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What is the deal with boat shoes and socks? When done the right way, you can absolutely wear socks with boat shoes. Style aside, you should wear socks with boat shoes to keep your feet healthy and extend the life of your shoes.
The proper socks to wear with boat shoes are either no-show socks or dress socks. It all depends upon the level of formality that you’re going for, but these are your options:
You don’t have to forgo all the benefits of wearing socks with boat shoes to achieve the “sockless” look. No-show socks are the perfect solution. At Boardroom Socks we spent nearly a year designing a high-quality line of American-made socks for boat shoes. They are soft and breathable to ensure your feet stay dry, comfortable and healthy.
These are a low-cut style of men’s sock that is intended to be “invisible” when worn with boat shoes, loafers, sneakers and any other type of casual footwear. Wearing no-show socks with boat shoes will help eliminate blisters and irritation while also ensuring your feet stay dry and comfortable. By staying hidden by the leather upper of your boat shoes, these socks will enable you to sport the casual sockless look.
If you aren’t a fan of the sockless look, opt for dress socks instead. Wearing dress socks with boat shoes will provide a slightly more formal look while still staying relaxed and casual.
Beyond no-shows and dress socks, there really are not any other styles of sock that can appropriately be worn with boat shoes. Under no circumstances should you wear athletic socks with boat shoes. We'll go into more style tips below, but always stick to either no-show socks or dress socks when wearing socks with boat shoes.
Shop Dress Socks for Boat Shoes
As shown above, there are several ways to stylishly wear socks with boat shoes. But just as important are the three key reasons why you should wear boat shoes and socks.
As the “sockless” look has increased in popularity, experts have noticed a corresponding rise in foot fungus issues such as athlete's foot. Bacteria thrive in warm, dark and damp environments, making boat shoes an ideal breeding ground.
Wearing socks with boat shoes provides a layer of protection to help manage the sweat and moisture that naturally accumulates in your shoes. A quality pair of socks will ensure your feet stay comfortable, dry and most importantly, healthy. Wear socks with boat shoes to avoid athlete's foot and other podiatric health issues.
Boat shoes are notorious for being uncomfortable during the “breaking in” phase. As with many types of leather shoes, it takes time for the leather to form to your foot. This process can be painful, leading to blisters and hotspots that would otherwise be avoided by wearing socks.
Avoid blisters and other discomfort by wearing socks with boat shoes.
If you’ve ever worn boat shoes or any other type of closed toe shoe without socks, you may need to pinch your nose when you take them off. Your feet naturally produce a lot of sweat, particularly in the summer months when boat shoes are most commonly worn. As this moisture accumulates, your boat shoes will develop a stench that is virtually impossible to get rid of. Wearing socks specifically designed for boat shoes can prevent this from happening.
Beyond developing a putrid smell, wearing boat shoes without socks can also damage the insole of the shoes. As moisture develops, the insole will loosen and begin to peel back - damage that is difficult to repair without completely replacing the insole.
If you’ve asked yourself, “do you wear socks with boat shoes?” then hopefully the above information delivered the answer. Now that we’ve established that wearing socks with boat shoes is a good idea, your next question is likely, “how do I wear boat shoes with socks?” When done the right way, you can comfortably wear socks with boat shoes while still looking fashionable.
You may see other men wearing athletic socks with boat shoes, but this is a major style faux-pas and should be avoided at all costs. Athletic socks should strictly be worn with athletic shoes.
You may also hear boat shoes referred to as deck shoes, giving credence to their maritime origins as a non-slip shoe worn on the deck of boats. When wearing boat shoes, don't be afraid to embrace the nautical look! As shown above, pastel colors and rolled cuffs make for a great summertime look. Remember when showing sock ankle to always wear no-show socks with boat shoes.
Boat shoes are immensely popular in casual menswear and are a must-have for men with preppy style. Continue reading below to learn more about how these shoes were invented and where to find your next pair.
Boat shoes were created to be worn in slippery conditions on the deck of boats, leading to their alternate name deck shoes. According to a detailed history compiled by the Smithsonian, Paul Sperry (founder of the eponymous Sperry brand) invented the boat shoe in the 1930’s after watching his cocker spaniel playing in snow and ice.
He noticed that his dog wasn’t sliding, so he examined its paws and determined that the many notches and grooves throughout the dog’s paws provided it with enhanced traction. The image below is from Perry’s filing with the USPTO in 1937, clearly illustrating the signature herringbone pattern seen on the sole of boat shoes.
If you are in need of a new pair of boat shoes for the summer season, check out Tools of Men where they have a good round-up on boat shoes. In addition to highlighting some great brands with detailed reviews, the article also provides in-depth information on what makes a great pair of boat shoes.
