Footwear is an important part of any outfit and keeps the user comfortable throughout the day without unpleasant odor or blisters. For those who enjoy time out on the beach or on boats, it's essential to choose shoes that keep the feet safe and cooler under the direct sunlight.
Boat shoes are a great footwear choice because of their versatile uses and classy design. They can be worn with any outfit and bring better style and comfort to the day than other shoe choices like loafers or tennis shoes. While they may have started as footwear to use on the waves, their migration to land is certainly complete. Here are a few facts about boat shoes and their many variations.
What Defines A Boat Shoe?
Boat shoes were created in 1935 by a sailor who needed better shoes while he was out on the water. With thick rubber soles to give the user better traction on deck, the boat shoe became widely known and used as a great shoe for sailors and boat enthusiasts. Boat shoes can be worn casually or while on the water and are typically worn without socks but work perfectly with those who wear no-show socks.
The laces and uppers of the boat shoes are designed to keep the feet dry and increase agility while on a boat. These shoes are elegant and comfortable and bring style and class to any outfit. Boat shoes occupy a generous middle ground in style, being fancier than tennis shoes but not able to compete with the class of dress shoes. Boat shoes come in a variety of styles and colors and have recently made a comeback in recent fashion trends. No matter if the wearer intends to use the shoes on a boat or at home, boat shoes are capable and comfortable footwear.
Style Variations
While looking into boat shoes, the original brown or tan style may not fit every persons' taste. As this style of shoe has grown in popularity and become more widely used casually, more styles and color patterns have made their way into its designs. There are a variety of styles today that can be worn with any outfit to enhance an overall look.
Two-tone boat shoes are a popular style where the rubber heel and panels are two separate but complementary colors. This makes the design of the shoe more mature and varied instead of being a work-oriented shade of brown. This style allows wearers to better match their outfit and pull the design of the shoe into more fashionable territory. Paraboot boat shoes are another great style that add a bigger and sturdier heel to the shoe to increase height and fashion appeal.
These styles along with the traditional style can also often be sold with a logo panel. Prada is one such brand that impresses shoppers with a boat shoe with their logo imprinted on the side to impress boat and shoe enthusiasts alike and add appeal to their overall outfit. There is a perfect style and color of boat shoe for every casual or professional wearer out there.
Best Boat Shoe Retail Locations
There are many retail and brand-name sellers where shoppers can buy boat shoes. Depending on the interested individual, there are quite a few local retail locations where shoppers new to boat shoes can find moderately priced pairs that will help them explore their preferences. Kohl's and Macy's are great local sellers that have many locations around the world and provide a convenient price point that is generally accessible. They both sell different color and style variations but may only carry one or two brands of boat shoes.
Dick's Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops are also excellent stores that are oriented toward physical and outdoor activities where shoppers may be able to find boat shoes that will work great while on the water. While shopping around, it's important to choose brands and styles that best fit how they're going to be used. Sporting and fishing stores will likely carry shoes oriented toward strenuous activities and adventuring while shopping and mall locations will carry more fashionable and casual styles. Boat shoes can be worn by anyone interested in trying a new type of footwear that will suit their daily activities of life.