As the name suggests, these shoes are designed for being used on boats, however, they look a lot like moccasins. They are mainly made from canvas and leather and usually have non-marking rubber soles perfect for being used on wet and slippery boat decks. These shoes have an excellent grip on wet conditions and when made from leather and treated with oil, they make the perfect water-repelling boating shoe.
Originally, these shoes were designed to be worn by sailors because they faced many challenges caused by slippery decks. So in 1935, Paul Sperry – a sailor was inspired by the natural grip in his dog’s feet and mimicked this by craving treads on the rubber bottom of his shoes to improve traction.
It was in 1970 when this shoe became popular as a stylish type of footwear known for its water resistance and excellent grip. Even though the canvas models aren’t water-resistant, they are known for their ability to dry quickly. Nowadays, mens shoes for boating are a summer staple and are the most common choice by men around the globe. They are perfect for casual spring and summer events because they can keep your feet cool and dry all the time. These shoes are the perfect option for being worn at the beach, at some boat parties, BBQs, dinner and drinks with friends, at some garden parties, and so on.
How to Style Them?
Given the fact that mens shoes for boating are stylish, they are the perfect option for adding a touch of style and uniqueness to your look. They are quite versatile and are perfect for men who want to add both style and comfort to their outfits. Boat shoes are available in different looks, colours and designs which allows you to pick just the right pair for you.
Practice shows that these shoes look eye-catching and perfect when their laces and stitching can be seen. It’s said that they look perfect with tapered trousers, chinos, cropped-style trousers and trousers with rolled-up cuffs. The most popular choice among men are boat shoes in different hues of brown colour, as well as the black versions mainly made from leather and suede. They are ideal when wanting to pull together a smart-casual look, a more relaxed and preppy look. Aside from buying them in brown, you should also consider the idea of investing in navy, taupe and charcoal colours.
Wear Them with Socks
Even though a lot of people prefer wearing them without socks, wearing a pair of invisible socks is always a better idea. This will not only improve your comfort but it will also reduce the chances of bacteria growth.
Pair Them with Jeans
According to stylists, these shoes look great with a pair of denim jeans, especially rolled-up ones. When wearing such shoes with jeans, it would be great to pair them with a plain T-shirt, shirt or a jumper. For a true sailing and nautical experience, you can pair a navy pair of boat shoes with white stitching. Or, you can try and pair your jeans with a pair of tan boat shoes.
Wear Them with Chinos
Did you know that these shoes are also known as the ideal preppy shoes? In order to achieve a look of this kind, you should pair them with chinos and a polo shirt for daytime and a long-sleeved t-shirt or button-down shirt for nighttime. The most important thing you should know is to choose colour contrasts as they work best on such occasions. For instance, you can opt for a pair of navy or black boat shoes and pair them with taupe chinos.
Wear Them with Shorts
For those times when the weather is hot and you don’t feel like wearing sneakers or sandals, you can always improve and elevate your look by wearing your favourite pair of boat shoes with denim shorts or cargo shorts. They are perfect for achieving a more casual type of outfit. On the other hand, when in the mood for pulling together a fancier and smarter look, you can always pair your boat shoes with tailored shorts and a shirt with rolled cuffs.
How to Clean Boat Shoes?
Well, maintaining them on a regular basis is essential for keeping them in perfect condition. Before cleaning them, you should remove all laces from them and wash them separately in a bowl with cold water and dish soap. In order to clean them, you should use a damp microfiber cloth and a special leather cleaner. In case there are some stubborn stains and scuffs you can also add a small amount of dish soap to the mixture for a more thorough cleaning. Once done, just leave them to dry for a minimum of 24 hours without exposing them to direct sunlight.
When wearing new boat shoes, make sure to wear them first around the house to break them in properly.
Australian Guru 