Utility is the name of the game with certain menswear essentials, but those essentials can also transcend time and space – becoming sort of iconic in the process.
This is true of some of your favorites – and some of my personal favorites – like chino pants or a field jacket. But not all styles have to be rough-and-tumble, and the best boat shoes fit the bill perfectly.
They’re definitely useful on a boat deck or on a slippery dock, but the best men’s boat shoes have pulled that balancing act: They’re preppy, light and easy to wear, and belong in your summer style rotation alongside canvas sneakers.
The best pairs deliver grip and comfort while wearing well with chino shorts, polos, linen pants and more. I definitely have a pair that I trust, and now, your closet will be just as proud.
Why did I choose it?
The boat shoe is more modern than ever, and OluKai’s Moku Pae Boat Shoes are as good an example as any. I already love the super-springy comfort and re-lacing of its sandals, and that sneaker-like technology meets a smooth mesh upper with a modern, fresh look.
OluKai Moku Pae Men’s Boat Shoes
Remember what I said about today’s boat shoes meeting modern standards in a big way? OluKai meets time with Moku Pae – these take the classic boat shoe and beef it up with a comfortable mesh, grippy outsole and lightweight sneaker construction.
Sperry Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoes
In my experience, there is nothing like having a healthy appreciation of the past. They perform well, deliver versatile style and stand the test of time. That’s what I love about Sperry’s stylish, well-crafted two-tone boat shoes, a perfect example of the best men’s boat shoes.
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 the cool boat shoe look. These Bruno Marc slip-on loafers have a soft, breathable fabric upper, while a cork EVA insole provides cushioning underfoot. What’s missing is a tank top and tailored swim trunks.
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.
Columbia goes the high-tech route with this durable, practical and hybrid pair, featuring a moisture-wicking, highly grippy exterior with the right performance for fishing and cruising.
Reef Swellsole Skipper Shoes
Some boat shoes rise in terms of preppy style, but are better suited for (mostly) dry weather. The Reef, however, goes the extra mile with a breathable rubber upper and super-grippy rubber outsole, meaning these shoes can definitely get wet on the high seas – pack your fishing rod and sunscreen.
Florsheim Atlantic Boat Shoes
You probably know Florsheim for affordable yet heritage-inspired leather dress shoes, but these boat shoes take a simpler approach.
They sit on a comfortable, structured sole, but I really appreciate the different leather texture that looks on the upper and the moc toe.
Dockers Beacon Boat Shoes
What goes better with boat shoes than the stretchy style of chinos or chino shorts? There aren’t many natural equivalents for your bottom half, and the good thing is, those style requirements can be found in Dockers.
The Beacon combines a textured leather upper with a refocused EVA midsole for the perfect combination of form and function.