Do Sperrys need to be waterproofed?
While Sperrys aren't technically waterproof, they are water-friendly and it's more than OK to get them wet (they were created for slippery boat decks, after all). Your Sperrys can handle water and will eventually dry, with a patina that looks even better than they did pre-soak (in our humble opinion).
If they get wet, or after cleaning your leather boat shoes, allow your Sperrys to air-dry for 24 hours in a cool, dry place away from heat or sunlight. 4. Stuff your boat shoes with newspaper to absorb excess moisture and help maintain their shape.
SIZE THEM UP, OR DOWN
If you prefer the leather look, consider a half size down. Leather will stretch over time. If the boat shoes are made of synthetic materials, stay true to size—these won't stretch, as they're constructed to hold their shape.
If you've got other things to do, or just don't particularly feel like wearing wet shoes, leave a wooden shoe tree in your Sperrys while they air out instead. Leather expands when it gets wet and shrinks as it dries. Together, these two reactions will result in a unique fit that feels tailor-made for your feet.
Boat shoes are designed to be comfy and airy without socks, and most people keep their ankles bare for the classic maritime look – preferably with no-show socks. If you're going for an 80s preppy look, however, socks and boat shoes are definitely part of the uniform.
A required accessory for any prep uniform since 1935, the boat shoe is now trending once again, securing the brand as preppy style's ultimate icon.
Dry Soaked Shoes with a Newspaper
Wad up smaller pieces and then stuff your shoes full. The newspaper will draw out any moisture in your shoes and attempt to save them. Again, you don't want direct heat on any part of the shoe, so don't put them over a heater or in the dryer.
Most solutions to prevent heel slipping and heel blistering in loafers or Sperrys involve hacking the shoes with pads or insoles. Some people try using "moleskin" or band-aids or other artificial skin coverings that invariably come off with sweat.
"The Sperry Authentic Original boat shoe is a timeless classic. Socks or no socks, with cuffed jeans or a skirt, wear them in a way that expresses your personal style."
Boat shoes shouldn't fit too differently from normal shoes, but you want to go for a little snugger fit than you usually would because they will stretch out and get looser as you wear them; you'll often need to go a half size down from your normal size, and if you're between sizes, go with the smaller of the two.
Are Sperrys comfortable to walk in all day?
Sperry Topsider shoes are excellent for having soles that are non-skid when walking on a wet boat deck. They are also easy to get in and out of when near the water. And they are very comfortable when worn in a casual setting, although they are not suitable for walking long distance in comfort.
Some shoes will feel like the perfect size until you get some water in them — they might become a bit loose after that. If the shoes are too big, they might slip off your foot after they get wet. Choose a shoe with a snug fit to prevent uncomfortable experiences.

Compared to other popular sneaker brands like Vans, Keds, and Nike, Sperry appears to run 1-2 US sizes larger in men's sizing scheme. So, it is highly recommended to measure your feet precisely and check your corresponding Sperry size in the chart above.
Rinse the soles out well and let them air dry, not exposed to any heat to avoid shrivelling. Replace and make sure you deodorize them often. These shoes are NOT designed to go into the washing machine, so take good care of them and you'll have your Sperry shoes last you for years.
Wear Dress Socks with Sperrys
Dress socks are a more appropriate type of sock to wear with Sperrys because they are naturally more refined and polished. While Sperrys are still a casual shoe, they are “elevated casual” and beyond the purview of a pair of athletic socks.
You Plan on Hiking - Boat shoes are just fine for walking the piers and streets of town. Or the back yard or office for that matter. But under no circumstances should these shoes be used for hiking out in the woods or in rocky terrain. While boat shoes have ok traction, the traction isnn't ideal for hiking.
Street shoes, such as boots and heeled shoes, are prohibited on all boats as they can damage decks and floors and contaminate carpets and other exotic decorations. Therefore, the “barefoot” rule is regularly enforced on board.
Sperry ceased to exist in 1986 following a prolonged hostile takeover bid engineered by Burroughs Corporation, which merged the combined operation under the new name Unisys. Some of Sperry's former divisions became part of Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and Northrop Grumman.
Sperry Top Sider Boat Shoes
Definitely, one of the best boat shoes you can find. It features moccasin construction with OrthoLite insoles for enhanced shock absorption and comfort as well as a shock-absorbing EVA heel cup.
While you may know them for their classic “boat shoes”, they have so many styles available for women, men and kiddos! As you can see, a pair of Sperry's can be worn with just about anything from casual denim to feminine dresses + skirts!
How often should you spray waterproof on shoes?
We recommend refreshing your shoes' waterproof coat after every 7-10 wears during winter. You should also apply a fresh treatment after each intensive wet cleaning.
Vaseline. If you're having problems with your leather shoes, you can always use Vaseline to waterproof your shoes temporarily. You will need to clean your shoes beforehand, then simply coat them in a layer of Vaseline and it'll do the job just as well.
Overall, waterproofing sprays work by filling the pores in fabric — whether leather, canvas, suede, or otherwise — with a material like silicone that repels water. But each spray is not made equal. Some are designed with specific materials in mind, while others are better for light activity versus heavy-duty use.
Stuff the shoes or boots with dry newspapers, paper towels or cotton towels to absorb the majority of the wetness. With boots, make sure they are supported to the top with the paper or fabric. Be patient -- the drying make take a while.
Drying your shoes in direct sunlight will cause excessive wear, so it's best to air dry your shoes in a dry and well-ventilated environment indoors. If you want to speed up the drying process, try placing your shoes near your refrigerator vent or a fan.
Your shoes probably won't be damaged if you occasionally put them in the dryer. However, the fabric and soles of the shoes will shrink or warp the more you machine dry them. If you can, alternate between air drying your shoes and machine drying them.
To reduce friction in the areas where blisters are most likely to form, place petroleum jelly on hotspots, such as your heels, top of toes, and sides of toes.
Lubricate Your Feet Often
Friction—the rubbing motion between the foot, sock, and shoe—creates heat and tearing forces, making the skin prone to blisters. If you reduce the friction, you reduce the blisters. One way to reduce friction is by lubricating your feet, so they slide rather than rub.
In 1935, Paul Sperry, invented the modern boat shoe to offer a new option to those who enjoy the open seas. These non-marking rubber-soled shoes are used for wet conditions, making it easier to find grip on a slippery deck.
While many people believe that Sperrys are only meant to be worn during the summer, this is not the case. Sperrys can actually be worn year-round, including during the winter.
Are Sperrys good for standing all day?
For a versatile shoe, that'll support your feet while standing all day look no further than Sperry's Plushwave range. The cushioning technology provides lightweight comfort, flexible grip and all day wearability.
There's a reason 90% of boat shoes are navy, brown leather, or white. Those colours are the most versatile, and they tend to suit the style best.
Tight shoes can cause even more problems. They can: make you unstable on your feet. deform your toes, produce blisters between your toes, and aggravate structural problems like hammer toe, mallet toe, and bone spurs.
This kick from the Sperry sneaker line is also made to be comfortable. It has excellent arch support and has a budget-friendly price, making it an all-around desirable model to have in one's closet.
Most water shoes will loosen up a bit once you're in the pool and if they're too big they may slip around, making any pain points even more painful. That's why we say, make sure they're a little tight and hug your foot well before you start your workout.
Water shoes are fine for some applications, but when you have sand and grit and dirt constantly rubbing between wet shoes and your feet you're going to get blisters and irritation. So, the first thing you should invest in is a pair of neoprene socks.
For sizing, think about the intended use of the shoe as well as the water temperatures you want to use them in. In general, go up about 1 full size if you want to be able to fit thick neoprene socks (4-5 mm), or multiple socks underneath a drysuit sock. In general, it's better to size up and be a bit too warm.
While Sperrys aren't technically waterproof, they are water-friendly and it's more than OK to get them wet (they were created for slippery boat decks, after all). Your Sperrys can handle water and will eventually dry, with a patina that looks even better than they did pre-soak (in our humble opinion).
Boat shoes are basically quick drying leather moccasins. Their traction is good but nothing special. And they don't offer the true quick drying that a good quality water shoe or sandal does. Additionally, they take a bit more time to drain completely.
Subject to the exclusions and limitations detailed below, Sperry Instruments provides a limited lifetime warranty on products of its manufacture will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service.
Can you wear boat shoes in the water?
Although boat shoes are not technically waterproof, they're certainly designed to get wet. They're made with a water-friendly material that doesn't let the water get inside unless you soak them completely. The material of these shoes is also quick-drying, making them ideal for casual wearing on slippery decks.
The nursing profession demands long hours of standing, walking, and running around throughout the work duration. It may cause foot pain. To stand for long hours and perform your duties, you'll have to invest in waterproof nursing shoes to keep your feet pain-free.
First things first, waterproof your canvas shoes! Canvas is naturally absorbent and needs to be treated with a water repellent spray before wear. Our non-toxic fabric protector spray is suitable for use on canvas footwear (and most other shoes and clothing), and won't alter the look, feel or smell of your shoes.
Although boat shoes are not technically waterproof, they're certainly designed to get wet.
The main difference between water resistant and waterproof material is that the latter is unaffected by water, whereas the former merely resists moisture.
ONLY waterproof footwear will keep you dry. In the footwear industry, product undergoes Hydrostatic Testing to determine how it holds up. Water is actually forced through the material to see how much water pressure it can withstand before leaking. It must reach a certain standard to obtain the pinnacle of “Waterproof.”
Using a Waterproofing Spray
These protectant sprays are ideal for shoes with an absorbent fabric, such as suede shoes and canvas shoes. These are a few of the best waterproof sprays you can use on your shoes; Scotchgard Suede and Nubuck Protector.
How often you will need to reapply a waterproofing product to acrylic canvas depends on the kind of use the fabric gets, but even in harsh conditions, the treatment should be effective for at least a year.
Overall, waterproofing sprays work by filling the pores in fabric — whether leather, canvas, suede, or otherwise — with a material like silicone that repels water. But each spray is not made equal. Some are designed with specific materials in mind, while others are better for light activity versus heavy-duty use.
Waterproof boots or shoes mean they can submerge in the water a while and water could not soak into the materials, your feet will stay dry. Below shows a few water droplets on top of the boots after dipping into the water, which means water cannot get in the footwear and your feet is protected.
Do waterproof shoes wear out?
However, it also traps perspiration inside the shoe, so your foot will bathe in its own sweat. Also, over time and with use the coating will break down and will no longer be waterproof.
You want shoes with non-slip, non-marking soles. Most non-marking soles are made of rubber. Leather soles will generally leave marks on the deck. Deck shoes are generally a safe choice, but if you don't have these, you could also use sneakers with light rubber soles.