Best Boat Shoes: Top Brands And Retailers

Boat shoes, also known as deck shoes or top-siders, were originally designed for boating and are known for their distinctive siped soles that provide extra grip on slippery surfaces. They have since become a popular fashion item, with brands such as Sperry, Eastland, Florsheim, and Sebago offering a range of styles for both men and women. Boat shoes can be made from leather or canvas and are typically worn casually with shorts, jeans, or dress slacks. While they can be worn with or without socks, it is recommended to coordinate your socks, trousers, and shoes for a stylish look.

Boat shoe brands

Boat shoes are a type of shoe that has become a trend in the past year. They are a comfortable, smart alternative to trainers. Boat shoes are designed to withstand wet conditions and provide traction, moisture-wicking and more.

Sperry

The original boat shoe was inspired by an avid sailor and his dog. Paul Sperry noticed his dog’s excellent traction when running across ice and designed the first Sperry Top-Siders. They were eventually worn by the U.S. Navy in the 1930s and have remained a classic ever since.

Eastland

Eastland is another boat shoe brand that has built styles to stand the test of time.

Florsheim

Florsheim is a boat shoe brand that has built styles to stand the test of time.

Quoddy

Quoddy is a Maine manufacturer company that collaborated with Parisian shop Beige to produce a great shoe.

Yuketen

Yuketen is a boat shoe brand that makes beautiful shoes, probably in the nicest leather one has ever worn barefoot. However, they are also made like a traditional moccasin, which makes them rather impractical and expensive.

Loro Piana

Loro Piana launched styles in the fashion world. They are a very well-designed and well-made shoe.

OluKai

OluKai is a brand born out of a love for the ocean. Their men’s boat shoes are designed to perform well on the water and are made with water-resistant materials, quick-drying mesh, drainage ports, and a stretchy build so you can easily slip them off and jump in.

Where to buy boat shoes online

Boat shoes are a popular item, with many retailers offering a range of styles and materials. If you're looking to buy boat shoes online, here are some options to consider:

Sperry

Sperry is a well-known brand when it comes to boat shoes. Their shoes feature the distinctive siped soles designed to provide extra grip on slippery boat decks. Sperry offers a range of styles, including their classic brown leather boat shoe and the Authentic Original Boat Shoe. You can find Sperry boat shoes at various online retailers, including their own website and other specialty shoe stores.

Sebago-USA

Sebago is another brand that offers a range of boat shoes for both men and women. Their docksiders and boat shoes come in various styles, from traditional to trend-setting. Sebago-USA offers free shipping on orders over $100 and hassle-free returns for up to 60 days.

Peltz Shoes

Peltz Shoes carries a selection of boat shoes for men, including brands like Sperry, Dockers, and Columbia. They offer free shipping on orders over $69 and have a loyalty program called Peltz Perks that gives members benefits like free shipping and exclusive discounts.

Famous Footwear

Famous Footwear offers a range of boat shoes for men, including brands like Sperry, Eastland, and Florsheim. They provide various styles, such as leather boat shoes for a dressier look and canvas shoes for casual comfort. Famous Footwear offers free shipping for rewards members or on orders over $75.

Target

Target also carries boat shoes, with options for both men and women. They often have clearance sales, so you can find good deals on their website or in-store.

When purchasing boat shoes online, it's important to consider the material, colour, and style that best suit your needs and preferences. Boat shoes are typically associated with summer and casual wear, but they can also be dressed up with the right pairings.

Where to buy boat shoes in-store

Boat shoes are a popular item, with many retailers offering them in-store. If you're looking for a pair of boat shoes, also known as deck shoes or top-siders, there are several places you can visit to find a wide range of options.

One option is to check out specialty shoe stores, such as Famous Footwear or Peltz Shoes. These stores often carry a variety of boat shoe brands, including well-known names like Sperry, Eastland, and Florsheim. You can try on different styles and benefit from the expertise of the staff, who can help you find the perfect fit and provide advice on care and maintenance.

Department stores are another great option for purchasing boat shoes. Target, for example, offers a range of boat shoes for men, often at discounted prices. They may also have seasonal sales, so keep an eye out for promotions.

If you're looking for a specific brand, such as Sebago, it's worth visiting their official website to locate their physical stores. Sebago offers a range of classic and trendy boat shoes, and their stores will provide you with a dedicated selection of their products.

Additionally, some luxury fashion brands, like Polo Ralph Lauren and Loro Piana, also offer unique takes on boat shoes. Visiting their boutiques will allow you to explore their exclusive designs and experience the quality of their craftsmanship firsthand.

When purchasing boat shoes, it's important to consider the materials used, such as leather or canvas, as well as the colour and style that best suit your wardrobe and personal taste. Whether you're going for a casual look with shorts or jeans, or a dressier ensemble with tailored pants, boat shoes offer versatility and a timeless appeal.

The history of boat shoes

The boat shoe, also known as the deck shoe or top-sider, was invented in 1935 by American Paul A. Sperry of New Haven, Connecticut. Sperry was an avid sailor who noticed his dog's ability to run easily over ice without slipping. Inspired by the natural cracks and grooves on his dog's paws, which formed a herringbone-like pattern, Sperry used a penknife to cut similar patterns—a process known as siping—into the soles of his shoes to provide additional traction. Sperry's invention was specifically designed to provide a firm foothold on the slippery decks of boats, where sailors frequently struggled to maintain their grip and often suffered accidents.

Sperry initially introduced shoes with black soles in 1935, but these left unsightly marks on the boat decks. He quickly realised that white-soled shoes didn't leave any visible marks, and thus the iconic boat shoe with mid-to-dark-brown leather uppers and a white rubber sole was born. Sperry named his invention the "Top-Sider", as the shoes were designed to keep the wearer on the top side of their boat.

In 1939, the U.S. Navy recognised the benefits of Sperry's shoes and negotiated a deal to manufacture Top-Siders for its sailors. Sperry eventually sold his business to the U.S. Rubber Company, which marketed Sperry Top-Siders throughout America. The shoes gained further momentum in the 1970s when they became casual footwear in coastal areas of several countries, including the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The boat shoe reached trendy status in the 1980s when it was featured in "The Official Preppy Handbook" by Lisa Birnbach. This publication identified the boat shoe as an essential part of preppy styles, and its popularity exploded. Since then, the boat shoe has become a staple of East Coast preppy style in the summer and is widely worn by all ages and genders, with or without socks.

How to style boat shoes

Boat shoes are a versatile footwear option, perfect for many occasions and offering tons of flexibility in terms of style and comfort.

When to Wear Boat Shoes

The perfect shoe for maritime activities, boat shoes are ideal for a day at the beach or a trip on a boat. They are also a great option for travelling, offering comfort and ease for those long treks with luggage. You can also wear them to the office, as long as the environment is business casual, and they are a fun choice for a date, adding a bit of personality to your outfit.

When Not to Wear Boat Shoes

Boat shoes are not meant for winter or formal events. They are a casual shoe, so avoid wearing them to black-tie affairs or with suits.

What to Wear Boat Shoes With

Boat shoes are a great match with jeans. For a more effortless, nautical look, try cuffing the hems of your jeans. They also pair well with colourful chinos, but ensure the colours contrast to balance the look. For example, opt for neutral-coloured shoes with bold red or green chinos. In the summer, boat shoes are perfect with shorts, again, ensuring the shoes are plainer if the shorts are more detailed.

Socks or No Socks?

The general consensus is that boat shoes should not be worn with visible socks. No-show socks are an option if you want the comfort of socks without the look. However, some people do wear boat shoes with socks, particularly in colder climates.

Brands

When it comes to buying boat shoes, there are several brands to choose from, including Sperry, Eastland, and Florsheim. For a dressier look, opt for leather boat shoes, and for casual days, canvas shoes are a better choice to keep your feet cool and dry.

Frequently asked questions