footware for saltwater fishing

[paddlesalot]

what is appropriate footwear to wear in the flats and around the shell beds

[osoobsessed]

at the rate things have been going so far this year, get you a pair of Ray-guards...

i personally use the Shimano brand bootie, it has a zip up on the side, with hard rubber bottom, i then take my guards i got from academy and strap them on my leg, IIRC, they run about $20 or so for the guards and about the same for the bootie...

Academy doesn't carry the Shimano brand anymore, but i think Roy's does...i need a new pair!

[nhra22]

Like has been said.

There are three options imo.

1. Ray Guards
2. Ray Guards
3. Whatever is comfortable for you.

[Thinwater skinner]

steel anything that breaths....

[kayak_keith]

patagonia marlwalkers... then just shuffle your feet.

[DUKFVR]

RayGuard Boots for me. If I am in the yak ,just zip up neoprene booties.

[looking4red]

An old pair of New Balance running shoes that is no longer yard work worthy.

[osofaraway]

Crocs in the kayak.

[Blindcasting]

If you are going to actually be wading alot, for long distances, or in places where the bottom is really soft, I'd go with something more like a shoe/hiking boot like the Patagonio Marlwalkers that were mentioned above, or the Simms Flats Sneaker, which I have and like.

If you are mainly staying in your kayak, any of the neoprene ones would work fine. I liked the Shimanos the best but they are very hard to find now. Last pair I saw was in Tackle Town in Rockport.

Neither of these options is going to give you any real protection against stingrays.

[ImRich]

Make sure your choice coordinates with your purse!

[t.chris]

I wear aqua socks, but I don't get out of the yak much and if I do, I am a shuffling fool.

[Salty Bum]

simms flats sneakers and ray gaurds - i have had my sneakers for 7 years and they are holding up great

[Betty Croaker]

Just back from Academy. Everlast Rayguard's are $29, boots withrayguards built in are $119. Seems pricey but if you think about emergency room visit, down time, pain, and suffering...priceless. Seems stingrays are out in full force and my luck may be running out, I got mine tonight.

[length]

will the ray guards work over any shoe, or do you need the full boot to stay protected?

[TigerMania]

Play it safe....don't get out of the kayak.

[frustrated]

The Everlast boots at $29.00 plus the rayguard leggings from the same company look to offer good protection at the most reasonable price. The $119.00 rayguard boots look like the combination of the heavier wading boot with the leggings attached. Bought separately the combined price is much less and would seem to offer just about as much protection.