Deck Shoes - A guide
Deck shoes are an essential purchase for the novice skipper and experienced yachtsman alike. Deck shoes offer comfort, grip & protection of your boat whilst being durable enough to withstand the harsh marine environment. Today, the comfort, style and design of the deck shoe is so good that it is widely used as everyday wear, whether on the high street or for work.
We offer a quality selection of deck shoes and marine footwear to suit all tastes, sizes and uses. All have a non-marking sole and are from reputable marine brands, meaning that our deck shoes are fit for purpose and come with years of experience in design & manufature.
Click a link below to view our range of deck shoes:
Marine Deck Shoes
Marine Sailing Boots
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Marine Shoes/Deck Shoes - A history
The history of marine shoes (or as referred too today, deck shoes) goes back as far as maritime history began. When aboard ship, men, women and children needed to have a shoe that could stand up to the rugged and sometime brutal sea weather. The shoe needed to withstand the salt spray, sea air, heat and cold. All this, and the shoe needed to be comfortable and give the wearer grip whilst aboard ship.
It is believed that the inspiration for the deck shoe originates from the Native American Moccasin. The moccasin was made from deer skin and its water resistant hide protected the foot whilst allowing the moccasin slipper to grip the wooden base of the canoe which the native Indian would use for fishing and transport. The design was simple but very effective and to this day some manufactures design's such as, Sebago resembles the traditional moccasin.
Deck Shoes
The first deck shoe was designed by Paul Sperry in 1935. He was an ardent boater and wanted a shoe that would have all the characteristic of a moccasin but look more nautical. The Sperry Top-Sider combined a leather upper-shoe with a herringbone pattern of groves on the sole. The cutting of groves into the sole of the shoe gave the sole grip-ability on the wet slippery deck of the boat. This was what boaters had been waiting for...
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Sebago Deck Shoes
Sebago Shoe Company founded 1946
In 1946 three native New England gentlemen - William Beaudoin, Daniel Wellehan Sr and Joseph Cordeau founded the Sebago Shoe Company. Their first shoe, which was hand sewn, was the Penny-Loafer and its design took its lead and was reminiscent of the native Indian moccasin. Sebago have been making the inspired and traditional moccasin design since the 1940's
Sebago fast reinforced its foothold in the footwear business and the Sebago-Moc reached sales of over $1,000,000 in 1950. In 1952 Sebago began the construction of its new plant to keep up with the demand of 2,000 pairs of shoes a day and in 1954 the company celebrated its 1,000, 000th pair of shoes. Not bad for three men from New England!
Sebago Docksides
It was 1970 when the footwear industry saw what is now, the iconic and classic Dockside from Sebago. So popular and well loved was the Dockside it ultimately define the entire boat shoe category. The Dockside's enduring style soon took the university campuses of America by storm and it was in the 1981 that another classic from Sebago was created, the Campside. Sebago then proudly became the official supplier to the US Sailing Team. The company has gone from strength to strength ever since infusing, quality, style and fun into its marine footwear range. Network Yacht Chandlers stock Sebago.
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