Summer’s a wave, and the best boat shoes for men are cresting right about…now. The boat shoe has lived a few lives in the zeitgeist, from niche marine footwear to preppy staple, dad classic to frat bro basic. But the tides have once again turned in our favor when it comes to the boat shoe, because it’s back, and better than ever.
Here in its 90th year, the boat shoe finds itself with more street cred than decades past, as cooler labels experiment with the easy-breezy footwear and old hands — like Sebago and boat-shoe inventor Sperry — riff on their bread-and-butter style.
That also means you’ve got a marina’s worth of options to choose from before you set sail on the Good Ship Boat Shoe. There’s no shortage of classics that will channel the throwback cool of JFK Jr. at his preternaturally chilled-out best — but you’ll also find upper-deck alternatives galore, like suede takes for a swank beachside wedding, chunky-soled BBQ stompers, and dainty Japanese city-strollers.
The best boat shoes are ready for you to board.
The Best Boat Shoes for Men, According to GQ
In This Guide
Best Boat Shoes Overall: Sperry Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe
Any list of the best boat shoes has to start with Sperry—as in, Paul F. Sperry, who invented the boat shoe in 1935 after realizing that his dog’s grooved paws could grip a ship’s wet deck better than his own kicks. So he made some rippling slices (“sipes”, technically) in the soles of his mocs, and created a whole damn shoe. Today’s Sperry Authentic Original, as the name suggests, shares a lot with the O.G.: a handstitched toe, leather uppers, and that tried-and-true siped sole.
Best Beef’d-Up Boat Shoes: Timberland Authentic Boat Shoe
If the O.G. boat shoe’s slim, non-slip sole veers a little too prep for you, Timberland’s version puts some meat on its bones with a hefty lugged sole reminiscent of the New York brand’s famous boots. Thick Horween leather (a.k.a., the good stuff) and rawhide lacing add to the ready-for-anything stance. Even if “anything,” in this case, means going back for seconds on ribs and slaw.
Best Upgrade Boat Shoes: Yuketen Angler Moc Shoes
Yuketen is what you’d get if you mashed together L.L. Bean Americana with Louis Vuitton-level leatherwork. The brand’s known for finding artisans who can make beautiful, rugged pieces channeled through the heritage-obsessed vision of Japanese designer Yuki Matsuda. The Angler Moc’s full-grain leather from Chicago’s famed Horween Leather tannery is cut, sewn, and assembled in Maine using true moccasin construction. That means the leather uppers wrap around the bottom of the foot, giving these boat shoes a soft, socklike feel. It’s a difference you’ll notice the first time you slip on the Angler Mocs — and every time you hit your step count for the day.
Best Designer Boat Shoes: Bally Plume Boat Shoes
When Bally designer (and Gucci alum) Simone Bellotti took a bow at his first show in 2023, his outfit went mildly viral for its flawless expression of laid-back Italian style: faded baseball cap, vintage sweatshirt, pleated chinos, and boat shoes exactly like these. They’ve got the carefree sophistication of Venetian loafers mixed with a boater’s heritage details, all packaged in a chocolate suede that feels as rich as you’ll look. Make your life easy, and steal from the designer who’s helping bring elegance back to menswear..
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When to Wear Boat Shoes
Boat shoes are meant to be as easygoing as a Bud Light on a back deck, and they’ll work anytime you’re relaxing in the sun. More on this below, but you can wear them with shorts, chinos, trousers, jeans, and especially bathing suits.
Speaking of suits, that’s when things get a little more complicated. The boat shoe can absolutely anchor a two-piece, but that pairing depends heavily on the time of day and the dress code, explicit or implied. If you’re wearing a suit for your own sartorial satisfaction — say, to a friend’s birthday brunch, or just because — then a boat shoe should be fine. You’ll probably want a suit in cotton, linen, or something equally casual.