Sperry Shoes

[Canibul]

We just moved aboard after four months away from the boat. I am finding myself stubbing my toes on everything, it seems. I think I need steel toed Keens.

[HopCar]

Those of you who wear Crocs, be aware that when the sole wears down they become extremely slippery. They are great when new but don't try to stretch their life span. They get dangerous when old.

[Canibul]

The rubber in Crocs makes great vibration dampers. The straps are useful, too. I replaced both inside door handles on a Suzuki Samurai with Croc straps.

[MarkSF]

I tried various Sperry Topsiders to replace my Clarks. The fit is terrible - far too narrow for the size.

I niw have Dunhams which are a great fit, and nice quality.

[Paul L]

The Sperry's are a waste of money. The soles go hard slick in a short time on a boat in the tropics full time. More dangerous than most any other shoe.

[SVNeko]

There is a dinghy here with two crocs hanging over each side - permanent mini fenders. I think I will repurpose mine this way.

[brownoarsman]

Vibram five fingers. Grip like a gecko and easy to wash.


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[Pelagic]

Holy smokes...those Vibram look amazing..... But I would think a bit stinky for the tropics

[HappyMdRSailor]

Sebago has it over Sperry All Day Long.....
(apparently they have the same parent company now)

But I buy both...

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Sebago has it over Sperry All Day Long.....
(apparently they have the same parent company now)

But I buy both...

You beat me to an answer. I have worn Sperry's, Sebago, Timberlands and what not. Sebago was the best by a comfortable margin. Better fit, better longevity and of course better price. But being a sucker for sales I will grab a pair of Sperry's at WM whenever they have one of their humongous 50-75% off of already discounted orange tag sales when a pair with a MSRP of say $100-150 can be snatched for $20-25. Otherwise I'll get a Timberland at TJMaxx, also on sale for $25-30. IMO there is be absolutely no reason to pay more that $40-45 for a pair of "boat shoes", especially for those made in China.

As far as the soles getting slippery I too have noticed it. Scruffing them with coarse sandpaper, about 40-60 grit, helps but not for too long and not on minutely wet surfaces. Being a conspiracy theory aficionado (though not a nut) I believe there is built in obsolescence in those soles as the rest of the shoe is usually wearable long after the sole is slippery. And this sure helps to keep the company in business year after year.

[brownoarsman]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Holy smokes...those Vibram look amazing..... But I would think a bit stinky for the tropics

Haha - yes! I had storms for my four day passage back from the Bahamas to Charleston so wore them nonstop - and they smelled horrible! Luckily, that's where the easy to wash part comes in; duck 'em in a bucket of water and laundry detergent, rinse, and clip them to the lifelines to dry

[DRussell]

What kind of recommendations for cold wet climates, there is a winter race series where I live (close to Alaska) and going onto other people's boats I would like something that would keep me dry and warm without scuffing up all their topsides, any recommendations? Was thinking just the westmarine seaboots ?


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[zeehag]

i wear bare feet or nothing. sperrys top sLiders..no thankyou, btdt slipped badly. tried many others , not like. bare feets or nothing.
uggs in coldness.

[Jim Krause]

All of the Sperry & Sebago boat shoes I've worn have hardened and gotten slippery after a few years. That said, I still keep a pair around as I like their look & feel and they're are easy to slip on/off when resetting an anchor in the middle of the night :-)

My favorite boat shoe is the New Balance Minimus. I't's comfy as all heck, lightweight, has a Vibram sole which sticks to the deck, doesn't leave scuff marks, doesn't mind being submerged in the water, and is WONDERFUL for hiking and running.

While it's a minimal-styled shoe, one can wear socks with it. (I wear mine to go running in the winter.)

[ColdEH]

Yes my Sperry's got so bad i could not walk on anything without them slipping ?
I wrote the company and they sent me a new pair which was great , but the new ones are doing the same thing, hard and cracking bottoms.

I bought a pair of Windriver deck shoes with there " tarantula " bottoms and they have been great , can walk up a wall with these LOL

Regards