Men's Boat Shoes

Looking to buy Men's Boat Shoes?

Ideal for dressing up or dressing down, boat shoes are a brilliant choice for many events. Regardless of whether you're heading to a bar or popping to the shops, boat shoes are practical, functional, and stylish. Plus, there's a whole host of brands that have their own lines of boat shoes including the likes of Brave Soul, Timberland, and Tommy Hilfiger, so you're sure to find a pair that grabs your attention.

What's the history of boat shoes?

Curious to find out how the boat shoe came about? You're in the right place! Invented nearly a century ago in 1935, boat shoes were created by American inventor Paul Sperry. Not only was Paul Sperry an inventor, but he was also a businessman, photographer, screen printer, sailor and outdoorsman. After he designed the first boat shoe, he went on to found a sportswear company that's now based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Sperry took his inspiration for the boat shoe from watching a dog trying to maintain its grip on a slippery, icy surface. Instead of a wearing shoes with a flat surface, this outdoorsman was inspired to make cuts in the rubber soles that would add more grip. Gradually, this led to the development of the boat shoe that we know and love today.

Nowadays, the standard boat shoe features a rubber sole with the rest of the material typically being made from either leather or canvas. Although leather boat shoes have a much smarter appearance compared to canvas creations, they're only available in a few colours and often come with higher price tags due to the popular leather material. Canvas boat shoes, on the other hand, can be snapped up in a more considerable range of colours and designs, allowing you to pick up something a little more unique - ideal if you want to make a style statement!

Do you wear socks with boat shoes?

Ready to style your new boat shoes? Well, forget the socks because boat shoes are traditionally not worn with socks and leave your ankle exposed. Plus, the lack of socks also helps to keep your feet sweat-free on warmer days which in turn helps to maintain the condition of the shoes.

Despite this tradition, if your feet require a little more comfort or you simply prefer to wear a pair of socks with your boat shoes, then you should opt for no-show socks. These kinds of socks are cut extra low to ensure they're not visible once you've slipped on your boat shoes, giving you a much cooler appearance. Alternatively, visible socks can be worn with boat shoes if this feels more comfortable, but sadly this look isn't in fashion right now - unlike the popular socks and sandals trend!

Popular Brands in Men's Boat Shoes