The London Lounge

Here's a question for our New Englanders. Who still makes quality boat shoes in the USA?

I used to wear Sperry and Sebago. They are both now made offshore and quality has suffered.

Since I spend a lot of time on boats in the summer, I am requiring a few new pairs. Any advice?

Thanks

M Alden

http://www.sperrytopsider.com/shopping/ ... &sColor=27 are just fine for many applications.

There are also high-tech sneakers (Harken was an exemplar at one point), but that side of the business evolves rapidly, and in any case you might not fit a particular favorite easily.

alden wrote:Here's a question for our New Englanders. Who still makes quality boat shoes in the USA?

I used to wear Sperry and Sebago. They are both now made offshore and quality has suffered.

Since I spend a lot of time on boats in the summer, I am requiring a few new pairs. Any advice?

Thanks

M Alden

http://www.manufactum.com/product/14019 ... 866.0.html

Van Bommel: the oldest (since 1734) and one of the best boat shoemakers in the world.

Paul

Michael,
in addition to Sperry and Sebago , that in my opinion remain still the best for durability , also Church makes good quality boat shoes , altough more expensive.

Angelo

Michael,

Why not to look at your own backyard?

http://www.bullockandjones.com/prod.cfm ... d=51&rid=4

Though haven't put a toe on a boat, I have two pairs of these Paraboots -- they sell them as far afield as Moscow. Surely someone carries them in Paris. (Au Petite Matelot?)

Andrey

Michael et al.,

I know what you mean about offshore quality, but I still find the Sperry razor sipes to give the best wet-surface traction. And I'm a fan of the white canvas lace-up, which (important for me) comes in a slim ffitting, and makes the most classic all-around casual sneaker going, apart perhaps from a proper espadrille, which are never narrow enough for me and impossible to find stateside anyway.

Here's the model (Striper CVO):

http://www.sperrytopsider.com/shopping/ ... sColor=182

These gain character with a bit of use, and when they get too beat up after a couple of years, they're cheap enough to consider expendable. One caveat: the new ones have a printed navy-colored area on the tongue which will offset onto socks (if you're wearing socks) at the slightest trace of moisture, whether perpsiration or spray, so don't wear expensive socks with them. So far the socks always wash clean. Apart from that minor drawback, thumbs up from me.

alden wrote:. . . . Who still makes quality boat shoes in the USA?

I'm down to my last pair of American-made Sperries. When they become unwearable (before the end of next summer, I expect), I'll look to Russell Moccasin (www.russellmoccasin.com): with roots in the Putnam Shoe Company, the maker's more than half as old as Van Bommel; with prices starting at $185, the shoes are as inexpensive as Paraboot and much less than Van Bommel (still very costly for a boat or knock-around shoe, but Russell makes to measure, offers a fair choice of leathers and a wide choice of soles, and received high marks from a fellow Lounger).

There are also a few small makers in Maine, but they are difficult to find, variable in quality, and for best results all but require the customer to visit in person. Though an uncle and aunt who live 'way down East have had good success with a couple of these family firms, I've yet to try any. Perhaps next summer . . . .

I used to wear Sperry and Sebago. They are both now made offshore and quality has suffered. . . .

Both were fine when made here. 'Too bad they moved production -- and, worse, to a place that some of us cannot in good conscience buy from.

Here is one from Allen Edmonds.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pr ... casion=196

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

alden wrote:
Since I spend a lot of time on boats in the summer, I am requiring a few new pairs. Any advice?

Any decision ( I know: summer is still far away)?

Paul