Breaking In Your Sperrys: A Guide To Comfort

Breaking in a new pair of shoes can be a tedious process, but it's important to do it right to ensure comfort and longevity. Sperry's boat shoes are no exception, and while they are designed to be durable and water-friendly, they require proper care and maintenance. Here's a step-by-step guide to breaking in your Sperry canvas boat shoes:

1. Ensure You Have the Right Size: Before beginning the breaking-in process, make sure you've purchased the correct size. Sperry's boat shoes should feel snug but allow enough room for your toes to wiggle comfortably.

2. Prepare the Shoes: Untie the laces and submerge the shoes in a bucket or bathtub of cold water for 24 hours. Some people add sea salt to the water to achieve an aged look, but this step is optional.

3. Soak in Warm Water: After the initial cold soak, drain the water and fill the container with warm water. Let the shoes soak for 10-15 minutes to make the material even more pliable.

4. Wear the Shoes: Put on the shoes while they are still warm and loosely tie the laces. Walk in place for a few minutes, or if you have access to a bathtub, walk in 4-5 inches of warm water.

5. Air Dry and Wear: Allow the shoes to air dry while you wear them. You can also stuff them with socks after the first day to help maintain the stretched shape.

6. Repeat as Needed: If the shoes still feel stiff, repeat the process. With each repetition, the shoes will soften and become more comfortable.

7. Manual Stretching: If there are specific stiff spots, such as the toe box or the back of the heel, spend time manually kneading, flexing, and stretching the material to increase flexibility.

8. Waterproofing: Canvas shoes tend to absorb and hold moisture, so consider waterproofing them to extend their lifespan and improve water resistance.

9. Maintenance: Proper maintenance is key. Clean your Sperrys regularly, removing dirt and stains without drying out the natural oils in the canvas.

By following these steps, you'll be able to break in your Sperry canvas boat shoes and enjoy them for years to come.

Soak in saltwater

Soaking your Sperrys in saltwater is a great way to break in your shoes and give them a weathered look. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Saltwater Solution

Fill a flat plastic container or bucket with warm water, ensuring it is large enough to accommodate your Sperrys horizontally. The water level should be just enough to cover the shoes without reaching the interior. For the saltwater solution, a good rule of thumb is to use about 1 tablespoon of sea salt for every 1⁄4 gallon (0.95 liters) of water. This will create a salinity similar to ocean water, giving your shoes that sailor-inspired look.

Step 2: Soak the Shoes

Place your Sperrys inside the container with the soles flat on the bottom. Let them sit in the saltwater for at least 4 hours. During this time, the salt will help remove the topcoat of the shoes and soften the leather, preparing them for a more comfortable and worn-in fit.

Step 3: Rinse and Air-Dry

After the soaking process, remove your Sperrys from the saltwater and give them a quick rinse with cold water. Then, let them air-dry. If the interior of the shoes is still moist, be sure to remove the insoles and let them dry separately. It's important to avoid placing your Sperrys in a clothes dryer, as the heat can damage the adhesives and cause the shoes to fall apart.

Step 4: Wear During Drying

To achieve that perfect fit, it's recommended to wear your Sperrys as they air-dry. Go for a short walk or do some light exercises to help the damp material conform to your feet. Sperrys are designed to dry quickly, so you won't have to wait long. This process will ensure your shoes mould to your feet, providing a unique and personalised fit.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Make sure your Sperrys are the right size before attempting to break them in. Shoes that are too tight or too loose won't mould to your feet properly, no matter how much you wear them.
• Account for socks when breaking in your Sperrys. Socks add volume to your feet and can affect the fit. If you break in your shoes with socks and then wear them barefoot, they may feel looser than expected.
• Classic leather Sperrys are generally easier to break in compared to other materials. Most of their leather boat shoes are unlined, allowing them to mould to your feet faster.
• Leather tends to dry out over time, so it's important to treat your Sperrys with a leather conditioner to add moisture and maintain their shape.

Wear while air-drying

To break in your Sperry canvas boat shoes, you'll need to wear them while they air-dry. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Soak Your Sperrys in Salt Water: Start by filling a bucket or container with warm water. Ensure the container is large enough to accommodate your shoes horizontally. Add sea salt to the water—use about 1 tablespoon of salt for every 1/4 gallon (0.95 liters) of water to achieve the salinity of the ocean. Place your Sperrys into the saltwater solution and let them soak for at least 4 hours. The salt will help soften the leather and give it a worn-in look.
• Rinse and Air-Dry: After soaking, remove your Sperrys from the saltwater and rinse them with cold water. Remove the insoles if they are moist or wet and set them aside to air-dry separately. Let the shoes air-dry, but keep in mind that you'll be wearing them during this process.
• Wear Your Sperrys While They Dry: Put on your Sperrys while they are still damp and walk around as they air-dry. You can also do some simple exercises or go for a short walk to introduce more movement to the damp material. This will help the shoes conform to your feet as they dry. Boat shoes are designed to dry quickly, so you won't have to wait long.
• Consider Using Wooden Shoe Trees: If you don't want to wear wet shoes, you can use wooden shoe trees instead. Insert the shoe trees into your Sperrys while they air-dry. Shoe trees mimic the shape of human feet, allowing the material to stretch and loosen up as it dries.
• Repeat as Needed: Depending on your desired level of weathering, you can repeat the process of soaking, rinsing, and wearing your Sperrys to achieve the perfect broken-in look and feel.

Remember, the key to breaking in your Sperrys is to wear them! The more you wear them, the better they will mould to your feet.

Choose the right size

Choosing the right size for your Sperry canvas boat shoes is crucial to ensure comfort and the perfect fit. Here are some tips to help you select the right size:

Measure Your Feet

Begin by measuring the length and width of your feet at their widest points. This will provide you with a baseline to compare against the sizing chart for Sperry canvas boat shoes. It is important to consider that your feet may swell slightly by the end of the day, so measuring at the end of the day can give you a more accurate idea of your size.

Consult the Sizing Chart

Be sure to refer to the Sperry sizing chart before making your purchase. Sperry offers a range of sizes, including standard and wide widths, to accommodate different foot shapes. If you are unable to try the shoes on in person, consider ordering from a retailer with a good return policy in case the shoes do not fit as expected.

Account for the Material

Keep in mind that the material of the shoes can affect the fit. Sperry canvas boat shoes are typically made of canvas or leather, and these materials have different properties. Leather tends to stretch and mold to your feet over time, so if you're buying leather Sperrys, consider going a half size down from your regular size. On the other hand, canvas doesn't stretch as much, so opt for your usual size or a slightly snugger fit.

Consider Your Sock Preference

The debate between wearing socks or going sockless with boat shoes is ongoing. If you plan to wear socks, choose thin, no-show socks that won't add bulk and affect the fit of the shoes. Socks will make the shoes feel tighter, and they may also stretch the leather. If you break in your Sperrys with socks and then choose to go barefoot, the shoes may feel looser.

Try Them On

Whenever possible, try on the shoes before purchasing. This is the best way to ensure a proper fit. Sperry boat shoes typically run true to size, but trying them on will allow you to assess the width, length, and overall comfort.

Remember, the key to choosing the right size for Sperry canvas boat shoes is to find a balance between a snug fit and comfort. The shoes should be roomy enough for your toes to wiggle, but snug enough to not slip off. By following these tips, you'll be able to select the perfect size for your new Sperry canvas boat shoes.

Account for socks

When breaking in a new pair of Sperry boat shoes, it's important to account for whether or not you plan to wear socks with them. This is because socks will affect how the shoes mould to your feet.

Socks add volume to your feet and make the shoes feel tighter. They may also stretch the leather. So, if you break in your boat shoes while wearing socks, and then wear them barefoot, they might feel loose.

If you plan to wear socks with your Sperrys, it's recommended that you wear socks when breaking them in, to ensure they mould to your feet comfortably.

It's also worth noting that Sperry boat shoes are designed to be worn without socks. The company recommends wearing their boat shoes barefoot to allow the leather to mould to the shape of your feet.

Opt for leather

If you want to avoid the hassle of breaking in your Sperry boat shoes, opting for leather is a good idea. Classic leather is easier to break in than textiles or synthetic leather. Most Sperry leather shoes are unlined, so they will mould to the shape of your feet quickly. To get that comfortable, broken-in fit, you should wear your new leather boat shoes a lot when the leather is most pliable. Conversely, wearing your new boat shoes less often may impact how fast and how well they mould to your feet.

Leather tends to dry out over time, so you'll want to protect your leather boat shoes from drying, cracking, and scuffing. You can do this by treating them with Sperry Leather Cleaner & Conditioner, which adds moisture to the leather and keeps your shoes in top-notch shape. You can also use products such as mink oil or leather shoe oil to help the boat shoes stay water-resistant.

To break in your leather Sperry boat shoes, start by filling a bucket with warm water. Place your shoes in the bucket, ensuring the water is high enough to reach the top of the shoes without getting into the interior. Then, add sea salt to simulate the conditions of wearing your Sperrys around the sea. Let your shoes sit in the saltwater for at least four hours. The salt will help remove the topcoat of the boat shoes and soften the leather for a more relaxed and worn fit.

After soaking, remove your Sperrys from the saltwater and rinse them with cold water. Let them air-dry, and if the interior is moist or wet, remove the insoles and let them dry separately. For best results, wear your boat shoes as they air-dry. Go for a short walk or do some simple exercises to help the damp material conform to your feet.

It's important to note that breaking in your Sperrys may take some time, and the process may vary depending on the specific type of leather and construction of your shoes. Additionally, ensuring you have the correct size and accounting for whether you'll be wearing socks is crucial for achieving the perfect fit.

Frequently asked questions