Is there anything more ubiquitous to summer than a pair of boat shoes?
Here’s a style secret: Pair them with some warm, autumn-friendly socks, and they can take you from April and well into September. I’ve pushed them into November myself. They’re basically moccasins, after all.
And guess what? Not every pair has that yacht club vibe about it.
In this edit, I round up five of the best boat shoes on the market for every lifestyle, personal style, and budget.
Table of Contents
How Did I Come Up With My List?
I’m a coastal guy. I grew up in LA, born to New England parents (spent a lot of time there, too), and now live right next to the East River in Manhattan.
In my world, boat shoes are a way of life—and I’ve definitely worn more models than the average gent. It’s likely no exaggeration that I’ve worn hundreds of different boat shoes.
To curate this round-up, I used my life’s worth of experience. I also spent the past few weeks running around town in several models while consulting colleagues, shoe experts, sailors themselves, and every online review I could find.
My Hands-On Recommendations
Best Overall: Allen Edmonds Force 10 Boat Shoe
Who else but a true American heritage brand (one of very few left) could level up a classic American shoe design? The Allen Edmonds Force 10 Boat Shoe is textbook, but in the best way possible, satisfying traditionalists and shoe lovers who love modern creature comforts.
You can find variations made from waterproof full-grain leather, buttery nubuck, or suede, each flaunting versatile yet expressive colors. Blue suede or cream-hued bone leather are delightfully nautical, while tan nubuck and yellow suede can take you from spring to summer and even fall.
They’re also a lot more functional than standard boat shoes without feeling like there are any unnecessary bells and whistles. It features interior cushioning and insoles that efficiently distribute weight while supporting arches.
Between that and durable rubber soles, this shoe combines all-day comfort with stability.
What I Like
- This shoe showcases the classic, roomy, and casual design of a traditional boat shoe. It’s built with premium leather, nubuck, or suede, giving it a touch of unstuffy luxuriousness.
- The insole efficiently distributes weight while also providing arch support, as the outsole provides traction, making this shoe comfortable yet secure.
- Allen Edmonds offers recrafting services when the time comes. This is a rare offering for a casual boat shoe, which is often treated like a replaceable beater.
What I Don’t Like
- I can’t help but compare this model to past generations of AE boat shoes, and reviewers agree with me—which I’ll focus on momentarily. It’s truly top-notch but doesn’t come in as many colors as their Maritime Leather and Kirkwood-style boat shoes, which were made with slightly stronger Horween leather.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers love the roomy fit and the fact it comes in a wide range of sizes and widths. It’s an excellent choice for men with wide feet.
As mentioned, a few reviewers bring up some of the better qualities of past AE boat shoes. It’s a lot of give and take though. Sure, the Horween leather of the Kirkwood-style boat shoes was slightly stronger. Many even claim they kept resoling theirs.
However, I love the soft, luxe leather of the Force 10. It’s strong enough and so much more sophisticated in its comfort and stability systems.
The Verdict
The Allen Edmonds Force 10 Boat Shoe has a tried-and-true boat shoe design, including its handsome low profile and roomy fit. Thanks to its sophisticated insole and outsole though, it’s comfortably secure, offering traction even on wet surfaces—as a boat shoe should.
You can match it to your own personal style, as it comes in leather, nubuck, or suede in four beautiful colors, all water-resistant, soft, and flexible.
The Allen Edmonds Force 10 Boat Shoe is a classic boat shoe, refined with modern comfort technology and premium leather, suede, or nubuck. This recraftable shoe comes in classy and versatile colorways to accommodate any personal style.
Best on a Budget: Crocs Walu Slip On Loafer
Just as you can count on Allen Edmonds to serve up classics, you can always count on Crocs to deliver affordable, practical remixes to the classics.
Their Walu Slip On Loafer is made of a lightweight textile reminiscent of sailcloth. Between that and the almost skater-shoe-like silhouette and lace free, this shoe would go well with workwear and breezy nautical outfits.
It’s a rugged take on the boat shoe, opening it up to more than just classic dressers, sailors, and preppies.
Did I mention you can actually throw this in the washing machine? This shoe gets several points from me for convenience.
What I Like
- The rugged yet structured design has an adventurer aesthetic with tons of cool factor.
- This shoe is fully machine washable, making it an easy and convenient piece of footwear.
- The stretch panels make slipping in and out of the laceless shoe super easy.
What I Don’t Like
- This shoe isn’t water resistant, making it more of a boat style rather than a true boat shoe.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers love the look of this shoe as well as how light and comfortable the textile material it’s made from is. Boat shoes are designed to be light, but Crocs takes it to the next level.
A few reviewers mention that you should go up a whole size, otherwise it’s a bit too roomy.
The Verdict
If you want a less country-clubby boat shoe, the Crocs Walu Loafer is for you. It’s relaxed yet well-structured and can be worn with madras or utility shorts.
In addition to being my budget pick, this laceless model is easy to maintain, with its slip-on design and machine washability.
The Crocs Walu Slip On Loafer is a rugged yet clean-lined take on the traditional boat shoe. Part of this has to do with its laceless textile upper, which is conveniently machine washable.
Great Value: Oliver Cabell Navy Boat Shoe
Oliver Cabell’s Navy Boat Shoe is a handsome and adaptable suede deck shoe. Plus, thanks to the brand’s cost transparency, you know you’re getting tons of value for the price.
There are few brands out there that offer the kind of value Oliver Cabell does. Sure, they have many of the same practices as these middle-man-cutting digital natives. But, since they display every single cost per product on their website, they’re distinctly trustworthy.
This Navy Boat Shoe, for example, costs $7.14 for the Italian suede and $17.88 for hand cutting, manufacturing, and quality control. Did I mention that it’s handcrafted in Marche, Italy?
It boasts excellent value in both materials and craft, and its design is classic and versatile. It might just be the perfect summer shoe.
What I Like
- Boasting a high level of handcrafted construction, this shoe is undeniably artisanal and labored over.
- Made from high-end materials, including Italian calfskin suede and a calfskin lining, it is strong yet soft inside and out.
- Oliver Cabell provides full transparency with their costs per product, detailing every material and manufacturing cost on the website. You can rest assured you aren’t being ripped off.
What I Don’t Like
- I wish Oliver Cabell would offer half-sizes. You’ll just have to size up if you’re in between numbers.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers laud Oliver Cabell for their cost transparency. It’s a considerate offering from the brand, especially since each shoe’s detailed breakdown is right on the product page.
While most agree that the shoe is quite comfortable, some mention a bit of pinky toe rubbing during the first week. This might be due to the substantial leather lining. I recommend just putting a plaster bandage on your pinky toe.
The Verdict
Not only is the Oliver Cabell Boat Shoe extremely high-value, but OC breaks down just how high-value it is on the website. With this model, you get a stylish boat shoe handcrafted with Italian suede and detailed cost transparency.
Not only is the Oliver Cabell Boat Shoe extremely high-value, but OC breaks down just how high-value it is on the website. With this model, you get a stylish boat shoe handcrafted with Italian suede and detailed cost transparency.
For the Eco-conscious: Allbirds Tree Skippers
The Allbirds Tree Skipper is made from responsibly sourced eucalyptus tree fiber, which is silky soft and temperature-regulating. Moreover, the almost barefoot upper and thick sole combine breathability with athletic sturdiness.
What I love most about the Allbirds Tree Skipper is that it looks like their classic tentpole trainers, but remixed into the body and silhouette of a boat shoe. It’s so simple and breathable. It’s almost like a barefoot shoe but with a thicker outsole.
And it doesn’t just have an athletic and environmental aesthetic. It’s made from responsibly sourced eucalyptus tree fibers.
This means that the upper absorbs 50% more moisture than cotton, is luxuriously soft, and regulates temperature naturally. It’ll keep you warm on cold days and cool on hot days.
What I Like
- The upper is made of tree fibers from sustainably sourced eucalyptus, which is silky soft and temperature regulating.
- The light, perforated design makes this shoe highly breathable.
- It comes in fun, summery colorways including neutral teals and grays, and lively yellow and lime hues.
What I Don’t Like
- The insoles don’t provide a lot of arch support. Fortunately, they’re fully removable.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
The reviews I found most compelling are those by people with chronic foot pain. Several of them, many with plantar fasciitis, mention that they love how this shoe is not overly built. It helps them avoid discomfort.
There are a few complaints about the lack of arch support. Again, feel free to remove the factory-made insoles.
The Verdict
The Allbirds Tree Skipper is an athletic-looking boat shoe made from sustainably sourced eucalyptus. It’s one eco-conscious package. This shoe provides softness and year-round breathability. You also have to love the fun colors they come in.
The Allbirds Tree Skipper is an athletic-looking boat shoe made from sustainably sourced eucalyptus. It’s one eco-conscious package. This shoe provides softness and year-round breathability. You also have to love the fun colors they come in.
Most Comfortable: Skechers Status 2.0-Lorano Deck Shoe Moccasin
The Skechers Lorano Deck Shoe features an effective comfort system that includes air-cooled memory foam, a breathable upper, and arch support that can handle high-impact activity. It also flaunts a balanced look, rugged yet classy.
The 2.0 Skechers Lorano Deck Shoe is another rugged take on a boat shoe, with an almost Dickie’s look about them. As such, it would pair stylishly with shorts and a polo, as well as work pants.
What makes this shoe remarkable, though, is the sophisticated comfort technology. It’s an optimized combination of support, cushion, breathability, and accommodation. I could walk for miles in this shoe.
The upper is light but structured, promoting excellent airflow. The special air-cooled memory foam insole works in partnership with this upper. You’re getting breathability from every corner of this shoe.
Meanwhile, the insole features an athletically-designed arch support. This doesn’t mean it’s overly structured, though. Instead, it holds up against exposure to high-intensity situations and is impressively high-rebounding.
What I Like
- The insole is comfortable yet supportive, with special arch support that rebounds beautifully while holding up against high-impact situations.
- The upper is breathable, promoting airflow even during long walks.
- This shoe has a cool, almost workwear-like look without compromising its nautical aesthetic.
What I Don’t Like
- While the outsole is pretty much good right out of the box, the upper needs a bit of massaging to accommodate your foot. It took me just a bit over a week to break it in..
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers rave over how comfortable this shoe is and how easy it is to stand or walk in for hours at a time. Even more, wide-footed gents love how roomy they are.
Take note if you have broad feet: This might be the boat shoe for you.
The Verdict
Thanks to their breathable upper and insoles, the high-rebounding and durable Skechers Lorano Deck Shoe gets my vote as the most comfortable. If you’re looking for a shoe you can walk for miles in, this is it. I also love the rugged look since it can be incorporated into various personal styles.
Thanks to their breathable upper and insoles, the high-rebounding and durable Skechers Lorano Deck Shoe gets my vote as the most comfortable. If you’re looking for a shoe you can walk for miles in, this is it. I also love the rugged look since it can be incorporated into various personal styles.
Top Style Tips for Wearing Boat Shoes
When to Wear Boat Shoes
Boat shoes can be worn with any casual spring and summer outfit. Think of them as the warm season’s answer to year-round low-profile sneakers. They look great with a T-shirt and jeans, and even more natural with shorts.
There are very few occasions in which they can be worn in a smart casual context, and it’s often controversial to do this outside of these contexts. If you wear them with a navy blazer and khakis, it provides a relaxed, country club aesthetic.
But unless you’re heading to or from a yacht club-like situation, it will likely be considered a faux pas. If you have the confidence to pull it off, just go for clean, leather boat shoes. You may get away with it at, say, a beach wedding in the summer.
Otherwise, don’t wear boat shoes in professional or formal dress codes.
What to Wear With Boat Shoes
Here are some combinations and pieces that boat shoes look most natural in:
- A polo and shorts (madras will really cinch the preppy vibe if that’s your thing)
- A button-down and khakis
- Cable-knit anything. They both have that elegant yet vintage sporty look
- Clean-lined layers, like a cardigan or a spring pull-over
- Anything nautical, such as pieces with anchor motifs, navy hues, and nautical stripes
And here are some combinations and pieces that are neutral but can be given a coastal make-over when you opt to pair them with boat shoes:
- Well-fitted t-shirt and jeans—oversized casual clothes are too athleisure-adjacent and look best with sneakers
- T-shirt and chinos
- T-shirt and shorts, of course
- At the beach or pool with swim shorts (as a replacement to flip flops)
- With tweed during the early fall. Just go for brown, moccasin-leaning models and pair them with socks
And again, absolutely do not pair your boat shoes with a full suit, in formal or cocktail dress codes. It should go without saying that boat shoes and tuxedos never work, not even ironically.
Coastal Cool
The Allen Edmonds Force 10 features a classic design made from premium materials and practical function. This makes it my top pick.
The Allen Edmonds Force 10 Boat Shoe is a classic boat shoe, refined with modern comfort technology and premium leather, suede, or nubuck. This recraftable shoe comes in classy and versatile colorways to accommodate any personal style.
If you’re on a budget though, the Crocs Walu will do the trick. Of course, Oliver Cabell unsurprisingly serves up a high-value option with their handcrafted Boat Shoe.
Not only is the Oliver Cabell Boat Shoe extremely high-value, but OC breaks down just how high-value it is on the website. With this model, you get a stylish boat shoe handcrafted with Italian suede and detailed cost transparency.
Both the eco-conscious Allbirds Tree Skipper and the durable Skechers Lorano are comfortable, breathable options.
As you now know, there’s truly a boat shoe out there for anyone.
FAQs
Are boat shoes business casual?
No. Boat shoes are strictly casual. The most formal situation you can wear them in would be a beach wedding or a yacht club event, and even that depends on the specific event’s dress code.
Are boat shoes still in style?
Boat shoes are pretty trend-resistant. Some believe they’re too youthful, but that depends on how you style them.
How should boat shoes fit?
Boat shoes should be roomy on the inside without your foot sliding around. Meanwhile, there should be little slippage. You don’t want your entire back foot popping out as you walk.
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