Designed to Drain, Built to Perform: Inside Strike with Andy Gilbert

At the intersection of performance, sustainability, and coastal lifestyle, Andy Gilbert is helping shape how footwear shows up on and around the water. As part of the leadership behind Strike, he has been instrumental in developing shoes built for anglers, boaters, and anyone who spends long days navigating wet decks and saltwater conditions.

Known for products like the Bigeye Boot and the Bluefin Sneaker, Strike focuses on traction, drainage, comfort, and responsible materials without sacrificing everyday wearability. In this interview with Miami Living, Gilbert breaks down the real-world thinking behind the brand’s core technologies, its commitment to sustainability, and how places like South Florida continue to influence Strike’s evolution.

MIAMI LIVING (ML): Strike’s footwear is clearly designed for life on the water. When developing products like the Bigeye Boot or Bluefin Sneaker, what real-world conditions are you prioritizing most for anglers and boaters?

Andy Gilbert:  We prioritize three real-world conditions anglers and boaters deal with every day. First is traction—slip resistance is non-negotiable on wet, unstable surfaces. Second is water management. In models like the Bluefin Sneaker, our Aqua Sluice Gill system actively channels water out of the shoe to keep feet drier and more stable on deck. Finally, comfort matters just as much as performance, so we focus on cushioning and support that hold up through long hours on the water.

ML: Many of Strike’s shoes integrate SEAQUAL® YARN made from upcycled marine plastic. How important was sustainability as a starting point in product design, rather than an add-on later?

Andy Gilbert: Sustainability was a consideration from the very beginning, not an afterthought. Using SEAQUAL® YARN allowed us to align performance and responsibility at the design stage, choosing materials that meet the durability and comfort demands of life on the water while also helping address marine plastic waste. For us, the goal wasn’t to add a “green” story later, but to build better products from the start that respect the environments anglers and boaters rely on.

ML: Traction and drainage are recurring themes across Strike’s lineup. Can you explain how technologies like Aqua Deck Outsole and Aqua Sluice Gill directly improve performance in wet, unpredictable environments?

Andy Gilbert: Our Aqua Deck Outsole is designed to maintain grip on wet, slick surfaces by optimizing rubber compounds and tread geometry for water-covered decks. The Aqua Sluice Gill system complements this by channeling water out of the shoe, reducing internal water retention and improving stability. Together, they deliver consistent traction and control in unpredictable, wet environments.

ML: The Bluefin Laceup Sneaker blurs the line between performance footwear and everyday wear. How intentional is that crossover between on-deck function and off-boat lifestyle?

Andy Gilbert:  That crossover was very intentional. The Bluefin Laceup was designed to deliver true on-deck performance, traction, drainage, and stability, while maintaining a clean, versatile profile that works just as well off the boat. The goal was a shoe that doesn’t force a tradeoff between function and everyday wearability.

ML: Miami is a global hub for boating, fishing, and coastal living. How does a market like South Florida influence the way Strike thinks about product development and brand positioning?

Andy Gilbert: South Florida is a proving ground. The constant exposure to heat, humidity, saltwater, and wet decks pushes us to design footwear that performs in demanding, real-world conditions every day. At the same time, Miami’s blend of serious boating culture and coastal lifestyle reinforces our focus on products that look at home both on the water and off it, which directly shapes how we approach design and brand positioning.

ML: Looking ahead, what can consumers expect next from Strike in terms of product innovation, sustainability, or expansion into new categories?

Andy Gilbert:  Our focus is on building a footwear platform that genuinely serves life on and around the water. That means pushing our core technologies forward, deepening our commitment to responsible material choices, and expanding into categories that reflect how our customers actually live, on deck, on the dock, and beyond. Any growth for Strike will stay rooted in performance, purpose, and respect for the environments that inspire the brand.

By ML Staff. Photo Credit by: courtesy of Andy Gilbert