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10 Best Boat Shoes To Tackle The Seas & Dry Land

Spend considerable time near water? Check out these boat shoes for blokes... and boats

10 Best Boat Shoes To Tackle The Seas & Dry Land

Boat shoes have been an essential piece of footwear for mariners since 1935, when a certain Paul Sperry noticed how easily his dog was running around his vessel without slipping or sliding.


This led him to cut holes into the rubber soles of his boots, and there and then the boat shoe was born, with Sperry himself developing the first commercial range on the market – and which subsequently became some of the best shoes you can buy.

The trend quickly gained traction and brands across America and Europe started producing the in-demand design for casual sailors and yachtsmen. Worn without socks, with a high cut pair of chinosjeans or shorts with a polo shirt, a tried and tested ensemble that stands to this day, they’re an essential part of that classy summer look, even when you’re on dry land.

A typical boat shoe should be super comfortable, with a cushioned yet grippy sole and leather upper, along with 360° lacing. Even though the design has pretty much stayed the same since those early days, there’s a whole heap of materials and price brackets to consider when buying your ideal pair. To make things that little bit easier, we’ve looked at the best boat shoes on the market today, to help you look the part next time you’re strolling around the harbour.

Why trust us?

We’ve long been lovers of boat shoes and sailing. Hell, we’ve even travelled to Bermuda for the America’s Cup back in 2017 with Omega. From Sebago to Timberland, we’ve worn a number of these boat shoe brands and have lived to tell the tale.