Reef The Deckhand Mens Sandal
Pickup available at BSS
Usually ready in 24 hours
Built for the Water, Ready for the Shore
The Reef Deckhand is the sandal Reef built when they wanted a men's flip flop that could genuinely handle water without turning into a liability the moment your feet get wet. Siped rubber grooves on the outsole bite into wet surfaces the same way a surfboard's siped fins grip water, giving you confident traction whether you're stepping off a dock, crossing a wet boat deck, or heading straight from the beach to lunch. Non-marking rubber means you won't leave scuffs on white boat decks or polished floors.
The footbed is firmer and more contoured than a typical beach sandal. That's a deliberate choice. A softer foam compresses and loses its shape underfoot when wet; the Deckhand's firm, contoured platform keeps your arch supported and your stride stable across a full day on your feet. Custom surface texture on the footbed adds grip between foot and sandal so you're not sliding forward on every downhill step.
The strap is water-friendly synthetic with a quick-dry liner, so the sandal sheds water fast and doesn't stay waterlogged after a wave washes over your feet. There's no leather to warp, no fabric panel to stay soaked for hours. You can rinse them off and wear them again minutes later.
Reef Deckhand Construction Details
- Upper: Water-friendly synthetic strap with a quick-dry liner
- Footbed: Firm, contoured footbed for stability in any situation, with custom surface texture for traction in and out of the water
- Outsole: Non-marking, siped rubber outsole for top-of-the-line wet and dry traction
About the Reef Brand
Reef's 30-year heritage was born out of an idea by Fernando and Santiago Aguerre, entrepreneur brothers from South America with a love of surf and beach culture, to create a high-quality active lifestyle sandal. To bring their vision to life, the brothers moved to Southern California, and set up production in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1984, where they first produced the iconic sandal that made Reef the leader in open-toe footwear. The Deckhand carries that lineage forward with purpose-built construction for active, water-adjacent life.
Reef Deckhand vs. Other Reef Sandals
Shoppers often compare the Reef Deckhand to the Reef Fanning. The core difference is intent. The Fanning is built around an opener tool in the heel, making it a casual lifestyle sandal with a fun feature. The Deckhand is built around water performance: the siped outsole, the quick-dry liner, and the firm contoured footbed are all engineered for on-water and around-water use. If you spend time on boats, at the beach, or anywhere your sandals routinely get wet, the Deckhand's construction is the better match.
Shop Reef Deckhand Sandals at Island Water Sports
Island Water Sports carries the Reef Deckhand in store and online in South Florida. Questions? Call us at 954-427-4929.
Free Shipping, No Minimum for IWS Beach Club Members.
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Specifications
- Brand
- Reef
- Model
- The Deckhand
- Gender
- Men's
- Category
- Sandals
- Upper
- Water-friendly synthetic strap with quick-dry liner
- Footbed
- Firm, contoured footbed with custom texture for traction in and out of the water
- Outsole
- Non-marking, siped rubber for wet and dry traction
- MPN
- itemMatrix-32180
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Reef Deckhand sandals good for water use?
- Yes. The Deckhand is specifically designed for water use. The non-marking siped rubber outsole provides reliable traction on wet surfaces, the synthetic strap uses a quick-dry liner, and the firm contoured footbed maintains support when wet. They work on boat decks, at the beach, and anywhere your sandals regularly encounter water.
- What is the difference between the Reef Deckhand and the Reef Fanning?
- The Reef Fanning is a lifestyle sandal best known for its built-in bottle opener in the heel. The Reef Deckhand is built for water performance, featuring a siped rubber outsole for wet-surface traction, a quick-dry liner, and a firmer contoured footbed engineered for stability on and off the water. If water performance matters more than the opener feature, the Deckhand is the better choice.
- How do I care for Reef Deckhand sandals?
- Rinse with fresh water after saltwater or sand exposure to prolong the life of the outsole and strap. The synthetic materials dry quickly, so allow them to air dry out of direct prolonged sunlight to preserve the footbed shape and strap integrity.
- Do Reef Deckhand sandals run true to size?
- Reef sandals generally run true to size for most men. Use the variant picker on this page to select your size.
- Are Reef Deckhand sandals non-marking?
- Yes. The rubber outsole is explicitly non-marking, which makes the Deckhand suitable for boat decks, gym floors, and other surfaces where black marks are a concern.
- Where can I buy Reef Deckhand sandals?
- You can purchase the Reef Deckhand in store and online at Island Water Sports in South Florida. Use the variant picker above to select your preference and add to cart, or call 954-427-4929 for in-store availability.
- What makes the Reef Deckhand footbed different from a regular flip flop?
- The Deckhand footbed is firmer and more contoured than a standard flip flop. This is intentional: the contour supports your arch for extended wear, and the firmer material maintains its shape underfoot when wet instead of compressing and bottoming out. Custom surface texture on the footbed also grips your foot to prevent forward slide.