Footwear Sugestions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

HobieScot · 07-11-2015, 06:07 AM

I am curious as to what type of shoes everyone uses for kayak fishing. I have been wearing a pair of old Sanuks that are kind of similar to a boat shoe but they have holes in the front, back, and sides to alllow water to drain out. They are meant to be worn around water, but not the best option to get wet on a regular basis as they have stretched out from getting wet and drying repeatedly and no longer fit properly.

I generally take them off to launch if possible, then I will put them back on later in the day when I notice my feet are starting to burn.

I know there are much better options out there so I was wondering what everyone wears when you take your kayak out. Something that I could wear the entire day including the launch and recovery would be ideal.

Can anyone offer a better option for me to look into?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.

YakDout · 07-11-2015, 06:16 AM

I just go barefoot, if it's colder I wear neoprene socks.

PescadorPete · 07-11-2015, 06:29 AM

I use lightweight low top neoprene scuba dive boots. The zippered ones are easier to get on/off over my waders booties. I got ones with a sturdy sole so I can walk in them. The sole is also good to protect my feet on the Hobie pedals. They also make low cut ones that look like loafers that might work better if you are not putting them on over waders.

beerman · 07-11-2015, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PescadorPete

I use lightweight low top neoprene scuba dive boots. The zippered ones are easier to get on/off over my waders booties I got ones with a sturdy sole so I can walk in them. The sole is also good to protect my feet on the Hobie pedals. They also make low cut ones that look like loafers that might work better if you are not putting them on over waders.

Same here..EZ on the feet on shore too..Zippers a must

Irishman · 07-11-2015, 06:40 AM

In the colder months my surf booties, summer time barefoot, but lots of sunscreen every couple hours

Caseym · 07-11-2015, 08:31 AM

If its hot, i wear Tevas.
If its cold, I wear waders and Tevas.
When I get back on the beach, i wear my Reef sandals, so I dont look like a dork.
-mazer

ronbo613 · 07-11-2015, 08:45 AM

These felt bottom wading booties work petty well when it's colder. You can take them off easily if it warms up.

Most of the time I wear Tevas because, around here, getting to the water can be pretty tough and flipflops don't cut it. Once I'm on the water, I take the Tevas off and work barefoot.

HELLSTER INC. · 07-12-2015, 07:45 PM

You can get at least 2 more years out of those!

jorluivil · 07-12-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HELLSTER INC.

You can get at least 2 more years out of those!

right? a little goop and they'll be as good as new

Rufus · 07-14-2015, 06:43 AM

Vibram Five Finger shoes.

The Hobie pedals' horizontal pattern non-skid gets to be a pain after about a half day.

The Vibrams are perfect and don't waterlog my feet.

Molten Furnace · 07-13-2015, 10:48 AM

I wear Merrell water shoes -- more for sun protection than anything else. They are great.

HobieScot · 07-13-2015, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molten Furnace

I wear Merrell water shoes -- more for sun protection than anything else. They are great.

I really like those. What store carries that brand?

Couple questions...
Do you launch barefoot then put those on afterwards? Or do you walk right into the water with those?

Molten Furnace · 07-13-2015, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HobieScot

I really like those. What store carries that brand?

Couple questions...
Do you launch barefoot then put those on afterwards? Or do you walk right into the water with those?

I think mine were from REI, but they may not carry them anymore. I just checked Amazon and they have these. They are called Merrell Waterpro Maipo.

I put these on at home and wear them the whole time until I land the kayak at the end of the day. I throw them in the trunk for the drive home, just to minimize the amount of sand in the car. They are great if you have to park a ways from the launch point and wheel your kayak down the sidewalk or such. I also wear them when I go surf fishing from the beach or whenever else I think I might encounter water -- boats, exploring tide pools, etc.

octico · 07-13-2015, 12:51 PM

I use these and love them

HobieScot · 07-13-2015, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octico

I use these and love them

I saw those at Sports Challet. I liked them but they looked like they had a decent amount of padding that wouldn't completely dry after launching in them. Do you find that to be the case or do they totally dry out throughout the day?

HobieScot · 07-13-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molten Furnace

I think mine were from REI, but they may not carry them anymore. I just checked Amazon and they have these. They are called Merrell Waterpro Maipo.

I put these on at home and wear them the whole time until I land the kayak at the end of the day. I throw them in the trunk for the drive home, just to minimize the amount of sand in the car. They are great if you have to park a ways from the launch point and wheel your kayak down the sidewalk or such. I also wear them when I go surf fishing from the beach or whenever else I think I might encounter water -- boats, exploring tide pools, etc.

Thanks for the info!

Do you find that they dry pretty quickly after you launch? Or do they stay a little wet all day?

Molten Furnace · 07-13-2015, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HobieScot

I really like those. What store carries that brand?

Couple questions...
Do you launch barefoot then put those on afterwards? Or do you walk right into the water with those?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HobieScot

Thanks for the info!

Do you find that they dry pretty quickly after you launch? Or do they stay a little wet all day?

To be honest I don't ever think about them too much when I'm on the water. Whether they are wet or dry, they don't bother me. Now that I think about it, I would have to say that they stay a little wet all day. In fact, I usually hang them up to dry on a close line when I get home.

kjsdad619 · 07-13-2015, 11:03 AM

Barefoot when warm..and booties when cold..but I'll go barefoot then too sometimes..

Fishin' Magician · 07-15-2015, 05:25 AM

I have a couple of pairs of actual kayak shoes that really seem to work well. They're completely vented so that water and sand can drain out. Easier than than an old pair of tennis shoes and easier on the feet than going barefoot and trying to land on sharp shells, rocks, boat ramps, etc... And they're quick drying, so after a hard day on the water, you can rinse them off, dry them and they're good to go.

The real reason why I got them is that for some reason my feet get terribly sunburned very easily. Not sure why, but no amount of sunscreen will keep them from burning. Go figure.....

Hunters Pa · 07-15-2015, 05:47 AM

Red Pumps, in case I take on water

Seriously, scuba booties with a tread on the bottom. My feet are too pale to be exposed to sun for too long.

07-11-2015, 06:07 AM	#1
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	Footwear Sugestions I am curious as to what type of shoes everyone uses for kayak fishing. I have been wearing a pair of old Sanuks that are kind of similar to a boat shoe but they have holes in the front, back, and sides to alllow water to drain out. They are meant to be worn around water, but not the best option to get wet on a regular basis as they have stretched out from getting wet and drying repeatedly and no longer fit properly. I generally take them off to launch if possible, then I will put them back on later in the day when I notice my feet are starting to burn. I know there are much better options out there so I was wondering what everyone wears when you take your kayak out. Something that I could wear the entire day including the launch and recovery would be ideal. Can anyone offer a better option for me to look into? Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.

07-11-2015, 08:45 AM	#7
ronbo613 Waterman At Large Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: On the Water Posts: 199	These felt bottom wading booties work petty well when it's colder. You can take them off easily if it warms up. Most of the time I wear Tevas because, around here, getting to the water can be pretty tough and flipflops don't cut it. Once I'm on the water, I take the Tevas off and work barefoot. __________________ Kayak Fishing Photos and Video

07-12-2015, 07:45 PM	#8
HELLSTER INC. Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Banning, ca Posts: 429	You can get at least 2 more years out of those! __________________ HELLSTER. 2015 Hobie PA 14 2016 Hobie Revo 13 2018 SeaFox 248 Commander

07-15-2015, 05:25 AM	#19
Fishin' Magician Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 219	I have a couple of pairs of actual kayak shoes that really seem to work well. They're completely vented so that water and sand can drain out. Easier than than an old pair of tennis shoes and easier on the feet than going barefoot and trying to land on sharp shells, rocks, boat ramps, etc... And they're quick drying, so after a hard day on the water, you can rinse them off, dry them and they're good to go. The real reason why I got them is that for some reason my feet get terribly sunburned very easily. Not sure why, but no amount of sunscreen will keep them from burning. Go figure..... __________________ Here fishy, fishy, fishy.....

07-11-2015, 06:16 AM	#2
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	I just go barefoot, if it's colder I wear neoprene socks.

07-11-2015, 06:29 AM	#3
PescadorPete Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 261	I use lightweight low top neoprene scuba dive boots. The zippered ones are easier to get on/off over my waders booties. I got ones with a sturdy sole so I can walk in them. The sole is also good to protect my feet on the Hobie pedals. They also make low cut ones that look like loafers that might work better if you are not putting them on over waders.

07-11-2015, 06:40 AM	#5
Irishman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 306	In the colder months my surf booties, summer time barefoot, but lots of sunscreen every couple hours

07-11-2015, 08:31 AM	#6
Caseym Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Temecula Posts: 194	If its hot, i wear Tevas. If its cold, I wear waders and Tevas. When I get back on the beach, i wear my Reef sandals, so I dont look like a dork. -mazer

07-14-2015, 06:43 AM	#10
Rufus Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ocean Beach Posts: 90	Vibram Five Finger shoes. The Hobie pedals' horizontal pattern non-skid gets to be a pain after about a half day. The Vibrams are perfect and don't waterlog my feet.

07-13-2015, 10:48 AM	#11
Molten Furnace Junior Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Encinitas Posts: 17	I wear Merrell water shoes -- more for sun protection than anything else. They are great.

07-13-2015, 12:51 PM	#14
octico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: The city of Orange Posts: 1,278	I use these and love them

07-13-2015, 11:03 AM	#18
kjsdad619 Just a Salty Sailor Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 193	Barefoot when warm..and booties when cold..but I'll go barefoot then too sometimes..

07-15-2015, 05:47 AM	#20
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,358	Red Pumps, in case I take on water Seriously, scuba booties with a tread on the bottom. My feet are too pale to be exposed to sun for too long.