First and foremost, fishing footwear must provide sure traction on damp surfaces. Wet decks can be treacherous, and a fall on a pitching vessel can easily end in a trip to the hospital. Even if you don’t end up on the floor, losing your footing can cost you a fish, turning a hook-set into a fight with gravity. Shoes should also be comfortable. As the old saying goes, “If your feet aren’t happy, you won’t be happy.”
What are the Best Fishing Shoes?
The best fishing shoe for you depends on how you’ll be fishing. Rubber boots or boat shoes used to be the only purpose-built shoes for fishing from boats, but those days are in the rearview mirror. Now you can also get ankle-high deck boots, fishing sneakers, slip-ons and even high-tech flip-flops. The best fishing shoes for you depends on the weather and the style of fishing you’ll be doing. Non-marking soles (to keep the captain happy) and excellent traction come standard in all of today’s fishing shoes. Wherever you are, however you fish, there’s a perfect pair of shoes for you.
Deck Boots
Tall deck boots are all but standard issue on fishing vessels in the Northeast from October to May, and they see a lot of duty in the Pacific Northwest. The calf-high height keeps pant legs dry and helps with comfort in cold weather.
Excellent traction, durability, foot protection and comfort for long days on the deck in extreme weather conditions are what hard-core fishermen demand from deck boots. Here are a few newer models that answer the call.
Pelagic Expedition 12-inch Deck Boot
Pelagic’s Expedition boot trades the weight of rubber for stretchy neoprene uppers that keep anglers warm, comfortable and dry. It’s the recreational angler’s version of a hard-core deck boot. If you’re looking for a full rubber boot, check out Pelagic’s Longshore 12-inch boot.
XTRATUF 15-Inch Legacy
Xtratuf may be the oldest brand in the game, having crafted deck boots for Alaskan fishermen for 60-plus years. The Legacy continues this tradition, as do many of the company’s excellent offerings. This is a commercial-grade boot built for hard-working fishermen.
Ankle Deck Boots
Ankle-high deck boots are trending in the world of fishing footwear. Anglers enjoy the easy slip-on, slip-off nature of this style, with the lower cut providing waterproof protection that straddles the seasons. Most ankle deck boots are constructed of vulcanized rubber with a soft inner lining and a neoprene cuff at the ankle to protect your feet and keep them comfortable.
Designed for traction, they are a good choice for fishing from boat decks, jetties, piers, docks and pretty much any situation where you’re not wading in water more than ankle deep. They are great fishing shoes. The one drawback with ankle deck boots is you might get an uncomfortable boot full of water while launching a kayak or walking into the surf to extend a cast.
With most of the major fishing brands entering the ankle-boot market over the last few years, this style of fishing boots has become very popular. The following are some great options.
Strike Bigeye Boot
Strike is a new company that entered the market this year with a line of impressive fishing shoes that have the right combination of technical performance, comfort and style. Their Bigeye Boot features an easy kick-off design, durable aeroprene mesh and vulcanized rubber construction, excellent traction, an antimicrobial footbed and a fast-drying mesh sock lining.
Simms Challenger Slip-On
With a cuff height of 5 inches, this boot from Simms is a little shorter than most ankle boots, which come to 6 inches. It has a grid fleece lining that is warm and comfy but retains breathability. Fishermen are finding these boots do double duty as around-the-yard beaters.
Columbia PFG Pro Sport
Columbia entered the deck boot market with something a little different. They made a hybrid of a traditional deck boot and an athletic shoe. The uppers are a deck boot, the insole and outsole have arch contours and adaptive cushioning like a running shoe.
Frogg Toggs HydroGrip Deck Boot
Frogg Toggs saw the need for an athletic fit in their new ankle deck boot and answered with a supportive, athletic midsole for better stance and reduced fatigue on a rolling deck. The slop-free, athletic fit provides stability on uneven surfaces. An anti-microbial treatment will keep your feet from stinking.
Huk Women’s Rogue Wave
Here’s one for the ladies. Huk took all the benefits of its excellent men’s ankle boots and made them in women’s sizes and styles. They’re great boat boots, and they’re also a comfortable, stylish option for rainy days. If your tastes are more masculine, take a look at the top-selling Men’s Rogue Wave.
Classic Boat Shoes
Years ago, boat shoes like Sperry Topsiders were the only option. Today, the casual look of a classic boat shoe has been paired with modern technology to create a shoe that looks good on the docks and performs on the water.
Strike Silvertip Boat Shoe
For anglers who prefer the classic style of an old-school boat shoe, Strike’s Silvertips give you the yacht-club look along with modern performance features. The uppers are made of water-repellent leather with a knitted inner sock and laces for comfort and a secure fit. They drain quickly and feature well-designed treads that ensure excellent grip in any conditions.
Boat Sneakers
A number of makers have stepped up with designs that meld the functionality of a deck shoe with the comfort and looks of an athletic shoe. These are fishing shoes with the heart of a comfortable sneaker.
They are versatile, as they provide excellent footing, balance and support on the boat or on a hiking trail. They’re light and comfortable like a running shoe, and with stain and water repellent properties as well as drains to let water out, these fishing shoes are a good option when you’re likely to get wet, bloody and slimy.
Columbia Men’s Castback TC PFG
With the eye of an angler, Columbia put a lot of thought into the design of this fishing shoe. It offers superb comfort, with a midsole engineered to absorb impact and provide balance. The list of thoughtful angler-centric features is impressive.
Frogg Toggs HydroGrip athletic boat shoe
The HydroGrip fishing sneaker was designed for tournament anglers who spend long days on the water regardless of conditions. It combines all the benefits of a deck shoe with the comfort of an athletic shoe.
Strike Bluefin Lace Sneaker
Strike’s lightweight Bluefin sneakers pair the comfort and support of an athletic shoe with features that make them perfect for the boat. Breathable uppers made of recycled marine plastic along with the company’s high-tech midsole, sole and tread designs keep you safe and comfortable during long days on the water.
Wet-Wading Boots
If your style of fishing involves a wet exit onto the flats, then consider one of the next-generation wading boots designed to protect feet from underwater hazards. They also drain quickly, dry fast and provide excellent traction in wet, rocky areas.
Simms Flyweight Access
TheSimms Flyweight Access wet wading shoe provides athletic-shoe comfort and support, with a built-in gaiter to keep rocks out. Vibram Idrogrip Flex soles stay stuck no matter how wet it gets, but they won’t mark up the deck of your skiff.
Flip-Flops on a Fishing Boat?
You can absolutely wear flip-flops on a fishing boat, but we wouldn’t recommend those dime-store flops that blow out. The open design of a good pair of sandals lets feet breathe, helping you keep cool on the hottest days, and they dry quickly.
several brands have introduced performance sandals specifically made for fishing. They’re sure-footed, with high-tech outsoles for traction. The insoles are also designed to grip, so you don’t slip out of your flops.
Strike Narrowtooth Flip-Flop
Lightweight, shock absorbing and cushioned with a three-density EVA footbed/midsole, Narrowtooth Flip-Flops are what you might call performance flip-flops. They also feature padded, water-repellent leather straps and Strike’s Aqua Deck Outsole with Solum Bio Tread for non‑slip traction on wet and dry surfaces.
Grundens Fish Finder Sandals
Grundens has designed feature an anatomically molded footbed topped with SeaDeck for comfort and so that they stick to your feet.
AFTCO Deck Sandals
With durability, comfort and style, AFTCO’s Deck Sandals are slip-resistant for better footing on wet decks.
XTRATUF Auna Sandals
Solid enough that you can accidentally step on a gafftopsail cat without getting a spine in your foot, these sandals offer excellent traction on a boat deck.
