Boat Shoes Aren't Just a Trend
They're intentionally functional — and they're part of yacht etiquette.
It's summer in the northern hemisphere, and yachting season is in full swing: plenty of people who've never been are getting invited to go out on a friend's boat, and plenty of new yacht owners are making those invitations. In all the excitement, there's one basic aspect of boarding a yacht that many people don't think of until the last minute: proper footwear. Yes, really. Somewhere along the fashion timeline, 'boat shoe' became a generic term for a style, leading to a proliferation of so-and-so-was-spotted-in-boat-shoes and how-to-wear-boat-shoes articles — but the original style looks the way it does for a reason. Here's what not to wear, and what to consider instead.
No: Heels and Dark Soles
If you've been invited or you're inviting someone else onto a yacht, keep in mind that high heels — even not-so-high kitten heels — and shoes with black soles are best left in the closet.
High-quality yachts often have wood flooring or paneling, from superyachts to smaller cruisers to sailboats, and black soles can leave marks on the wood. Heels like stilettos are worse, even if they're not high: they reduce weight distribution down to a relatively small point, and that means they can scratch or even dent some lovely and expensive-to-replace wood panels. On top of that, depending on the size or style of the yacht, wearing heels is an excellent way to lose your balance, and you probably don't want to be swimming in them.
If you decide to roll the dice and wear whatever you want, just know that you may be asked to take your shoes off.
Yes: Soft, Light Soles with Flat Heels
The classic boat shoe is, at its best, comfortable and functional: it has soles that'll give you some traction without marking any wood surfaces, and it's made to be worn without socks. Newer styles may lean into the sneaker look while using mesh or strategic cutouts for drainage: if a wave splashes up over your feet, your shoes won't just stay waterlogged.
There's at least one person out there thinking, "doesn't this mean flip-flops are fine?" and the answer is: it depends on the yacht owner. Flip-flops are prone to picking up small rocks, glass, and other debris. They also won't help you with traction, and could cause you to trip...also, sitting on the edge of a boat with your legs over the side while it hits the waves is the world's fastest way to lose your sandals (ask me how I know).
A Few Top Boat Shoe Makers
And when I say "top," I mean quality, not necessarily "most popular on Amazon."
Rancourt — made in Maine, USA, Rancourt is an oft-referenced favorite for comfort, quality, and looks, and makes boat shoes in men's and women's sizes in the $200-$300 range.
Quoddy — also made in Maine, USA, Quoddy's made-to-order line wins frequent mentions for quality, but check the turnaround time, if you're impatient. Their boat shoes are also in both men's and women's sizes, in the $300-$400 range.
Paraboot — made in France, Paraboot might be the most frequently-mentioned European boat shoe, and their Barth style in navy and white in particular are favorites, all in the $300-$400 range.
There are plenty of others, of course, that follow the golden rules — and if you ask a sailor, anyway, they're just as likely to tell you that the best boat shoe is no shoe at all. ⛵︎
