Authentic Original Boat Shoe by Made in Maine (2024)

FAQs

What brand are the original boat shoes? ›

Sperry or Sperry Top-Sider is an American brand of boat shoe designed in 1935 by Paul A. Sperry. Sperrys, or Top-Siders, were the first boat shoes introduced into the boating and footwear markets.

The Made in Maine collection of footwear is hand stitched by artisans in Maine, using U.S. sourced leather and the finest materials. Handcrafted with a commitment to quality, Sperry celebrates over seventy-five years of heritage as the Authentic Original and an icon of American style.

History. Modern boat shoes were invented in 1935 by American Paul A. Sperry of New Haven, Connecticut after noticing his dog's ability to run easily over ice without slipping. Using a knife, he cut siping into his shoes' soles, inspiring a shoe perfect for boating and a company called Sperry Top-Sider.

The oldest boat to ever have been recovered, the Pesse Canoe, is believed to be from the early Mesolithic Period, from around 8,000 years BCE. The small canoe can be seen at the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands. In addition to dugouts, reed boats and rafts were also used as some of the earliest vessels in history.

Born in Maine, Sebago has become an international brand: your shoes are produced by companies located in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and El Salvador, as well as by a few small specialist manufacturers in Southeast Asia.

Boat shoes are designed to be comfy and airy without socks, and most people keep their ankles bare for the classic maritime look – preferably with no-show socks.

You need a comfortable dress shoe - Yes, it's true. Many people wear boat shoes, at least during the summer months, instead of more expensive (and often less comfortable) loafers and other dress shoes. Boat shoes, as they're made from leather, are excellent "at the office" footwear—at least when the weather is nice.

Historic: Any vessel constructed before and up to 1918. Antique: Any boat built between 1919 and 1942. Classic: A boat built between 1943 and 1975. Late classic: A boat ranging from 1976 to 25 years prior to the current year — from 2021, that would be 1996.

These days, boat shoes aren't just for on deck. The simple design and classic looks have made them popular casual shoes, and many versions no longer use the original sole design.

Dark brown is considered one of the most versatile and classic colors and makes you look more handsome. You can use dark brown boat shoes with any type of clothing. Also, you can go for the navy color that goes well with grey and burgundy trousers.

Is it OK to wear boat shoes with jeans? ›

First up, boat shoes look great on men when paired with jeans, chinos or shorts. For women, these shoes work well with cropped or cuffed denim but also can be worn with skirts, casual dresses, shorts and khakis, too. Remember: Boat shoes are pretty casual, so the outfit itself should be casual, as well.

Paul Alling Sperry (December 4, 1895 – November 7, 1982) was an American inventor, businessman, photographer, screen printer, sailor and outdoorsman. He designed the first boat shoe and founded Sperry (formerly Sperry Top-Sider), a sportswear company now headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Original, Invented in 1935. Our founder, Paul Sperry, was born into a family with a long sea-faring tradition.

Also known as a deck shoe or top-sider, the shoe that was originally designed and introduced by Paul Sperry in 1935 for function on slippery boat decks - a shoe also picked up by U.S. Navy for its sailors in 1939 - has today become a wardrobe staple.

The original boat shoe was created by Sailor Paul A. Sperry in 1935, one evening on the Long Island Sound.