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17 Best Boat Shoes for Stylish Summer Sea Legs
Kick off long summer weekends with the classic warm weather stable, boat shoes. While they might be part of a more preppy male sense of style, all gentlemen alike can appreciate their comfort when worn in the sunlight. When it comes to boat shoes, these sailing slip-ons pair perfectly with everything from cargo shorts to jeans, khakis and more.
However, you don’t have to be a sailor by heart to sport them. Sure, the traction on boat decks in unbeatable, yet, so is the comfort and style for morning walks spent out by the beach.
It’s a lot like wearing them without or without socks, the choice is entirely yours. With that said, before I get into the top 17 best boat shoes for men below you might be curious to know how this iconic footwear first got it start.
The history
The story dates back to the 1930’s with Paul A. Sperry, a devoted boated and sailor from New Haven, Connecticut. One cold winter morning Sperry watched his dog zip across the ice without so much as slipping a foot.
In the moment he had realized the pads of his pup Prince’s paws formed a herringbone-like pattern with all the grooves and cracks. By cutting a siping pattern into the soles of his own shoes he had managed to unlock the power of a phenomenally strong grip.
Within time, Sperry would share his discovery to the world under the Sperry Top-Sider company. Since then, boating shoes have become a stable in popular coastal area footwear over the years. Now, aside from the siping pattern for secure sea legs on a wet deck, most boat shoes today as feature oiled leather to repel water.
You’ll also find a 360-degree lacing system, typically with rawhide and two or three eyelet, plus a moc-toe construction. Of course, the fashionable styles you’ll find below feature a wide range of variations from the tried and true traditional to the more bold and modern.
Regardless of which suits you the best, make this summer one where you say goodbye to slippery sea legs in exchange for comfort and class.
Best Boat Shoes for Men
Best Buy
1. Sperry Top Sider Billfish 3 Eye
Discover a different take on the classic boat shoe design with Sperry’s Top-Sider Billfish 3-Eye. With eleven different options to choose from, each arrives with a leather and textile exterior.
However, aside from charming good looks your feet will thank you for the molded polyurethane midsole and shock-absorbing footbed. It has never been more comfortable to put your best sea-worthy foot forward until now.
Of course, you’ll also enjoy the perks of the wave Siping outsole groves which work their magic to move water out of the way for superior boat deck traction.
2. Sperry Top Sider Billfish Ultralite
Small details make Sperry’s Billfish Ultralite boat shoes stand out in a good way. While they might be similar to the regular Billfish, the key difference can be found in their super lightweight nature and downright phenomenal comfort.
You’ll also find a contrasting outsole that won’t leave marks on your boat regardless if you go with the black or green options. Of course, at the bottom of every shoe rests Sperry’s unique razor-cut texturing for a solid sense of traction in both wet and dry conditions.
3. Mephisto Boating Slip On
For boating shoes that fit like a glove and rival the craftsmanship of competitors, it’s hard to beat the quality offered in Mephisto’s boating slip-on. With eight unique exteriors, you’ll find each features a rich, Sup-Hydro water-resistant finish.
To keep your feet comfortable there’s also soft air technology found in the padded footbed to cushion and wick away moisture. No matter what the weather conditions you can be sure your feet will be resting in paradise year round.
4. Polo Ralph Lauren Bienne
Any gentleman who prefers the preppy lifestyle will enjoy the professional appeal given off by Polo Phalp Lauren’s Binne boat shoes. All five dyed leather options arrive with great traditional touches including moc-toe stitching and leather laces.
Of course, you’ll also find a rubber sole to keep your sea legs both stylish and steady during rough seas.
5. Mephisto Hurrikan
For a more premium and professional fashion, Mephisto has the answer with their new Hurrikan shoe. Upon first glance you’ll notice a strikingly well-crafted leather exterior paired with a Siped Caotchouc rubber outsole.
Five colors are available including dark brown, rust, black smooth, and more. Regardless of which finish suits your style or your yacht the best, the latex foam midsole is sure to be quite a treat for your feet. With every step the footbed conforms to your foot’s unique shape for added shock absorption and comfort.
6. Sperry Top Sider Authentic Original Burnished
For a little more character and comfort just slip on the Sperry Top Sider Authentic Original Burnished men’s boat shoes. Each arrives with a slightly worn in finish on the exterior and a plush interior that compares to your favorite pair of broken-in kicks.
The classic nautical loafer also features brown rawhide laces and moc-toe stitching for a great contrast against the four leather choices. With blue, grey, ivory and orange to chose from, these top-siders feel as good as they fit your own personal sense of style!
7. Sebago Docksides
A molded EVA foam insole makes the Dockside boat shoes by Sebago a breeze to step around in. While a non-slip rubber outsole keeps your sea legs grounded.
To fit your own unique sense of style, the Dockside is offered in twenty different colors; all of which, have a leather exterior finish, moc-toe stitching and rawhide lacing.
8. Timberland Earthkeepers Kiawah Bay
Like all leather boat shoes, Timberland’s Earthkeepers Kiawah Bay’s run large in size once the leather has broken in. To keep you comfortable in the process, each shoe features an anti-fatigue footbed made of 100% recycled PET. Of course, you’ll also find a neat nautical flag print on the interior as well for a subtle touch of style.
On the exterior, Timberland offers ten different color choices, all of which, arrive with a handsome leather finish.
9. Timberland Classic Two Eye
A great take on a classic, Timberland literally named their two-eye boat shoe the Classic. While the look does a have more sporty flair, you’ll still find the tried and true slotted collar, rawhide lacing and moccasin toe.
As a plus, Timberland has included a super comfy EVA insert that cushions every step thanks to Poron foam. With premium full-grain leather, sued and nuuck leathers combined, it’s easy to look good on any beach or boat.
10. Tommy Hilfiger Bowman
While quality can be a hit or a miss for some gentlemen, it’s hard to beat the stylish good looks offered in Tommy Hilfiger’s Bowman boat shoe. All six color choices feature moc-toe stiching, 360-degree rawhide lacing, and a thick rubber sole.
11. Allen Edmonds Eastport
When it comes to finely crafted leatherwork, Allen Edmonds is a certainly name to be known. Their new Eastport men’s boat shoe arrives with a handsome leather exterior in addition to rawhide lacing and vented screen eyelets.
A Siped rubber sole offers generous traction and longevity, while a full leather interior lining makes any walk out on the patio or dock a true comfort.
12. Sperry Top Sider AO
There’s a good reason why gentlemen mention Sperry when boat shoes are brought into any conversion. To own a pair means acquiring the privilege of fine craftsmanship, superior comfort and a wise investment thanks to their long-lasting durability. With their new men’s A/O boat shoes the same message ring true.
Aside from what you’ll already expect form Sperry, like a handsome leather exterior and shock-absorbing EVA heel cup, you might be surprising to know just how personal they are. To match your attire without a hitch, Sperry offers thirteen different colors to choose from such as a Sahara, amaretto, navy and more.
13. Allen Edmonds South Shore
If you’re looking for great contrasting styling, look no further. Allen Edmond’s South Shore men’s boat shoes feature a rich brown leather exterior paired with nautical blue accents found in the laces, rubber sole and lining.
Of course, if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a strikingly handsome wood outer sole finish to truly pull everything together.
14. Sebago Spinnaker
With over 30 different styles to choose from, it’s hard to beat just how personal Sebago makes things with their men’s Spinnaker boat shoe. From the mocha nubuck to navy canvas, golden tan and even pink, your options are endless.
In a sense you could say Sebago has taken the iconic look and made it personal again. While there are a handful of new twists on the classic, each still arrives with a slotted collar and moccasin toe stitching.
15. Frye Norfolk Moc
For a more relaxed sense of style, Frye’s Norfolk delivers. All three colors including Indigo, Cognac, and Cement feature a rounded toe box and soft leather.
While you might think the soft leather could be an indication of low quality, you’ll be surprised. It’s actually quite thick and rugged, which means order a size up. These boat shoes tend to run about half a size smaller given their construction.
16. Olukai Mano
Talk about a well made and durable boat shoe, it’s really hard to beat the Olukai Mano. With seven different leather exteriors, matching your own sense of style is literally a breeze.
Not to mention, each arrives with a waterproofed and wax nubuck leather upper for longevity and great looks. While one look on inside delivers a glance of ultra-comfortable microfiber with moisture wicking action.
As an added plus each boating shoe also features an EquilFit, dual density PU footbed and leather laces to keep things cozily snug yet, firmly secured.
17. Mephisto Felix
Both chestnut and camel leather options found on the Mephisto Felix arrive with durable construction quality. You’ll find their fit to be slightly larger than most, and their comfort level to be considerably higher.
The shock absorbing heel when paired to the cushioning footbed makes it feel like you’re walking on air. Sure, the price is up there, however, in exchange you get handmade boating shoes that last.
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