The Boat Shoe

[BinkieBaumont]

There are times when only a natty little "Boat shoe" will do, A picnic at the beach or A BBQ by the riverside, or Pimms on the poop deck, whatever!

Imagine my delight when passing ZU and seeing a 75% off sign!!!
I got these for $30.00 original price $120.00 they look black but they are in fact a lovely shade of French navy blue

 

[Max Flash]

Nice shoes, Binkie, but please can you sort out the size of the font you post in. It is unnecessary to have it so large (and so orange)!

 

[Doug C]

Very nice, especially for the price. I plan on getting some deck shoes myself real soon but mine will be the more humble sperry classic, dark brown leather with thin white soles.
Doug C

 

[Lensmaster]

Years ago I had a pair I loved an wore all summer. They were an off-white and they were cut in a way that I could use them as slip-ons rather than tie them all the time. Does anyone know a place that sells a style you can slip-on that is fairly inexpensive? The ones I had I bought at a mall shoe store I used to work at that is out of business.

 

[reetpleat]

I used to have a pair of timberland boat shoes in high school. It really was true what they say about getting more comfortable with every wear.

And a a vintage enthusiast, I do dig the classic sperry topsider look.

But, since 50s collegiate is not at all my look, and I just can't get the 80s (Evergreen high school, class of '84) "preppy" look association out of my head, i will not be seeking them out any time soon.

But I do like them.

 

[Doug C]

I don't think "preppy college look" with regards to the Sperry top-siders so much as "Classic Nauticle Style", they look great in that setting but I won't be planning to wear them with anything but shorts. So I'm thinking knee length navy blue shorts, a navy/white "Picasso" fisherman shirt, a braided off-white belt and Sperry's, no socks... just live in that during the summer months ahead. oh, and a tan
Doug C

 

[MPicciotto]

In Annapolis and surrounding areas the Docksider rules! Fashion wise the shoe is appropriate for anything from power washing your siding to church, worn with slacks and sport coat. In below freezing weather it is "acceptable" though still somewhat of a stigma to wear socks with your docksiders. In fact every spring Eastport holds a "Sock Burning Party" to celebrate it being warm enough to not need socks with your docksiders any more. As your docksiders wear out your older pairs are for working around the house or repairing your boat and your newest pair is for stepping out in. I've owned generic brands, the Bostonian ones and Sperry's. For my money (or my wife's she buys them for me at Christmas) I'll stick to Sperry. I'm also a traditionalist and prefer them in the natural color.

Matt

 

[cookie]

In Annapolis and surrounding areas the Docksider rules! Fashion wise the shoe is appropriate for anything from power washing your siding to church, worn with slacks and sport coat. In below freezing weather it is "acceptable" though still somewhat of a stigma to wear socks with your docksiders. In fact every spring Eastport holds a "Sock Burning Party" to celebrate it being warm enough to not need socks with your docksiders any more. As your docksiders wear out your older pairs are for working around the house or repairing your boat and your newest pair is for stepping out in. I've owned generic brands, the Bostonian ones and Sperry's. For my money (or my wife's she buys them for me at Christmas) I'll stick to Sperry. I'm also a traditionalist and prefer them in the natural color.

Matt

I agree - even the newer ones have surpassed Timberland which used to be better. I practically lived in them when I worked as a flight attendant on slips/layovers. That meant monsoons, Middle East, Greek Islands etc. I still use a pair for painting that are the Timberland type with the flat but spongy white boat soles. They are so much better quality because like lotsa shoes in the 80s = Made in the USA.

In fact, I have thought about getting my painting shoes rehabbed for that exact reason.

 

[kaiser]

I have a pair of Sperry Top Siders that are about 20 years old. They have held up very well over the years. I generally wear the only 3 or 4 times a year though.