The 10 Best Boat Shoes For Men
This wiki has been updated 21 times since it was first published in July of 2018. What began as functional footwear for heading out onto the water has morphed into a popular men's style. Boat shoes are typically constructed with rubber soles to help you maintain steady footing on a wet surface, and most are suitable for wearing sockless as well. Whether you're hitting the water or not, one of these pairs will help you step up your fashion game without sacrificing comfort. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Rugged Shark Atlantic
2. Columbia Bahama PFG
3. Hey Dude Wally
Editor's Notes
June 01, 2020:
Removed several items due to quality issues. Based on the brand’s reputation, we looked into adding a pair of Sperry Originals to the list , but opted against it due to reports of a drop in quality. They can bleed dye when they get wet, the soles tend to wear down quickly, and they’re still pretty expensive.
Updated the listing for the Bruno Marc Oxfords, indicating that they are made with faux leather, not genuine leather. Also revised the listing of the Margaritaville Anchor to reflect the latest version, noting that it is a great pair for use at the beach — they’re tropical in style, highly breathable, and super comfortable to wear without socks.
The Dockers Beacon is easily the most traditional of the four new additions, with contrasting stitching and the standard three eyelets for laces in the front. The Columbia Bahama and Hey Dude Wally are lightweight and built for comfort, similar to slippers in the way they can be slipped on and off. The Wally, with their memory foam insoles, are particularly cozy and generously cushioned.
The Cole Haan Nantucket project a slightly more upscale image, with stylish leather accents and no laces. They’re a nice option to have around if you’ll be visiting establishments with dress codes.
Special Honors
Quoddy Boat Moc II Not only is this pair a bit more sophisticated than your average boat shoe, it’s totally customizable. You’re able to choose from several colors for the upper leather, sole, thread, hardware, and lace, and you can select from several width options as well. quoddy.com
Christian Louboutin Roller-Boat Inspired by colorful 1960s skateboard shoes and covered in glossy silver spikes, this high-end footwear from famed French fashion designer Christian Louboutin will likely turn heads at an impressive rate. The price tag is exorbitant, but they’ll certainly make a statement. christianlouboutin.com
Yuketen Collection Yuketen — a leather goods specialist that produces shoes in various countries across the world — offers three types of boat shoes, all of which are handcrafted in the great state of Maine. Made with full-grain leather, they maintain their structure and durability over time. yuketen.com
4. Dockers Beacon
5. Columbia Bahama Loco
6. Margaritaville Anchor
7. Nautica Del Mar
8. Cole Haan Nantucket
9. Dockers Lakeport
10. Bruno Marc Oxfords
In addition to his corporate career as a marketing and communications professional in Chicago, Sam runs a popular blog that focuses on the city’s flourishing craft beer and brewery scene. He received his degree in journalism from DePaul University (which spurred his interest in freelance writing) and has since spent years developing expertise in copywriting, digital marketing and public relations. A lifetime of fishing, hiking and camping trips has left him well-versed in just about any outdoors-related topic, and over several years spent working in the trades during his youth, he accumulated a wealth of knowledge about tools and machinery. He’s a travel junkie, a health and fitness enthusiast, and an avid biker.