Top 10 Best Boat Shoes
Finding the best boat shoes just got easier because we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you by identifying the ten best varieties in the market.
Boat shoes are comfortable, supportive, and fast becoming popular as work shoes.
Look at these shoes and see if any are just the ones you’ve been looking for.
Contents
BEST BOAT SHOES: COMPARISON TABLE
HOW WE REVIEWED
We looked through several websites and spoke to many shoe enthusiasts and shoemakers to identify the ten best boat shoes in the market.
With that done, we reviewed the top ten boat shoes and explained their features, pros and cons, and their price range to arrive at an unbiased verdict on the best boat shoes for men and women.
OVERALL PRICE RANGE OF THE BEST BOAT SHOES
The best boat shoes may cost as low as $40 or as high as $200. Several factors influence the price of the shoes. Such features include the size and the color of the shoes, the materials used in their making, the technologies they’re engineered with, and the brand that manufactures them.
WHAT WE REVIEWED
- Columbia PFG Men’s Bonehead Vent Leather PFG Boat Shoe
- Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Billfish 3-Eye Boat Shoe
- Sperry Top-Sider Women’s Angelfish Slip-On Loafer
- Rockport Work Women’s Sailing Club RK670 Work Shoe
- Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Bienne Boat Shoe
- Adidas Outdoor Women’s Terrex Climacool Boat Sleek Water Shoe
- Florsheim Men’s Lakeside Slip-On Boat Shoe
- Dockers Mens Castaway Leather Casual Classic Boat Shoe Tan
- Vionic Men’s Maddox Slip-On Loafer
- Sperry Bahama 2 Eye Denim Womens Deck/Boat Shoes
1
COLUMBIA PFG MEN’S BONEHEAD VENT LEATHER PFG BOAT SHOE
Features
This shoe features an upper that’s made from full-grained leather and a midsole that’s engineered using Techlite technology, which allows you to step comfortably on various terrains.
This innovative solution encourages impact absorption and provides a higher degree of cushioning. The outsole is crafted from Omni-Grip non-marking rubber that offers a great deal of grip and traction on several surfaces. It comes with a dual-zone tread pattern that allows you to walk comfortably on ice, gravel, rocks, or sand.
Pros
Cons
2
SPERRY TOP-SIDER MEN’S BILLFISH 3-EYE BOAT SHOE
Features
Sperry has designed this boat shoe particularly for use on the deck. The outsole is made from non-marking rubber and is equipped with Wave-Siping, which offers stability and better traction on both wet and dry surfaces.
The upper is crafted from authentic leather, and the heel cup is enhanced using shock-absorbent EVA that keeps your feet comfortable even with prolonged usage. The comfort is further boosted because of the padded tongue and the shoe’s hand-sewn design.
Pros
Cons
3
SPERRY TOP-SIDER WOMEN’S ANGELFISH SLIP-ON LOAFER
Features
This shoe is a sleeker version of Sperry’s standard boat shoe, and it sports a more sophisticated silhouette specially crafted for a woman’s foot.
Like all of Sperry’s boat shoes, this one also features a genuine leather upper.
The options include nubuck, premium suede, or tumbled leather. The midsole features EVA padding for added comfort and better support, while the outsole is made from non-marking rubber, and is equipped with Sperry’s signature razor-cut Wave-Siping.
Pros
Cons
4
ROCKPORT WORK WOMEN’S SAILING CLUB RK670 WORK SHOE
Features
With a steel toe that protects the front of the foot from compression and injury, this set of shoes from Rockport is CSA-approved.
The lining is made from brushed microfiber, which is soft on the skin and sweat-resistant. As for the upper, it’s created from crazy horse leather, which is strong, durable, and particularly luxurious to the touch. It’s also coated with wax to minimize water permeability.
The outsole is made from rubber, and the insole features removable EVA cushion inserts for customizable comfort. A heel stabilizer cup is also included for better tread and traction at the rear end of the foot.
Pros
Cons
5
POLO RALPH LAUREN MEN’S BIENNE BOAT SHOE
Features
This set of boat shoes from Polo Ralph Lauren is the definition of style and class blended.
It features a 100% tumbled leather upper that’s authentic to the touch and appears to be both rustic and sophisticated at once. The lining and the insole are made from suede while the outsole is made from proprietary rubber that’s of premium quality and comfortable to wear.
The lacing system follows the deck-shoe pattern and includes laces that are also made from the same authentic leather as the rest of the shoe.
Pros
Cons
6
ADIDAS OUTDOOR WOMEN’S TERREX CLIMACOOL BOAT SLEEK WATER SHOE
Features
Specifically engineered to keep your feet cool even when worn for prolonged periods, this set of boat shoes from Adidas features a quick-drying upper crafted from Climacool, which offers all-around cooling for your feet from toe to heel.
The design of the upper also includes perforated neoprene with an open mesh. The midsole is also perforated, and it helps drain any stagnant water. The outsole is made from TRAXION, which is excellent at offering the right amount of traction needed on wet and slippery surfaces.
Pros
Cons
7
FLORSHEIM MEN’S LAKESIDE SLIP-ON BOAT SHOE
Features
This pair of shoes comes with a style that’s hard to match. Its upper comes in a choice of milled nubuck leather, milled crazy horse leather, or oily suede.
The sole is wedged and equipped with a neat siping that promotes better grip on a variety of terrains. You’ll also never be lacking for comfort because this shoe comes with a footbed that is cushioned along the entirety of its length. The heel is restful and measures around an inch while the shaft is around 2.75 inches from the arch.
Pros
Cons
8
DOCKERS MENS CASTAWAY LEATHER CASUAL CLASSIC BOAT SHOE TAN
Features
This casual boat shoe from Dockers is crafted with the utmost attention to detail.
From the rust-resistant eyelets to the durable uppers which are made of authentic leather, this shoe spells class, sophistication, and style.
The outsoles are made from tough and long-lasting rubber, and they ensure that you have the right level of grip and traction on wet or slippery surfaces.
The heel measures around 0.75 inches, making it comfortable for extended usage. Another aspect that adds to the comfort is the footbed which is entirely EVA-cushioned.
Pros
Cons
9
VIONIC MEN’S MADDOX SLIP-ON LOAFER
Features
Engineered with Orthaheel Biomechanical Technology, these slip-on shoes are designed by podiatrists and are crafted to offer the right foot alignment.
The footbed is particularly well-designed and is covered in canvas for greater comfort.
Using dual-density EVA in this region facilitates shock-absorption and minimizes the adverse impact on the knees, heels, and ankles. To provide sufficient traction, the outsole features a basket weave and the sole features a full rubber cup.
Pros
Cons
10
SPERRY BAHAMA 2 EYE DENIM WOMENS DECK/BOAT SHOES
Features
This set of boat shoes bears all of Sperry’s trademark features, right from the authentic cloud-logo-branded outsole to the razor-cut Wave-Siping for better traction in wet and dry conditions.
The footbed is made from 100% full-grained leather, and the 360° skip lace is crafted from rawhide. The design is hand-sewn and pays great attention to detail, comfort, and support. The upper, as expected, is created entirely from leather, and the rust-resistant lace eyelets increase the durability of these shoes.
Pros
Cons
BOAT SHOES FAQ
Let’s first look at the answers to some frequently asked questions about the best boat shoes.
1. What Are Boat Shoes?
Also known as deck shoes, boat shoes are, as their name suggests, mainly crafted for use on a boat or your favorite kayak.
They are also conventionally designed to be worn without socks. Recently, boat shoes have also become popular as work shoes, primarily because of how easy they are to slip into and out of.
2. What Are the Features Typically Found in a Boat Shoe?
Boat shoes are generally made from either authentic leather or canvas. If leather is used, it may be coated with oil to protect it from the water.
The soles of boat shoes are generally crafted from non-marking rubber and have a siping cut into them for added traction.
3. How Do I Choose the Right Boat Shoe?
To find the right boat shoe, you need to consider factors like the size, overall fit, comfort and the quality of the materials used, and the nature of construction.
Typically, hand-sewn shoes are more durable than glued-on variants. You may also want to look at the color, pattern, and overall utility of the shoes.
4. Where Can I Buy the Best Boat Shoes?
Online marketplaces like Amazon, Macy’s, Walmart, and Overstock are among the most popular places to purchase the best boat shoes from.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a specific brand, you could get them from the manufacturer’s web store. And if you prefer to try on a shoe before buying it, it’s advisable to get the best boat shoes from a local departmental store or retail outlet.
THE VERDICT
Sperry undoubtedly emerges as the manufacturer of the best boat shoes for both men and women.
The Billfish 3-Eye boat shoe from this brand may just be the top option for men, while the Top-Sider Women’s Angelfish Slip-On appears to be the best choice for women.
Both shoes are comfortable, lightweight, and durable, and come in a variety of color tones. They’re also available in a wide range of sizes, so you’re certain to find a pair that fits you perfectly.
My articles appear in Marketing Edge Magazine, on Gizmogrind, and with various Medium publications. But one thing hasn’t changed in all of my life: no matter where I was or what I was doing. I’ve always loved to be outdoors.
A man needs nothing more than a good flannel shirt, a well-worn pair of jeans, and comfortable hiking boots. I don’t go for all the fancy luxury stuff. Suits are uncomfortable and shaving sucks.
