With the hotter months of the year right around the corner, there is perhaps no shoe style more appropriate to wear during the season than the boat shoe. Also known as topsiders, boat shoes are inherently casual and comfortable.
Nowadays, it seems like every brand has a boat shoe style in their catalog. Yet, not all boat shoes are the same, which is why it’s important to find a pair that will not only look the part but also be a pleasure to wear.
On this page, we’ve put together the best boat shoes available for purchase now on Zappos:
- Sperry Gold A/O 2-Eye Suede
- Sebago Docksides Portland Crazy Horse
- Mephisto Hurrikan
- Santoni Bergen
- Rockport Ports of Call Perth
Aside from boasting an extensive online inventory, Zappos backs every purchase with a generous return policy and satisfaction guarantee, making them an ideal online source not just for topsiders, but for men’s shoes in general.
Shopping For Boat Shoes On Zappos
As we alluded to above, there are a lot of different shoe brands that offer the boat shoe style. As a result, boat shoes can be found in many different colors, materials, designs, and correspondingly, at many different price points.
Zappos’ online store is large enough that you’ll likely be able to find a boat shoe design that is appealing to you. However, navigating the dozens of options can be cumbersome. Fortunately, Zappos’ user interface boasts numerous filters that will help narrow down your search.
To begin, you want to type “men’s boat shoes” into the search bar found at the top of all of Zappos’ pages. While their site often has individual categories for popular shoe styles, it seems like the boat shoe is not prolific enough to merit its own category, or at least not yet.
Nevertheless, the search bar is more than effective in giving you a pre-sorted selection of boat shoes available for sale.
Sorting By Color And Price
At this point, you’ll likely be greeted by more than 100 different pairs of boat shoes. If you’ve got the time, it’s not a bad idea to browse through and see which pairs stand out to you.
On the other hand, if you’re pressed for time, the color and price filters are handy tools for limiting your candidate pool.
For instance, it’s possible that you’re looking for a specific boat shoe color that matches your favorite pair of shorts or chinos. Brown is often an ideal color as it tends to pair well with most trousers or swimsuit tones. Yet, boat shoes are an excellent platform for showing off a bit of personality, so if you’re searching for a green pair of boat shoes, you can filter down for this color in particular.
Should Boat Shoes Only Be Worn During Summer?
Nautical activities are most commonly associated with Summer. Accordingly, it can seem like boat shoes should only be worn during this season. However, the casual nature of boat shoes and the variety of colors available makes them a good match for other seasons, too.
The loud, bright-colored boat shoes should indeed be reserved for summer wear.
On the other hand, softer colors such as white, cream, and light blue can be worn during the Spring season. Lastly, brown tones are the ideal boat shoe color for Autumn.
Even if you live in a location that boasts warm weather year-round, you should probably skip boat shoes during Winter. There are a ton of other options that are more fitting during the Winter months, so we generally recommend giving your boat shoes a rest during this time.
Top Boat Shoes On Zappos
- Brand: Sperry
- Style: 2-Eye Suede Boat Shoe
- Pricing: $174.95 [Buy On Zappos]
Overview
It’d be impossible to list the best boat shoes without including a Sperry model. The brand’s topsider style has become so popular that many refer to boat shoes as a whole as “Sperrys” rather than boat shoes. Yet, this reputation is well-deserved.
The brand makes a truly spectacular pair of boat shoes, as demonstrated by the Gold 2-Eye model featured here. Crafted from full-grain leather with a lambskin lining and cushioned sole, they also wear quite comfortably. There are a number of different leather upper colors available, including this black version as well as brown and tan. All are equally as versatile for boat or beach days, so simply pick the one you like the most.
- Brand: Sebago
- Style: 2-Eye Lace-Up Boat Shoe
- Pricing: $195 [Buy From Zappos]
Overview
Sebago is an American, Maine-based shoe manufacturer widely recognized for its boat shoe style which they fittingly call the Docksides.
This classically designed pair of Docksides, however, stands out from its peers thanks to the unique Crazy Horse leather used for its upper. Boasting the traditional moccasin construction, these are also marked by their leather lining, anti-slip and non-marking outsoles, and rawhide laces.
The Crazy Horse leather used here is also special in that it employs a green tone that is sure to age and improve with more time on the water.
- Brand: Mephisto
- Style: 2-Eye Lace-Up Boat Shoe
- Pricing: $374.95 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Overview
If top-of-the-line quality is what you look for in a pair of boat shoes, look no further than the Mephisto Hurrikan.
This premium pair of boat shoes is crafted with a beautiful Rust leather upper that is further augmented by hand-stitched moc elements. The traditional 360-degree laces are also present, as is a breathable leather lining and padded footbed with arch support that ensure every moment you wear these is a pleasurable one. Finally, the rubber soles will keep you confidently on your feet, no matter the deck you tread on.
- Brand: Santoni
- Style: Suede Loafer Boat Shoes
- Pricing: $580 [Buy On Zappos]
- Currently on SALE for $290
Overview
While it strays from the standard boat shoe aesthetic, the Santoni Bergen remains a decidedly nautical style thanks to its moc-toe and white EVA sole.
This slip-on style is marked by an exquisite blue Italian suede upper, blue leather tassels, and blue leather details around the topline. The inside is also lined with leather, and the removable insole, too, is crafted from Italian leather.
The Bergen combines the best of Italy, in this case top-quality leather, with a style that is hardly reminiscent of the Mediterranean country, resulting in an unorthodox yet highly appealing boat shoe.
While there are few sizes available, these Santoni loafers are currently discounted by 50% from their retail price, so if you find your size in stock, we highly suggest you consider giving them a try.
- Brand: Rockport
- Style: 2-Eye Slip-On Boat Shoe
- Pricing: $149.95 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Overview
The Ports of Call Perth is Rockport’s take on the classic boat shoe aesthetic. This nautical-inspired shoe features Beeswax/Dark Brown leather upper that is accented by matching laces and tan, hand-stitched details. T
he suede lining serves to wick away any moisture that may develop, and the steel shank provides ideal support. Not to be missed, the flexible rubber outsole provides proper traction and durable wear.
