Deck Boots: A New Niche in Fishing

When it comes to fishing in deck boots, there are a handful of contenders, and a plethora of pretenders…

“Deck boots” have, for whatever reason, become a niche trend in fishing, and even fashion from London to New York, Milan to LA and beyond–maybe it’s the seemingly endless array of men’s and women’s Chelsea boots on the market. But I now receive a pitch to write about deck boots from some company at least once every other week. It’s kind of weird.

“What the heck, sure, I’ll try some out,” I figured. Unlike most readers of Marie-Claire or Vogue, I’ve stood on blood- and scale-splattered decks of commercial and sport fishing boats. I’ve also fished from flats skiffs and river dories wearing everything from sandals to full wading gear, flip-flops, Crocs, wet-wading boots and more.