Men’s Style Pro receive affiliate compensation from purchases through links
The sun is finally doing its job, and suddenly every weekend plan feels like it should involve a marina, a dockside cocktail, or at the very least a stretch of waterfront. Even if your summer calendar doesn’t include a yacht invitation, slipping into the right pair of boat shoes sends the same message: you get it.
Once relegated to frat-house lore and preppy dress codes, the boat shoe has undergone a genuine style renaissance. Today’s best versions are less about nautical nostalgia and more about thoughtful design, elevated materials, and modern proportions. The silhouette remains familiar, but the attitude has changed entirely.
Below, we’ve rounded up seven pairs that represent the best of the category right now. Alongside enduring icons like Sperry and Sebago, a new generation of brands is pushing the boat shoe into fresh territory. Marc Nolan is experimenting with bold color combinations and luxurious leather finishes, while labels like Vinny’s are reimagining the classic through contemporary styling and unexpected materials. Suede, mixed textures, lugged soles, and statement-making details are breathing new life into one of menswear’s most enduring summer staples.
The boat shoe isn’t making a comeback. It’s already back.
Capri Boat Shoe In Orange & White – Marc Nolan
Black Croc Capri Boat Shoe – Marc Nolan
Gary Robson Suede Boat Shoe – Sebago
Tao Boat Shoe – Collegium
Sperry x One of These Days Lou Boat Shoe
Aztec Leather Boat Shoe – Vinny’s
Boatman Leopard-Print Boat Shoes – Vinny’s
