Boat Shoes: Fashionable Footwear or Functional Purpose

Photo Credit: Sperry Top-Sider

There are many legends that surround boat shoes. However, we do know a few facts about this wonderfully comfortable type of footwear. One is that the sipping (cut groove) sole pattern was originally patented by John Sipe in 1923 and was intended for use on tires, not shoes. This seems odd as the legends (as shared by his son) say that he got the idea either working in a slaughterhouse or on a ship and got tired of sliding on the wet surfaces and cut grooves to help improve his traction.

The most recognizable story of the modern boat shoe, is that of Paul Sperry. In 1935, Paul Sperry noticed his dog's ability to run easily over ice without slipping. Using a knife, he cut siping into his shoes' soles, inspiring a shoe perfect for boating and a company called Sperry Top-Sider.

Sperry's boat shoes upper design was borrowed from Native American Moccasins featuring low sides, and heavy stitching across the toe. Easy to put on and take off even with wet feet.
Traditionally worn without socks, they became very popular, on and off the water, during the more relaxed times of the 1980's and have remained so until today.

Boat shoes for men and boat shoes for women are considered more casual than dress shoes but more formal than loafers or tennis. Boat shoes in both canvas and leather are the perfect compromise between the two worlds for both men and women or work and play.

If you want a go anywhere shoe, that offers you excellent traction and comfort, both on and off the water, then Boat Shoes are the perfect choice. There is a reason Paul Sperry's design has remained essentially unchanged since 1935. Classics become classics because they are near perfect to start with.