# Are boat shoes any good for wearing on a boat? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379 "2021-02-07T17:21:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/21 "2021-02-07T19:49:41Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > but are classic boast shoes actually useful? And yes, if you have a boat you can wear them on, that’s definitely worth boasting about. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/22 "2021-02-07T20:05:39Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I still don’t know what the point of the encircling leather thong was. As the leather stretches out a little from use, you can choke up a little on the laces to tighten the heel fit. Works well for that purpose ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2021, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/23 "2021-02-07T20:15:06Z")
Thanks for the explanation. Even though the leather makes little sense, I think I’ll still go for it for the classic look. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2021, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/24 "2021-02-07T22:01:13Z")
I kind of bummed this was moved. I believe this to be a factual question. Plus, the old board had a statement made when your thread was moved, so you could tell where to look for it. This seems bogus to me. I’m a dirty old hippy, so I can’t really remember the preppie look. To complete my ensemble, I think I need the following. Pink Lacoste polo shirt with popped collar, plaid Bermuda shorts, and a v-neck white long sleeved sweater wrapped around my neck that is loosely tied with the sleeves. Am I missing anything? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/25 "2021-02-07T22:20:23Z")
For boats, it is Tommy Bahama all teh way. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2021, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/26 "2021-02-07T22:48:18Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > I’m a dirty old hippy, so I can’t really remember the preppie look. To complete my ensemble, I think I need the following. Pink Lacoste polo shirt with popped collar, plaid Bermuda shorts, and a v-neck white long sleeved sweater wrapped around my neck that is loosely tied with the sleeves. Am I missing anything? Definitely a boom box that’s playing [yacht rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-listens-to-yacht-rock-anyway/918414), while you drink a wine cooler. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Enjoy\_Slurm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enjoy_slurm/32/3937_2.png) [@Enjoy\_Slurm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enjoy_Slurm)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/27 "2021-02-08T08:45:47Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > get the ones that have soles designed for boats, ie kinda non slip This. Definitely don’t get the full non-slip. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/28 "2021-02-08T13:33:33Z")
Are you saying that one should never go full non-slip? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/29 "2021-02-08T15:21:03Z")
You should really wear the socks with leather shoes. Ask Frank Zappa about it. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/30 "2021-02-08T21:37:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > For boats, it is Tommy Bahama all teh way. Nah, that’s for the shore dwellers, asea it’s [Vineyard Vines](https://www.vineyardvines.com/our-story/our-story.html?nav=category--top_nav--ourstory----). ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/31 "2021-02-08T23:21:27Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > More or less back on topic, boat shoes are well suited for that use. I no longer wear the stereotypical [Topsiders](https://www.sperry.com/en/authentic-original-leather-boat-shoe/10118M.html?dwvar_10118M_color=0195115#cgid=men-shoes-boat-shoes&start=1) though Those were essentially what I recall being really popular when I was in grade school (late 80’s/early 90’s). And we all tied the laces in a very specific way, [like this](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/da/32/ee/da32eeb700acfb01dbee9bab4f315702.jpg). IIRC, according to my mom, who grew up on boats, the big reason for topsiders, in addition to not scuffing anything, is that the lack of treads on the soles meant they were considerably less likely to pick up gravel. Though it’s entirely possible I’m conflating that with bowling shoes. > [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > My boat’s all fiberglass. I’m guessing wet fiberglass is even more slippery than wet teak. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/32 "2021-02-08T23:54:01Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Those were essentially what I recall being really popular when I was in grade school (late 80’s/early 90’s). And we all tied the laces in a very specific way, [like this](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/da/32/ee/da32eeb700acfb01dbee9bab4f315702.jpg). IIRC, according to my mom, who grew up on boats, the big reason for topsiders, in addition to not scuffing anything, is that the lack of treads on the soles meant they were considerably less likely to pick up gravel. > Though it’s entirely possible I’m conflating that with bowling shoes. That looks like a hell of a lot of work for what appears to defeat the purpose of tightening the fit of the shoe or maybe some kind of a joke. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/33 "2021-02-08T23:56:21Z")
I have a pair of Vibram 5-Finger shoes that have the most incredible wet grip of any shoe. The downside is that, when they get cold and wet, the cold wetness will cling to your feet as long as you have them on, more than any other shoe I have worn. And of course, people will think you are a dork. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/34 "2021-02-09T00:48:13Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > That looks like a hell of a lot of work for what appears to defeat the purpose of tightening the fit of the shoe or maybe some kind of a joke. It was the style at the time. And, unless it came apart, you only had to tie it once, as long as you leave it loose enough to get it on and off easily. It’s not like we were doing anything in these that required them to be tied any tighter than that. The kids that were that were more serious about sports (ie football at recess or basketball in gym class) would bring tennis shoes to change into. Also, since I suppose it wasn’t very clear in my post. We weren’t wearing them because of all the time we spent on boats, we were wearing them because they were trendy at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/35 "2021-02-09T00:49:10Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > And of course, people will think you are a dork. IME, it tends to be more of a confirmation that an initial reason to feel that way. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/36 "2021-02-09T14:07:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Get a hat with a long bill instead. He owns a boat. I’m sure he’s getting plenty of bills. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/37 "2021-02-09T15:47:03Z")
He shoudl try to duck a few. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379/38 "2021-02-09T18:21:59Z")
I wear Topsiders around the house and they are slippery AF. I cannot wear them when washing tile floors or whoops, I’ll end up on my butt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boat-shoes-any-good-for-wearing-on-a-boat/932379.md?page=1)