Shoes for fishing

[Glenn]

Hey guys,

I admit, after a long day of fishing, my feet are sore!  They just hurt for several hours after I get off the water. So I've been trying different shoes to try to solve the problem.

 

Simms sandals - excellent for hot weather.  They have great arch support. Problem solved.  However, in not-so-hot weather, I'm still troubleshooting.

 

Hoka One shoes - I was told they're "like walking on pillows".  NOPE!  I have to take them off in just a few hours.

 

Huy Dude shoes - I've worn them around a bit, and so far so good. But I haven't tried them yet for a full day of fishing.  They seem to lack arch support like the Simms, so I'm hesitant to try.  But they seem they might work.

 

Asics work the best so far, but even then, my feet still hurt - a lot - at the end of a long day.

 

I'm considering trying nurses shoes or something similar.  But before I do, I want to know what works for you.  Let's hear it!

[NorcalBassin]

I'm on the same quest and just pulled the trigger on some Hokas, so apparently I don't have anything to offer you. ?? 

[Jar11591]

For short days on the boat in warmer weather, Crocs get the nod. Plenty comfy and lightweight enough. If I know I’m gonna be on the boat all day, I‘ll wear Nike running sneakers. So comfy and cushiony, and almost weightless. 
 

https://www.nike.com/t/react-phantom-run-flyknit-2-mens-running-shoes-7s5XTG/CJ0277-003

[Swamp Girl]

I wish I could help, Glenn. I sit in a canoe, so there's no load on my feet. I simply wear my tennis shoes or Keen sandals.

[PourMyOwn]

When I worked in the restaurant industry,  changing shoes mid day really helped. If I wore the same ones for a 14 hour day I paid the price,  for some reason different pairs made a huge difference-at about 22,000 steps per day.

[crypt]

in the cold,whenever that happens in Fl. I wear New Balance sneakers. otherwise I prefer to go without shoes. has the same problem with pain until I stopped wearing shoes. 

[looking45]

Soft Science shoes are the most Comfortable I’ve tried. It feels

like wearing slippers. They’re made for

fishing/boating. The reason your feet get tired/sore is because they’re compressed for a long period of time. Soft Sience shoes are extra wide with a roomy toe box. When you stand, your toes are able to spread out, there’s no pressure on your toes. I recommended them to two nurses who work 12

hour shifts and both of them said their feet don’t bother them after work. Amazon has several styles. 

[volzfan59]

I have a very high arch, in the summer, I wear my Chaco's sandals. They have a good arch. I purchased two pair of the Grunden's Seaknit fishing shoes. If you need an arch, you'll need arch supports. They're also kind of heavy. May work for some, but I can't recommend them. I tried all the major sneaker brands, Brooks running shoes work better for me.

[JGD]

I wear Lacrosse Granges. But I’m a bank and small water fisherman.??? 

 

John

[Smirak]

Crocs or Oofos sandals for me. Kayak or bank fishing. If it’s “chilly/cold”, I have some HUK deck boots that I wear. 

[Junk Fisherman]

As someone who has had high-end running shoes from multiple manufacturers, Hoka Bondi's are easily the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.  I prefer my Brooks Glycerin, which are slightly, slightly less comfortable, for everyday work and running errands but for standing in the boat fishing all day, give me my Hokas.  And I like Asics, Mizunos, and New Balance and I always buy the max cushioning shoes but the Hoka's are more comfortable for standing.  And I know a lot of people wear sandals.  Give me the most comfortable shoes possible and I'll use a cooling towel or some other method to combat the heat.  

[Darth-Baiter]

if i was in a boat.  a bassboat, i would rock some basketball shoes.   look good, good support and looks good.  

[softwateronly]

3 hours ago, PourMyOwn said:

When I worked in the restaurant industry,  changing shoes mid day really helped. If I wore the same ones for a 14 hour day I paid the price,  for some reason different pairs made a huge difference-at about 22,000 steps per day.

 

I also work long hours on my feet and this is how most of us in the industry combat foot pain.  A sock change at the same time is the chef's kiss.

 

scott

[ScottW]

Sketchers work great for me. Mine is mostly back pain after walking the bank for a few hours. The Sketchers help to alleviate it since I’m in Croc flip-flops the rest of the time. After ~45 years of working on concrete floors (printing industry) in steel toed boots they’re a slice of heaven. ?

[Junk Fisherman]

One other thing and I've probably posted this before, get memory foam inserts.  They make a HUGE difference.  I have them in all my shoes.  They can make a pair of basic Dockers or Clarks leather shoes and make them extremely comfortable.  I'm a teacher and am on my feet all day and comfortable shoes is something I have been focusing on quite a bit over the last few years especially as I have gotten older.  Ultra-cushioning running shoes and memory foam inserts are the most comfortable shoes for walking and standing all day. 

[TOXIC]

I’m sure you know that you are going to have to try different ones out to know.  I have for years, summer and winter worn Shimano Evair.  Simple wool socks in the winter.  I have a second pair one size up for wearing socks underneath.  I have a high arch and a wide foot so finding comfortable shoes was pretty difficult.  

[Dwight Hottle]

Plain old Crocs for me unless it's cold & wet and then I wear a pair of Timberland Gore-Tex shoes.

[Bolar]

 

A few years ago, on a whim, I bought a pair or mesh covered sneakers.  They were the most comfortable sneakers I have ever bought.  Then the chumps stopped selling them and I've not found a pair like them since.  After that though, I won't buy another pair of leather sneakers again.  Way too hot.  If your looking for lace up shoes, the mesh covered shoes are the coolest, and lightest you can get.

 

Since then I have been trying slip on "Boat Shoes" like the Hey Dude.  I've had them for around six months now, and I find them OK.  They fit a lot like slippers.  There is not much of an arch, but the soles are soft and when you step they kind-of push up into the arch area.  I've fished with them  a couple of times now, and my feet were not hurting at the end of the day.  I'm not wowed by them so when they do go bad I'll probably buy another pair, unless I run across something better.

 

[Craig P]

For cold weather, I like my Timberland Hiking boots for all day comfort. I would wear them all year but in the warm weather, most sneakers work for me but if I do fatigue, taking the sneaks off and just wearing socks works for me. 

[T-Billy]

Running shoes work best for me in hot weather, hikers in milder weather.

[Sparky153]

I love my hey dudes. I like crocs as well, but they can be slippery when wet

[ironbjorn]

I was wearing a pair of Brooks running shoes, but my feet hurt after just a couple hours of standing for whatever reason. Then I went to the shoe store thinking I was going to get some Hokas I had my heart set on, but the lady said look, these New Balance are a lot better for the same price ($250). I'd always associated New Balance with cheap dad shoes, but took her word and she was right. Most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. Forget the exact name. I'm a simple man. I also wear flip flops a major portion of the time simply for convenience and being happy that it's summer.

[throttleplate]

Soft Sole inserts, have a pair for every shoe i own. I wear hunting boots, waders and Asics shoes. I take out the manufacturers insole and put Soft Soles in each pair including my waders.

Been doing this for 18 years after i had planter faciatis. Dr told me after he gave me a cortisone shot in my foot to buy some good arch support insoles so i did and pain free since.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sof-Sole-Length-Comfort-11-12-5/dp/B000LP0RH0?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

[papajoe222]

I worked in a casino, on my feet all day, for a couple of years. After my first week, my feet were killing me. I looked around at what others were wearing and the majority of them had quality sneakers on. Some Nike, some New Balance, some Adidas, but all were cross training style.  One thing I added was a pair of WalkFit supports inside my first pair of New Balance sneakers and by the third day I wore them, my foot and back pain stopped bothering me.

I wear that same pair as my fishing shoes.   If you're like me, you stand the entire time you're fishing and you don't spend a lot of time running around the lake. One other thing I added after I turned 65 was exercising my legs. You'd be surprised how much good muscle tone in your legs can help reduce foot strain.

[FishTank]

I hate to admit it but at one point in my life I managed a shoe store. So when it comes to shoes, I'd like to think I know a few things and one of them is, everyones feet are different. Also, your feet are different at different times in your life. For most people that means even having your feet change as the day goes on. Your feet swell and sweat throughout the day. So what does that mean, most people don't were the correct shoes and you may have a hard time finding shoes that are perfect for your feet, even from most name brands.  

 

A couple things that are hard to get into peoples' heads are... shoes sizes are not universal and soft, "comfortable shoes" (Hokas, heavy cushioned running shoes, Crocs, for example) are usually the worst thing for your feet. Another is don't wear the same pair of shoes everyday. Sounds weird but most vulcanized shoes take 24-48 hours to reform and have the sweat from your feet evaporate after you wear them. Letting a pair sit for a day will get the shoe to last longer and allow it to form better to your foot making better for your feet.  

 

From my powerlifting days....These two images below illustrate what I am talking about when it comes to bad/proper fitting shoes for day to day wear. Even though they are meant to illustrate why squatting in the wrong shoes can be bad, the same principle applies to standing all day. 

 

 

So what shoes do I recommend..... For some, this is like recommending fishing line, it can get personal and rightfully so. I would find a good shoe store or even a podiatrist to look at your feet and get their input.  Be prepared for a reality check. 

 

For me for fishing, I have tried all kinds of shoes over the years. The Keen Solrs I have been using this year have been great. But prior to that, I was using Teva Strata sandals. Both shoes give/adjust to how my feet swell and are comfortable all day. When it's colder, I use hiking boots from Asolo. For everyday, I like the Oboz Sawtooth. The insoles are fantastic, as they form to your feet. For a comfortable indulgence (aka grilling, sitting around and drinking beer) I like sandals and slippers from OluKai. For working out, I like the Nike Metacon and if I am serious about some heavy lifts, the Adidas Adipower. Running shoes... never going to happen, see pic above.