Topsiders and shrimper’s boots aren’t the only options for keeping your feet connected to a slippery deck. Check out these three pairs of sneakers designed for marine use.
Though I did not test them myself, the women’s Sperry 7Seas come highly regarded. These women’s sneakers come in a variety of colors and feature MocFit construction, deliver breathability, and the hydrophobic upper mesh with HydroPel technology sheds water and dries quickly.
Price: $89.95, sperry.com
Helly Hansen HydroPower Shoreline F-1
The Grip: The most stylish of the three choices, Helly Hansen shoes sport a decoupled flexible rubber tread with a grippy nonslip pattern and siping to funnel away water. The tread is also nonmarking. The lightweight, breathable mesh body dries quickly and provides support while transiting a deck underway. The insole is anti-microbial to prevent odor.
The Slip: The most expensive of the trio offers only two color choices.
Price: $110; hellyhansen.com
SoftScience Fin 3.0
The Grip: Designed for anglers, these shoes are reinforced in the toe, ankle and forefoot areas to help provide stability. They are still incredibly light, with a grooved tread that funnels away water while providing traction on-deck. The bulky, nonmarking tread also features three slots in the forefoot to flow water away from the shoe. The removable Trileon insole acts like a shock absorber.
The Slip: The tread is bulkier than the others.
Price: $99.95; softscience.com
Crocs LiteRide Pacer
The Grip: These are a long way from the original Crocs, adding style to the brand’s renowned comfort. The soles and treads are made from cushiony closed-cell foam that is also extremely lightweight. The breathable plastic body of the shoe is also lightweight and made for wet conditions, like all Crocs, and is so soft that there is no break-in period. Put them on and go.
The Slip: While extremely lightweight, they’re not as supportive as the others.
Price: $59.99; crocs.com
