Boat shoes, also known as deck shoes, have been around as long as I can remember and are a comfortable, summer casual shoe that can be worn with shorts and a t-shirt, jeans and a polo or khakis and a button-down shirt. In fact, boat shoes may be the most versatile and timeless shoe style ever made and although they were originally made for boating, are worn by boaters and non-boaters alike.
So, boat shoes are a great summer casual shoe, but Should I Wear Boat Shoes When Sailing? Yes, when sailing, boat shoes should definitely be worn to keep you from slipping, they don’t leave scuff marks on the deck, they are easy to slip on/off when needed and if you get them wet, they water proof and will dry rapidly.
History of Boat Shoes
The history of boat shoes began in the 1930’s when Paul Sperry took a walk with his dog on a cold, winter day. They were walking across the ice and Paul noticed that Prince, a cocker spaniel, didn’t slip on the ice. Paul was a sailor and boater and like many boaters and sailors struggled with slipping on his boat so when he saw his dog gripping the ice, he took notice. Later, when examining his dog’s paws, he noticed that the cracks on the pads of Prince’s feet made a herring bone like pattern. The idea of a boat shoe was born.
Paul soon discovered that he wasn’t the first to develop a herring bone patterned deck shoe. John F. Sipe first patented the herring bone patterned sole, but his brown soled shoes left scuff marks on the decks. Sperry developed a white soled shoe that gained in popularity with boaters in the mid 1930’s before being discovered by the U.S. Navy in 1939, which struck a deal with Sperry to develop shoes for Navy Sailors. Sperry sold his company to the U.S. Rubber Company shortly after.
The Masses Discover Boat Shoes in the 1980’s
Sperry Top Siders gained popularity with the masses in the 1980’s after being featured in sailing magazines, were seen in the movie, Jaws and were written about in the very popular, Official Preppy Handbook by Lisa Birnbach. Birnbach wrote that boat shoes were an essential part of every preppies wardrobe. In the early 1980’s styles were greatly influenced by the preppy movement. Boat shoes found their way in almost every shoe store in the U.S and around the world and millions owned a version of the deck shoe.
Non-slip Soles
The original idea for Sperry’s boat shoes (Top Siders) were to give sailors and boaters a better and safer boat shoe with traction inspired by his dog’s paw print. If you are planning to spend time on a boat, especially a sail boat that may require moving around to work the sails a non-slip boat shoe will help prevent embarrassing and potentially harmful slip and falls, not to mention will keep you from stubbing your toes on hatches, steps and other potentially painful obstructions.
Scuff-Free
One of the huge reasons that the Sperry Topsiders gained popularity with sailors and boaters is because it didn’t leave a scuff. Once Paul Sperry added the white sole to the shoe, the brand was differentiated from the competition and it put them on the map.
Now Available in Many Styles and Colors
Boat shoes are now available in many different styles and colors. If you are buying them for time spent on a boat, make sure your version has a white sole or other scuff-free sole and is best to choose from one of the brands popular with sailors and boaters. If you are buying a pair of boat or deck shoes that claim to have a scuff-free sole make sure it is truly scuff-free, especially if the sole is not the tradition white sole and if it is a non-boat shoe type brand. The last thing you want to do is to scuff up a friend’s boat or be required to take your shoes off when boarding.
Traditional Boat Shoes VS New Styles
If you are like me, when someone mentions Sperry Topsiders, you instantly picture a very specific type and style of boat shoe. This is the more traditional style of boat shoe. There are a newer style of boat shoe that has become very popular which is more like a sneaker. For most of this article, I am referring to the traditional type of boat shoe like the Topsiders. I do believe these newer style boat shoes are an excellent choice for sailing and should be considered. If you are an avid sailor, you will most likely have more than one pair of boat shoes and may even have several shoes of each type for different weather conditions and occasions.
More About the New Styles
If you are into sailing, then you know about the brand, Helly Hanson. If you are new to sailing, then you need to know that Helly Hansen is a popular, sailing and boating brand name for high quality sailing apparel. Helly Hansen offers deck shoes with the old, new and in-between styles. Different weather and water conditions will dictate which shoes should be worn. In the example below, I show a variety of styles offered by Helly Hansen from the more traditional deck shoe to the more modern sneaker-type of boat shoe.
Sneaker Style Deck Shoe
The newer, sneaker type of boat shoes are popular because they are light-weight and breathable. On a hot, humid day, the sneaker type of boat shoe is going to breath and keep your feet cooler, then the traditional shoe. These sneaker-type boat shoes also come with the skid-free soles and are fast drying and comfortable.
Water Proof
One benefit of owning a pair of traditional boat shoes is that the leather helps to keep your feet dry. This comes in handy during a day of boating when water is splashing over the side of the boat. When your shoes do get wet – very wet they will dry quite rapidly, especially when placed in the sun.
Metal Eyelets = Rust
So avid sailors that spend their time in salt water may want to consider shoes that have no metal eyelets. The eyelets are the holes that the shoe string threads through. Many brands are now using metal eyelets, but metal and salt equal oxidation (i.e. rust). Finding a pair of boat shoes without metal eyelets can be a challenge. It seems like the current trend is to include metal eyelets. It may take a little more effort, but picking a pair without metal will last much longer.
Comfort
Boat shoes first became popular because they provided a safer option for sailors. When safety was combined with the scuff-free soles, their popularity soared. However, the reason many non-sailors love boat shoes is because they are extremely comfortable. The all leather shoes adapt to your foot pattern which makes a great and comfortable fit. Some boat shoes have a moccasin like look and feel. A good way to explain how good it feels on you foot is to imagine wearing a very comfortable slipper. The leather on boat shoes will vary, but many have a soft leather feel.
Sailing Conditions Considerations
The top considerations when purchasing boat shoes for sailing are: wind proof, water proof, insulation, breathability and durability. Think about the conditions for when you will be wearing your boat shoes. If you are planning a week on a charter catamaran in warm weather, then you may want to purchase a breathable, light weight, non-slipping sneaker type sailing shoe. If you are sailing in Maine, where hot weather is as rare as a snowy day in Florida, then a more traditional type of boat shoe or a weather proof, wind proof, warmer leather type sneaker type may be on your list.
Styles
Deck shoes are not just for sailing anymore. They now come in so many shapes, styles, colors and brands. You can find a one for almost any occasion. I have seen every color that you can imagine. I’m not even exaggerating here. I have seen them in pink, blue, light blue, navy blue, light pink, black, white, so many shades of brown, yellow, orange, etc. You name, there is a boat shoes of that color. Ok. I’ll have to admit, I haven’t found a boat shoe for formal occasions, but there probably is one out there.
Socks or No Socks?
The age-old question is whether to wear socks or no socks? Most of the time, boat shoes are worn in the summer or in warm, tropical climates wear socks may not always be worn. So, the practical answer is that if you are on a boat, you will probably not wear socks with your boat shoes. I suppose if you are sailing off the coast of Maine or off the coast of Sweden on a cold, dry day you may choose to wear socks, but for the most part, sailing on a warm day, most sailors will choose not to wear socks.
If you wear your shoes on land, then you need to decide for yourself if socks are appropriate for your venue or occasion. If you do decide to wear socks, make sure they match your outfit – especially if you are wearing shorts.
Pant Legs Up or Down?
Of course, I typically wear my boat shoes in the warm, summer months, but occasionally will wear them with jeans on a cool, spring or fall day. Should you wear your pant legs down or rolled up like you are expecting a flood. Once again, it may come down to style VS functionality (off the boat VS on the boat). If you are wearing them on your boat on a cool day, you may roll up your pant legs to keep them dry If your jeans are a little long and drag on the ground when you walk, then you may want to roll them up when you are on the boat so you don’t slip on them.
If you are wearing them off the boat, then (like socks or no socks) it is a matter of preference and your personal style. I remember in the 1980’s when the preppy movement was popular, it was about straight leg jeans, rolled up a couple of rolls to show off your boat shoes. In modern times, I personally prefer my jeans without being rolled up, but I see people wearing them both ways.
Boat Shoe Trends
Keep in mind that trends are constantly changing. If you are wearing your deck shoes on land, then pay attention to the current trends. What is common and trending today, may change tomorrow. The one great thing about boat shoes is that the style is timeless. It may be your personality to go against the trend and boat shoes allow you to do that. If you are buying boat shoes for sailing, then ignore the trends and buy the best pair of shoes for the conditions for which you will be sailing.
Mold Free Shoes in the Tropics
Keep in mind that many popular, name brand boat shoes that work amazingly well in coastal California, Oregon and Washington state or even most of the east coast of the United States where the weather is moderate. If you will be spending a lot of time in the tropics where the weather is hot and humid, you need to think about hot feet and mold. A good, breathable boat shoe that isn’t made of leather or canvas is best. The new sneaker-type of boat shoes may be a good option. Leather is hot and it molds. Canvas is breathable, but it also molds easily. Get a shoe that dries quickly.
Other Types of Boat Shoes
With all of the varieties of shoes available on the market these days, you may consider other shoes than those specifically made for boating. Once again, I recommend that you question where you will be sailing and what conditions you will be sailing in when buying your shoes. Don’t forget about breathability, comfort, wind-proof, non-slip, non-skid and if they are water-proof and how fast they dry.
Popular Brands
There are many brands of shoes aimed at sailors. I picked four of them to feature in this article. I did not include any low end budget shoes, but concentrated on well known, quality sailing brands.
Sperry Topsiders: If you read this article, then you know this is the go to brand for old sailors (and many young ones). Sperry pretty much set the standard for traditional boat shoes. Prices are on the lower end of serious sailing shoes.
Helly Hansen: Helly Hanson is a sailors and outdoor enthusiast’s brand. They offer a wide range of boat shoes from the traditional to several sneaker-type shoes. Plan on spending less than Quoddy’s, but a little more than Topsiders.
Gill: Gill is another popular sailing brand showing a variety of more sneaker-type shoes, aqua socks and sailing boots. Gill shoe pricing will be similar to Helly Hansen.
Quoddy: These are on the high end of cost. They are hand-made and very comfortable; a moccasin type shoe with white, non-skid soles and lacquered eyelets that don’t rust. The soles can be resoled when they wear out. A traditional boat shoe that will last for years to come.
Barefoot Sailing
If you are sailing in a catamaran on a very calm day, going barefoot may be an option. Always ask your captain prior to arriving what kind of shoes you need to wear and if going without shoes is recommended or acceptable. If the boat you are sailing on is a monohull, racing or involved in a regatta, you will want to wear shoes. There are many trip hazards and other hazards to stub your toes on. A wet deck can also get very slippery without a good sailing sole shoe.
Taking Care of Your Boat Shoes
So now you have decided to buy a pair of traditional boat shoes. How do you maintain them? If you are wearing them on a boat they will get soaked and salt stained. It is best to use a cream-based shoe polish. You can use water and vinegar to clean off any spotting or soiling. The newer sneaker-type shoes may require special maintenance. Always refer to the maintenance information provided with the shoes and if your shoes didn’t come with any, then always ask the clerk at the shoe store how to maintain them.
Happy Sailing!