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The 7 best men’s boat shoes: Nail the nautical look with this classic lace-up leather footwear
WHAT makes a great pair of boat shoes? The classic men’s designs were originally functional footwear, with leather uppers and gripped rubber soles to make getting around on deck easy and safe.
It’s this rooting in practicality that makes boat shoes such a timeless choice for men, and the reason why every guy should invest in buying the best pair around.
After all, they’ve come a long way since their seafaring days, and can now be styled in any way.
Their easy slip-on, slip-off design makes them a great choice for the easiest days off – as Arnold Schwarzenegger shows.
Actor Ryan Reynolds demonstrates how boat shoes now work for the city too, by smartening them up with chinos.
And perhaps they’d even work with a suit at the right occasion – Andrew Garfield used a pair to relax the look of his tailoring at a film premiere.
So, now that you know you need some, which are the best boat shoes to buy? Take a look at this guide to find out.
1. We tested: Charles Tyrwhitt Suede Boat Shoes
If you’re looking for a classic pair of boat shoes, this pair from Charles Tyrwhitt could be the way to go.
Their stylish and versatile design can take you from the bar to the boat and everywhere in between.
With a 100% suede upper and light hard-wearing sole, the quality was exactly what we were looking for to complete our outfit this summer.
They come with a 6-month quality guarantee, but if you look after them, we’d expect them to last you far longer than that.
- Suede Boat Shoes – Navy, £89.95 from Charles Tyrwhitt – buy here
2. We tested: Barbour Capstan Boat Shoe
Leather is a stylish choice for your new boat shoes, as the hard-wearing material looks rugged yet still smart enough for days out in the city.
Barbour’s Capstan boat shoe is a much-loved go-to choice for men everywhere, and we can see why.
They seamlessly combine comfort, quality and style, making them an excellent choice for a range of outings.
The upper is made from a combination of leather and nubuck, while a similarly high-quality leather lining features stylish tartan detailing.
The leather will soften over time, but we recommend wearing them in around the house before heading out for the first time.
- Barbour Capstan Boat Shoe, £90 from Shoeaholics – buy here
3. Timberland Classic Lug Boat Shoe
These premium boat shoes from Timberland are made from Better Leather sourced from a sustainable tannery.
They feature a leather lining, handsewn construction and are available in four colourways.
They also have cushioned EVA footbed for all-day comfort, support and shock absorption, and a grippy rubber sole.
Try them with shorts and a T-shirt for a real dose of waterside style.
- Authentic 3-eye Classic Lug Boat Shoe for Men, £145 from Timberland – buy here
4. Sperry boat shoes
Paul A. Sperry filed the patent for the first boat shoes in 1940, after noticing how his dog’s paws gained traction on ice and finding a way to make non-slip footwear that mimicked the effect.
The company he founded, Sperry Top-Sider, still makes some of the best boat shoes around, and these offer all the essential features of the original: from the high-grip soles to the hand-sewn leather uppers and 360 lacing system. And the truly authentic look.
- Sperry Men’s A/O Two-Eye Deck Shoes, £54.99 from M&MDirect – buy here
5. Chatham Boat Shoe
Chatham has been making classic sailing footwear for over 30 years, making them somewhat of an expert in the field.
Plus, they’re so confident in the quality of their shoes that they offer a 2-year guarantee on every pair.
Made from premium nubuck leather, this deck shoe is perfect for days spent near the water, since the rubber soles will provide grip on slippery surfaces.
They have anti-bacterial cushioning which offers shock absorption and added comfort and are available in 5 different colours.
Top tip: If you’re planning on wearing these without socks, you may want to size down.
- Galley II Leather Boat Shoes, £67 from Chatham – buy here
6. Ralph Lauren Boat shoes
Boat shoes have long had preppy associations, and the king of Americana Ralph Lauren doesn’t disappoint with this design in suede.
Their rich navy tone contrasts nicely with the white stitching for a truly nautical feel, while the rubber soles provide great comfort and flexibility.
Pop the collar of your polo shirt and cuff your chinos for instant preppy cool.
- Polo Ralph Lauren Merton Leather Boat Shoe, £92 from House of Fraser – buy here
7. Skechers boat shoes
If you’re after a casual and practical pair of boat shoes that will see you through a long day of sailing, look no further.
They have a soft knit upper, breathable mesh collar, and a lightweight Air-Cooled memory foam insole for ultimate comfort.
The breathable design and leather accent detaling make them a winning choice for both style and comfort.
- Del Retto – Clean Slate Boat Shoe, £70 from Skechers – buy here
What are boat shoes?
Boat shoes, also known as deck shoes, are a type of shoe invented by Paul A. Sperry back in 1935 to provide traction on wet boat decks.
They typically have a leather or canvas upper, laces, stitching detail and white rubber soles (the original black soles left marks all over Sperry’s deck).
Nowadays they’re not limited to being worn on boats and are a fashionable footwear choice for the Spring and Summer months.
How do you wear boat shoes?
Boat shoes are designed to be worn without socks and are generally regarded as more formal than trainers and more casual than brogues.
The celeb images above show a few different ways you can wear boat shoes; with shorts and a t-shirt for a casual look, with chinos and a blazer, and with a suit.
Use these as a guide and try out a few different looks.
Where to buy boat shoes?
Many online retailers sell boat shoes, including the following stores:
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Planning a shopping spree? Check out our latest fashion recommendations in Sun Selects’ dedicated section.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best boat shoes? If you’re after some trainers, check out our roundup of the best trainers on the market.
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