SebagoPortland Waxed Boat Shoes - Handsewn Waxed Leather Moccasins with Leather Sock Lining and Non-Marking, Slip-Resistant Rubber Outsoles, Brown-Gum - 8.5 Regular

I've been a long-time Sperry Topsider wearer. When I purchased my first pair 1977, they were made in New England and the quality was fantastic. Now they are made in China; it seems to me that the quality has gone down, while the price has gone up.I decided to give Sebagos a try, so I ordered a pair of Sebago Spinnakers last spring. They were stiff at first, but quickly became comfortable, and the "W" width was wide enough for my feet. They have become my favorite casual shoe this summer.My old brown Sperry Topsiders needed replacing, so I ordered these Sebago Docksides instead, and in the same size/width as the Spinnakers. I was disappointed at first, because they seemed slightly tighter and less comfortable than the Spinnakers. I was almost ready to send them back, but decided to wear them a few hours a day inside the house. Within a few days, they began to "loosen up" and become more comfortable and are now a "keeper." I deducted one star because I still think that they are slightly narrow, in spite of being labeled as "Wide." Why do so many shoe manufacturers insist on making narrow Wide shoes? Probably to save on leather and costs.The quality and workmanship is superior to Sperry, in my opinion. The leather is much thicker and has a uniform smooth finish - no weird wavy spots or ripples in the leather like on my last pair of Sperrys. The stitching is also straight and even. The sole is slightly thicker, and a little firmer than Sperrys. They're not made in USA, but at least in the Western Hemisphere - the Dominican Republic - not China.

Bottom Line: Excellent, comfortable nu-buck alternative to Sperry’sWhat is the appeal of boat shoes? They’re simple, comfortable and convenient; they can be slipped on and off with ease, worn with or without socks (go no socks), and they pair well with chino’s, jeans and shorts.Right out of the box, I was impressed with the smooth, soft nu-buck exterior. The nap is ever so slight with a velvet touch and the texture can be appreciated both visually and physically. The construction is especially solid with the Docksides being flexible and close to the ground which presents an interesting dichotomy; while I wouldn’t go on hikes with them or unusually long walking day trips, they are very relaxed and non-restrictive compared to Sperry’s, which tend to be stiffer boat shoes. So what does that mean? Great for casual and boating use, not so great for walking the length of Manhattan.The upper and interior linings are made from heavy-duty leather, with brass eyelets for the rawhide laces which are suitably thick to prevent breaking but not so thick to prevent easy lacing. The outsoles are rubber (compared to man-made soles which are made from cheaper plastic). Rubber outsoles are non-marking and slip-resistant.Usually reserved for spring and summer use, the shoes should last for quite a many years, depending on levels of abuse. If you’re a landlubber, these can easily go a decade. The design is not unnecessarily garish so these bad boys will never date themselves in the long run.Better arch support would have made these a 5 but keep in mind, that's rare for boat shoes.

Honestly,This is my 3rd Sebago shoes. So you know how I like it.my 1st sebago was about 8 yrs ago. and i am still wearing that one now. (but very close the end of it's life)you know how enduring is Sebago.beside its endurance, i like its materials.there are some other boat shoes has some soft cotton-like pad under your feet. that maybe more comfortable (like Sperry & Dr. Martin)Sebago doesn't have that pad at all. under ur feet is just leather pad and the plastic like bottom.this is why i like it. because i would wear the shoes to the beach, and even jump into the water.i kept my Sebago on when i was swimming in Miami beach. (and to all beaches)there was one time i was picking up stones by a stone beach in Block Island, RI.I found out my shoes and feet are all wet after. so i threw the shoes on the bike basket and bike back to the ferry back to RI.less than 30min bike ride on the basket, the shoes are dry already.(so i have huge fond of Sebago. its stilled with nic trip memory)its leather & plastic material doesn't absorb water at all. (well, has the least water absorbent u can imagine)so it can be dried out about 30min.(it call itself boat shoe, should expect to get wet)also with leather & plastic material i can wear them without socks and don't really smell bad.and its still comfy like that. I wear that to work or out. I can wear them whole day and still don't really feel uncomfortable.and for so many years Sebago shoes is still my first choice to a trip, that i would walk for days or even getting to beach

They are great looking and remind me of the Docksiders I wore as a kid. I sure don't remember the break-in issues as a kid though. Hopefully, the stiff leather will soon soften and I'll be wearing these for many years. These are, quite possibly, the stiffest shoes I've ever broken in. It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't designed to wear barefoot. The backs are a little high. That, combined with the stiffness, make them uncomfortable to wear without socks until they are broken in. I actually had to add a thin insert to raise my foot up just a tad so that the back of the shoe wouldn't be painful. I'm guessing that if I had tried these on in a brick and mortar shoe store, I would have passed on them (maybe that's why I couldn't even find a brick and mortar store that carries them). I play a lot of hockey and found it easier to break in hockey skates than these shoes.They do fit as expected. I usually wear a size 9W and that's what I ordered. They are a 9W.Update - 5/26/15My shoes are broken in and they are now very comfortable. They look great and feel like they'll be around for a long time. I'm bumping up one more star to 4-Stars :-)

Grippy soles - good for inspecting roofs. Interesting leather uppers complimenting jeans and leather jackets.Needed a 44 this time but always used to be 43 in this style.Sadly the inner sole moved with wearing had to be cut out, re-centered and re-stuck after three months.

My last pair of Sebago Docksides recently gave up the ghost, after 20 years of outstanding service. After reading 'some' negative reviews on here, I was not entirely certain about buying another pair. However I went ahead, and I am so pleased that I did. The new, all white, Docksides are the epitome of 'cool'. They are well made, soft, stylish and fit perfectly, at my normal shoe size. Of course they are made of real leather, and will take little while to adapt to the shape of 'my' foot, to this end I am wearing them around the house, with socks, just to bed them in, they are already very comfortable. I am absolutely delighted with my purchase.

Good shoes. Great for summer months. Sizing can be tricky. Go 1/2 a size up on your usual fitting

Parfait. Correspond aux attentes

Absolutely superb shoes. Very comfortable, durable and casually smart. I have another pair that have been in daily use for over eight years and still going strong! All they need is the occasional spruce up with the right products for this type of shoe (cleaner + beeswax polish). I would recommend them to anyone who wants quality and stylish smart casual footwear that will last.