Boat shoes is a term that describes a wide variety of casual footwear. Also known as deck shoes or topsiders, these shoes have been designed as rugged and tough footwear with very good traction to provide good grip for boaters on slippery decks and during wet weather. It is thought that the modern boat shoe probably evolved from the Native American moccasin and today it still bears a resemblance to this familiar and comfortable shoe.
In recent years, with so many men and women wearing this style of shoe, the boat shoe has became a fashion accessory as well as a functional boating accessory. The style has become popular with many people, including those that have never set foot on the deck of a boat. As a result of this popularity, boat shoes have become a footwear style in their own right.
The quality of boat shoes varies, however, and there can be quite a difference between shoes that have been truly designed for sailors and those that have been designed simply as fashion accessories but based on the same style as the boat or deck shoe.
A good pair of quality boat shoes will be flexible and comfortable and fit snugly. Your foot should not slide side to side or forward and back, and your toes should never feel cramped in the toe. The feature that sets topsiders apart from a regular shoe is the sole. Deck shoe soles display a very tight ripple designed to squeeze out the water from the sole and provide strong grip on a wet deck. Many women's boat shoes and some men's shoes have laces but they are low cut at the front and sides so that they can be slipped off and on easily.
Most quality boat or deck shoes are manufactured from leather, and they can be treated with waterproofing compounds and protected with leather conditoner Shoes with removable liners should have the liner removed regularly and aired and sprayed to help keep them fresh.
From a fashion standpoint, this type of footwear may not be ideal for the office but they'll be right at home on the patio, at a barbecue, strolling along a beach or at a picnic... as well as the deck of a yacht!
When buying any shoe, it is always preferable to try them on for size and comfort before purchase, however, many online stores provide reliable measuring tools so that you can purchase your topsiders at a discount and still be sure of a good fit.
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