More casual than dress shoes and dressier than sneakers, ” deck shoes ” are a summer staple. They go well with casual bottoms such as chinos, jeans, and shorts, and give a stylish look to the feet in American and preppy styles. Like loafers, deck shoes look great barefoot, which is another major appeal of deck shoes. In this issue, we focus on “deck shoes,” and introduce men’s outfits and items that elevate their smart footwear!
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What are Deck Shoes?
As the name suggests, deck shoes are shoes worn on the deck of a yacht or boat. They are also called boat shoes. Deck shoes are not just a fashion item for sailors, but an important item that protects the lives of sailors. A boat floating on the sea is greatly rocked by the waves, and the deck is very slippery when wet with seawater. These “deck shoes” are designed to prevent slipping and maintain stability under such conditions. Although sailors rarely have the opportunity to ride on a ship on a daily basis, they are now popular as fashion shoes for town use, and are loved by a wide range of people because they are durable and slip-resistant, even on wet, rainy days.
Deck Shoes (1) “The most important feature of deck shoes is the unique outsole that allows water to escape efficiently!”
The sole of deck shoes differs from the outsole of ordinary sneakers in appearance. The sole of a deck shoe is characterized by corrugated grooves that cut through the sole, and this unique pattern allows moisture between the shoe and the ground to escape efficiently. The most famous sole is the “Sperry sole” used in the Sperry Topsider deck shoe, which was developed by the company’s founder, Paul Sperry, who was inspired by a dog’s paw that could run around on ice just as well as it would in the dry without slipping. Many brands now use this sole in their deck shoes.
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Deck Shoes Feature #2 “Leather uppers are often made of oiled leather?”
Leather is the most popular upper material for deck shoes, but there are a wide variety of other materials such as canvas and nylon, just like ordinary sneakers. In the case of leather materials, oiled leather is often used, which is soaked in oil to make it waterproof. The oil not only repels water, but also inhibits deterioration of the leather due to water exposure. Oil will wear off over time, so if you are wearing deck shoes made of oiled leather, supplement the oil in moderation.
Deck shoes by Sperry Top-Sider
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