Boat Shoes

In year 1935, a man named Paul Sperry was out playing with his dog during the winter months, and noticed how easily his dog was moving across slippery ice. He figured it must be because of the way the dog’s paws were shaped. Mr. Sperry then cut a long, siping pattern groove into his shoe, making it somewhat similar to the grooves on a vehicle tire, and attempted to walk on the same surface his dog did. He immediately noticed that moving across the ice had gotten easier for him as well. The company Sperry Top Sider, the first of the boat shoe manufacturers was opened, and that to the best of our knowledge, was the birth of the boat shoe.

Deck Shoes

Boat shoes, also known as boating shoes, deck shoes and top siders, became the ideal footwear for people who worked on boats such as navy sailors and fisherman. Because of the strong grip and traction it provided on slippery surfaces due to the siping pattern on the soles, these shoes were extremely handy for ease of movement. It made life on a boat, fishing wharf or dock safer and easier, which in turn, helped in productivity as well.

What to Wear with Boat Shoes

But, over the years, these shoes have gotten popular in regards to style as well. Men, women and children started to wear boat shoes as daily footwear. They were being designed in a stylish manner and they were selling. The thing that makes boat shoes so attractive to people in regards to fashion is the fact that they can be worn with almost anything. Boat shoes can be worn with jeans, dress pants, shorts and skirts. They come in different colors, brands and sizes to fit and adapt to almost anyone. Some boat shoes are laced and some are slip on. There are shoes that are still made today with the siping pattern on the soles to prevent slipping, while some are just made with smooth soles and are strictly for style only.

Boat Shoes Brands

The market for boat shoes is in excellent condition as well. You can buy a pair of boat shoes for a cheaper more affordable price at a Payless Shoe Source or at Footlocker. Or, you can go to higher grade shoe manufacturers too, such as Dubarry Helmsman or Regatta. Most shoe manufacturers nowadays make and promote boat shoes, and judging by how long boat shoes have been around, these same manufacturers will continue to do so for quite some time.

Fashionable Boat Shoes

Fashion is a huge part of today’s society and fitting in. Boat shoes are socially acceptable and complemented in office settings, schools and social functions. It is very common for women to say that the first thing they look at when first seeing a man is what kind of shoes they are wearing. I think it’s safe to say that boat shoes may not be the deciding factor in getting the girl, but at least it will get you that second look.