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Deciding the Boat Shoe Size
You may be able to alter the size of your clothes, but when it comes to shoes, it is a dead end. Most people take a good time finding a pair of shoes that fits them well. While other types of shoes are relatively easier to pick, boat or deck shoes can take a lot of thinking. If you like the look and feel of boat shoes, you may need to prepare yourself for a few things before buying them.
Boat shoes are hand-sewn low-cut shoes made using canvas or leather. The primary purpose of these shoes is to serve well on slippery and wet surfaces. The leather formation allows boat shoes to withstand water and stains. Although highly comfortable in the long run, these shoes can be painful to wear in the initial days after buying.
To avoid the pain, most people tend to get a size that leaves a few centimeters of space ahead of their toe. While this seems correct, they end up regretting it sooner than later. Boat shoes are designed to break in after a few weeks of wearing them. If you choose a size that fits you well, it may loosen up once you start wearing it. It is important to remember this while making a size decision.
Regardless of how broad your foot may be, you may need to choose a relatively smaller size when purchasing boat shoes. Now, we do understand that it may hurt your feet at first. However, if you continue to wear it for a few weeks, it will loosen up and fit according to your feet' comfort. It is worth mentioning that you may need to choose the size of different boat shoes differently.
There are many types and style variations for boat shoes nowadays. You can find two-eyelet or three-eyelet shoes, depending on your shoes. Traditionally, the sole of the boat shoes is made of white rubber. The white color does not leave any skid marks on the ground. However, the evolution in the design of boat shoes has enabled shoemakers to offer a variety of colors for the upper part and the sole of the shoes.
Adjusting to Tight Boat Shoes
Getting a smaller size may adjust your feet well over the weeks. However, you can try a few ways to break in your tight boat shoes to avoid blisters. We understand your urge to wear your new shoes. While this may be true, you may need to be patient to get the best results.
Try wearing them for a lesser time in the first few days. If you wear the fitting shoes and go out for a long trip, you may hurt your feet. If you go out, you may carry a bandaid to apply to the blisters. People with sensitive skin may need to pre-apply bandaids to avoid receiving bruises. When traveling in your private vehicle, you may carry an extra payer of shoes to comfort your feet while driving.
Wearing socks with boat shoes may be a deal-breaker. However, it may spare you pain in the first few weeks. You can wear no-show socks to keep your feet safe from rubbing against the shoe leather. You can also wear full-length socks to break in your boat shoes if you stay home. Moreover, wearing socks allows a smoother interaction between your foot and shoe. You can get rid of the socks as soon as your shoe loosens up.
Wearing wet shoes may also help you in breaking in quickly. When the leather of the boat shoes is wet, it loses its rigidity until it is dried again. If you wear the shoes when they are soaked, you have a much better chance of them loosening up. Saturated leather allows the boat shoes to wrap around the shape of your feet. When you continue to wear them, it becomes easier for you to adjust to the size of the shoes.
Types of Boat Shoes
There are two basic types of boat shoes. You may have to use a different approach to pick the right size for each. Let's look at some of the necessary details to help you choose.
Leather Boat Shoes
Leather boat shoes are more challenging than other materials. This type is most suitable to wear in harsh environments where other shoes fail to sustain. Typically designed for wet surfaces, leather boat shoes do not lose shape when soaked. You also do not need to worry about them catching any stains.
When choosing leather boat shoes, you may need to be very thoughtful about the size. The most common practice is to pick a half-size down. Leather can stretch over time. The laces of these shoes are also made of leather. If your goal is to find a durable shoe, leather can serve your needs well.
It is worth noting that leather shoes may not have a lot of variety for styling. However, you can find several colors and types in the market based on your preferences.
Canvas Boat Shoes
The second type of boat shoes is made from canvas. While they may not be as durable as leather, canvas shoes are widely popular for their stylish look and feel. Canvas is relatively less rigid compared to leather. It also does not repel water. However, you may be able to stand through slightly damp surfaces without soaking your feet.
Choosing the size of canvas can be less tricky. Canvas boat shoes do not stretch as much as leather does. You may need to pick a size that fits you accurately. While this may be valid, you may not want to pick a slightly bigger than your usual size. It is always better to choose a size that gives you an accurate fitting.
Canvas shoes have different styles and colors available in the market. You may find most of the colors as per your preferences. Moreover, canvas boat shoes can cater to various occasional needs. Whether you need to go to a casual party or head out for a road trip, they can give you the comfort you need.
Wearing Boat Shoes on Different Surfaces
They are called boat shoes for a reason. When Paul Sperry (Former Navy Sailor) introduced the idea, he was having trouble withstanding the slippery surface of the boat deck. He took inspiration from his dog's ability to withstand snowy surfaces. By building a rubber sole with groovy patterns, he found a workable solution that led to the foundation of boat shoes.
However, the concept evolved over the decades. You can now wear boat shoes almost anywhere, with a few exceptions to keep in mind. We have listed a few places where you can wear boat shoes.
Casual Meetings
The appealing look of boat shoes makes them popular among men and women alike. If you are heading to a casual meeting, you may want to slip on your desired boat shoes. The increasing variety of designs and colors makes boat shoes a common choice for informal settings. Whether you are wearing shorts or pants, your boat shoes will not hold back from catching the public's eyes.
Most people tend to wear boat shoes for their stain-free finish. If it bothers you too much to catch dirt on your boots, boat shoes can offer you a carefree time.
Outdoor Parties
If you are heading to an outdoor party, boat shoes can be an excellent fit for the occasion. Typically, people love wearing boat shoes to pool parties, garden parties, and patio meetups. The water-repellent nature of the shoes keeps your feet dry on damp surfaces. Moreover, you can easily slip them on or remove them when needed.
While boat shoes can be great for the outdoors, you may not want to wear them to a beach. The sand may slip into your shoes and make it difficult to walk.
Air and Road Travel
The comfort of boat shoes is incomparable. If you are setting off on a long flight or a road trip, boat shoes can be a good fit. The leather settles down according to your foot and makes it comforting for your feet. You can easily take them off when needed. More importantly, the groovy pattern on the sole makes it safer to wear on most surfaces.
It is essential to mention that boat shoes are unsuitable for naturally steep terrains like hilltops. If you plan to hike, you may not want to wear boat shoes.
Weather Conditions and Shoe Size Problems
Although you can wear boat shoes on most occasions, weather conditions are important. The style of boat shoes is most comfortable for summers. They are designed to wear without socks. While some people prefer to wear no-show socks, the boat shoes may best serve the purpose without them.
The low-cut finish of the boat shoes makes them optimum for hot weather. Despite the leather, the air reaches inside the shoe, making it suitable to wear in most places. If you need footwear covering your feet more than slippers and less than jogging shoes, boat shoes are the perfect fit for summers.
On the contrary, we do not recommend wearing boat shoes in winter. The low-cut style of the shoes makes it easier for cold winds to reach your feet inside the shoes. More importantly, you may need to wear winter socks in the cold weather. Boat shoes are not suitable to accommodate winter socks.
While this may be correct, a few types of boat shoes are available in the market to wear in winter. However, they may still not be the best replacement for mid-tops and other winter footwear.
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