The Authentic Original Boat Shoe: A Timeless Black Leather Classic

The Sperry Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe in black leather is a stylish and comfortable option for men. With a full-grain leather upper, these boat shoes feature hand-sewn construction, rust-proof eyelets, and a non-marking rubber outsole with Wave-Siping for excellent wet/dry traction. The shoe's 360-degree lacing system and OrthoLite insole provide a secure and comfortable fit, making them ideal for all-day wear. Additionally, the shock-absorbing EVA heel cup enhances comfort and durability. Customers have praised the quality, comfort, and appearance of these boat shoes, making them a popular choice.

Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe features and benefits

The Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe is a stylish and functional shoe that offers both comfort and durability. Here are some key features and benefits:

Iconic Design: The Authentic Original is recognised as the world's first leather top sider, making it a timeless and iconic piece of footwear. Its classic silhouette features a moccasin-stitched toe, a slotted collar, and rust-resistant eyelets.

Premium Materials: The shoe is crafted with full-grain leather, which provides long-lasting wear and resists the effects of salt and freshwater. The leather is sourced from a gold-rated tannery and features an upscale burnished treatment.

Comfort: The shoe offers all-day comfort with its OrthoLite® insole that moulds to your foot and provides cushioning. The genuine hand-sewn Tru-Moc construction ensures durable comfort, while the shock-absorbing EVA heel cup adds extra cushioning.

360-Degree Lacing System: This boat shoe features a 360-degree lacing system with rawhide laces, allowing you to customise the fit to your preference. You can tie the laces with your own signature flourish.

Wet/Dry Traction: The signature razor-cut Wave-Siping™ technology provides excellent wet/dry traction, ensuring you won't slip regardless of the surface. The non-marking rubber outsole leaves no marks, making it ideal for boat decks.

Handcrafted Details: The Authentic Original is a true moccasin construction with handcrafted details, including rust-proof eyelets. The attention to detail showcases the time-honoured craftsmanship that goes into each pair.

The Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe is a versatile and durable shoe that can be dressed up or down. Its premium materials, comfortable construction, and iconic design make it a favourite among customers, who appreciate its classic style and functionality.

Customer reviews of the shoe

The Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe in black leather has received mixed reviews from customers. While some customers have praised the shoe's comfort, quality, and appearance, others have expressed dissatisfaction with the fit, colour, and material.

Many customers have mentioned that the shoes are very comfortable, with some describing them as feeling like "slippers you can wear outdoors". The shoes are also said to be well-built and durable, with one customer stating that they "will perhaps outlive some of us". The shoes have also been praised for their classic appearance, with one customer calling them a "prep icon for the ages".

However, some customers have reported that the shoes have a narrow fit and that the laces are too short. There have also been complaints about the colour of the shoes being lighter than expected and the material feeling off. Some customers have also experienced issues with the sole of the shoe breaking off after a few months of wear.

Overall, the Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe in black leather has received mostly positive reviews, with customers praising the shoe's comfort, quality, and appearance. However, there have been some complaints about the fit, colour, and material, as well as issues with the sole breaking off.

Sperry's history and brand values

Sperry, or Sperry Top-Sider, is an American brand of boat shoes designed in 1935 by Paul A. Sperry. The Sperry "Top-Sider" boat shoe was introduced in 1935 and featured a canvas upper, herringbone siping, and a white outsole to prevent the shoe from leaving scuff marks on a boat's deck. The brand was born out of Sperry's love for the open ocean, his boat, and his dog.

One day, while sailing on the Long Island Sound, Sperry slipped on the deck of his boat and fell overboard. He managed to pull himself back on board, but the experience inspired him to develop a non-slip shoe for boating. He noticed that his cocker spaniel could run down an icy hill without slipping, so he examined its paws and saw traction-enhancing grooves, which he sought to mimic by cutting a pattern into a natural rubber sole—a process known as siping.

The Commonwealth Shoe and Leather Co. partnered with Sperry on a design using specially tanned water-resistant leather, which became the familiar Sperry "boat shoe". In 1939, Sperry patented his non-slip sole, and in 1940, the United States named Sperry the standard-issued shoe for the US Navy casual uniform. Sperry's shoes remained a niche product for boaters until this deal with the US Navy increased production, and Sperry sold the brand to the US Rubber Co. in 1940.

Over the next few decades, Sperry expanded the horizons of sailing and started to strike a balance between sport performance and understated leisure menswear. In the 1960s, icons like JFK, Paul Newman, and Mr. Rogers were recognized for wearing Sperry's, and in 1980, Lisa Birnbach named Sperry an icon of prep style in "The Preppy Handbook".

Today, Sperry continues to design coastal-inspired casual wear anchored in performance innovation, style, and quality craftsmanship. The brand has expanded internationally across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and has opened retail stores in North America. Sperry is also the official footwear sponsor of the US Sailing Team Sperry, the US Junior Olympic Sailing Team, and the US Paralympics Sailing Team.

The shoe's sizing and fit

The Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe is available in a variety of sizes, including half sizes and wide widths. The shoe is made from a single piece of full-grain leather that wraps around the foot, and it has a signature OrthoLite insole that moulds to the foot for a comfortable fit. The shoe also features a 360-degree lacing system with rustproof eyelets, allowing for a secure and customizable fit. The rawhide laces can be tied with your own signature flourish.

While the shoe is generally described as comfortable, some customers have reported that the fit is a bit tight, especially in the width. One customer mentioned that the right shoe was a little tight on their right foot, which is slightly larger than the left. Another customer noted that the width was too narrow for their feet, resulting in a tight fit. However, other customers have found the width to be great, and some have even sized down for a more comfortable, breathable fit.

The shoe is available in a range of colours, including black, brown, navy, oatmeal, tan, and dark tan. It is important to note that some customers have reported that the colour of the shoe in person may differ slightly from the colour pictured online. For example, one customer mentioned that the grey colour they received looked lighter than it appeared in the pictures.

Overall, the Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe is a versatile and stylish shoe that can be dressed up or down. The shoe offers a comfortable and secure fit, thanks to its premium materials, handcrafted details, and customizable lacing system.

Where to buy the shoe

The Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe in black leather is available from a variety of online retailers, including:

Amazon

The shoe is available on Amazon in various sizes and colours. Amazon offers free shipping and returns on this item, as well as a free 7-day trial.

Sperry

The shoe can also be purchased directly from the Sperry website. The website offers a winter sale of up to 50% off select items.

Zappos

Zappos stocks the shoe in a variety of colours, with free shipping included.

Other Options

The shoe is also available from other online retailers, such as Nordstrom, Macy's, and eBay.

Frequently asked questions