Shopping for Men's Boat Shoes

Design

Many people purchase boat shoes simply for their functional use. That said, they are also commonly used in fashion, and the design of the shoe should always be taken into consideration when making a purchase. While it is not uncommon for shoes to escalate in price as the quality of their design increases, it is more than possible to find a nice, well-designed pair of boat shoes without spending an enormous amount of money.

Brand

There are a variety of different well-known brands that make boat shoes; Timberland, Sperry and Rockport all come to mind. While these brands are known for their quality, they also tend to be rather expensive compared to lesser-known brands. It is often possible to find a very nice pair of shoes at a discount price simply because the brand is not a household name. When shopping for boat shoes, try to resist shopping specifically based upon brand name and focus instead on the overall quality of the shoe.

Materials

Boat shoes can be made out of a variety of different materials, and the materials used often has a rather large impact on the price and quality of the shoe. While canvas and leather are often used in making boat shoes, it is not uncommon for other materials (such as mesh) to be used as well. The lighter the materials, the more breathable your boat shoes will be. Take care to decide what it is that you’re looking to get out of your shoes when deciding what type of material you’d like them to be made out of.

Water Resistance

There are many different degrees of water resistance when it comes to shoes, and it is an important factor to consider when shopping for boat shoes. Typically, boat shoes are referred to as being “weather resistant,” as they are often worn outside and are expected to get wet. While this means that they will not get ruined if they come in contact with water, it does not necessarily mean that they’ll keep your feet from getting wet. If this is a concern of yours, you may want to look for boat shoes that are labeled as “waterproof,” which essentially means they will keep your feet dry.

Slip-on vs. Lace-up

Boat shoes are available in two different formats; slip-on and lace-up. Each of these types of shoes comes with its own set of pros and cons. Many people like the clean, sleek look of a slip-on shoe, as well as the fact that they are easy to put on and take off on the fly. On the other hand, lace-up shoes are considered to be more formal, and they allow for more customization in terms of how tight or loose the shoe fits. It is wise to try on each type of shoe before deciding which one is right for you.

Fit

While many people wear boat shoes without socks, it is very common for socks to be worn in more formal situations. As a result, one should always try shoes on while wearing socks in order to ensure that the shoes will fit in any situation. Choose a thin dress sock rather than thick white socks, which are not usually worn with boat shoes. If the shoe is tight while wearing socks, you may want to go up a half size.

New vs. Used

While used shoes may seem unappealing to some, the fact is that they are usually available for far less money than those which are new. Used shoes are also preferred by many because they are already broken in, which can take quite a while to happen with new shoes. When looking for used boat shoes, consignment stores are a great place to start. Alternatively, you can find used boat shoes on the Internet, or even at a tag sale.