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Men’s sandals and open-toed shoes might be having their moment in the sun (and fair enough, you have to let the tootsies breathe), but there’s still a place for the classic boat shoe in a man’s summer wardrobe.
Originally designed for keeping sailors upright on slippery boat decks, boat shoes have spent the better part of a century finding their feet on dry land. And while they’ve long been associated with yacht clubs, polo shirts and men who own multiple investment properties, they’re no longer reserved just for the country club crowd.
These days, we’re seeing boat shoes with chunkier soles, softer suede uppers and relaxed shapes that sit right at home with relaxed trousers and Bermuda shorts currently doing the rounds in menswear.
They’re also a good option for guys who want something smarter than a sandal but aren’t particularly keen on squeezing their feet into dress shoes during an Aussie summer.
So, whether you’re after something for the office, for your weekends or for a holiday in Europe, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite men’s boat shoes right now.
The Best Men’s Boat Shoes at a Glance
- Best Classic Boat Shoe:R.M.Williams Islet Moccasin
- Best Designer Boat Shoe: Prada Shuffle Antiqued Leather
- Best Everyday Boat Shoe:Taylor Oil Suede Boat Shoes
- Best Smart-Casual Boat Shoe:
- Best Contemporary Boat Shoe:Garment Project Ollie
10 Best Boat Shoes for Men
1. R.M.Williams Islet Moccasin
R.M.Williams might be best known for its Chelsea boots, but unless you’re committed to sweaty feet, you’ll probably want something a little lighter come summer.
The Islet Moccasin in tan pull-up leather is about as classic as they come. The moccasin shape has that familiar boat-shoe feel, while the tan leather makes it easy to pair with navy chinos, linen trousers or tailored shorts.
We’d lean towards this pair for smart-casual occasions. And unlike some of the chunkier shoes on this list, it won’t look out of place at the office.
2. Timberland Authentics 3-Eye Classic
The boat shoe has been around for decades, but the chunky, lugged sole of the Timberland’s Authentics 3-Eye Classic is an especially modern take, given that men’s footwear has moved away from super-slim shapes.
If your style leans more streetwear and casual, these bad boys won’t look out of place in your wardrobe. For an easy weekend look, pair them with a graphic T-shirt, mid-rise socks and some bermuda shorts.
3.Windsor Smith Zade Boat Shoe
If you’re a fan of chunkier footwear, Windsor Smith’s Zade is probably going to be more your speed than the traditional slim-soled boat shoe. The Melbourne label has taken the familiar moccasin design and added a thick, cleated rubber sole, giving it an almost workwear-inspired look.
They’re a good option if your wardrobe leans more towards denim, cargo pants and heavier fabrics rather than tailored trousers and preppy polos. And at under $190, they’re one of the more affordable leather options on our list, leaving you with a bit more money to spend on the rest of your summer wardrobe.
4. R.M.Williams Dockyard Moccasin
Navy boat shoes and summer have always gone hand in hand, and we highly rate this pair from R.M.Williams. Navy works particularly well with beige chinos, cream linen trousers and lighter-coloured shorts, so if you’ve already got a fairly classic summer wardrobe, these shoes will fit right in.
They’re also a nice option for offices where sneakers are perhaps a little too casual, but traditional leather dress shoes feel like overkill.
5. Studio Nicholson Lace-Up Suede Boat Shoes
Studio Nicholson’s suede boat shoes are worth having on your radar, particularly if you’re after something you can dress up or down. They’d look just as good with cream or charcoal trousers and a loose linen shirt as they would with Bermuda shorts and an open-collar shirt. Just remember: suede and water do not mix, so you’ll need to take a little extra care in looking after these.
6. Sperry A/O 2-Eye Lug Boat Shoe
You can’t really write a list of the best men’s boat shoes without including Sperry. The American brand helped popularise the original boat shoe back in the 1930s, and nearly a century later, it’s still making them.
The A/O 2-Eye Lug takes the familiar two-eyelet design and adds a chunkier sole, giving it a little more character than the traditional deck shoe. This olive leather and nubuck version is also a nice change from the usual tan and navy options.
You could pair these with stone-coloured chinos or Bermuda shorts and a plain white tee. They’re casual enough for the weekend, but you could get away with them in a relaxed office too.
7. Celine Harbour Derby
Celine’s Harbour Derby takes the classic details of a boat shoe and gives them a slightly dressier spin, making them a good option if you’re after something a little different from a classic boat shoe.
At $1,700, they’re certainly not for everyone, but we do like how the traditional boat-shoe details sit against the more refined derby shape. You could wear these with tailored black trousers and a loose shirt, or cream trousers if you’re after something a little more summery.
8. Officine Creative Balfron 002 Suede Boat Shoes
Italian footwear label Officine Creative might not have the name recognition of Prada or Celine, but it’s worth knowing the name if you’re into beautifully made leather shoes.
The Balfron 002 takes a more relaxed approach to the boat shoe, with a suede upper and traditional moccasin-inspired construction. There’s none of the chunky, outdoorsy styling you get from Timberland or Sperry, which makes these a better match for guys who prefer their summer footwear on the smarter side (especially for the office). If you’re looking to spend a bit more on a pair of boat shoes but don’t particularly care about having a recognisable designer logo, Officine Creative is an excellent option.
9. Garment Project Ollie Boat Shoe
Danish footwear label Garment Project hasn’t tried to reinvent the boat shoe with its Ollie, but it has given the classic design a more modern feel.
You’ve still got all the traditional details, including brown leather, contrast stitching, a hand-stitched moccasin toe and leather laces that wrap around the sides. However, what sets this pair apart is the chunky tan lug sole, which gives the shoe a beefier profile than your typical slim-soled boat shoe.
These would look cool with wide-leg trousers or relaxed denim. They’d also look great with Bermuda shorts and an open-collar shirt for summer, especially if you’re leaning into the slightly preppy look that’s been making its way back into menswear.
10. Les Deux Taylor Oil Suede Boat Shoes
If preppy isn’t really your thing, you might want to take a look at Les Deux. The Danish label has swapped traditional leather laces for hiking-style laces, added a contrasting rubber sole and finished the upper in oil suede. The result is a little more rugged than your average boat shoe, without going quite as chunky as Timberland’s 3-Eye Classic.
You could pair these with baggy denim or Bermuda shorts and a loose shirt, particularly if you’re after something a little different from the loafers and sneakers you’ve been rotating all year.
What Are Boat Shoes?
Boat shoes, also known as deck shoes, were originally designed for sailing, with rubber soles to help sailors keep their footing on slippery decks. They’re typically made from leather or canvas, with a moccasin-style toe, leather laces and that distinctive stitching around the front.
Of course, these days you don’t need to own a boat (or have ever stepped foot on one) to wear them. They’ve become a bit of a summer staple, sitting somewhere between a casual sneaker and a loafer. They’re a great option when you want to look a little more smart casual but aren’t in the mood for dress shoes, particularly when it’s over 30 degrees outside.
How We Chose the Best Boat Shoes for Men
For this list, we wanted to cover more than just the traditional leather boat shoes you might associate with preppy summer outfits.
We looked at a mix of classic and contemporary styles, including leather, suede, slim-soled and chunkier designs, with options for different budgets and occasions. Some are better suited to smart-casual offices and summer events, while others work with shorts, relaxed denim and weekend outfits.
We also considered materials, construction, sole design and Australian availability. These recommendations are based on product research rather than hands-on testing of every pair.
Ally Burnie is Man of Many’s resident Melbourne writer, covering style, grooming, and food and drink. This list was reviewed and edited by the Man of Many editorial team before publishing.
Boat Shoes FAQs
Can you wear boat shoes to the office?
Absolutely, depending on your workplace’s dress code. Leather boat shoes can work well in smart-casual offices, particularly with chinos, tailored trousers and a button-up shirt. However, they may be too casual for workplaces that require more formal clothing.
Do you wear socks with boat shoes?
Traditionally, boat shoes are worn without visible socks, although that doesn’t mean you have to go completely sockless. No-show socks can help absorb sweat and reduce rubbing, particularly during summer. You can also wear visible socks with boat shoes if you’re going for a more contemporary, preppy look.
What’s the difference between boat shoes and loafers?
Boat shoes typically have a moccasin-style toe, laces and rubber soles. Loafers are generally slip-on shoes without laces and tend to have a more formal appearance, although there’s plenty of crossover between modern designs.
