Boat shoe/boot alternatives - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

goldenglory18 · 06-13-2018, 01:39 PM

All,

I'm curious on what you all are wearing out on the water for boat/water shoes. Xtratuf seem to be the go-to for boats, but would be too clunky for yaks. SoftScience seem to be coming up, but man they are hideous AF.

Anyone ever tried the Sperry alternatives? Columbia, Merrell, any other options floating around out there?

ful-rac · 06-13-2018, 02:09 PM

This is what I use...I like'm!

https://www.xtratuf.com/xtratuf-mens...xoC46oQAvD_BwE

makobob · 06-13-2018, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

All,

I'm curious on what you all are wearing out on the water for boat/water shoes. Xtratuf seem to be the go-to for boats, but would be too clunky for yaks. SoftScience seem to be coming up, but man they are hideous AF.

Anyone ever tried the Sperry alternatives? Columbia, Merrell, any other options floating around out there?

Soft Science, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, COMFORT you feel. And if you are serious about your fishing, comfort is important. Tight Lines amigo.

goldenglory18 · 06-13-2018, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

This is what I use...I like'm!

NICE!

How do they fit (size wise) to a Nike or other athletic brand?

That's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Something that is comfortable, washable, and doesnt make me look like a doofus. I wore a pair of Vans low-cut classics to death on boats years ago. They stuck to the deck like glue, but they never really came "clean." Get enough death on those things and the wife wont even let me back into the zipcode.

Sperry has a few similar shoes out but I question the durability of them on a fishing boat...

ful-rac · 06-13-2018, 03:25 PM

They fit just fine.

Cronus · 06-13-2018, 03:33 PM

I use the NRS water shoes. The top seals to your leg and my feet never get wet even if they get completely submerged. Can feel the rocks under the feet with no hard soul but I really like them.

LJ H2Oman · 06-15-2018, 03:33 PM

My wetsuit booties that I use when surfing double just fine for kayak fishing. They keep my feet warm in winter. In the summer, if my feet ever start feeling warm, I just dip them into the water to cool off.

MITCHELL · 06-16-2018, 06:25 AM

Been on the Yukon in la Jolla canyon and to many kayak trips to remember.....

MITCHELL · 06-16-2018, 06:28 AM

Great for walking on Rocky bottoms...rubber boot sole dive booty.

ProfessorLongArms · 06-16-2018, 08:26 AM

+1 on the nrs water shoes. They also fit perfectly over my frog togs. I wish they drained a little bit better, but I like having a high top. I always tend to wear ripstop, quick dry pants rather than shorts, so it pretty much makes it so I don’t have to wear any sunscreen. I was wearing some low top surf shoes for a while, and I would get a 1 inch strip of sunburned ankles, which was great.

ctfphoto · 06-16-2018, 10:16 AM

I have worn everything. My favorite if I can keep them dry are HIKING boots .....

Mr. NiceGuy · 06-16-2018, 10:21 AM

I splurged and bought NRS Kickers in a kayak store on an impulse once, $45.

Bad choice for kayaking, IMHO.

Too rigid and the low tops are uncomfortable when I peddle, especially if my feet get sunburned. Water sloshes around inside like wearing plastic bags and they will not drain. That makes them stink, so they need to be washed after every use.

Next time I buy wetshoes, I'll shop for lightweight, soft, high top and flexible. It would be nice if water runs out and the shoes dry quickly by themselves without having to turn them upside down and hanging them at just the right angle to drain and eventually air dry.

Soles are tough with a good grip, and protective for walking on sharp rocks, broken bottles, scrap metal or other unseen debris under the water. That part is good as a safety feature.

I normally wear a size 10.5 in most shoes. My NRS are size 11 and too tight. Maybe they are intentionally undersized to hold them snugly in place. Not sure about that, but bigger would have been more comfortable in my kayak. The elasticity of the materials is too much and they have not loosened with use.

What I would NOT recommend:

buddha · 06-16-2018, 11:12 AM

Softscience are the best and most comfortable water and off water shoes I have ever used. The owners are the former CEOs of Reebok and Crocs.

If you use my code: CaptainLowe you will get 10% off and free shipping on all orders over $49.99.

Iceman · 06-19-2018, 03:51 PM

Vans..........Pros

goldenglory18 · 06-19-2018, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

Vans..........Pros

Dude, I'm leaning that direction!!!

There are a few vans look-a-likes that are out there but nothing is tougher than that canvas upper!

Iceman · 06-19-2018, 05:01 PM

bmercury · 06-19-2018, 05:12 PM

Don't care what niceguy says, I love my NRS kickers. Will use those if I am rocking my boardshots. He is correct about them getting smelly, I rinse w/ freshwater and let them sit out in the sun to dry.

If I am using waders I use a stocking foot type wader with some sandals over them for protection.

Mr. NiceGuy · 06-19-2018, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmercury

Don't care what niceguy says, I love my NRS kickers. Will use those if I am rocking my boardshots. He is correct about them getting smelly, I rinse w/ freshwater and let them sit out in the sun to dry.

I throw mine in the washing machine with the rest of my fishy clothes every time I use them. No problem at all. They are very durable. Then hang them out to drain and air dry.

I'm still a NiceGuy. I just don't care for my NRS Kickers.

Hunters Pa · 06-20-2018, 06:08 AM

Scuba booties with hard rubber sole for me. It’s more about blocking the sun than keeping dry

jbl_91762 · 06-20-2018, 09:05 AM

wear my crocs or teva sandals till I get onboard then kick them off and go barefoot.

06-13-2018, 01:39 PM	#1
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Boat shoe/boot alternatives All, I'm curious on what you all are wearing out on the water for boat/water shoes. Xtratuf seem to be the go-to for boats, but would be too clunky for yaks. SoftScience seem to be coming up, but man they are hideous AF. Anyone ever tried the Sperry alternatives? Columbia, Merrell, any other options floating around out there?

06-13-2018, 02:09 PM	#2
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	This is what I use...I like'm! https://www.xtratuf.com/xtratuf-mens...xoC46oQAvD_BwE __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

06-13-2018, 03:25 PM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	They fit just fine. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

06-15-2018, 03:33 PM	#7
LJ H2Oman Hunter Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: San Diego Posts: 44	My wetsuit booties that I use when surfing double just fine for kayak fishing. They keep my feet warm in winter. In the summer, if my feet ever start feeling warm, I just dip them into the water to cool off. __________________ Robert V <"))))>< Hobie Revo 13 . . . not as sporting . . . but a welcome upgrade from my 1966 longboard!

06-16-2018, 10:21 AM	#12
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	I splurged and bought NRS Kickers in a kayak store on an impulse once, $45. Bad choice for kayaking, IMHO. Too rigid and the low tops are uncomfortable when I peddle, especially if my feet get sunburned. Water sloshes around inside like wearing plastic bags and they will not drain. That makes them stink, so they need to be washed after every use. Next time I buy wetshoes, I'll shop for lightweight, soft, high top and flexible. It would be nice if water runs out and the shoes dry quickly by themselves without having to turn them upside down and hanging them at just the right angle to drain and eventually air dry. Soles are tough with a good grip, and protective for walking on sharp rocks, broken bottles, scrap metal or other unseen debris under the water. That part is good as a safety feature. I normally wear a size 10.5 in most shoes. My NRS are size 11 and too tight. Maybe they are intentionally undersized to hold them snugly in place. Not sure about that, but bigger would have been more comfortable in my kayak. The elasticity of the materials is too much and they have not loosened with use. What I would NOT recommend: __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 06-16-2018 at 10:27 AM.

06-16-2018, 08:26 AM	#10
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	+1 on the nrs water shoes. They also fit perfectly over my frog togs. I wish they drained a little bit better, but I like having a high top. I always tend to wear ripstop, quick dry pants rather than shorts, so it pretty much makes it so I don’t have to wear any sunscreen. I was wearing some low top surf shoes for a while, and I would get a 1 inch strip of sunburned ankles, which was great.

06-16-2018, 11:12 AM	#13
buddha Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: chula vista Posts: 907	Softscience are the best and most comfortable water and off water shoes I have ever used. The owners are the former CEOs of Reebok and Crocs. If you use my code: CaptainLowe you will get 10% off and free shipping on all orders over $49.99. Last edited by buddha; 06-16-2018 at 05:56 PM.

06-19-2018, 03:51 PM	#14
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	Vans..........Pros __________________

06-19-2018, 05:01 PM	#16
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	__________________

06-19-2018, 05:12 PM	#17
bmercury Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 103	Don't care what niceguy says, I love my NRS kickers. Will use those if I am rocking my boardshots. He is correct about them getting smelly, I rinse w/ freshwater and let them sit out in the sun to dry. If I am using waders I use a stocking foot type wader with some sandals over them for protection.

06-20-2018, 06:08 AM	#19
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,360	Scuba booties with hard rubber sole for me. It’s more about blocking the sun than keeping dry

06-20-2018, 09:05 AM	#20
jbl_91762 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 347	wear my crocs or teva sandals till I get onboard then kick them off and go barefoot.