Deck Shoes - Sperry Harbormaster - Product Defect?

[Bobbyewe]

Check out - Keen's closed toe sandals!

[pitlaw]

Really? This forum is going South. Shoes?

[CAELESTIS]

Sperry and Sebago are now the exact same company. Same Parent company.

I started a thread on this exact subject around 3 months ago. Yes, all their shoes get slippery somewhere around 1-1.5 years. I'm going back to Allen Edmonds for quality.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by OldFrog75

I bought a new pair of Sperry Harbormasters last July. I only wear them on the boat and only when racing. I loved these shoes; great fit, light weight, great traction, etc.

That said, I put them on for a race late last month (Feb '16) and on a completely dry boat it was like ice skating. There was zero grip/traction even standing straight up in the cockpit. Two other crew members wear the same shoe and neither were experiencing the problem. Visually the soles are pristine (as I said, I only wear them on a boat, never on the pavement, street, etc.). One guy suggested maybe the soles dried out and got hard. I was somewhat skeptical since I had only had the shoes for 8 months and only wore them 15-20 times.

I called Sperry and told them my situation and that I was afraid to wear the shoes on a boat. To their credit the representative suggested it might be a defect and emailed me a free FedEx return shipping label and product return form to fill out. She said they would either replace the shoes with the same model or replace them with another shoe I chose on the return form. I shipped them that day and am now waiting to see how Sperry responds.

My question: Has anyone else had a similar experience with either this shoe specifically or any Sperry deck shoe in general?

Chinese crapola

[Scout 30]

After decades of wearing topsiders I threw my last 4 pairs of Sperrys away because of this. I finally gave up. I wore Highland Creek boat shoes for several years after that they've been great but then I couldn't find them so I bought a pair of Sketchers & they're still grippy after about 3 years. I also came across some West Marine Performance boat shoes on sale about 6 month ago which fit pretty well so I picked up a pair. They seem warmer than most boat shoes but are holding up well so far.

[savoir]

Some years ago Sperry changed their focus from marine to fashion. The quality of the soles has gone downhill ever since. That was because they decided to produce a sole that was durable on land. A hard sole like that is rarely effective on the deck. The best gripping sole was the original and you can still get something reasonably similar from Sperry. Take a look at the Sperry Bahama range which is as close as you can get to the original sole.

[autumnbreeze27]

If you take sand paper to them you can sometimes make them soft, but it doesn't last long. Sperry sucks.

[surfprimal]

Left topsider is super slick, Right is fine. Ugh. So, I bought a new pair of Sperry's, not sure what style, but after the 2nd day one of the seams on the side had ripped out. Never again. Going back to Vans classics.

[MarkSF]

So far, I'm very happy with my Dunham boat shoes. The previous Clarks were good, too.

[CAELESTIS]

Now we are past 50 posts, placing Sperry in the universal suck category.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by OldFrog75

So what brand would you recommend?

Frog, as you might imagine this is a recurring question. I recommend you do a simple search on this forum, using the Google search option, for "deck shoes."

What you'll find (Cliff Notes version) is that most of them are crap and there are better shoes out there for traction and longevity. The search will find the answers.

I haven't used deck shoes for years, they suck.

Good luck.

[Hearts Content]

I got a pair of Sketchers and they have been awesome! Comfy and grippy after over three years. I have crocs but my feet slip inside of them when they get wet - dangerous. Also sound like a duck when I walk wet.

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Frog, as you might imagine this is a recurring question. I recommend you do a simple search on this forum, using the Google search option, for "deck shoes."

Good luck.

Actually I have done that in the past. That's how I ended up with the Slams a couple of years ago. They were too wide but good shoes, with soft, sticky soles that ultimately lost all their tread (kind of like the tires on my Porsche). Sperrys were on sale and I liked the fit so I took a chance. OP wasn't looking for product suggestions although I've enjoyed reading them from sailors who actually wear them while sailing - particularly if they have prior experience with Sperry as well.

[Cap Erict3]

Wet or cold weather



Warm weather



Two steppin'

[Time2Go]

Rugged Shark, Atlantics have served me well for the past few years.
Bought at a defender sale for 50.00 bucks.
In nice weather I prefer barefoot but after a few good toe stubs
I wear deck shoes while underway
Cheers
Neil