In this guide we’ll look at the best fishing shoes.
We’ve compared comfort, quick-dry material, durability and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What Are The Best Fishing Shoes?
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More Detailed Fishing Shoe Reviews
Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoe
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Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Boat Shoe Review
Thee Columbia shoes take top spot as the best boat shoes for fishing! Made of leather and canvas with a rubber sole, these stylish shoes are also surprisingly functional in the great outdoors. They have an easy slip-on design and lace up for perfect fit.
The rubber sole is grippy and offers superb traction, so you’ll feel stable and comfortable walking on wet surfaces. This is one of the major advantages of this shoe—I’ve seen people in flip flops and similar footwear totally wipe out when they step wrong on a slippery rock. It’s important to have confidence that your shoes will do their job and keep you upright.
Another great feature: These shoes are waterproof and stain resistant. And the excellent ventilation system means that your feet can breathe and stay super comfortable all day.
Bottom line: These are my pick for the best shoes for bass fishing and the best offshore fishing shoes. And they’re also my favorite summer shoes in general, whether I’m fishing, sailing, going to the beach, or just walking around town.
Shimano Evair Marine Fishing Shoes
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Shimano Evair Marine Fishing Shoes Review
These Shimano fishing shoes are the ultimate low-maintenance footwear. In my experience, they’re among the best shoes for fly fishing. Made of lightweight waterproof EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), plus a removable waterproof insole, they are easy to clean and pretty much indestructible.
I enjoy wearing these shoes when I’m on my feet for hours at a time, such as when I’m wading the surf. There’s something about the foamy material that supplies good shock absorption and cushioning. At the end of a long day, my feet (and knees, and back) still feel fresh.
The open design allows excellent ventilation, but there is a closed toe box to protect against stubbing your toes. They’ve got non-skid soles that offer good traction. This puts them among the best shoes for wade fishing. Especially on hot days, it’s nice to have the open ventilation of side cut-outs.
If you’re looking for extremely lightweight, comfortable, easy-to-clean shoes, you should take a close look at the Shimano Evair Marine Fishing Shoes.
Zhuanglin Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
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Zhuanglin Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes Review
These quick-drying Zhuanglin water shoes have mesh uppers and rubber soles, complete with drainage holes to let water out. They’re very breathable, letting air in and water out so your feet stay happy.
The soles are quite thin but they have excellent traction. I wouldn’t necessarily wear these for intense hiking, but I’ve taken them on shorter hikes in rainy weather and worn them for a number of stream crossings, and they performed well. You can hike out to your favorite fishing spot in them, go wading, and so on.
These are awesome water shoes: in my opinion, the best water shoes for fishing. They’re extremely comfortable and lightweight.
Mishansha Quick Dry Water Shoes
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Mishansha Quick Dry Water Shoes Review
Combining a Spandex fabric upper with a rubber sole, these quick-dry shoes also feature drainage holes in the sole to let water out. So, you won’t have to deal with heavy waterlogged feet. In addition, the Mishansha shoes are lightweight and breathable.
They’ve got an elastic strap-and-lock laces for easily slipping them on and off. There’s also a removable EVA insole, which is just as comfortable and quick-drying as the rest of the shoe.
I’ve found these shoes to have good traction on most surfaces, though personally I prefer the Columbia or Shimano.
All in all, the Mishansha shoes are a solid choice for wade fishing, kayak fishing, fly fishing, and more, and even better, they are priced very competitively.
DOUSSPRT Men’s Quick Drying Water Shoes
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DOUSSPRT Men’s Quick Drying Water Shoes Review
Finally we come to the DOUSSPRT quick-drying shoes, which feature a mesh upper, designed for ventilation and breathability. Like some other shoes on this list, the DOUSSPRT shoes have drainage holes in the sole for quick evacuation of water. Elastic laces let you adjust the fit quickly and easily.
These are great water shoe, combining the all-important factors of lightweight design, comfort, drainage, and quick-dry materials—along with great value. I’ve taken my pair jogging, sailing, and of course, fishing and find that my feet stay cool and comfortable the whole time.
Fishing Shoe Buyer’s Guide
Comfort and Breathability
Comfort is paramount on long fishing trips. When I look for a pair of fishing shoes, I look for a number of factors that ensure comfort, such as breathable materials (canvas, mesh, etc.), lightweight construction, and an adjustable fit. Comfort is of course personal, so if possible try on shoes first before buying them.
The Columbia boat shoes edge out the competition in this category; I could spend day after day out on a boat in these shoes.
Quick-Dry Material and Drainage
The last thing I want is waterlogged feet. So, especially when I’ll be wading into the water, I look for design features like drainage holes to prevent water build-up. I also like materials that dry quickly once I’m back on the land. The best shoes for kayak fishing will also have these qualities.
The Zhuanglin, Mishansha, and DOUSSPRT shoes fit the bill. The Shimano Evair shoes have a cut-out design that similarly allows for constant water drainage. With materials such as EVA or mesh, they also dry very quickly in the sun.
Durability
I like my shoes to last multiple seasons, so I’ve chosen the listed shoes with this in mind. The Columbia boat shoes, for example, are made of high-quality leather and canvas. They hold up very well, especially considering how often I wear them.
Foot Protection
Foot protection is the #1 reason why I always recommend fishing in proper shoes rather than flip flops, which leave your feet exposed to bumps and scrapes.
The Columbia, Zhuanglin, Mishansha, and DOUSSPRT shoes are all enclosed, offering a reasonable amount of protection. Of course, if you’re wading through dense undercover, you may want to look into waders instead! The Shimano shoes, meanwhile, may have cut-outs, but the enclosed toe box is a nice protective feature.
Traction
Whether you’re wading through a rocky-bottomed stream or aboard a sailboat, you are sure to encounter water in some form—so make sure to choose shoes with grippy soles that can handle slippery surfaces. My favorite in this category: the Columbia shoes. I wear them all the time and know I can rely on them. In general though, all the shoes on this list have good soles and should be up to the demands of fishing.
Conclusion
Happy feet are an essential part of an enjoyable fishing trip. I hope these recommendations help you sort through the countless footwear options and decide on the right shoes for you. If you want an all-around quality pair of fishing shoes, I highly recommend looking into the Columbia shoes, which in my opinion are some of the most comfortable things I’ve ever put on my feet.