Barefoot and footwear in the Boat

[Bankbeater]

In warm weather, I wear tennis shoes, or knee high rubber boots depending on where I am fishing and what the boat ramp is like.  In winter I have a pair of insulated work boots that I wear when I hike around the ponds.  Old rusty hooks, glass shards, and long thorns in the feet make for a long day,

[Lead Head]

Crocs, when it's cold I wear wool socks and crocs. When it's really cold (for me that's upper 30s - lower 40s) I break down and wear muck boots. 

[Pat Brown]

Crocs or boots.  Winter usually boots.  Spring and summer usually Crocs.  Fall could go both ways depending on the weather.

[rangerjockey]

Keen Sandles in summer then some kind of waterproof hiking boot in the winter.

[VTFan]

I see some of the pros are even fishing barefoot in their boats, Ott Defoe being one.  As for me, in summer time its Crocs. I don't use the boat that much in colder months but if I do I wear sneakers and when trailering the boat I put on a pair of hip waders. As someone else said, I don't relish the idea of digging a hook out of my foot.

[FishTank]

I generally wear either of these two when fishing during warm weather. The Teva Strata or Keen Sols. For cold weather I use the NRS Boundry Boots.  

 

 

On a side note, I saw another person fall at the boat ramp yesterday wearing Crocs. Busted his knee up and his ankle.  His wife came to get him. Pretty sure he was heading to the ER. His knee looked like a bruised grapefruit. 

[Swamp Girl]

It's cool to see photos of the footwear, so this is basically what I wear. They warm when it's cool and wet, but not too warm in the summer and I feel safe when stepping onto slippery rocks under the water:

 

[Darth-Baiter]

in a bassboat, i could wear anything.  not like i am trying to stay dry, look for traction.  just needs to cover my feet.  

 

i wear trail running shoes for the most part.

 

kayak footwear takes more thought.  

[Siebert Outdoors]

I've fished in the boat a couple times before and instantly stopped when I almost stepped on a crankbait.  Me personally will never do it again.   My shoes are tennis shoes, Crocs, or hey dudes.  if its cold then hunting boots.

[Bankc]

I wear old tennis shoes with holes drilled in them (to let the water out) when the water's warm.  And then rubber boots in the cold-water months. 

 

There usually gravel on our ramps, or at least stray rocks and such.  And I like to keep my skin covered, so I don't get sunburn.  So I don't typically fish barefoot.  

 

But I do recommend being barefoot as often as possible.  Walking around barefoot strengthens your feet which helps reduce foot pain, knee pain, back pain, all of that stuff.  

[Woody B]

Barefoot when weather permits,  running shoes and ankle socks when it's not quite barefoot weather,  rubber boots and wool socks when it's cold.  

 

I tried some boat shoes.  My feet sweat quite a bit.  My feet and shoes reek if I don't have socks on but they're OK barefoot.  I guess the "funk" can get away.   

[FishTax]

On kayak- Choco in warm weather (water temp warm bc I get wet at launch), waterproof hiking boots in cold temp. I've been known to wear Crocs as well, but my last pair warped so bad I couldn't wear them again  when they were drying in the sun so that turned me off to them. 

[gim]

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

My feet sweat quite a bit.  My feet and shoes reek if I don't have socks on but they're OK barefoot.  I guess the "funk" can get away.

This is the exact reason I don’t do crocs. There’s no air flow when I wear them and I can’t even tolerate the smell of my own feet. The solution is sandals, which allow air flow.

[casts_by_fly]

I start with muck boots when it’s cold and fleece socks. When the water temps start hitting 65 or so and the air 70+ I’ll swap to crocs. I’ll throw a pair of socks in the kayak in case it’s chillier than expected or the bugs are out. Back to muck boots in the fall.  I have to wet launch the kayak no matter where I am.  I used to use flip flops in the summer but too many places I launch are chunk rock, slippery, or muddy and I like the crocs with an adjustable strap for a little more grip to my feet. They are also super comfortable to wear if you want. I take them off when I’m in the boat as I like to be able to feel the boat and know where my feet are without looking down. That’s for standing and balancing in the kayak. 
 

when I’m in the boat with my dad I wear whatever the weather says I need. 

[TLHSS]

I only shore fish. Where there is brush, I wear high-top Columbia hiking boots that are water resistant, as well as REI gaters. Not a fan of ticks. 

[wvhunt]

I've thought about these to get a little more elevation for long casts, and the black should match all my outfits, but I'm not sure how hard it would be to walk around when the water is choppy.

[MN Fisher]

43 minutes ago, wvhunt said:

I've thought about these to get a little more elevation for long casts, and the black should match all my outfits, but I'm not sure how hard it would be to walk around when the water is choppy.

Just need a thicker heel is all

[Alex from GA]

I go barefoot until it's too hot to touch the trolling motor pedal then sandals.  In the cold short boots and wool socks.  Chaco wading shoes in the kayak in summer and neoprene waders in cool/cold water.  I usually am in shallow rivers and get out to fish.

[Bankc]

You know, high heels were originally only worn by men, as a means to better grip the stirrups of the saddle.  It's why cowboy boots still have high heels.  Women rode side saddle and didn't need heels.  

[Glenn]

On 11/14/2023 at 4:26 PM, wvhunt said:

but I'm not sure how hard it would be to walk around when the water is choppy.

After a little practice, you get used to it.

 

..... so I'm told. 

 

 

Joking aside, never barefoot for me.  After A LOT of testing different brands and types of shoes, it's either Simms Challenger flip flops or Hey Dudes for me when it's warm; Columbia insulated/waterproof boots when it's cold.  I'll also wear Merrell waterproof sneakers when it's warm and raining.

 

In the summer, I often wear the flip flops for launching/loading the boat.  I'll wear waterproof boots when it's cold. I'm too old and the ramps too slippery to try and tiptoe around bumpers and trailer tongues in an attempt to avoid getting wet.

[tunaman]

I’m an old guy, and it is usually barefoot for me unless it is cold. I keep a pair of white ankle socks to put on when the deck gets hot, and I wear a pair of sandals when launching or walking on the dock.

 

Don't understand what the big deal is…

[MidwestBassAttack]

Usually flip flops when warm and HUK boots when it’s wet or cold. Under Armour HOVR athletic shoes may be the deal next season. I noticed standing on your feet for 6+ hours in flip flops takes it’s toll on your back surprisingly 

[Swamp Girl]

11 minutes ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Usually flip flops when warm and HUK boots when it’s wet or cold. Under Armour HOVR athletic shoes may be the deal next season. I noticed standing on your feet for 6+ hours in flip flops takes it’s toll on your back surprisingly 

 

Yep, no arch support. 

[Woody B]

6 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Usually flip flops when warm and HUK boots when it’s wet or cold. Under Armour HOVR athletic shoes may be the deal next season. I noticed standing on your feet for 6+ hours in flip flops takes it’s toll on your back surprisingly 

 

6 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

 

Yep, no arch support. 

 

 

For some reason I can't wear flip flops.  They won't stay on my feet.  I guess my feet are shaped funny.   However, Vionic makes flip flops with good arch support.  Mrs B wears them all the time.  

[Bass Junke]

The season starts with NRS boundary boots. As it warms I wear a shorter NRS boot. Finally in the summer it is  flip flops or bare foot. I am in a kayak, if I was in a bass boat, I would probably be bare foot throughout the summer.