they work. They do fade from the sun which is no big deal to me. I think I can another 2 years out of them. 

 

[Basser2021]

On 5/25/2022 at 10:14 AM, Ventenberry said:

All Terrain Crocs.  They are built tougher than regular Crocs.

 

 

What I mean when I say "crocs" 

I wouldn't recommend regular crocs because of walking on boat ramps and slick rocks like others have mentioned

[GTN-NY]

12 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

Here you go. 

 

https://www.rei.com/product/148563/teva-strata-universal-sandals?color=BLACK

 

They aren't cheap but I have had mine for 3 years and to me that makes them worth it. They are supportive like a boot and the sole is non-slip.  I am always the one backing the boat trailer up on the boat ramp and I have to get into the water to get it hooked up so I can tell you they work. They do fade from the sun which is no big deal to me. I think I can another 2 years out of them. 

 

Thanks

do they dry quickly?

[FishTank]

3 hours ago, GTN-NY said:

Thanks

do they dry quickly?

They dry ok. The straps can take a few but no different than any other sandle. They can smell though.  I just spray them with Lysol.

[Dangerfield]

I've been going barefoot when the weather permits it or watershoes. I've used my NRS boundary boots(last gen) a few times already this year and they're awesome for keeping you warm and dry.

[SWVABass]

Columbia makes some nice slip ones, I wear them in my yak. I did just see grundens (spelling) has come out with a boat shoe as well. Walmart sells “water socks” for cheap as well, wore the hell out of them as a kid.

[michaelb]

One aspect not mentioned so far is are you paddling peddling or standing? For paddling anything can work and you can kick them off if you want. I assume for peddling you need them to be comfortable enough for the trip. But many of these water shoes are not very comfortable to stand in for hours. 
 

I stand as much as possible. I upgraded to the crosskix over crocs and sandals and various cheap watershoe variations because your shoes need to be great in and out of water, without sand and rocks stuck inside, and comfortable to stand in for hours. Keens were great for example at everything except they always got rocks inside.