Favored warm, dry boating footwear?

[Doryman]

I've been taking my boat out now that the weather is gradually improving, but I am finding that my feet are getting cold (I usually wear my New Balance walking shoes). I am reluctant (perhaps unnecessarily) to wear my insulated hiking-type boots on board, for safety issues and also because they don't feel appropriately nautical. Any suggestions out there for me?

Thanks,
Warren

[Valkyrie]

When it's cold I revert to my sailing background and don a pair of tall, non-skid seaboots worn with a pair of heavy woolen socks.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[lloyds]

I am at least partially with Nick. I always wore a cheap set of felt lined packs, like those that can be inexpensively purchased at KMart. They were about $30 and would keep your feet toasty and dry. And the sole surface was at least as good as the boots you buy at the nautical suppliers. I used those things for work in the winters and liked them so much I continued using them on the boat. Mud and debris doesn't adhere to them, they are easy to rinse off, and the felt packs feel great.

[drjohn71a]

Warren,

I have the Sperry topsiders mocassins which are great for summer, but for winter I wear the Tony Lama TLX (not high heel western boots) with non-skid,non-marking soles and heel. I wear wool socks year 'round. No cold feet and we were cruising around up there in major rains and seas for over a week. I think a guy could slip the western boots off faster than a lace up or the rubber kind if he hit the water. A little water resistant wax kept them dry as a bone inside.

John

[Alasgun]

Alaskans wear Xtra tuff boots. Very soft non marking rubber and they come in styles from a sneaker up to a 14 inch boot. Also insulated or not.
Mike on Huda Thunkit

[Sea Wolf]

Cold or wet weather, I put on my Gill Dinghy Sailing Boots with cotton socks inside under wool socks. They're the most flexible and comfortable things I've ever seen for boat wear. Joe.

[SEA3PO]

Down here in the sunshine state we really don't understand what yer talking about..... Roger of Fishtales bought some real gay looking sandals he wears...(Crocks).... I bought a pair of insulated slippers from Cabella's for cold mornings....(more he-man stuff)

Joel
SEA3PO

[Sea Wolf]

[C-Hawk]

[SEA3PO]

Ya caught me....and quick too....

Joel
SEA3PO

[Robbi]

When it gets cold and or wet, my favorite winter shoes are my Chota kayak boots.
I think they are warmer than the rubber type sailing boots, and they have a great grip. They are made of neoprene and work well with a thin sock. In the winter they are my launch and retrieve footwear too.

Robbi

[Otter-BelleHavenMarina]

+1 on the Chota mukluks. They are excellent, and I use them on the boat late fall, winter, and early spring. I like the model with a stiffer sole for hiking around when beached.

[JamesTXSD]

[AstoriaDave]

+2 on the Chotas; I use them in winter up here when fishing for sturgeon, etc. They are fleece lined, and the version I have now gives lots of ankle support. I have a high arch, and XtraTuf's do not fit me -- the size that fits my foot length and width cuts off circulation, making for cold feet. If I go larger to allow circulation, my feet swim in them, and I do not have good footing control.

The Chotas are neoprene on the outside, and softer, so they work better with my high arch.

The down side on Chotas is that they puncture more easily than XtraTufs. Easy to patch, though.

[CatyMae n Steve]

LaCrosse Hawthorne -- Steve and I both have a pair, but they're camo -- my son asked if I wear them so the fish can't see me....he's soooo funny