I would avoid Sperry. In the last several years, they have become very, very poor quality.

Depending on what you desire to spend, I would suggest Timberland boat shoes, Oak Street Boot Makers, Rancourt, or Quoddy.

 

^^+1...
regarding the Rancourt and Quoddy Trail recommendations! Timberland would be a secondary choice for me.

 

I've had a pair of Sperry Top-Siders for about a year now and they're in pretty poor shape. They never really struck me as good quality - they were just easy to find. At this point they're pretty comfortable for me but I would think there's a better option out there.

If you buy from Timberland, watch to make sure that they don't stick half an insole in there. I had a pair like this and it was extremely uncomfortable for me.

 

Another vote against Sperry - The most recent pair I bought is much lower quality than all the Sperrys I have purchased in the past. I have some Sebagos and really like them - I would put them at much higher quality than the Sperrys. My favorite boat shoes personally are my Allen Edmonds Eastports.

Chris

 

I believe Sperry will satisfy the want for a boat shoe at the most basic level; however, if you truly want to enjoy them, I would suggest looking elsewhere. I have not tried Sebago but have heard they are approximately on the same quality level. If you have a bigger budget, I'd suggest Rancourt or Quoddy or one of Allen Edmonds models, the Westbrook, my personal favorite.

 

I found the Sperry Topsiders and Billfish I owned didn't hold up as well as I hoped, both were retired after a year and a half. Plus. I found the fabric footbed curled after a few months of sock free wear.

The Sebago Docksides are better, as their footbed is half-lined in leather. I had an issue with the adhesive on the footbed giving way on my left shoe, but Sebago sent me a brand new pair (replacing a 2 yr old pair of boat shoes).

I just bought a pair of Quoddy canoe shoes, they have a full leather footbed and are as comfortable as a pair of slippers. They are considerably more cash, so for first pair I would recommend the Docksides.

 

Another vote for the Timberland 2-eye if you're on a budget but want better-than-Sperry quality. Sperry may be the original, but the Tims are just designed better.

 

+1 on the AE.

 

I'm afraid that I cannot justify increasing my budget for Quoddy or Rancourt. I also require a 10-b, so it looks like Timerland is out. Looks like, barring more information, my choice will be AE Eastport or Sebago Schooner.
Thanks for the advice.

 

also makes boat shoes, custom fit to your feet, for about the same price as the AE's. However, there is about a seven month wait so if they appeal to you, order now for next summer.

 

I have a pair of Dunhams that have held up well.

 

also makes boat shoes, custom fit to your feet, for about the same price as the AE's. However, there is about a seven month wait so if they appeal to you, order now for next summer.

I have the time, but not the money. But thank you for mentioning another American company that is doing work like this. While I am not xenophobic and don't rant about foreign companies taking all of our manufacturing, I still feel at least a small sense of pride in companies that do custom work instead of treating clothing as if it's disposable.

 

I have a pair of Sebago Docksides that are so old I have no idea if the current offerings are of the same quality. They have taken much abuse - gotten muddy, and wet, and haven't had a whole lot of care or leather treatment, but they are holding together great - no failed stitching or cracks in the leather, still have the original laces,and the insoles are not worn through. The soles are mostly pretty smooth, but still intact. Indeed, when I got them they had a nubuck/suede type of finish, and eventually that wore down so much that I went ahead and polished them - and I have done it many times since and the finish now looks like it was originally smooth by design. In the spring, summer and fall I wear them many times a week when I get home from work and much of the weekend. They have molded to my feet over the years, and are now essentially a slipper with a sole. I expect to have them for many more years.I got them years ago when the shoes like Quoddy or Rancourt would have been out of range, but given their long service I think they have been a great shoe at their price point. If the current offerings are of the same quality, I think they are a great option.

 

I agree that the Sperry Original is not the same quality as it was in the past, but sadly that can be said for a majority of products. My last pair of Sebago were made in the USA, and the new Sebago's I tried on were intolerable they were so uncomfortable and stiff.

I personally don't like the look of some of the higher end brands. My son who is doing his master's has a pair of the Sperry Billfish and when he's not playing soccer, he wears them all the time. He's pretty hard on them and he states they are extremely comfortable and have worn well.

I liked the look and feel of the Sperry Mako, and the pair I purchased has soft and comfortable leather. I was recently on vacation and wore them while walking/touring several miles daily in complete comfort.

Yes, there are higher quality, more expensive choices. However, I'm very happy with the Sperry Mako's I purchased and I'm realistic about comparing this 80 dollar shoe with competitors costing 3 times the price.

I think it's a pretty good looking shoe, but of course opinions will differ. This paricular model gets my vote.

https://www.sperrytopsider.com/stor...aultOption=true&skuId=***7********0768259*W085&productId=7-110610&searched=true

 

Allen Edmonds eastport is very good; and I also like Brooks Brothers's boat shoe-very durable. I find the Sperrys to be flimsy.

 

I'm also considering getting a pair of boat shoes. Do any of the high end makers (Quoddy, Oak Street, Rancourt, etc.) do repair/recrafting on their products? I've only had cheap boat shoes in the past, and usually the first point of failure is the glued-on sole. I imagine the high-end products are much more durable, but am still concerned about how to maintain them.

 

In this part of the world Dubarry are the only show in town. Interestingly, however I was in a Church's store recently and saw they had a range of boat shoes. Seemed very well made but very expensive.

 

Interesting suggestions. Obviously, you can spend more and get a better shoe than Sperry/Sebago/Timberland.

Surprised that I'm the only pro-Sperry reply so far. Yes, quality isn't great, but don't pay more than $60 for them.

But let's talk about aesthetics. That's why I stick with the A/O, it's just....beautiful. I only wear the dark brown ones with the white soles. That's why I don't stray into Sebago territory, I find them ugly. And while I love AE for dress shoes, they make a boat shoe with a running shoe's sole, very ugly.

I've just always loved the simplicity of the brown A/O with white sole. Yeah, they get beat up fast, but I keep wearing them. I have a pair of the made in USA $300 versions, but I wear the $60 ones just as often.

 

I'm also considering getting a pair of boat shoes. Do any of the high end makers (Quoddy, Oak Street, Rancourt, etc.) do repair/recrafting on their products? I've only had cheap boat shoes in the past, and usually the first point of failure is the glued-on sole. I imagine the high-end products are much more durable, but am still concerned about how to maintain them.

Here are some results from Quoddy:

https://anaffordablewardrobe.blogspot.com/2013/06/worth-every-penny-quoddy-refurbishment.html

 

I'm also considering getting a pair of boat shoes. Do any of the high end makers (Quoddy, Oak Street, Rancourt, etc.) do repair/recrafting on their products? I've only had cheap boat shoes in the past, and usually the first point of failure is the glued-on sole. I imagine the high-end products are much more durable, but am still concerned about how to maintain them.

Rancourt does full repair and recrafting on their products and I've had excellent experience with their customer service. I haven't needed to have any of my Rancourt products sent in for recrafting yet, but there are some write-ups about the process and results over on a thread dedicated to them on that other prominent menswear forum.

Rancourt has the added bonus of being able to customize basically any aspect of the shoe for you.

 

^^
Quoddy also recrafts their shoes. I don't know for sure if Oak Street Bootmaker's offers recrafting services, but would be surprised if they did not.

 

Thanks for the information! I'm glad that recrafting services are available. I am happy to pay extra for high quality shoes, but only if I know how to keep them serviceable for many years.

 

AE does recrafting. Their service is outstanding. The quality of their shoes is excellent. I have both their Eastport and Key Largo boat shoes. If this makes, both are more shoe-like than Sperry or even Sebago. To go down a notch, but still durable boat shoes of good quality, I would recommend Timberline.

 

AE does recrafting. Their service is outstanding.

While true, it does not apply in this situation

Thank you for your interest in Allen Edmonds.

The Eastport style is not eligible for our Recrafting services, as it is made in the Dominican Republic.

 

Who does the boat shoes for BB these days?