6 Best Sailing Shoes For Children That Instructors Actually Recommend

The summer camp gear list arrives, and there it is: "sailing shoes." Your first thought might be whether last year’s beat-up sneakers will do the job. After all, kids’ feet grow at the speed of light, and another specialized purchase can feel like a stretch. But as a youth enrichment specialist, I’ve seen firsthand that the right footwear is less about having the "correct" gear and more about setting your child up for safety, confidence, and a genuine love for a new skill.

What Instructors Look For in Kids’ Sailing Shoes

When a sailing instructor glances at your child’s feet, they aren’t judging the brand. They are quickly assessing safety and function. Their mental checklist is simple and has everything to do with keeping kids secure and engaged on the water.

First and foremost is a non-marking sole. This is a non-negotiable rule on most sailboats, as black-soled sneakers can leave stubborn scuff marks all over a boat’s white deck. It’s a simple matter of respecting the equipment, a core tenet of sailing. Second, they look for outstanding grip on wet, angled surfaces. A sailboat deck is rarely flat or dry, and a slip can turn a great day into a scary one in an instant.

Instructors also prioritize protection and comfort. A small boat is a landscape of cleats, blocks, and lines—all things that are surprisingly good at finding little toes. The shoe needs to offer some structure. Finally, they know that cold, waterlogged feet are a primary cause of kid complaints. Shoes that drain well and dry relatively quickly make the difference between a child who can’t wait to go back and one who is done after an hour.

Sperry Gamefish Jr. for All-Day Versatility

You’re looking for a single pair of shoes to get your child through summer camp and weekend adventures. The schedule includes sailing, but also trips to the town dock for ice cream and walks along the shore. This is where a classic deck shoe shines.

The Sperry Gamefish Jr. is a workhorse that instructors recognize and respect. Its siped rubber outsole—featuring tiny, wave-like cuts—is specifically designed to grip a wet deck, providing the reliable traction instructors want to see. It looks like a grown-up boat shoe, which can be a big confidence booster for kids in the 8-12 age range who are starting to care about style.

What makes this a smart investment for parents is its durability and versatility. It’s tough enough to last a full season (or two) and often holds up well enough to become a hand-me-down for a younger sibling. Because it functions perfectly well as an everyday summer shoe, you get more value than a single-purpose piece of gear.

Gill Aquatech: Top Grip for Dinghy Sailing

Your child has moved beyond the "just for fun" stage. They’re in a small boat like an Opti or a 420, learning to use their body weight to balance and steer. This is active, athletic dinghy sailing, and their footwear needs to keep up.

This is the scenario where a specialized shoe like the Gill Aquatech becomes a game-changer. Instructors recommend this style because its design is all about grip and connection to the boat. The sole isn’t just on the bottom; it wraps up the sides of the shoe, giving young sailors secure footing even when they are "hiking"—leaning far out over the edge of the boat. This is a critical skill, and having a shoe that sticks to the deck makes learning it much easier and safer.

Think of this as the next step up from a general-purpose boat shoe. It’s for the 9- to 14-year-old who is part of a sailing program, not just a one-week camp. The investment here is directly tied to skill development, providing the tool they need to progress from passenger to true sailor.

Helly Hansen Aqua Pace for Quick-Dry Comfort

Is your child the one who is constantly bothered by wet socks or soggy shoes? For some kids, that uncomfortable, waterlogged feeling is a major barrier to enjoying a full day on the water. When comfort is the top priority, a lightweight, quick-dry shoe is the answer.

The Helly Hansen Aqua Pace and similar mesh-style water shoes are a favorite among instructors coaching younger kids (ages 6-10). They are incredibly light and breathable, and most importantly, they drain water almost instantly. This means your child’s feet aren’t sloshing around in heavy, wet shoes all afternoon, which significantly improves their mood and endurance.

While they may offer slightly less lateral support than a traditional deck shoe, their non-slip soles provide excellent grip for moving around the boat. This style represents a fantastic balance between a technical sailing shoe and a comfortable sneaker, making it a perfect choice for long, hot camp days spent both in and out of the boat.

Zhik Fuze Shoe for the Competitive Young Racer

Your child’s sailing has become their sport. They’re on a race team, practicing multiple times a week and traveling to regattas on the weekend. Their needs have evolved from basic safety to high-performance function.

For the dedicated young racer, a shoe like the Zhik Fuze is what instructors point to. At this level, footwear is about more than just grip; it’s about "boat feel." The shoe combines a super-grippy, flexible sole with just enough support to allow the sailor to feel the subtle movements of the boat through their feet. This connection is crucial for making the micro-adjustments that win races.

This is undeniably a more significant investment, and it is absolutely not a shoe for a beginner. It’s for the teen or pre-teen who has demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to the sport. Buying this shoe isn’t about keeping up; it’s about providing your child with the proper equipment to perform at the level they have worked hard to achieve.

Keen Newport H2 for Toe Protection and Camp

Your child is signed up for a classic multi-activity summer camp. They’ll be doing a little bit of everything: hiking in the woods, exploring tidal pools, and yes, one afternoon a week of sailing. Buying a dedicated sailing shoe feels like overkill, but you still want them to be safe.

The Keen Newport H2 is the undisputed champion of the all-purpose camp shoe, and for good reason. Its most famous feature is the oversized rubber toe bumper, which instructors love for younger, less experienced sailors (ages 5-9). It provides unmatched protection against stubbed toes on unfamiliar boat hardware. The rugged, grippy sole also performs well on wet decks.

Let’s be clear: this is not a high-performance sailing shoe. It’s bulkier and holds more water than the specialized options. But for the child who needs one shoe to do it all, it is an outstanding and safe compromise that provides the protection and traction needed for casual sailing and a dozen other camp activities.

Crocs Classic Clog: A Simple, Easy Starter Shoe

You’re just trying to get through the first week of a "try-it" sailing class with your five-year-old. They can’t tie laces yet, and you know the shoes will be filled with sand and saltwater within minutes. It’s tempting to reach for the easiest option in the closet.

Instructors will tell you that for the absolute youngest beginners on a calm, supervised sail, a Crocs Clog can be acceptable—with one major condition: the heel strap must be used. Without the strap, they can slip off at the worst moment. Their ease of use, low cost, and quick-drying nature make them a practical choice for a child’s very first exposure to a sailboat.

However, it’s critical to understand their limitations. The grip is not as reliable as a true deck shoe, and they offer zero support or toe protection. Think of them as a provisional pass for the first few lessons. If your child shows any sustained interest, upgrading to a more secure shoe is the most important next step for their safety and skill progression.

Sizing for Growth Without Sacrificing On-Deck Safety

The age-old parenting dilemma is how to buy shoes for constantly growing feet. The instinct is to buy a size up to get more wear out of them. But with activity-specific footwear, a proper fit is a critical component of safety.

For sailing shoes, a sloppy fit is a dangerous fit. A foot sliding around inside a shoe is a recipe for a slip on a wet deck, not to mention painful blisters that can ruin the fun. The goal is a snug, secure fit, not a tight one. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than a half-inch, or a thumb’s width, of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoe.

To get the most out of your purchase, look for shoes with high adjustability. Models with laces or multiple velcro straps allow you to fine-tune the fit throughout the summer. And don’t forget the power of the secondhand market. You can often find high-quality, technical sailing shoes that were only used for one season, allowing you to get the right fit and function without the full retail price tag.

Ultimately, the best sailing shoe for your child is the one that fits their foot, their current skill level, and your family’s budget. It’s not about having the most expensive gear, but the right gear for the moment. By focusing on safety and comfort, you’re giving them the foundation they need to build skills, gain confidence, and maybe even discover a lifelong passion.