Sebago Boat Shoes

Just a FYI: Boat shoes are sometimes referred to as deck shoes or top siders, so if you don’t find what you're looking for under "boat shoes" you may want to modify your search.

What Makes Sebago Boat Shoes Special

Aside from the vast selection, Sebago shoes have over 60 years behind them. They're hand-sewn, believe it or not, and American in style. Though they've been around for years, Sebago's not stuck in the past. They've worked hard to keep up with the newest materials and technology in order to bring their wearers the fit, comfort, and durability they desire.

Sebago also takes into account the differences between men's and women's feet and designs their shoes accordingly.

Materials used aside from leather include Lycra® by DuPont, which is fast-drying and stretchy for added comfort. You will also frequently see PU Midsoles and EVA Inserts in the descriptions of their boat shoes, which helps keep them comfortable and thick on the bottoms—but not heavy—and allows them to perform similarly to athletic shoes.

Expect to pay between $75 and $125 for these quality boat shoes.

Why You Need Boat Shoes

Boat shoes aren't made only with the people who own or frequently get to go out on boats, but lucky you if you're one of those people! Boat shoes are perfect for outdoor cookouts, lounging around, running errands, and just enjoying warm, lazy weather. They were originally intended for use on slippery boat decks, but have since become a staple in casual fashion.

If you're dying to wear your loafers with your shorts but you're not sure they'll really go together, stop right there! They won't. But boat shoes will, whether you choose a style that resembles a loafer or you go for a slide instead. Just make sure you wear them without socks.

Men's Sebago Shoes

Men love lounging around in boat shoes, and Sebago boat shoes are no exception. Here are a few favorites:

• The Anchorbend is a simple design made of Nubuck and full grain leather. You can get it in Ambergold/Brown, Navy Nubuck/Navy, Taupe/Ambergold, or Taupe/Navy. The price on the Sebago website is $95.00. Though some would say it performs anti-slip miracles, it's a surprisingly lightweight shoe designed for durability and incredible comfort.
• The Wave Extreme looks nothing like a traditional boat shoe. It looks like more of a running shoe, but that's part of its versatile charm. They have ventilated uppers, Nubuck trim, and lots of stretch for your comfort. The soles are meant to grip anything you find yourself walking on. Get this shoe in Navy, Dark Gray/Silver, Black/Slate Blue, Light Gray/Blue, Rust/Beige, Dark Gray/White, or Light Brown for $90.

Women's Boat Shoes from Sebago

According to the Sebago website, women have higher insteps, longer toes, longer calf muscles, and narrower feet than men. The Sebago designs reflect this. Here are a few women's boat shoes to consider:

• The Mainstay Slide is simple, feminine, durable, comfortable, and easy to slide on and off. Choose from Navy or Ambergold for $80.
• The Wave Ariel is another exceptionally feminine shape that performs well. It's mesh, stretchy, and have a sole that will grip any terrain (OctoPod™). Choose from Navy, Dark Silver, Aquadic Blue, Diamond, Rose, Mist Blue, and Graphite for $80.

Where to Shop

Aside from the obvious, Sebago.com, you're probably wondering where you can pick up a pair of these boat shoes for your casual spring and summer days. Try:

• Zappos, which offers free shipping and return shipping, so if you hate them (you probably won't!), you can return them with no extra cost. Another great thing about Zappos is the fact that they offer customer reviews right there on the same page as the shoe your considering. For the record, the boat shoes from Sebago consistently rate very well. If you're searching the Zappos site, look for Sebago docksides, not boat shoes, to pull up your results.
• Men Shoe Net has Sebago styles for men.
• Red Sky at Night also has men's and women's Sebago styles. Look under Top Siders and Docksides. Red Sky at Night offers free shipping on orders over $75 as long as you live within the United States mainland.