4 Tips for Choosing the Right Boat Shoes

The 5 Best Boat Shoe Brands You Can Buy 1

You’re standing in front of your closet, getting ready for a great day on the water. You’ve got your hat and sunglasses prepared to go. Your boat shoes are situated at the front of the closet because you wear them so often.

They’re stylish, comfortable, and made for your favorite hobby. Since they get so much love, you’re probably ready for a new pair.

Read on to learn how to ensure you don’t go wrong with your next purchase.

Find the Herringbone Sole

Little known fact: Sperry shoes were born after Paul Sperry almost lost his life at sea due to poor footing on the boat. After the harrowing incident, Sperry realized the bar needed to be raised for practical and safe boat shoes. Like all great inventors, he set out to solve a problem.

One day, Sperry watched his dog run effortlessly over an icy lake on a cold Connecticut day. A light bulb appeared over his head: the answer to his problem was right in front of him, even slept beside him at night.

Enter: the Herringbone sole. Crafted after grippy dog paws, the Herringbone sole is a standard for safety today.

Make sure you find a pair with the Herringbone sole. It’s the most tried and true, safest sole for your boating days. And safety is the most important consideration here.

Find Sturdy Construction

Like any clothing, outerwear or accessories, shoddy construction equals a short lifespan and ineffective practicality.

That’s the opposite of what you need on the water.

Consider your shoes as an investment. If you pop into the nearest mall and grab a pair for $20 at the first store you see, it’s likely they’re not made to last.

Find a quality pair of boat shoes that are both waterproof and stain proof. Make sure you’re buying a pair made of decent, durable leather. Check the thickness of the soles.

You’ll thank yourself later when your feet stay warm and dry during every outing.

Find the Right Style

Boat shoes, as we know them today, were invented in the 1930’s. That makes them as classic as ever. And like the best fashion, the classics are where the true, effortlessly styles reside.

That being said, stick with the classic rich, neutral colored leather, rugged laces, and traditional construction: that’s the boat shoe in all its glory.

Gear up for Longevity

Taking proper care of your shoes is essential for them to last a long time. Read up on how to remove salt stains from the leather.

Get yourself a rain & stain repellant and apply to your shoes to protect them from wear.

If your laces break, or you want to restyle your shoes, you can buy a lace kit, which includes new laces and a needle for threading your shoes.

Your shoes are an investment. Treating them like one will make you happy you made it!

Boat Shoes: The Quintessential Must Have

Boat shoes are a must-have for any sailor, beginner or captain.

Before long, if you haven’t already, you’ll be buying your own boat. Then, you’ll need a boat lift for safe keeping.

In addition to a large variety of boat lifts, we also offer custom lift servicesGet in touch to discuss your boat lift needs so you can put those expertly chosen shoes to work!

The 5 Best Boat Shoe Brands You Can Buy

The 5 Best Boat Shoe Brands You Can Buy 3

Now that it’s summer, it’s time to enjoy the weather by going out on the water. Boat shoes are not only fashionable for everyday wear, but they are also essential when spending time on a boat.

We are going to take you through 5 of the best boat shoes that you should consider purchasing this summer.

1. When You Think ‘Best Boat Shoes,’ You Think Sperry

The Sperry brand is well known for their boat shoes, and for good reason.

With so many different types of Sperry boat shoes, there is a style for everybody. Whether you are looking for something fashionable, something with good traction, something durable, or even something with all of the above, Sperry has a shoe for you.

And with every shoe made with high-quality materials, this shoe serve you well for many seasons to come.

2. Bass Boat Shoes

G.H and Bass Co. is also a well-known company, perhaps more so for their penny loafers and their general outdoor shoes than for their boat shoes compared to the Sperry brand.

While both Bass and Sperry boat shoes are somewhat expensive, their reliability, high-quality, and their classic style make them well worth it. Bass boat shoes are modern enough to be stylish, but they also maintain a classic boat shoe style.

3. Quoddy Classic

Compared to most Sperry and G.H Bass shoes, the Quoddy Classic is significantly more expensive. But this increase in cost isn’t without a good reason: the Quoddy Classic can be individually customized to fit your needs.

You can customize your Quoddy Classic boat shoes by lace, leather, thread, and even the sole type. The various options you pick will determine how you use the shoe.

For example, there are a couple of sole types that will make these boat shoes durable enough to wear hiking and camping in the woods!

That’s what makes the Quoddy Classic one of the best boat shoes: its versatility and its ability to be customized to fit your specific needs.

4. Irish Setter Lakeside

With a price point closer to that of Sperry and G.H Bass boat shoes, the Irish Setter Lakeside shoe is perfect for an avid boatsman who needs a reliable, solid shoe.

These shoes are known for their ability to dry quickly, for their excellent traction on wet surfaces, and for their comfortability. They’ll transfer well from everyday wear to a day on the boat while still providing you with the qualities you need on a boat.

5. Dockers

A great benefit of the Dockers boat shoe is the inexpensive price compared to these other top brands. The reason these are so great is that you won’t be sacrificing quality even with the reduction in cost.

These shoes are sturdy, soft, and comfortable. They look great casually and work well on the boat without having to drop hundreds of dollars.

Bottom Line

Whether you are a beginner or an expert boatsman, great boat shoes are a must-have.

The shoes we have described here are 5 of the best boat shoe brands you can buy. We hope this helps you when you’re looking to purchase boat shoes for the summer season.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this post. If you have any questions regarding boat lifts, please don’t hesitate to contact us.