Skip to content
  • Legal disclaimer
  • Art
  • Dance
  • Earth
  • Jeffrey the Barak
  • Objects
  • People
  • Philosophy
  • Places
  • Scooters etcetera
  • about/contact

the-vu

online magazine, since 2000

Month: September 2014

Sebago and Sperry, Breaking-In, Boating and Loafing

By Jeffrey the Barak. An American classic, the boat shoe is a fashion staple around the world. It is a shoe that a man or woman can wear in hot climates and is an alternative to the flip fop, and yet it is still very functional in it’s intended use, which is walking sure-footedly around… Read More Sebago and Sperry, Breaking-In, Boating and Loafing

September 2, 2014December 6, 2022 thebarak26 Comments
  • January 2023
  • October 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • December 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • June 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • April 2019
  • November 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • July 2017
  • December 2016
  • August 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • April 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • September 2014
  • June 2014
  • February 2014
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • October 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • August 2011
  • May 2011
  • December 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • February 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • June 2009
  • March 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • January 2007
  • February 2006
  • December 2005
  • May 2005
  • January 2005
  • July 2004
  • June 2004
  • May 2004
  • March 2004
  • November 2003
  • September 2003
  • August 2003
  • June 2003
  • May 2003
  • April 2003
  • January 2003
  • December 2002
  • July 2002
  • June 2002
  • May 2002
  • April 2002
  • August 2001
  • July 2001
  • June 2001
  • April 2001
  • February 2001
  • January 2001
  • December 2000
  • November 2000
  • August 2000
  • July 2000
  1. Emmayowa Avatar
    Emmayowa
    November 4, 2014

    I love sebago shoes; I have the black but also need this brown one. How can I order for one in Lagos, Nigeria?

    LikeLike

    Reply
  2. nathan Avatar
    nathan
    February 24, 2016

    I’m trying to decide between the brown, brown elk and brown oiled waxy. I want durability and suppleness; at some point. I was told by a rep at Sebago that all three colors use the same leather, but the brown oiled waxy looks softer to me. What are your thoughts on this and whether or not the oiled waxy would break in better/faster than the elk and the brown.

    Thanks so much,

    LikeLike

    Reply
    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      February 24, 2016

      I would guess the oiled waxy would be the slowest to break in.

      LikeLike

      Reply
  3. Mike Brunet Avatar
    Mike Brunet
    May 28, 2016

    Recently decided to embrace the “boat shoe” lifestyle….. got two pairs of top siders, started listening to Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter !!!

    My all leather navy blue sperry top-siders are KILLING my feet……. I’ve dunked them in water before wearing them with bare feet, worn them another time with sperry no show socks…… back left heal still gets eaten up (worn out 3 times now) ……… I’m NOT giving up…….. right foot feels FANTASTIC……. the reddish brown gold A-0’s don’t hurt nearly as much but aren’t great YET!

    Looking forward to experiencing them for what I know they are!

    Is this normal ???????

    LikeLike

    Reply
  4. Mike Brunet Avatar
    Mike Brunet
    May 28, 2016

    Recently decided to embrace the “boat shoe” lifestyle….. got two pairs of top siders, started listening to Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter !!!

    My all leather navy blue sperry top-siders are KILLING my feet……. I’ve dunked them in water before wearing them with bare feet, worn them another time with sperry no show socks…… back left heal still gets eaten up (worn out 3 times now) ……… I’m NOT giving up…….. right foot feels FANTASTIC……. the reddish brown gold A-0’s don’t hurt nearly as much but aren’t great YET!

    Looking forward to experiencing them for what I know they are!

    Is this normal ???????

    LikeLike

    Reply
    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      May 28, 2016

      Look for sharp nylon threads sticking out at the blister point. If found, file them away.

      LikeLike

      Reply
  5. Mike Brunet Avatar
    Mike Brunet
    July 20, 2016

    Filed them ALL away…. and now have a perfect fit……. like wearing slippers!!!!!

    Thanks so much!

    LikeLike

    Reply
  6. Adam Khanbhai Avatar
    Adam Khanbhai
    July 22, 2016

    You sound like a man who knows his boat shoes! Any advice on whether nubuck boat shoes are a good idea? Am concerned water / salt would cause issues over time given I intend to wear on a boat…

    LikeLike

    Reply
    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      July 22, 2016

      You should be able to wash those “Nubucks” without issues, regardless of whether they are reverse-leather or made of disguised polyester.

      LikeLike

      Reply
  7. Martin M. Zafra Avatar
    Martin M. Zafra
    August 1, 2016

    Sirs, I´ve been swimming in clear mediterranean waters with my ten years old Sebago Endeavor on. After years of dubbing and other greases, the shoes kept relaxed, the leather seems to say: Thanks man, the best thing you ever done for me!

    LikeLike

    Reply
  8. Carla Avatar
    Carla
    August 8, 2016

    I was inspired to pull out my old red, white and blue Sperry Topsiders after seeing the US Olympic team wearing them during the opening ceremony. I quickly learned why I had stopped wearing them: They have the dreaded slippery white sole! Is there anything I can do to make them safe at least for street wear? I’ve read that even sandpapering doesn’t always work.

    LikeLike

    Reply
  9. Marvin Gates Avatar
    Marvin Gates
    April 20, 2017

    I have a pair of Sebago Marine grip shoes that the soles have turned so hard that I cannot wear for fear of slipping and falling. The soles started to turn hard when quite new.

    LikeLike

    Reply
  10. Noel Reyes Avatar
    Noel Reyes
    September 12, 2017

    Sir I have a question, I was wearing my classic black leather sebago shoes (the one w/o laces on top) I accidentally walk in a flooded area submerging my shoes about half of it’s height. Does that condition shorten the lifespan of my shoes? Will it break easily?

    LikeLike

    Reply
  11. Bob Giannetti. Avatar
    Bob Giannetti.
    April 3, 2018

    I decided to store my topsiders in the original box, the one with the hole in the end,
    for the winter. About the first of April, I took them to out to wear at the beach. The
    soles were so hard and slippery that they were deemed to be dangerous especially
    on carpet I read the reviews and there is apperently no cure for this poor quality
    control by Sperry. By the way I have sailed with my previous pairs of top siders for over twenty five years and now wear either the canvas blues or the topsiders with the
    breathable mesh insert on the side .

    LikeLike

    Reply
    1. editor Avatar
      editor
      April 29, 2018

      Write to Sperry. They may offer to take them back and inspect your findings, and you could get new ones or store credit.

      LikeLike

      Reply
  12. Jamie Swinfield Avatar
    Jamie Swinfield
    July 30, 2018

    I love my Sperry Topsiders.
    The best are the smooth tan leather ones.
    Buttery soft after a bit of wearing in.
    I’ve also got some Sebago Spinnaker Docksides in navy, red and white and the leather is so much thicker and stiffer and took a lot more breaking in, but feel like they’ll last forever.
    For instant delight then Timberlands in Nubuck are a good bet.

    LikeLike

    Reply
  13. ASH Green Avatar
    ASH Green
    July 22, 2020

    One of the best articles that I’ve read in a very long time! I Took notes and surely gonna implement and test bunch of stuff you talked about.
    You’re a beast! Cheers, Ash
    And don’t forget to visit theshoesfinder

    LikeLike

    Reply
  14. Martin Avatar
    Martin
    May 22, 2021

    Hi there! This might be a long shot – but I thought Id try writing re. Sebago fitting. If inaproppriate please delete! 🙂

    Ive purchased my first ever pairs of Sperry A/O and some pairs of Sebago Docksiders (Endeavor fgl waxed) in various sizes (normal size and two sizes smaller). Im having problems deciding on size and wanted to ask an experienced wearer how you think they should fit from the start?

    I understand they should fit snugly as the leather will expand with use. Whats your thought?
    In a brand new pair – if you push feet all the way forward do you have any room in the heel (index finger width, pinky?) or is it a very tight fit before broken in? Or should they fit comfortably with just a little room, but still snugly around the heel when standing normally? Or the other way – if you push heel back how much room approximately from longest toe to front of shoe?
    Right now i’m leaning towards the size where my toes are just barely not touching the front.

    Many thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

    LikeLike

    Reply
    1. editor Avatar
      editor
      May 24, 2021

      There is a limit to how much you can expect them to stretch. I have some shoe stretchers and I insert a dome where the little toe is to make them wider at that point. The softer leathers of some styles will be easier to mold to your feet than the harder, more shiny and waxy styles. Honestly the only reason I keep buying these is because the insides are all leather. Any other interior materials cause me great problems. But Sperry and Sebago need to consider different lasts and more of a natural foot shape so that actual sailors can use their toes to help keep themselves upright on a wet deck. I had good results with Lem’s Mariners.

      LikeLike

      Reply
  15. Alli Magnelli Avatar
    Alli Magnelli
    July 6, 2021

    Hello Jeffrey,
    Great advice and very informative! This is something of a follow-up on the previous question: I have just ordered some Sebagos in ‘Portland’ navy leather to replace a pair from the nineties(!). My usual size is fairly tight-fitting out of the box and I wonder if it might be too tight once an insole is added. Do you think they will stretch enough to accommodate the insole or would you recommend going up half a size?

    LikeLike

    Reply
    1. editor Avatar
      editor
      July 7, 2021

      A lot about these shoes might have changed in the seven years since this was written. You will just have to see if they fit and return them if they don’t. If the tightness is due to excessive narrowness as opposed to length, then a shoe stretcher with movable nubs might be needed. I personally stopped buying this exact kind of shoe because I need a lot more more underfoot cushioning now.

      LikeLike

      Reply
  16. Sivasubramaniam Subbian Avatar
    Sivasubramaniam Subbian
    September 22, 2021

    Hi
    Thanks for lovely tips
    How long we have to soak the shoes in the bathtub wearing them
    30 minutes or more or less
    Please let me know
    Whats the best way of poliah this shoes
    Can I dry them after soaking in the sun or I have to keep them away from Sun/ radiator and dry naturally
    Please let me know

    LikeLike

    Reply
    1. editor Avatar
      editor
      September 24, 2021

      Once they appear soaked, they will tend to shrink and harden while drying so you need to wear them and walk until they dry, or put them on shoe trees, or shoe stretchers, or stuff them with paper or towels. Do not use sunshine or heat to dry them, but an electric fan is okay. You can use a moisturizing leather dressing, but they are not meant to be shined with shoe polish.

      LikeLike

      Reply
      1. Sivasubramaniam Subbian Avatar
        Sivasubramaniam Subbian
        September 25, 2021

        Thanks
        My size is UK 9.5 and I bought 9 as many suggested to go one size down as they come big. After soaking for 30 minutes N
        And walking with it until dry for rest of the day . Still its seems to be little big.
        I used fine sand paper to smoothen the rough leather patches on my heel which is causing the blisters
        What should i do to make it bit more smaller
        Can I soak one more time and walk until dry
        Pl advice

        LikeLike

      2. editor Avatar
        editor
        September 25, 2021

        Because they are sewn to the non-shrinking rubber sole, they cannot actually get smaller, but you could try letting them dry without your feet inside to see if that shrinks just the upper leather. If that does not work then buy the next size down and keep this pair for your no-show socks.

        LikeLike

  17. Verna Bloom Avatar
    Verna Bloom
    October 23, 2021

    This is very difficult to chose a right shoe from the verity of shoes to attend the party. The Verna bloom is the provide the easiest wat to chose the right shoes.

    LikeLike

    Reply
A WordPress.com Website.
  • Follow Following
    • the-vu
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • the-vu
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...