[acidicboy]

The Sperry originals-I still wear a pair I got way back in 1975.
As a matter of fact it's the oldest thing I own!

"Dressing well is the best revenge"

Wow! I guess they REALLY don't make them like they used to. Care to show a picture of these vintage Sperrys?

 

[anglophile23]

I'm 24 and I was wearing a pair of Sperry Topsiders today. The original and the best in my opinion.

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

25 here, I wear the brown topsiders with the white soles. But then again, I am a fogey.

 

[rip]

im just looking for the casual look, polo shorts or blue jeans w/ a t shirt or polo golf shirt. We do a lot of fishing and hanging out during the summer on the rivers where I go to school. Our summers pretty much consists of lawn chair, beer, bbq, and river, and floating or going out to one of the 3 lakes around here on the weekends.

My favorite Sperry (I have 4 different styles, ranging from saddle oxfords through hiking boots and the classic boat-shoe to the venetian pilot) is the Venetian pilot. Easy on and off, good soles and really comfortable.

 

[rip]

Can anyone here vouch for the performance of the canvas CVO type Sperrys or the leather, 'original' Sperrys?

I am looking into buying a pair for my first venture into big boat sailing (I've only sailed dinghies before) and I would like to choose the style that performs the best.

Or, perhaps the upper is a matter of individual comfort, as it is the sole that touches the deck.

The soles on most Sperrys is similar and very good on wet decks. In big boat sailing, you frequently need shoes that are going to stay on your feet when you move around, so you might want to stay away from the loafer types. I have no experience with the canvas Sperrys, no reason to think they wouldn't work well, but you can't really go wrong with the original classics.

 

[southbound35]

My favorite Sperry (I have 4 different styles, ranging from saddle oxfords through hiking boots and the classic boat-shoe to the venetian pilot) is the Venetian pilot. Easy on and off, good soles and really comfortable.

I'm not a fan of Sperry's (A/O or Billfish), or boat shoes in general (unless you're on a boat), but I do like the look of that Venetian model.

 

[StephenRG]

BTW my local Syms was recently selling random Sperry Gold Cup styles for $50...

 

[alaric]

Can anyone here vouch for the performance of the canvas CVO type Sperrys or the leather, 'original' Sperrys?

I am looking into buying a pair for my first venture into big boat sailing (I've only sailed dinghies before) and I would like to choose the style that performs the best.

Or, perhaps the upper is a matter of individual comfort, as it is the sole that touches the deck.

I have always worn the traditional dark Sperry topsiders for sailing, until I read this thread I really had never considered any alternatives.

That being said, I have always found them to perform very well. I have worn them for several weeks at a time and always find them comfortable.

This is probably already known to you, but I would recommend having a second pair for off the boat and keeping a dedicated pair to wear on the boat. The soles are very grippy and will easily pick up small bits of grit when worn in port, which if not changed out of have a large potential to scratch the boat decks and woodwork. If you are sailing on another's boat they will love you forever*, for having the courtesy to remove your street shoes before boarding.

alaric

*This is not an exaggeration. When I was a freshman in college, I went on an interview about crewing on a boat in the Med for the summer. Naturally, I went to the interview wearing a nice suit and a pair of Aldens. We sat in the marina restaurant for about 20 minutes, discussing my (lack of) qualifications. Then he asked if I'd like to see the boat, which was a "yes" of course. When we got to the end of the dock, I removed my shoes and socks and hopped over the gunwale and got a great tour of the 64' Little Harbor. I found out latter that I was chosen over about 20 other applicants solely because I took my shoes off. I was told all aspects of sailing can be taught, but consideration seems to spring internally. It was a great summer. I highly recommend to anyone with the slightest inclination to the life aquatic, to try crewing. It can be great.

-a-

 

[ProfCrabbe]

The soles on most Sperrys is similar and very good on wet decks. In big boat sailing, you frequently need shoes that are going to stay on your feet when you move around, so you might want to stay away from the loafer types. I have no experience with the canvas Sperrys, no reason to think they wouldn't work well, but you can't really go wrong with the original classics.

I'm afraid I disagree substantially that Sperrys are decent shoes on a boat. I typically race once or twice a week on boats from 22 to 40 feet. Sperry soles are not grippy on a wet deck, and within a single season won't grip on a dry one. Leather is absolutely a non-starter, but my canvas Sperrys had holes within weeks.

No one I know actually sails in "boat shoes". As a bowman, I'm partial to Keen in the summer, as they function as closed toe sandals. Other shoes I see often are Teva, Musto, and recently, Slam.

I typically change into a pair of leather "boat shoes" for the party at the club, but then I prefer Sebago. Maybe its just the New England influence from childhood, but I've found them more comfortable than Sperry.

 

[rip]

I have always worn the traditional dark Sperry topsiders for sailing, until I read this thread I really had never considered any alternatives.

That being said, I have always found them to perform very well. I have worn them for several weeks at a time and always find them comfortable.

This is probably already known to you, but I would recommend having a second pair for off the boat and keeping a dedicated pair to wear on the boat. The soles are very grippy and will easily pick up small bits of grit when worn in port, which if not changed out of have a large potential to scratch the boat decks and woodwork. If you are sailing on another's boat they will love you forever*, for having the courtesy to remove your street shoes before boarding.

alaric

*This is not an exaggeration. When I was a freshman in college, I went on an interview about crewing on a boat in the Med for the summer. Naturally, I went to the interview wearing a nice suit and a pair of Aldens. We sat in the marina restaurant for about 20 minutes, discussing my (lack of) qualifications. Then he asked if I'd like to see the boat, which was a "yes" of course. When we got to the end of the dock, I removed my shoes and socks and hopped over the gunwale and got a great tour of the 64' Little Harbor. I found out latter that I was chosen over about 20 other applicants solely because I took my shoes off. I was told all aspects of sailing can be taught, but consideration seems to spring internally. It was a great summer. I highly recommend to anyone with the slightest inclination to the life aquatic, to try crewing. It can be great.

-a-

Absolutely! I was remiss in not mentioning this in my post. I never wear land shoes on the boat, ever! I've spent far too many hours scouring deck wood.

 

[bearbones11]

If you're ever in Ireland, get a pair of Ballyotogs (if I remember the spelling correctly) from their shop in Galway. Great grip, actually comfortable for long walking and a style that looks great on a wood runabout or trawler.

 

[Fred Best]

I like Sperry's Original Boat Shoe. I have them in Sahara and Brown Buc Brown, depending if I want to wear a lighter or darker shoe that day.

https://www.sperrytopsider.com/jump...er.com/jump.jsp?itemID=144&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=143&iSubCat=144&viewAll=1

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

I like to wear my Topsiders sans socks (of course) and with cargo shorts and polo shirts. I dressed this way on an recent visit to wine country and someone told me that if I didn't actually own a boat, I shouldn't be wearing Topsiders. Should I dismiss that guy as just another bounder, or is he right?

 

[mpcsb]

I like to wear my Topsiders sans socks (of course) and with cargo shorts and polo shirts. I dressed this way on an recent visit to wine country and someone told me that if I didn't actually own a boat, I shouldn't be wearing Topsiders. Should I dismiss that guy as just another bounder, or is he right?

Yes, that's true. I'll pm you my address and you can send me your Topsiders. I just hope they're 10 1/2s. I don't own a boat either, but being involved with the trad forum I have a special exemption - I wear them all the time. :icon_smile_wink:

 

[Duck]

I like to wear my Topsiders sans socks (of course) and with cargo shorts and polo shirts. I dressed this way on an recent visit to wine country and someone told me that if I didn't actually own a boat, I shouldn't be wearing Topsiders. Should I dismiss that guy as just another bounder, or is he right?

He is wrong. I don't own a house in Nantucket but I still wear Nantucket reds. I wasn't in a regiment but I still wear regimental ties. Etc.

Wear them and enjoy them

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

He is wrong. I don't own a house in Nantucket but I still wear Nantucket reds. I wasn't in a regiment but I still wear regimental ties. Etc.

Wear them and enjoy them

I suspected as much, but I just wanted to be 100% sure.

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

Yes, that's true. I'll pm you my address and you can send me your Topsiders. I just hope they're 10 1/2s. I don't own a boat either, but being involved with the trad forum I have a special exemption - I wear them all the time. :icon_smile_wink:

Nice try :crazy: