Deck Shoes or Dive Boots? Zhik ZK Boatshoe Review
If you're at all familiar with footwear for sailing from Zhik, their line of boots probably comes to mind first. But they also make a couple styles of deck shoes. I've recently been trying out the Zhik ZK Boatshoe and have to say, so far I'm impressed.
The look of the ZK Boatshoe is fairly traditional (think Sperry Topsider/Sebago Docksides), but the build and materials are unique. Instead of canvas or leather, Zhik uses perforated neoprene for the uppers. The neoprene gives a snug and spongey feel and holds your foot firmly in place over the sole, but the upper stretches and contorts to your movements. I know that sounds strange, but it's actually really comfortable. The "ZK sole" uses a proprietary rubber formula to give excellent grip in wet conditions. It's a sticky sort of feel and is really reassuring on fiberglass and smooth surfaces. I'm not sure how long they'll stay sticky, particularly if I continue wearing them on the dock and on tera firma, but so far so good.
Think of the ZK Boatshoe as a hybrid offspring of deckshoes and a dive boot. You get the timeless nautical style of the deckshoe without stiff leather. And you get the made-for-water toughness of the dive boot without the fashion disaster. Not digging the look of the ZK Boatshoe but like the idea of a super grippy sole and neoprene upper? Zhik also makes ZKGs that offer the same materials and the same sole (as far as I can tell), but with different styling.
Can't get enough of sailing shoe reviews? Try the others we've written:
Stand Firm - Sailing Shoe Reviews
A Sailor's Sole - The Original Reviews
Astral Porter Sailing Shoe Review
The look of the ZK Boatshoe is fairly traditional (think Sperry Topsider/Sebago Docksides), but the build and materials are unique. Instead of canvas or leather, Zhik uses perforated neoprene for the uppers. The neoprene gives a snug and spongey feel and holds your foot firmly in place over the sole, but the upper stretches and contorts to your movements. I know that sounds strange, but it's actually really comfortable. The "ZK sole" uses a proprietary rubber formula to give excellent grip in wet conditions. It's a sticky sort of feel and is really reassuring on fiberglass and smooth surfaces. I'm not sure how long they'll stay sticky, particularly if I continue wearing them on the dock and on tera firma, but so far so good.
Think of the ZK Boatshoe as a hybrid offspring of deckshoes and a dive boot. You get the timeless nautical style of the deckshoe without stiff leather. And you get the made-for-water toughness of the dive boot without the fashion disaster. Not digging the look of the ZK Boatshoe but like the idea of a super grippy sole and neoprene upper? Zhik also makes ZKGs that offer the same materials and the same sole (as far as I can tell), but with different styling.
Can't get enough of sailing shoe reviews? Try the others we've written:
Stand Firm - Sailing Shoe Reviews
A Sailor's Sole - The Original Reviews
Astral Porter Sailing Shoe Review
>> Don't forget to visit SFLF's Gear Review page for more sailing gear reviews/tests. <<
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