The best boat shoes are designed to keep your feet dry and stable on boat decks.
But nowadays they’re worn as casual, stylish shoes as well.
So, whether you’re buying boat shoes for fashion or function, it’s important to buy a pair with a well-made sole, durable upper, and solid construction.
Since these shoes were designed to be used on boats, they can sometimes wear out quickly when used on asphalt frequently.
Below, we’ve listed some of the best boat shoes for men and women you can get now!
We’ve chosen these shoes based on their quality, affordability, and user reviews.
Also, we’ve organized them according to popularity, and described their pros, cons, and recommended uses.
Top 5 Best Boat Shoes – Editor’s Pick
This table displays 5 of the best boat shoes and displays relevant info such as their material and the easiest way to make them yours.
Product Name |
Upper material |
Sole Material |
Get It AT |
| Sperry’s Original | Leather | Rubber | |
| Rockport Ports of Call | Leather | Synthetic | |
| Dockers Vargas | Leather | Synthetic | |
| Sebago Docksides | Leather | Rubber | |
| Timberland Classic Two-Eye | Leather | Synthetic |
10. Sperry Halyard Boat Shoe
Ideal for: Casual wear, deck use
Nowadays, there are many modern takes on this style that are much more casual and wearable, almost resembling tennis shoes.
The Halyard from Sperry is one of the best boat shoes in this style.
They have a canvas upper rather than traditional leather, and they feature a comfortable foam insole with regular rubber soles. Despite the casual look, these are a great deck shoe as well.
Heights:
- Many color options
- Foam insole
- Durable construction
Plains:
- Run narrow
- Need to be broken in
9. Sanuk Casa Barco Boat Shoe
Ideal for: Casual wear
If you’re looking for a very affordable boat shoe, the Casa Barco shoe from Sanuk is a great option.
It has a simple textile and rubber construction with an EVA footbed.
The canvas is much more breathable than leather.
Also, it’s versatile enough to wear in a variety of settings.
Heights:
- Variety of colors
- EVA footbed
- Odor control
- Rubber outsole
Plains:
- Not much cushioning
8. Nautica Men’s Galley Boat Shoe
Ideal for: Casual daily wear
These Nautica boat shoes are like a men’s version of the Keds shoes above.
They’re super casual-looking, yet they still have the boat shoe aesthetic.
Each of the 3 versions has nicely contrasting colors as well.
These shoes have a durable synthetic sole.
Heights:
- Breathable fabric
- Synthetic sole
- Comfortable
Plains:
- Color fades over time
7. Sebago Spinnaker
Ideal for: Deck use, dressing up or down
Sebago is a classic brand of boat shoes. The Spinnaker shoe has a timeless look and comes in a ton of different colors.
They’re versatile enough to be worn for a variety of occasions.
They feature a leather upper and rubber sole, with a non-marking outsole.
As a traditional boat shoe, they do have a thinner sole and need to be broken in.
Heights:
- With quality leather
- Many color selections
- Classic shape
Plains:
- Need to be broken in
- Thin sole
6. Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Bowman Shoe
Ideal for: An affordable alternative to Sperry’s
If you’re looking for a quintessential Sperry’s look at a much lower price, these Tommy Hilfiger Bowman shoes have great reviews and are quite stylish.
The lower price means that they won’t be quite as durable over the months as Sperry’s would be.
So we recommend these for people who are mainly interested in the boat shoe look rather than its function.
Heights:
- Leather
- Five colors
- Good traction
- Affordable
Plains:
- Not very durable
- Run slightly large
5. Timberland Classic Men’s Two-Eye
Ideal for: Classic looks
The “Classic” boat shoe from Timberland lives up to its name, with a timeless and appealing style.
It comes in 5 simple colors and features a leather upper with moccasin-style stitching and rawhide laces.
This shoe is great for a mature yet comfortable look.
Heights:
- EVA insert with foam for extra comfort
- Quality leather
- Fit true to size
Plains:
- The leather scratches easily
4. Sebago Men’s Docksides
Ideal for: Decks or casual use
The Docksides are an even more popular boat shoe from Sebago.
They come in a ton of colors, from bright green to brown to white.
They have a somewhat more wearable look than some other boat shoes but still feature the signature moccasin toe and two-eyed laces.
These are perfect for casual, everyday outfits.
Heights:
- EVA foam insole
- Rubber sole and leather upper
- Tons of colors
- Sole has a strong enough grip
Plains:
- Need to be broken in
3. Dockers Vargas
Ideal for: Land use
The Vargas shoes from Dockers have a mature look to them.
They feature soft leather, an extra-comfy footbed and a leather outsole with a synthetic sole.
They come in just 3 attractive colors, and users say they’re comfortable out of the box.
These are a great option for those who want the boat shoe aesthetic but don’t intend to use the shoes on decks regularly.
Heights:
- Of leather construction
- Soft footbed
- Don’t need to be broken in much
Plains:
- Narrow fit
2. Rockport Ports of Call Perth Slip-On Boat Shoe
Ideal for: All-day wear
The Port of Call shoe from Rockport comes in 5 basic colors.
Users say this shoe is excellent quality, with comfortable soft leather and a supportive insole.
These shoes are quite comfortable right out of the box.
They’re on the wide side, which is great for those who like some room in their shoes.
They’re also durable and well-made.
Heights:
- With a leather upper
- Comfortable fit
- Supportive
Plains:
- Dye bleeds when wet
- Wide fit may not work for everyone
1. Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original
Ideal for: Deck or casual use
Sperry is the company that originally designed boat shoes, so it’s no surprise that they continue to make the best boat shoes on the market.
The Authentic Original (A/O) Sperry shoe is made for both men and women in a ton of different colors.
They’re versatile, comfortable, and durable enough for everyday use.
Heights:
- A leather upper
- Shock-absorbing heel
- Non-marking outsole
- Comfortable once broken in
Plains:
- Take time to mold to your feet
- Soles will likely wear out over time
Conclusion
Boat shoes have evolved into a timeless form of footwear.
They’re popular and stylish whether or not you ever step foot on a boat.
If you’ve worn one of these best boat shoes, let us know your experiences in the comments — we want to hear your thoughts!
Suggested Read: Of course, not all people like boating. We know that there are some of you who are more into mountaineering, so we thought that these rock climbing shoes might be more appealing to you.