vanilla ice

Growing up in the Keys means that you, at one time or another, were a passenger on a boat. It is almost a rite of passage that each man, woman and child has to go through. When I was younger, I was out on a boat constantly. Even, today I am out fishing or cruising around the bay at least three to four times a month. And, I can assure that one of the worst things when you are out on a boat is not having the proper shoes. If you don’t have a durable shoe on the deck of a boat, you will be in trouble. Between slipping on a wet floor to stepping on a freshly caught fish, the wrong shoe can make a day of boating turn rough. I have had many a day out on the boat ruined because I either fell on the deck or had a fish stick me through my shoes.

Well, thankfully the folks at Crocs have made the ideal shoe for boating – the Islander. This incredibly comfortable shoe molds to your foot giving you the perfect fit and the wide foot bed has the circulation nubs that you will find in all Crocs. These focal points help keep the blood flowing in your feet and helps you combat fatigue. And, these shoes have built in arch support as well an orthotic heel support. That’s just right for those long days on the boat fishing. The toe box also has a ventilation system that allows your feet to breathe throughout the day and stay dry. In addition, the Croslite material, made of the revolutionary PCCR (Proprietary closed cell resin), helps the Islander stay odor resistant. Another great plus when you go out on a boat.

And, any boater knows that you surely don’t want any marks on the deck that traditional shoes will leave. No worries with the Islander – they are non-marking and skid resistant. The Croslite material is also amazingly lightweight so the shoes only weigh ounces. It’s almost as if you aren’t wearing shoes at all. And believe me when you are battling that huge fish, you will want your feet to feel fresh and fatigue free.

But don’t think that after your long day on the boat, you need to find another shoe to go out in. The Islander is stylish enough to wear out. The lace up, double-stitched leather top makes these shoes not only waterproof, but also great for going out after a day on the water. The Islander comes in eight color combinations – Black/Black, Black/Chocolate, Chocolate/Chocolate, Khaki/Khaki, Light Blue/White, Navy/White, Pearl/Light Blue and Pearl/White – that look wonderful in any setting. You can even decorate the ventilation holes with jibbitz™ charms to really dress up your Islander for a night out.

Islander Crocs are moderately priced and are worth every penny. No other shoe will last you longer and keep your feet feeling happy. So next time you are planning a trip out on the open sea for a day of fishing or just cruising around on the lake, make sure you have a pair of Islanders on your feet. I can assure you that you will have an unforgettable time and your feet will thank you when you get back to dry land. I never leave dry land without them.