Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Good Fishing Sandal?
Comfort
If you’re thinking about a fishing sandal rather than a shoe or boot, it’s clear that warm weather comfort is at the top of your list.
You’ll want a cool-wearing option with plenty of cushion underfoot, especially if you’ll be standing a lot for casting and fighting.
You’ll also want some support for your arches, as that will reduce fatigue over long days on the water.
You might think that flip flops are where it’s at for absolute comfort, but I was really surprised by how good the Crocs were in this department.
Grip
This is a safety issue that you need to take seriously.
Good fishing sandals should provide secure traction, especially on a wet, pitching deck. Fortunately, boats of all kinds tend to have textured materials underfoot, and this helps a good sandal get better grip when awash in blood, slime, and water.
But keep in mind that nothing is going to grip slick, wet surfaces particularly well.
Also remember that flip flops don’t nail your feet to the insole very well, allowing your skin to slide even if the sole is providing grip.
The best sandals on this front are designed like the Teva, Keen, and Crocs, as they secure your foot and provide a grippy sole.
Protection
Sun exposure is an issue to take seriously, and increasingly, anglers are heeding the warnings of doctors about the potential for skin cancer.
And as much as I love flip flops, I don’t wear them fishing anymore, selecting something that offers more cover from the sun while still providing all-day comfort.
I’ve also slammed my feet into sharp, hard objects and been really happy to have toe coverage. And with fish with sharp teeth writhing on deck, I prefer something a bit more protective than flip flops!
Durability
This is a big issue, as any angler knows.
From fishing on a muddy bank to bloody decks, we all know how filthy our shoes can get.
You want a sandal that’s easy to clean, even if you’re just talking about a quick rinse with a hose.
The Crocs Classic Clog really excels in this regard. Not only are they tough, but they’re also made from a material that can’t hold stink and grime.
Soapy water will have them looking new again, and in the worst of cases, a spray with a cleaning agent like Windex will finish the job.
Final Thoughts
I can’t tell you which fishing sandals are right for you, but I can all but guarantee that one of the picks on our shortlist is going to be perfect.
If flip flops are your thing, and you want to be able to transition from fishing to socializing without wearing ugly sandals, Grundéns Deck-Hand Sandals are very hard to beat.
Attractive, grippy, comfortable, and relatively easy to clean, they’re the best example of a flip flop for anglers.
If you want excellent protection and grip and don’t mind a bit of weight, Keen’s Newport H2 are ideal. Offering outstanding security, great grip, and plenty of protection, they’re almost indestructible, as my own pair have proven year after year.
Finally, if you want comfort, protection, security, and the ultimate ease of cleaning all in one package, look no further than Crocs’s Classic Clogs.
We hope that this article has helped you pick the right fishing sandals for your feet, and we’d love to hear from you if it has!
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Source: usangler.com