15 Boat Shoes Built for the Streets, Not the Seas (2024)

There are a whole lot of dad vibes in fashion these days. In the last few years, dad hats, dad jeans, and, of course, dad sneakers have all made the leap from fusty to fashionable. But somehow, boat shoes—the daddest footwear of all; the ones your pops still wears to all manner of cookouts, camping trips, and baseball games—were left behind to rot, too normcore even for normcore.

Or that was the case, anyhow, until 2022 rolled around. Thanks to designers of every stripe, a whole new breed of boat shoe is emerging: slicker and brasher and altogether cooler, more reflective of the adventurous spirit one would expect of footwear designed for the decks of yachts. The timeless moccasin shape and sturdy non-slip soles mostly remain the same, only updated in new colors and materials that fit your weirder, wider-ranging wardrobe. Here are 15 forward-thinking pairs to slip into all summer. Your old man'll be proud.

The OG Boat Shoe

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Sperry x J.Crew tri-tone boat shoes

We may have spent the intro to this story clowning on regular-ass boat shoes, but that's not to imply that Sperry—who invented the damn things way back in 1935—don't still make some next-level versions of their signature product. Scroll past the stuffy brown ones that every orthodontist in America wears on vacation, and you'll find these color-blocked bangers made exclusively for J.Crew. They're preppy as ever, but not in a stale way. Authentic and original, just like the name says.

The New-School Boat Shoe

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Yuketen angler moc boat shoes

The most 2022 of all boat shoes—the kind that feel less “JFK in Hyannis Port” and more “aspiring micro-influencer in baggy jeans and a fitted”—plop handsome, high-quality leather on top of chunky, slush-conquering soles. Yuketen's sandy suede riff on the silhouette is one of the best we've seen yet, and the Japanese craftsmanship means they'll last just as long as your Goodyear-welted brogues—and look way sicker broken in.

The Fancified Boat Shoe

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Sid Mashburn camp moccasin

The neo-prep revival isn't going anywhere. And as Ivy Style enters its dirtbag era, brands like Sid Mashburn—the Atlanta-based operation steered by the cheery menswear expert of the same name—are primed to lead the charge. Mashburn's entire MO centers around gently remixing the foundational elements of the classic American wardrobe by making them feel fun again: a splash of color here, a tweaked silhouette there. A prime example? His yacht-ready camp mocs, handsewn in Portugal out of a fetching bottle green leather. Already own white pants and a faded ringer tee? Congrats: now you've got a perfect summer fit too.

The All-Weather Boat Shoe

The best way to ruggedize a pair of boat shoes? Swap out the deck-ready soles for ones you'd normally find on your favorite pair of winter stompers. And thanks to the new-era Americana whizzes at Engineered Garments (and their signature multi-color paneling) there's no shortage of ways to wear them. If ever there were boat shoes to pair with your go-to vintage military fatigues (or better yet, newfangled cargos), these would be them.

Plus 11 More Boat Shoes We Love

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Easymoc 4-eye "Maine" boat shoes

Like the classics but with two additional sets of eyelets.

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Brunello Cucinelli off-white boat shoes

Think of these in the same way you would one of Brunello's unstructured summer blazers: slimmer, lighter, and a hair cooler than the American icons they're based on.

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Timberland 3-eye classic boat shoes

Regular ol' boat shoes a touch too dainty for you? Meet their beefier, brawnier cousin.

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Todd Snyder x L.L.Bean blucher shoes

Don't let the "blucher" descriptor fool you: a boat by any other name is still a boat shoe—and a very good one, at that.

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Thursday Boot Co. handsewn loafers

Hov might be more of a Puma guy these days, but if you ever caught him chilling yachtside during his all black everything phase you know what he'd be wearing.

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Quoddy "Maliseet" Oxford shoes

Land ahoy, matey: those Vibram soles are plenty shore-ready.

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CamperLab leather boat shoes

Wow, bro: your Sperrys are looking swole.

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G.H. Bass & Co. suede boat shoes

It's not a huge shock that the brand behind one of our all-time favorite loafers makes a bang-up boat shoe, but it's a pleasant surprise regardless.

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Paraboot "Domingue" shoes

A boat shoe so sleek—so downright refined—it could only come from France.

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Fear of God suede boat shoes

Turns out, Jerry Lorenzo's expansive selection of louche slip-ons looks killer on on the high seas too.

15 Boat Shoes Built for the Streets, Not the Seas (2024)

FAQs

What are the cons of boat shoes? ›

But under no circ*mstances should these shoes be used for hiking out in the woods or in rocky terrain. While boat shoes have ok traction, the traction isnn't ideal for hiking. Moreover, boat shoes lack any kind of ankle support, which is a recipe for huge problems while hiking in rocky terrain.

Why are boat shoes called that? ›

Like their name implies, boat shoes were first created for sailors. As the story goes, a man named Paul Sperry had a problem, a Sperry spokesman told to The Huffington Post. His leather shoes would slip while he was on the deck of a ship.

Are hey dudes considered boat shoes? ›

Looking for a comfortable pair of shoes that won't quit as you go the extra mile? How about cool boat shoes that go perfectly with your sharp beach look? Or maybe you're braving colder temps and need men's boots to keep you steady and stylish. Find them all in the diverse HEYDUDE collection.

What shoes do they wear on below deck? ›

No shoes on deck.

Ever noticed the crew members walking around barefoot? There's a reason. "The crew members and guests are generally not permitted to wear shoes on board the yacht so as to prevent damaging the floors," Bravo confirms, "which explains why they don't always look the cleanest after a hard day's work."

Why don't you wear socks with boat shoes? ›

Their low sides and flexibility to be worn without socks mean boat shoes are perfect for the summer. The air is free to move around your feet, giving a natural ventilation that's just what you need when it's warm. And with every step you take, you're circulating the air even more.

Are boat shoes good for hot weather? ›

Ideal for hot weather, boat shoes are sure to impress with a linen shirt and suit trousers. To make a statement and cultivate a preppy look, try a pair of shorts with a suit jacket.

Why do people like boat shoes? ›

In 1935, Paul Sperry, invented the modern boat shoe to offer a new option to those who enjoy the open seas. These non-marking rubber-soled shoes are used for wet conditions, making it easier to find grip on a slippery deck.

Can boat shoes get wet? ›

While Sperry leather boat shoes, including the Authentic Original™ Boat Shoe, aren't waterproof, they are water friendly. It's fine to get your leather boat shoes wet. They can handle water and will eventually dry, with a patina that looks even better than they did pre-soak.

Who invented Crocs? ›

Scott Seamans, Lyndon "Duke" Hanson, and George Boedecker Jr founded Crocs in 2002 to produce and distribute the shoe, as they recognized its potential and utility for consumers.

Is HEYDUDE owned by Crocs? ›

T wo days before Christmas 2021, Crocs agreed to buy HeyDude for $2.5 billion, most of it in cash and a smaller amount in stock.

What is the HEYDUDE controversy? ›

Hey Dude, a buzzy slip-on shoe brand owned by Crocs, is settling with the Federal Trade Commission for $1.95 million over allegations that it failed to notify customers about shipment delays or give customers accurate refunds for missing orders.

Did Crocs just buy Hey Dudes? ›

Crocs significantly lowered its own expectations for the brand, saying its sales could drop 20% to 25% in the holiday quarter. The shoe maker bought Italian DTC brand Heydude at the end of 2021 for $2 billion in cash and $450 million in Crocs shares.

Where do the engineers sleep on Below Deck? ›

So when it comes time for the TV crew to clock-off for the day, they sleep on a separate boat or head to shore to stay in a hotel. However, just because the camera crew have left doesn't mean the filming stops.

Who pays for dinner on Below Deck? ›

It's also believed the crew receives a small extra fee for being part of the TV show - and the food and drink they consume on the boat is all paid for. The crew are able to save up a lot of cash while they're away, as they don't have to pay any bills or tax.

What do real yachties think of Below Deck? ›

Final Verdict. All in all, while Below Deck is an entertaining reality show, and despite the fact that it's unscripted, we believe it's not an accurate representation of what life working on a superyacht is like.

Why do people not wear shoes on boats? ›

The barefoot rule for yachts and boats alike is an age-old practice made to keep the teak decks undamaged, and dirty soles away from the clean and sparkling floor. Commonly, shoes stay outside the cabin, and no shoes are worn on deck, also.

What are the pros and cons of boats? ›

Pros and Cons of Owning a Boat
  • Enjoying with family and friends. For most people, a normal week comprises of working long hours, running errands, taking the kids to school and picking them up from practice. ...
  • Endless waters. ...
  • Affordable recreation. ...
  • Limited usage. ...
  • Costly to maintain. ...
  • Cleaning. ...
  • Expensive accessories.
Oct 20, 2016

Are boat shoes uncomfortable? ›

Because boat shoes are designed to be worn without socks, they're some of the most comfortable shoes out there. On most leather boat shoes, the leather will require a break-in period where it is more pliable and starts to mold to the wearer's feet. Leather contains natural oils that make it soft and pliable.

What are the cons of shoes? ›

Some Shoes May Hurt Your Feet

Over time, shoes lose their shape and stability, leading to bad arch support that can cause problems like soreness, shin splints and plantar fasciitis. The more often you wear old shoes, the more at-risk you are of developing these issues.

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