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Hierarchy of Boat shoes?

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Pr B

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
What would you say is the hierarchy of boat shoes? I'm thinking in terms on quality construction, good looks, walking comfort and support, and maybe even actual functionality on a sailboat?!
There's Alden, Allen Edmonds, Bass, Eastland, Mephisto, Quoddy, Rancourt, Rockport, Russell, Seabago, Sperry, Sperry Gold Cup, Timberland, etc. Who's on your "A" list, who's on your "B" list, who is among the also rans, and who's on your "fuggagittaboudit" list?
 
#6 ·
Man, I thought I would be going against the grain by saying I don't care who made the boat shoes (Even John Lobb), I wouldn't pay that much for boat shoes. Seems like others agree. For me, $200 would probably be my limit on how much I would be willing to pay for boat shoes and even at $200 I would have to love them.
 
#9 ·
Pr B said:
Okay, let's set a $200 limit. Which brands would be your "A" list boat shoes for $200 or under?
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The $200 limit is just my opinion. I am not big on boat shoes and I would rather buy a pair of dress shoes if I am going to be paying more than $200 for some shoes. The brands that always seem to come up when it comes to the best boat shoes that I remember are Quoddy, Sebago, and The higher end Sperry. I purchased a pair of Allen Edmonds Eastport myself and do like them a lot. I got them for $125 on a sale AE was having.
 
#10 ·
I have been living in the beach area since moving to SD in 1976 and I can tell you 98% of the boat shoes here, locals and tourists, are Sperry. Sperry is certainly the only boat shoe I have ever owned. As one of the previous folks mentioned, there is nothing like the authentic original.
 
#14 ·
I think Sperry is first for authenticity and Sebago comes close and is a valid alternative. You can reliably get either for less than $100, though it's easy to go much higher for a pair made domestically as opposed to Asia or the Dominican Republic.

I think part of the appeal of boat shoes is their modest nature and workmanlike heritage.
 
#15 ·
Having grown up around boats, boat yards/marinas in south Florida and worked in marina supplies in the 80s I'd also say Sperry followed by Sebago as top two on my list.

I am pretty certain the Sperry made in Maine models are made by Rancourt.
 
#17 ·
Pr B said:
For arch support, Zappos suggests, in this order: Sperry Gold Cup ASV, Mephisto Hurrikan, Rockport Perth. End of list!
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I'm pretty sure if they carried them in stock, Zappo's would have added Quoddy's and Rancourts to their list of boat shoes offering arch support. To my mind, or perhaps to my feet, Quoddy's and Rancourts offer the best biomechanical support to be found in a boat shoe design! Though the Mephisto Hurrikan's also offer great support. ;)
 
#18 ·
eagle2250 said:
I'm pretty sure if they carried them in stock, Zappo's would have added Quoddy's and Rancourts to their list of boat shoes offering arch support. To my mind, or perhaps to my feet, Quoddy's and Rancourts offer the best biomechanical support to be found in a boat shoe design! Though the Mephisto Hurrikan's also offer great support. ;)
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The Hurrikans are indeed nice. However, I thought we were trying to keep this sub-$200.
 
#19 · (Edited)
jm22 said:
I'm assuming the Sperry comments are in regard to their gold cup line? Because they're standard line is absolute garbage.
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I wish I could have invented a piece of garbage -- so popular that its trademark is commomly used as a generic term (Top-Sider) -- that I could sell millions of over an 80 year period for $40 a pop (current wholesale estimate).
 
#20 ·
One thing to consider is the potential use of the shoes. Street wear, you want harder soles so they last longer. For use on the boat, softer soles will grip better. Once upon a time, Sebago was known for harder, street-friendly soles, and you had to go elsewhere for decent sailing shoes.

There are some Sperrys right now that are pretty good. Honey-colored soles and modestly good support. Don't know the model name. They have the virtue of coming in a wide fit.

I was just out last week with a guy who was complaining that all the moccasins he was able to find (and he is a thrifty Yankee, so it might have been the lowest rung on Sperry's ladder) were terrible on the boat, so he invested in some nylon mesh sneakers with soft soles for boat use only.
 
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