15 Best Boat Shoes (Review) In 2022

- 1. Sperry Men's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe
- 2. Crocs Men's Santa Cruz 2 Luxe Loafer
- 3. Tommy Hilfiger Men's Bowman Boat Shoe
- 4. Dockers Men’s Vargas Leather Handsewn Boat Shoe
- 5. Clarks Women's Jocolin Vista Boat Shoe
- 6. GLOBALWIN Mens Lace Up Classic Driving Boat Shoes
- 7. Margaritaville Men's Anchor Lace Boat Shoe
- 8. Columbia Men's Bahama Vent PFG
- 9. Rugged Shark Bill Dance Pro Boat Shoe
- 10. GM GOLAIMAN Classic Boat Shoes
- 11. Dockers Men's Beacon Boat Shoe
- 12. Sperry Top-Sider Men's Bahama Two-Eyelet Boat Shoe
- 13. Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Faxon Low Sneaker
- 14. Dockers Men's Castaway Boat Shoe
- 15. Sperry Women's Angelfish Shoe
Boat shoes are a classic for men in the summer. They are the perfect shoes for your beach trip, but also walking around town exploring with your friends. When Paul Sperry designed the first boat shoe, he had avid fishermen and sailors in mind. Traditional boat shoes have excellent traction to keep you steady on and offshore. These non-slip shoes are highly functional, so hold onto your shorts and dig through our rundown of the best boat shoes available online.
The Best Boat Shoe
1. Sperry Men’s Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe

Rubber outsoles
100% full-grained leather
360° Lacing
Razor cut traction
If you don’t know much about boat shoes, the Sperry Top-Spider is the OG of all other boat shoes. Invented by Paul A. Sperry in the 30s, these authentic shoes are everything you need for your boat trips and casual wear. Crafted from 100% full-grained, unlined leather, these shoes can resist the effects of both salt and freshwater for endless wear. You also get the original two-eye design with rust-proof eyelets and functional one-piece rawhide laces for your convenience.
For extra comfort, these shoes are hand-sewn from genuine moccasin construction to conform perfectly to your foot for double durability and comfort. To add to the comfort of the AO (Authentic Original) the insoles have a shock-absorbing heel cup and Ortholite for stability. Loosen up or tighten these shoes with the 360° Lacing System that you can customize for a perfect fit. The Sperry’s were specially built with the original razor-cut Wave-Siping for getting you through any wet or dry surface with refined traction. The rubber outsoles have a stitched on non-marking to give you extra flexibility and durability. If you like leather footwear, check out our guide to the best Chukka boots.
The leather is authentic that lasts long
Razor Cut Wave-Siping soles provide perfect traction
The laces are easy to adjust
It has minimal cushioning
It has no arch support
2. Crocs Men’s Santa Cruz 2 Luxe Loafer

Slip-on loafers
Padded heel cups
Croslite foam outsoles
Canvas
These shoes might not look like the usual boat shoes you’re used to, but these Crocs Men’s Santa Cruz 2 Luxe Loafer is designed to go with any outfit you style on to the beach. The shoes have a simple design on them, made entirely out of canvas; they have an easy slip-on design that you makes it easy to slip on and off depending on what the situation on deck calls for. The uppers of the loafers are made from refined, neat stitches all the way around.
You’ll enjoy the added memory foam pillows on top of the Croslite foam footbed that ensures prolonged comfort for your feet. Crocs went all out with these shoes by adding a sink-into-it softness with the resilient bounce-back of the mentioned Croslite foam. You can wear these shoes all day without any aches or discomfort. Check out our buying guide for best shoes to wear without socks, for more summerish footwear.
Designed with extra foam for more comfort
No lace, easy to slip-on design
The loafers are lightweight
The insoles padding peel away easily
Causes friction on the heels
3. Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Bowman Boat Shoe

100% leather
Imported
Rubber sole
Lightweight
These shoes are exactly what you’d imagine when you think of boat shoes. The Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Bowman Boat Shoes are constructed of high-quality leather that is designed to last for as long as you own them. The shoes have a Moc toe that ensures your toes and feet are rested on soft soles with a flexible upper part. The Bowman has a lace-up vamp with two side eyelet details that allow you to lace-up with little-to-no effort.
Like the Crocs, these are easy to slip-on and go about your adventures with a topstitched detail that adds to its general appeal. You won’t have to take them off with their cushioned insole that provides an overwhelming sense of comfort to your foot. Walk on wet and dry surfaces with no-slip and slides with the razor cut-out traction that keeps you steady all day. For more slip-on shoes, check out our guide to the best espadrille shoes for women.
The shoes are lightweight
The leather lasts long
They are affordable
They tend to be a bit wide
The traction is abysmal
4. Dockers Men’s Vargas Leather Handsewn Boat Shoe

100% Leather
Siped rubber outsoles for traction
Cushioned EVA footbed with molded EVA heel cup
2-eyelet design
Nothing says spice of life than variety and the Dockers Men’s Vargas Leather Handsewn Boat Shoe has just about any color to suit your cruise outfit. It comes with seven different color variation, which is a lot of options to choose from. The Dockers boat shoe is made from 100% leather which prevents the entry of water into your shoe.
To add a bit of pep to each step you take, Dockers fortified this shoe with patterned traction on the outsole that can keep up with any surface you step on. The hand sewn construction of these shoes speak volume to its quality. It is cushioned with EVA footbed and molded EVA heel cup to keep your feet from getting sore. So, you can rest assured that your trip to the boat and back has zero discomforts.
It is available in a different color
It has wide widths
The sipped rubber outsoles provide excellent traction
They run a bit small
They are not easy to slip-on
5. Clarks Women’s Jocolin Vista Boat Shoe

Heel height 1.18 inches
Ortholite footbed
Cushion Soft technology
Textile and faux leather upper
These shoes are not called cloud steppers for nothing. The Clarks Women’s Jocolin Vista Boat Shoe fortifies your feet with a soft fabric lining and footbed which ensures that every step you take, you’re served with premium softness and comfort. Clark’s Cushion Soft Technology delivers all-day comfort with a man-made outsole of 1.18 inches heel height to protect your feet from bumps and aches. The footbed has an Ortholite foam with antimicrobial properties to inhibit odor and moisture build-up.
Clarks added a moccasin toe to these cloud steppers to add to its design, and you get to choose between nine vibrant colors that are all extremely lightweight for your convenience. If you hate bending over to tie your shoelace, these women’s boat shoes are the ideal slip-on to get you through your trip.
6. GLOBALWIN Mens Lace Up Classic Driving Boat Shoes

Lace up to fit design
PU leather and Textile
Man-made
Slip-on shoes
These might be one of the best-looking shoes in this guide if you’re into simple but smart shoes. The Globalwin Mens Casual Loafers Lace Up Classic Driving Boat Shoe comes in nine different varieties that have a blue and white inside. The shoe has a white non-skid rubber outsole that keeps your steps in control with excellent traction. One interesting feature about this shoe is that it’s designed in such a way that it blends with any maritime activity you embark on.
The shoe has two-eyelets as well as a cement construction adds to the shoe’s durability. The upper of the Globalwin shoe is wrapped around the outsole to make sure that the shoe never comes apart. The lace-up design makes sure your feet feel secure and snug inside the shoes. If you like summery footwear, check out our guide to the best jelly shoes.
The shoes have a sleek design
The cement construction hold makes it durable
The non-skid outsole is perfect for wet/dry surfaces
The sizes are smaller than normal
The soles are not adequately cushioned
7. Margaritaville Men’s Anchor Lace Boat Shoe

Leather and mesh upper
Contrast stitching
Foam insole
Soft padded collar and tongue
If you’re a lover of mesh and shoes that allow your feet breathe, the Margaritaville Men’s Anchor Lace is perfect for you. Especially during the summer when temperatures are high, your feet will be so thankful for the mesh design on the side panels of these shoes. These shoes are made from leather, rubber, and mesh and have two eyelets for a lace-up closure. The soles of the shoes give it a rugged appearance, making them look like they can take up any adventure you throw at them.
The shoes have a comfortable foam insole that keeps you walking on soft pillows all day with a colorful printed anchor on the rubber outsole. The soft padded collar and tongue add to the comfort of these shoes. The outsole of the shoes features a great design that is not just aesthetically pleasing but also provides great traction for wet and dry surfaces. Make sure to check out our buying guide for the best driving shoes.
The shoes are breathable
The design is rugged and durable
They are affordable
They can be ½” too big
They don’t have any arch support
8. Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent PFG

Canvas and Leather
Twin Gore
Omni-Grip non-marking rubber outsole
Techlite midsole
They might not be the regular Sperry Top-Spider boat shoes that you’re used to but these shoes have a lot going for them. You won’t just get just your average brown colored boat shoes with this brand. There are 24 varieties of color to choose from. Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent’s are a bit of a splurge, but you can expect nothing less than a high-quality slip-on, crafted with genuine leather paneling.
The Bahama Vent has a textile lining in the shoes useful for reducing irritation and friction. We appreciate unique features and these shoes are not short on those with the Techlite lightweight midsole that cushions your feet. You also get drainage ports perfect for getting out saltwater to allow airflow into the shoes. Another unique feature in the Bahama Vent PFG is the Blood ‘N Guts technology that repels water as well as the stains and smells of fishing. Our guide to the best Wading boots offers more great footwear for water.
It allows proper ventilation
Easy to put and off, slip-on design
Razor-siped lugs provide excellent traction
It is expensive
The insoles can get a bit sticky
9. Rugged Shark Bill Dance Pro Boat Shoe

Full grain Nubuck leather upper
Water drainage soles
Shark Grip traction
Soft midsole with CMEVA material
The Rugged Shark Bill Dance Pro Fishing Boat Shoe has a unique Bill Dance Pro Shark Grip traction pattern that is built to help walk on slippery surfaces without any aid. The soles are made from a non-marking rubber that ensure that you leave no scuffs on the floors or boat decks.
These shoes allow you to walk all day without any discomfort thanks to the fully cushioned and breathable molded footbed that cradle your feet. The soles also have a shock absorbing feature to relive your feet of pain during your boat trip. Don’t be fooled by the appearance of the Shark Bill shoes. They are lightweight and have a soft midsole in the heel that is made from molded CMEVA material. The bottom of the shoe has built-in drainage that gets rid of any fish water that might seep into your shoes.
The nubuck material is durable
The Shark Grip traction keeps you from slipping
Non-marking rubber prevents scuffs on your boat floor
They can run a bit small
10. GM GOLAIMAN Classic Boat Shoes

100% Suede
Lace-up closure
Skid-proof outsole
Lightweight
These are identical to the Globalwin shoes. The only difference is that the upper of these shoes are made of suede and it has just four-color variation to choose from. The Men’s Oxford Sneaker Dress Shoes has a cushioned rubber sole that makes these shoes exceptionally comfortable and flexible. You won’t have to drag your feet all day with these lightweight shoes that are made from premium leather upper that is wear-resistant for daily use.
These boat shoes have been designed to look elegant and simple, perfect for a beach party. The Oxford Dress Shoes comes with perforations all around which allows for proper ventilation into the shoes and at the same time dispel any odor that builds up during the day. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best flip flops for men.
They provide good traction
They have an elegant design
They have a rubber cushioned sole for comfort
The laces are too long
The materials feel cheap
11. Dockers Men’s Beacon Boat Shoe

Clean Sport NXT
EVA outsole
Double goring
This offering from Dockers features a simple design, which will appeal to those who like minimalist designs. There’s nothing over the top, but we still believe it falls within the definition of cool sailing shoes.
The Dockers shoes are infused with ‘Never Wet’—a stain and water guard technique that repels liquids from the shoes. So, they’re mildly water-resistant, and they hold their own pretty well in wet situations.
In addition to that, each side of the shoes has double goring, which makes it stress-free to wear them. The footbed has also been treated with Clean Sport NXT, an anti-microbial technology that controls odor and keeps your feet healthy.
The package is topped off with a lightweight EVA outsole, which promotes flexibility and keeps our feet comfortable.
Optimal comfort and flexibility
They’re water-resistant shoes
If you’re looking for eccentric designs, these won’t serve you
12. Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Bahama Two-Eyelet Boat Shoe

Patented Molded Wave-Siping design
360° Lacing System
Wave Comfort Foot System
At first glance, it’s easy to see why these Sperry shoes have been getting as much rave as they have. that there’s something out of the ordinary with the design of the shoes. The combination of colors is pretty eye-catching, and you will definitely be able to pair them with even more clothes- as long as you know the color combination rules, you’ll be fine.
As per features, these shoes pack quite a punch as well. The shoes feature a Wave Comfort Foot System, which offers optimal comfort by providing a removable footbed.
A 360° Lacing System provides a completely customized feel to your feet. Whether you want them tightened or relaxed, you have full control. In addition to that, the outsoles also come with a Patented Molded Wave-Siping design, which ensures that they won’t scruff the floors. Despite that, however, they still ensure that you have a strong and secure footing, so your stability is guaranteed. You may also like to check our guide to the best slides for women.
They provide a secure footing
A removable footbed ensures comfort
Easily gets stained
13. Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Faxon Low Sneaker

Suede/cotton material
Strong rubber soles
One word that best describes the Men’s Faxon made by Polo Ralph Lauren has to be versatility. They might be deck shoes, but these babies can double as fashionable sneakers. However, being versatile is not a license to try them out for intensive workouts. They will break down if you do.
The Ralph Lauren deck shoes are very simple, with a low-key design that doesn’t throw in any excessive features. You can easily discern them thanks to the iconic polo logo that is boldly emblazoned on the heel, and the color variants make them easily paired with various clothing combinations.
As regards features, there’s nothing out of the ordinary here. The shoes have rubber soles, which help with traction and grip. The unique meal lace-up face is also a nice aesthetic feature, along with the makeup of suede and cotton materials, which help keep you very comfortable.
Sadly, however, these shoes aren’t water-resistant. Which is a problem as it limits their use case, a great deal. Still, they’re a reliable option nonetheless.
Highly comfortable
They look gorgeous
Not water-resistant
14. Dockers Men’s Castaway Boat Shoe

Rubber soles
Leather design Two-eyelet lacing system
Another offering from Dockers, these shoes sadly don’t offer too much in terms of beauty but it’s still a great piece to wear on a night out on the beach. The completely brown silhouette makes the shoes look a little bit old-fashioned, and while brown tend to mix well with most outfits, we feel Dockers could have added something extra to the design to make it bigger than it currently is.
We know that the rubber soles provide enough traction by giving you stability on wet and slippery floors, and the leather material keeps them water-resistant, ensuring they can stand the test of time. Beyond this, there’s nothing noteworthy of a mention in the Castaway.
It seems that the manufacturers put all their stock on durability when designing the shoes. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be enough. For more casual footwear check out our guide to the best flip flops for men.
They’re water-resistant
Optimal traction, thanks to their soles
Not fashionable enough
15. Sperry Women’s Angelfish Shoe

EVA-modeled insole
360° lacing system
Non-marking rubber outsole with Wave-Siping™
Here’s a little design for the ladies from Sperry. The boat style is an evergreen design technique that has been used to make shoes for ladies in the past. The manufacturers did a pretty good job of sticking to the classics, and that’s not particularly a bad thing.
Beyond the classic design, these shoes also come with a 360-degree lacing system, which ensures a secure fit on your feet. The Sperry Angelfish have wave-siping soles, providing a tight grip on the ground even in ‘wet floor” situations.
In addition to that, the modeled midsole of the shoes will keep your feet supported and comfortable. Ladies, you can put these shoes on for long hours at the beach and still not feel any pain. You sure can’t hate on that.
The classic design of the shoes is still pretty fashionable today
They provide all-day under-foot comfort
The fabric sole of the shoes isn’t so strong
Boat Shoes Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection of Boat Shoes
Reviews - Expert reviews have formed a significant part of our selection processes. As experts in writing awesome product reviews, we've developed a way of getting opinions from various people.
First, we went to ask some fashion experts on what they look forward to when they go shopping for boat shoes. The opinions of these people, as well as the options which some of them could point to on the market right now, gave us a pretty good place to begin our review.
In addition to that, we looked through various options and got opinions from current customers who have purchased them. By seeing how these boat shoes performed in real-life situations, our grading of the loafers was more concrete.
Brand - Fashion boat shoes have always been one of the bestselling apparel pieces on the market. They are a fashion mainstay during the summer period, and they make for great additions to your casual ensemble.
That said, it was quite easy to get deck shoes that have already been designed by the most popular fashion houses out there. We sieved through a few of the popular brands out there to get their best options, and went on to expand our search to the new designers as well.
Combining these, we had a pretty wide range of options to choose from
Price - Finding the proper price range was quite tricky, especially since boat shoes come with various characteristics. Summer boat shoes and spring boat shoes don't necessarily have the same price, and when they do, you also have manufacturers slapping different prices on their products.
However, by considering the features and purposes of the boat shoes, we were able to find an excellent price-value relation for them.
Features To Look For In Boat Shoes
Grip and Traction - Regardless of the type of boat shoes you opt for, it is incredibly vital that you give significant consideration to the kind of traction and grip that they'll provide. These two characteristics go a long way in determining how well the shoes themselves can get a proper hold on the ground beneath you. A pair of boat shoes with a proper grip will keep you from slipping on wet floors and other sub-optimal grounds. Traction is also crucial for boat shoes. You'll notice that most boat shoes come with rubber soles, which are terrible on wet surfaces. So, before you pay for that boat shoe, ensure they have a firm grip on the ground.
Material - There's no perfect material, to be honest. Every material has advantages and what it's terrible at, that make them bad.
There are canvas boat shoes, leather boat shoes, and other categories of boat shoes available. They all have their characteristic materials, and you can easily make a selection based on that.
However, if you're unsure of what to get, then keep in mind that the selection of material will go a long way in determining how long the shoes will be able to last.
Comfort - You'll be wearing these shoes for quite a while, so it is crucial that they are comfortable enough. You should never purchase shoes that hug your feet too much, as this could lead to unbearable pain in your toes and heel.
For optimal comfort, make sure that the shoes have some internal padding. Another tip to keep in mind is to purchase shoes that are a tad larger than your feet (note: just a little). This way, you can grow into them, and the shoes can serve you for much longer.
Water Resistance - The water-resistant feature will depend largely on the materials of the shoes themselves, and it will also affect the durability of the shoes. Purchasing water-resistant boat shoes increases the applicability of the shoes, ensuring that you can put them on in any weather, making them purposeful the same as water shoes for men are.
Design - The design characteristic is subjective, as it depends entirely on what you are looking for in a pair of sailing shoes. There's a conventional design for boat shoes already, but it should be noted that some designers have started experimenting with new designs.
Again, your selection is solely based on your preference. However, it is always recommended that you get shoes that look smart and trendy.
Color - A lot of people tend to ignore this feature. However, contrary to what you think, the color of your shoes is important. It's always recommended that you get shoes in versatile color (such as grey, black, or brown). These colors blend with just about anything, and it means that you will be able to wear your slip-on shoes with a lot of your clothes without committing a fashion don't."
However, in the end, this also depends on your preferences.
Boat Shoes FAQs
Q: How Do You Wear Boat Shoes?
A: Boat shoes can be styled with both shorts and long pants. In terms of occasions, they are best suited for casual events. You can also wear them to the office, as long as you work in a casual business environment. If you're a banker or you work in an environment that requires a suit, wearing these will be a huge faux pas.
Q: Can You Wear Socks With Boat Shoes?
A: No, you can't wear them with shoes. The only exception to this rule is when you wear them with no show stocks.