Clothing > Footwear
7 Best Men’s Boat Shoes Deliver Grip & Comfort
Utility is the name of the game with certain menswear essentials, but those essentials can also transcend time and space – becoming a sort of icon in the process.
This holds true for some of your favorites – and some of my personal favorites – like the chino pant or the field jacket. But not every style has to be so rough-and-tumble, and the best boat shoes fit the bill nicely.
They’re surely useful on the deck of a boat or on a slippery dock, but the best men’s boat shoes have pulled off that balancing act: They’re preppy, they’re easygoing and easy to wear, and they belong in your summer style rotation alongside canvas sneakers.
The best pairs deliver grip and comfort while wearing stylishly with chino shorts, polos, linen trousers and more. I certainly have some pairs I trust, and now, your wardrobe will boast the same.
- Prep cool for the modern man: Prized by icons like JFK and worn alongside all-time great prep staples, today’s boat shoes nod to the past and feature modern comfort and style.
- A style Venn diagram: Between dressy loafers and casual canvas kicks sits the boat shoe. More polished than sneakers yet more comfortable than leather loafers, they’re versatile as can be.
- Stylish from sunrise to sunset: If your schedule involves everything from beach days to the boardwalk to the bar, the right boat shoes can meet those challenges head on, with hybrid shorts, chinos and more.
The boat shoe is more modern than ever, and OluKai’s Moku Pae Boat Shoes are as prime an example as any. I already love the super-springy comfort and rebound of its sandals, and that sneaker-like technology meets a sleek mesh upper and a modern, fresh look.
Try these:
Jack Reacher, James Patterson, Brandon Sanderson
OluKai Moku Pae Men’s Boat Shoes
Remember what I said about today’s boat shoes meeting modern standards in a major way? OluKai meets the moment with the Moku Pae – these take the low-profile boat shoe and amp it up with comfortable mesh, a grippy outsole and lightweight sneaker construction.
Sperry Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoes
In my experience, there’s nothing quite like having a healthy appreciation of the classics. They perform well, they deliver versatile style and they stand the test of time. That’s what I love about Sperry’s handsome, well-crafted two-eye boat shoes, a prime example of some of the best boat shoes for men.
Bruno Marc Slip-On Loafers
The best boat shoes for men give you the best of both worlds – my favorites boast sneaker-like comfort and a casually cool boat shoe look. These Bruno Marc slip-on loafers feature a soft, breathable textile upper, while the cork EVA insole provides rebound underfoot. All that’s missing is a tank top and tailored swim trunks.
Reef Swellsole Skipper Shoes
Some boat shoes rise to the occasion in terms of preppy style, but they’re mostly better-suited for (mostly) dry land. Reef, however, goes the extra mile with a vented rubber upper and a super-grippy rubber outsole, meaning these shoes can certainly get wet on the high seas – pack your fishing rod and sunscreen.
Florsheim Atlantic Boat Shoes
You likely know Florsheim from the brand’s affordable yet heritage-inspired leather dress shoes and boots, but these boat shoes take a more easygoing approach.
They sit atop an ultra-comfortable, streamlined sole, but I especially appreciate the handsome leather upper and moc toe contrast stitching.
Columbia Tamiami Boat Shoes
Leave no stone unturned with some of the best boat shoes for men, the kind that can power you from the deck to the boardwalk and back again.
Columbia goes the high-tech route with this grippy, useful and hybrid pair, with a moisture-repelling exterior, a super-grippy exterior and performance fit for fishing and sailing.
Dockers Beacon Boat Shoes
What pairs up better with boat shoes than stylish stretch chinos or chino shorts? There’s not much that’s a more natural fit for your bottom half, and the great thing is, those style essentials can be found at Dockers.
The Beacon blends a sharp leather upper with a rebound-focused EVA midsole for the right blend of form and function.
WERD has been reader-supported since 2009. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We do not accept compensation for reviews.
