2 min read · Updated 26 June 2026
Sailing footwear has one defining feature: a non-marking, grippy sole for wet decks. A boat's deck is wet, hard and covered in hardware, and it heels and moves — so secure footing and toe protection matter. Beyond that, the choice comes down to deck shoes, performance shoes or boots, depending on the sailing.
Non-marking, grippy soles
The common thread across all sailing footwear is the sole:
- Non-marking — a soft, light-coloured rubber that grips without leaving black scuff marks on pale gelcoat.
- Siped — cut with fine grooves that channel water away and bite on a wet surface, like tyre tread.
Ordinary street shoes have hard, dark soles that slip on a wet deck and mark the boat — which is why sailing shoes exist.
The three main types
- Deck shoes — low, casual, traditionally leather or canvas with a siped sole. The classic choice for cruising and relaxed sailing; comfortable and fine ashore, but less grip and support than performance shoes.
- Performance sailing shoes — low-cut, grippy and supportive, often with drainage and quick-drying materials. Built for dinghies and racing, where you are active and your feet get wet.
- Sailing boots — tall and waterproof, to keep feet warm and dry and keep spray and deck water out. Dinghy sailors wear shorter neoprene boots for warmth and grip; offshore sailors wear taller waterproof boots under their foul weather trousers.
Matching footwear to the day
- Warm, dry day sailing → low deck or performance shoes.
- Dinghy sailing, feet getting wet → neoprene boots or drainable performance shoes.
- Cold, wet or offshore → tall sailing boots under your foulies.
A word on bare feet
Sailing barefoot is sometimes done on small dinghies in warm weather, but it is generally not recommended: decks are covered in hardware that can stub or cut bare toes, and a wet deck is slippery. Grippy footwear protects your feet and keeps you secure when the boat is heeled and moving — the same logic behind the rest of the personal sailing kit, from gloves to layers. For the vocabulary, see the sailing terms glossary.
Frequently asked questions
- What shoes should you wear sailing?
- Wear footwear with non-marking, soft rubber soles that grip a wet deck and won't scuff the boat. The main options are deck shoes for cruising and casual sailing, low-cut performance sailing shoes for dinghies and racing, and tall sailing boots for offshore and cold, wet conditions. Avoid bare feet, hard or dark soles and street shoes, which slip on a wet deck and can leave black marks.
- What does non-marking sole mean?
- A non-marking sole is made of a soft rubber compound that grips without leaving black scuff marks on a boat's deck. Ordinary dark shoe soles rub off onto pale gelcoat and leave marks that are hard to remove, so sailing shoes use light-coloured, non-marking rubber. The soles are also siped — cut with fine grooves — to channel water away and grip a wet surface.
- What are deck shoes?
- Deck shoes are low, casual sailing shoes, traditionally made of leather or canvas with a siped non-marking rubber sole. They were designed to grip wet decks and are the classic choice for cruising and relaxed sailing. They are comfortable and look good ashore too, but offer less grip and support than dedicated performance sailing shoes for hard racing.
- When do you need sailing boots?
- Sailing boots — tall, waterproof boots — are for cold, wet and offshore conditions where you need to keep your feet warm and dry and keep spray and deck water out. Dinghy sailors wear shorter neoprene boots for warmth and grip when their feet get wet; offshore sailors wear taller waterproof boots under their foul weather trousers. For warm, dry day sailing, low shoes are usually enough.
- Can you sail barefoot?
- It is sometimes done on small dinghies in warm weather, but it is generally not recommended, because a deck is covered in hardware, cleats and fittings that can badly stub or cut bare toes, and a wet deck is slippery. Non-marking, grippy footwear protects your feet and gives you secure footing, which matters a lot when the boat is heeled and moving. Most sailors wear proper shoes or boots.