Traditiooooon, tradition! Actually, I like Sperry Billfish if I'm going to walk long distances in the summer, but have a pair of Sebago Docksides for going to the beach, running errands, etc. I like the traditional look of the Sebago Docksides and even though I haven't worn my pair very much (just purchased them off eBay [$6.00] in November) I can see they're going to be a great summer boat shoe. I would definitely recommend them and, indeed, the leather is thick as are the soles.

Some pics of my Docksides - please excuse their newness and the dust

 

TT, I laughed out loud quite literally at that one.

Boat shoes must be quality items, but must wear like mad. I'm afraid a Sebago pair might have that appalling "new" quality for far too long.

Plus, I'd make a trek to the department store each summer to purchase a new pair of Top-siders, then wear them sans-socks each day for the entire summer until they looked like someone had utterly broken them.

The Sperry shoes will remain "master of the house and home".

So, add another vote to....

Traditioooooooon, tradition!

 

Traditiooooon, tradition! Actually, I like Sperry Billfish if I'm going to walk long distances in the summer, but have a pair of Sebago Docksides for going to the beach, running errands, etc. I like the traditional look of the Sebago Docksides and even though I haven't worn my pair very much (just purchased them off eBay [$6.00] in November) I can see they're going to be a great summer boat shoe. I would definitely recommend them and, indeed, the leather is thick as are the soles.

Some pics of my Docksides - please excuse their newness and the dust

Nice looking shoe. They don't look like the Sebago Docksides my pals wore. I was always a sperry wearer. They do look sturdier than my topsiders and my mind's idea of docksides.

Not to lead this thread down another path, but is anyone familiar with a style of boat shoes produced by Sperry made with thicker leather that was oiled. The sole was different as well. Instead of the bone white thinner soles of the traditional Top Sider, these shoes had an off white thicker, yet softer sole. The sole was almost like that of a older white/dirty buck, more foam like than hard rubber. The sole did have the chevron weave to squeeze water of the tread.

Any thoughts?

Regards,

asf

 

Not to lead this thread down another path, but is anyone familiar with a style of boat shoes produced by Sperry made with thicker leather that was oiled. The sole was different as well. Instead of the bone white thinner soles of the traditional Top Sider, these shoes had an off white thicker, yet softer sole. The sole was almost like that of a older white/dirty buck, more foam like than hard rubber. The sole did have the chevron weave to squeeze water of the tread.

Any thoughts?

Regards,

asf

Yes, I had a pair and I loved them. My favorite boat shoes ever. I bought them somewhere in the 1983-1985 timeframe, give or take, from Lands' End. Yeah, Lands End selling Sperry. They called them the Kudu model, but I don't know if that was a Sperry name or the name LE gave them. Another difference in the sole was that, unlike the thinner soles on the regular model, they were not sewn through, so no stitching appeared around the perimeter. I have not seen these shoes since. If they ever bring them back just like the old ones, I just gotta have a pair!

(Update: I just did a quick search and found that Kudu was indeed the Sperry name, and that there are others who lament its absence.)
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Yes, I had a pair and I loved them. My favorite boat shoes ever. I bought them somewhere in the 1983-1985 timeframe, give or take, from Lands' End. Yeah, Lands End selling Sperry. They called them the Kudu model, but I don't know if that was a Sperry name or the name LE gave them. Another difference in the sole was that, unlike the thinner soles on the regular model, they were not sewn through, so no stitching appeared around the perimeter. I have not seen these shoes since. If they ever bring them back just like the old ones, I just gotta have a pair!

(Update: I just did a quick search and found that Kudu was indeed the Sperry name, and that there are others who lament its absence.)
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I do recall they were called Kudu's. I'd forgotten that the sole was glued/fused on to a piece sewn to the bottom of the shoe. They were terrific shoes. I hade mine resoled at least three times before the stitching blew apart.

I will look for pics and post accordingly.

Thanks-

asf

 

Nice looking shoe. They don't look like the Sebago Docksides my pals wore. I was always a sperry wearer. They do look sturdier than my topsiders and my mind's idea of docksides.

My impression based on seeing them in person was the same. I am sure once broken in they are still soft and slipper like, but I cannot imagine they don't have more life or wear better than a pair of Topsiders. Personally, I think "tradition" is a poor reason to continue to opt for what is clearly an inferior product. The Sebago, if one looks hard enough, can be found for $70 or $80 or so, not considerably different than a pair of Topsiders.

I still prefer the Perth from Rockport, but understand those who are primarily looking for the traditional boat shoe look. What I can't understand is the superstition that continues to send people back to Sperry (unless, like me, you are unaware of the differences).

 

I do recall they wear called Kudu's. I'd forgotten that the sole was glued/fused on to a piece sewn to the bottom of the shoe. They were terrific shoes. I hade mine resoled at least three times before the stitching blew apart.

I will look for pics and post accordingly.

Thanks-

asf

I had a pair of Sperrys years and years ago that were 2-tone brown oiled leather, tough as nails, with the thicker, softer sole that was a brick red, like soles on bucs. a friend of mine who worked at Palmer-Johnson yachts "pressured" me into buying them when I was broke in college. Man, I loved those shoes.

 

I was in a shoe shop this weekend and saw the Sebago Docksides in person for the first time. To be honest, I'd seen them countless times on the Internet, and just figured they were imitation Topsiders.

Well, they are. The Topsider was introduced in 1935, and the Dockside in 1947. That doesn't make them a bad shoe, however. Personally, I think they're about equal in terms of quality, at least nowadays (they're all offshore manufactured). The Docksides do have a bit more "heft" to them, but I've owned both, and don't see much difference in terms of durability or comfort.

One key difference is the color. Sperry's "brown" is very dark, closer to what Sebago calls "wine." If you want a true brown, the Docksides are the way to go.

Brown

Wine

 

Topsider,

Good point, I guess they are an imitation of sorts. I guess I meant a cheaper version (given that they came later), which they most certainly are not.

And while it is true that they are both produced offshore, that doesn't immediately relegate them to equal quality. I know my Rockport Perths aren't made in the US, but I would take them over a pair of Quoddy's or Red Wings any day of the week.

I'll defer to you on the long term durability/quality of the Dockside v. Topsider--but based on a few minutes of comparing a few pairs of each side by side, I am surprised the Topsider doesn't lose its stuff well in advance of the much more sturdy Dockside(r).

Also, Sebago seems to have a better lineup of colors. The brown (elk) is nice, as is the tan with white sole, and the navy just looks better than the Topsider of the same color. The oily brown just looks like a quality of leather that a Topsider hasn't seen in a long time, but maybe thats just the nature of that oily texture.

 

I have them both. I like them both, with the Sebago getting a slight edge in the leather and looks department.

 

Take a look at this blog entry:

https://componentsofenthusiasm.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/battle-of-the-boat-shoes-sebago-vs-sperry/

thought this fit nicely with the theme of this thread :icon_smile:

 

I was in a shoe shop this weekend and saw the Sebago Docksides in person for the first time. To be honest, I'd seen them countless times on the Internet, and just figured they were imitation Topsiders.

I was surprised to see that Sebago Docksides appear to be much better quality than a Topsider, while still retaining that traditional look. There was a noticeable difference in the leather qualities (the Dockside being the better of the two--with the "oily brown" version I saw very Quoddy-like), and seemingly a more sturdy shoe with a little more 'meat' to the outsole.

I haven't seen much discussion on the Sebago Docksides around here, with Sperry getting all the attention. For those interested in or who own the brown A/O, the Dockside version (identical colors/laces) seems a better choice, with the oily brown w/charcoal outsole a better version of the Sahara Sperry.

I bought a pair of Docksiders to replace a pair of Topsiders, because I found the fit of the Docksiders much better than the Topsiders (I think I got the last pair of USA made Docksiders). At the time of purchase, the quality of the two brands was about equal. However, just before this past Christmas I stopped in a local West Marine store to view the Topsiders and discovered that sometime in the last 3+ years they become cheap crap: the leather uppers were noticeably lower quality than in the past, the shape was like a blog (which means lazy lasting), and the rubber soles seemed more like foam rubber than rubber rubber!

I'm glad to learn that the Docksiders are still okay quality. The Docksiders are also available in a much more interesting range of colours, including their Spinnaker 3-colour boat shoes. Those are truly GTH boat shoes!

Why the preference for Topsiders over Docks?

Probably just habit. I think in a side-to-side comparison the differences would be unmistakable, and much in the favour of the Docksiders.

 

What I can't understand is the superstition that continues to send people back to Sperry (unless, like me, you are unaware of the differences).

The same question could be asked about Weejuns, which are now a shadow of their former self and seem to be made of leather specially treated to look and perform like plastic...

 

One option is the Bean Casco Bay boat shoes, which are about the same quality at the Docksides, or perhaps one notch below. They are several notches better than the current Topsiders. Just keep in mind the Bean's Casco Bay D fits like an E.

 

I haven't had a chance to check out the Docksides but I saw a pair of Topsiders recently. Did they change the laces? My old pair has rawhide laces but the new ones have really cheap, flimsy laces.

 

If you take a look at my link above that takes you to a blog post compring Topsiders and Docksides, you can see the quality differences. Notice how a worn in pair of Topsider's leather begins to "wrinkle", not exactly what you'd hope for in a broken in pair of shoes.

I may just grab a pair of Docksiders for kicking around this Spring/Summer and report back.

Stay tuned!

 

I haven't had a chance to check out the Docksides but I saw a pair of Topsiders recently. Did they change the laces? My old pair has rawhide laces but the new ones have really cheap, flimsy laces.

I have a pair of Top Siders not more than 2 years old and they were shipped with rawhide laces...

 

I have a pair of Top Siders not more than 2 years old and they were shipped with rawhide laces...

Well, my "old" pair is only ~1 year old. I saw the new ones last month.

 

Topsider for narrow fit

I have been wearing TopSiders for more than 30 years. Have one pair of Docksiders that I bought several years ago that has lasted well. A big problem for me is that I have a narrow foot (11 A). So I am the forgotten man at most shoe stores. Sperry is the only boat shoe that I have found (admittedly have not looked too far and wide) that I can get consistently in a true size Narrow, though not in all finishes, and I order online from the factory.

 

I think the Topsider sizes are narrow shoe, in general. I can usually get away with an E or W width but with Sperry I have to go to a EE.

 

I have been wearing Sperry Topsiders since 1967. It would be so hard to try anything else now.
I like the three eyelit models because they grip my foot better than the two eyelit models. I wear them off and on for about three years and then the insides break down and I replace them.

 

Over the years, I keep coming back to the "taste test" of these two, and I always come away a Sperry fan. Sebagos do have more heft, and feel like they'll survive a nuke, but are far too hard to break in. Basic dockside to top-sider, I could walk out of the store in a pair of Sperry's, but not Sebago. Maybe that Barracuda counterpart they offered would be easier, but I haven't seen those in-store anywhere. As for Rockports, they are a great fit (have a few pair of Schooners) but they look like Rockports.

I haven't had a chance to check out the Docksides but I saw a pair of Topsiders recently. Did they change the laces? My old pair has rawhide laces but the new ones have really cheap, flimsy laces.

Sounds like the more sneaker-leaning styles like the Bilfish. Maybe the Neptune? Not the "authentic original" top-sider styles which stick with rawhide.

That raises another point. Year to year, I see far more styles offered by Sperry than Sebago. Their lines span the gamut from true boat shoes and loafers to chukkas, boots and undeniable sneakers. Sebago has had a few boots and sandals, but their variety pales in comparison.

I've wondered if that's a symptom of decline or success. I haven't seen Sebagos when I've poked my head into a Filene's or Marshall's, but Sperry is often there. :icon_scratch:

 

Interesting...I was referring to the AOs. The laces that I saw were like imitation rawhide.

Sounds like the more sneaker-leaning styles like the Bilfish. Maybe the Neptune? Not the "authentic original" top-sider styles which stick with rawhide.

That raises another point. Year to year, I see far more styles offered by Sperry than Sebago. Their lines span the gamut from true boat shoes and loafers to chukkas, boots and undeniable sneakers. Sebago has had a few boots and sandals, but their variety pales in comparison.

I've wondered if that's a symptom of decline or success. I haven't seen Sebagos when I've poked my head into a Filene's or Marshall's, but Sperry is often there. :icon_scratch:

 

As for Rockports, they are a great fit (have a few pair of Schooners) but they look like Rockports.

I agree most Rockports are not much to look at. The exception, as I have mentioned before, and a few members have recently backed me up on, is the Rockport Perth. Nice looking, and comfortable as any boatshoe on the market:

and the summer version:

 

thumbs up for sebago...

...I have one pair of each....the Sebago is noticeably more substantial, better--i.e., thicker, tougher--leather....better range of colors also