Sperry also sells a “made in Maine” version of this shoe. It is a hand made horween leather shoe. It has a high quality vibram sole and it is beautiful shoe. I’ve had that model for nearly 8 years and it improves in fit and appearance every time I wear them. Love your channel.
Im not a wearer or buyer of these shoes. But in defense of these, they were made to wear on wooden boats. They dont get wear on the soles when worn on deck. People that have wood decks on boats don't want you wearing shoes on deck for that reason. They arent designed to be worn on surfaces that wear heavy.
Sorry, but this is not a fair review of the sperry top sider. The one you bought there is some special version that that’s different from the regular top sider. A regular one has actual laces, no weird elastic bands, and a leather insole. Additionally, if you actually bend the outsole you’ll see it opens up into 1/4” deep slits. So it won’t “wear out in a 100 steps”. Try to drag that outsole across a smooth tile floor vs some other rubber sole boot/shoe. The sperry will stick in place. I’m just salty because I love my pair of original ones i’ve had for nearly ten years and hate to see them misrepresented…
I have a pair of regular leather Top Siders and a pair like the ones on the video, but out of canvas. The ones with the elastic band are more of a style over function thing, while the ones you can tie down are functional yet preppy boat shoes
The pair he has here is still sold by the company, so it's not completely unfair. You can't expect RoseAnvil to only review the top of the line shoe from every brand, because that is also misrepresenting the company. Also, it was a mostly positive review if you watch the whole thing.
@@Escapism7133 I would expect him to review the shoe that the brand is most well known for and that is what he normally does. I wouldn't expect him to review the Goldcup, which is their actual top of the line shoe, because most people don't get them. He's not a fan of Sperry so I assume he just got whatever looked right in his mind and didn't do too much research to find the right shoe. I was looking to get my first pair not long ago and it took some time to find the actual classic Topsider. There are very slight differences between a lot of there shoes and the descriptions or naming convention isn't great. So that's understandable, though I think he should have put more effort in than that, especially seeing how he couldn't be bothered to flex the sole to see how deep the "wave siping" actually is. This just seemed like a rushed review compared to what he usually does. I don't see a need for you to make excuses for him when you have no idea what his actual reasoning is. I'm not looking for a positive review, I'm looking for an in depth and correct review.
@@bigbreno7 Fair enough. But again, this is still a shoe sold by Sperry - a very popular model I suspect. Just because it isn't the shoe you wanted him to review, doesn't mean it isn't a "correct review" as you put it. But to your point, maybe the various Sperry models shouldn't have been so glossed over, making the review more clear on which model he was showcasing here.
I work on boats and Sperry has been my go-to for years now. I spend about 3 or 4 hours on board (and in the engine room) most days and about 3 days a week I am in a boat-yard so these environments are hard on a pair of shoes and mine have held up remarkably well. The only issue I find is that after a few years, the sole seems to "harden" and traction on wooden or linoleum floors is limited, but these aren't surfaces they were designed for.
I recently reconditioned mine & they look great, the leather bounced back with a little TLC & elbow grease, but yeah, the soles are hard as rocks. Actually kinda dangerous in wet conditions, so useless for their intended application. Is there ANYTHING that can be done or do I just toss 'em?
Finally a Sperry’s topside boat shoe . I know you have done some other sperry items but this is the iconic shoe sperries has been known for in fact I have been wearying them since I was very young , nothing could hold a candle to them for fishing, boating, beach , and going out on the town. Topsiders are always my go to for just lounging around as well. Thank you for the video
Sperry, Sebago and Eastland were heavy gotos in my childhood, now it's Rancourt. Easymoc and Oakstreet Bootmakers are the other brands producing an American moccasin.
You bought the cross lace version instead of the actual original boat shoe with the 360 lacing. That mistake is on you and not them. The tread looks shallow at first glance, but if you actually bend the sole, you can tell it's much deeper and lasts the life of the sole. Sperry's have bee my daily wear (except for winter) shoes for 3 years now and they hold up great
Yeah. I have a couple pair, and they both have true laces and the soles have much deeper slices. It's funny how granular and particular he can be until it's a shoe he intended to dislike.
@@danschneider9921 ehhh, that's kind of a logical fallacy... orange man wears a Rolex, so all of Rolex wearers must be suspect? But do agree it was a bit snide.
Now that you hve done the basic sperry boatshoe I might suggest you do the upgraded Gold Cup versions and compare price points. Those would be the middle priced gold cup authentic and then the highest price “hand-made in Maine” gold cups. Am interested in seeing what they look like inside which might help determining if the extra price is worth it!
Rancourt, Quoddy, and others out of Maine still make true moccasin shoes and boots. Men and women sewing the shoe around the last by hand. The Horween Chromexcel in my Rancourt Read boat shoe is 3.3mm.
Well, traditionally we tied them. Maybe you got a trendy item. There were actually a lot of interesting ways to tie them so the bow would lay horizontal, or use them as slip ons with barrel knots. The last pair of Sperry’s I got were unwearable because they were so narrow.
Love this channel. I like to learn about brands and their actual uses. It helps me with cosigning but also getting the most wear out of purchases. I bought a pair of “ugg” style Stella McCartney boots at a Barney’s warehouse sale. They were overpriced originally since they are faux. All the “leather” wore off. Instead of throwing them away I decided to find genuine leather and fur to add to the boot. So channels like yours show me what is what. Never again will I buy designer “Uggs” I need genuine leathers and furs. Though my faux boots have the crepe soles.
Wow, I haven’t thought about Sperry’s in years. I was a preppy at Syracuse University, and I always wore Topsiders, even if there was like 10 ft of snow on the ground.
Bought my first pair of Top-Siders in 1973, wore them until the mid ‘80’s. I’ve owned a pair every year since. The pair I have on at this moment are just over a year old. I have 3 pair now
topsiders used to have tie-able leather laces & if you were cool enough you'd have fancy little nautical knots tied on the ends of 'em. they were all the rage in the late 70s-early-80s for any preppy worth their salt. back then, there wasn't any foam or lining for that matter. just that rubber sole stitched onto the leather, where you could look into your shoe & see the stitched construction & eventually with wear, the shiny imprint of your foot (those in the know never wore 'em with socks -- they're friggin' boat shoes, you cretins!) i think my last pair was purchased in the early 2000s -- still the same ol' shoe. not terribly comfortable but always give that solid preppy profile -- i always like mine with argyle socks. nice to see they're still around, even though you can't tie 'em. thanks for this one, it really made me smile. 😻😻😻😻😻 5/5
You can tie them still, he got the cross lace version which is more designed for slipping on and off, hence the lack of laces and the addition of the elastic band.
I bought some Clark's outlet version of this. They are moccasins with a city sole. The 360 for is real. The first time I laced them up the leather lace snapped. So i got a local cobbler to replace them and that first lacing does tuck in the ankle. Since then i wear them a lot, versatile anywhere you don't need socks. Mocs rock.
As always a great video! Sperry have been my daily wear shoe for over 10 years, I normally keep a box fresh pair ready to go after I have completely worn through my current pair which i would normally refer too as old friends due to how they would fit so snuggly. However in recent years I noticed a drop in quality, the shoes seemed the same out of the box but after a week or two of wearing they lost their shape and became ‘boatish’. They slopped around on my feet and therefore never took shape well enough to become old friends. I discovered that the ‘gold cup’ variation were like the old standard but much more expensive, also a bit hit and miss some pairs were good some not. I decided to look for a new shoe and took the plunge on a squeaky pair of crown Northampton’s. I don’t really know how all this lines up with who owned them, and I hope that the shoes in your video mean I can get back to my old friends and box fresh tradition. Thanks Rose Anvil! Love your vids!!!❤
I normally wear cowboy boots but when I want a casual look in shorts, sperry has been my go to since 2015. All of them have lasted since I bought them and I think they are super underrated as a casual shoe that elevates your outfit.
I’ve be been wearing topsiders since I was a kid in the 90’s. My dad has been wearing them since the 70’s when he was in high school. Growing up in CT you’d see someone wearing a pair on any given day (it’s a staple, more-so for men in New England, but plenty of women wear them too). Like most shoes, I’d say the durability has gone down slightly - mainly with the material they use for the footbed lining-the outsoles still last a long time. The pair I had in the mid-2000’s had a nice thick pad of leather that fully lined the shoe. They were also only $60-$65 full retail at the time. The 2 pairs I had in college/just after had cheaper a footbed lining, the pair I have now and the one before them have the same thin layer of leather on top of a blue foam pad. Thankfully they still retain the unlined area for the ball of your feet and toes. I’ll always have a pair, if you get the ones that have normal laces and a leather footbed you’ll enjoy them for years to come. One of the most versatile shoes with a timeless style.
Not gonna lie, Sperrys will go a very long time with absolutely no care. I have had a pair go for years as daily drivers. They have always shocked me how much damage they can take before they actually fall apart.
Good stuff - Like to see a review on Boat Shoes/Docksiders using Horween's waterproofed leather, ...privately labeled Chromexcel. Had a great pair of Rockports long ago with Horween leather ..but no clue obviously as to its actually inner constuction.
I have a pair of Sperry's that I've had for about 20 years. I actually even paid to have them resoled, almost as much as a new pair would cost simple because after 20 years of wear the leather is perfectly worn in and supple.
I've owned several brands of boat shoes and (without cutting them apart) believe they were all a genuine moccasin construction as claimed. The construction gives you a different feel under foot where you get lots of ground feel, especially in the forefoot, and lots of flexibility. That helps your grip on slippery surfaces. The thickest and best quality leather uppers I've tried are the Orca Bay shoes which have a surprisingly good oiled leather upper for the price that these shoes typically cost.
My shoe of choice for twenty years, both regular and Gold Cup. The shoe reviewed here is not the "true" original boat shoe, still available, but $10.00 more. I ordered a pair of these once by mistake and the fit and finish was inferior to the standard pair, so I returned them. You should get a pair of the "true" boat shoe for comparison My last few pair of the regular shoe have failed when the thread stitching the sole to the upper seemed to rot and failed, while the rest of the shoe is still serviceable. but I still can't find a shoe I like better.
The siping is kind of a big deal because it is what made the shoe a great boat shoe because it wouldn't slip on wet surfaces. You can clearly see the siping on the cross section cut, but you can also see it by bending the shoe at the ball of foot area and those razor cut siping slits will open up. Its the same technology that you can have done to your tires for your car. It gives you a lot more grip on wet or icy surfaces. The sad thing is Sperry uses this sole on just a couple of their shoes, and others they have an outsole pattern that looks the same as the siped shoes, but no actual siping.
The 360 degree lacing is supposed to offer a custom fit around the foot so the shoes don't slip off. It adjusts at the top lacing. It should all be connected like a regular moccasin.
So true story- High School Senior week in Ocean City Maryland circa 2015- I was very drunk on a beach at 2am (don't ask) and my buddies and I found two matching Sperry shoes floating in the ocean. Fished them out of the water, and I still have them and wear them regularly to this day in 2024. I mink oil them every few months and they still look great. The craziest part of this story though is when I came back to my senior-week hotel room, shoes in hand, another buddy who was on the beach around 10PM looked at my new shoes and was like "where the hell did you get those" Long story short, he saw some other drunk guy make a fool of himself and some high school girls knocked him over, and threw his shoes into the ocean- only for me to come along and find them washing back up on the beach hours later. They've been known as my "sea loafers" ever since.
I’ve owned quite a few sperry’s throughout the years. Honestly I didn’t even notice changes from parent company to parent company. Btw that outsole essentially has those grooves cut into it. If you fold the outsole over you’ll be able to see how deep those grooves go. They open up when you step and flex the shoe.
Rancourt makes a similar product, it would be cool to see one of their made in Maine camp mocs cut in half. I snagged a vintage Eastland branded pair from a thrift store a few years back, and they have become one of my favorite shoes.
I love top siders, kick em on and off super easy, dress up or down, I’ve been wearing the pair I have now for about 3 years and the only reason I think I’ll replace them is because they are starting to loose they’re shape a bit. Next pair I’ll just buy an extra set of shoe trees I guess. The soles have help up crazy well.
Good to know what's on the inside. I've worn Sperry's for years and always been happy with them. The quality has been consistently good. I have always liked Clark's as well. Seems like you have to watch closely. Clark's are overall good, however, I've seen exceptions along the way.
I got a pair Sperry A/O boat shoes in college. They’re still going strong almost five years later. They break in very well and become slipper like. Practically barefoot shoes with how simple they are.
Even with not looking deeper on the outsole and getting the lower quality version with disconnected lacing, this was still pretty impressive from Sperry
Crazy world we live in. Yesterday I looked up RoseAnvil Sperry and was disappointed when I didn’t see a video on the original boat shoes. Popped up on my fyp and thought I was stupid for not seeing it yesterday. Posted 5 hrs ago 😅. Keep up the great content tho.
I owned these shoes a few years back and found the soles became hard and brittle after 2 or 3 years, cracked, and started falling apart. They had no grip on most surfaces (I did not wear them on boats). The uppers were great with thick soft leather, but overall I was very disappointed.
I found a pair of sperrys in a marshalls store without knowing anything about the brand, I just saw em and realized by lookimg at them they were good shoes.. they cost me 26 dlls and then i looked for them online to realize theyre 100 dlls shoes.. super comfy , exelent good looking learher, and very breathable.
Pretty happy with the few pairs of Top Siders I’ve had over the years. They’re great for spring and fall weather otherwise they are too hot for summer and too cold for winter. They look great and are somewhat timeless, but you have to know when it is appropriate to wear them. I personally wear them all the time at the house because they are quick to tie and work in about any purpose I can think of otherwise I’m going for boots. Nice shoes to go out in the evenings and they feel good as well. Excellent with a pair of jeans.
I bought a pair back in like 2008/2009. One difference I see from these is that mine had a leather insole. I remember because my dog tore it out and chewed it up.
Please get ahold of their Gold Cup version. It is much truer to the original at a much higher price. What you have seems to be their Tier 2 version sold at outlets and big box shoe stores. If you liked this shoe, you will be blown away by the Gold Cup
The fact that I dressed up as Mr Roger’s for Halloween last night for a party and I had blue sperry’s on(similar to his) and you guys drop this video about sperry’s and have Mr Roger’s as your thumbnail is just absolutely crazy to me! Mind blown
In high school, the go-to for all the preppy kids was the Mako two-eye or the Billfish. Had a pair myself. Very comfortable and wore them barefoot for so long they started smelling like doritos. That was around 2005, so not sure what may have changed in the past 20 years.
As much as I have never wanted to be associated with the average wearer of these shoes, I owned a pair a long time ago. I will say that with no socks, or very thin socks they are really comfortable, especially after breaking in and getting a nice custom foot impression. Would love to own another pair, but the price is a little high, then again, they will last a lot longer than any similar priced
Growing up on the East Coast I have been wearing Sperrys since I was a little boy. I can tell that it had been traded for companies because some of their shoes keep messing with my achilles tendon decades later.
I HATED boat shoes when I was growing up but I've recently gotten into them. I live in Mexico so they make sense for me most of the year. They're a classic design/construction and you can kind of dress them up a bit. Plus you can (and should😉) wear them without socks...
When I was in high school Eastland Lace-up Moccasins were really popular not sure if they are still in business. I do remember having a pair of Sperry also
I wore sperry's in the 1980's and the 360 lace on those did go around as on a pair I got a lace caught ripped the leather and I had to replace it, it was a real pain getting through the holes.
A great review. I love my Sperrys. Since I discovered your channel, the shoe I’ve been hoping to see is the Made in Maine Sperry Gold Cups. A little pricey but would love to see if they’re worth the extra expense and if there’s a difference.
I've owned a few, though I'm not familiar with whatever non-tying version you have there. I've not seen those available. I've had the uppers wear out on me and sides bust out before the sole had wear to consider that. They do seem to make a wide range of quality levels and since most of them look similar, it can be hard to tell what is what.
As someone with TERRIBLY flat feet, these are some of the most painful shoes I’ve ever tried on. The upward diagonal from the heel up into the rest of the sole dug right into my non-existent arch, making it feel like I was walking with a giant horizontal metal bar in the middle of my foot! It is interesting to see that, with the cut in half, that’s the only spot that doesn’t have any foam, which is exactly how it felt to me. No disrespect to those who like them, but they weren’t made for someone with my f’ed up feet
I wanted a nice pair of traditional moccasin deck shoes this summer and found the Sebago Docksides to be the preferred choice over anything by Sperry. Pretty much the same construction and materials as these, but at a better price.
Now this is what I think of when I think of Dad's shoes. My dad has several shoes that look like this. I think even my grandfather had shoes that looks like these.
i just found out about a timberland true moc toe, with calf lining, stitched to a veg tan midsole, made in Portugal. it was very heavy but seemed indestructible, wouldn't mind see it cut to asses value .
I have Sperry Gold cups which is their top line top-sider. The leather is beautiful on them with a leather insole as well. Extremely comfortable. I had Sperry shoes for decades and they have always been quite good.
Happy to see they have gone back to real moccasin construction, I stopped buying Sperry's around 2019 they started selling some fake moccasins with a fiberboard insole under a full foam insole. Ymmv but I'd be weary of Topsiders with full insoles instead of the half insoles. Or buy rancourt
Sperrys are solid. I’ve had a pair for like 10 years. Do they have a boot/high top version of this, that is as good quality wise? I love the simple look of a moc toe, but I hate the white soles that most of them have. The Russells look sick, but way out of my price range.
been wearing Thursday handsewn loafer (boat shoe loafer hybrid). pretty satisfied, not super comfortable but wide last and feels durable, breaking in like one of their boots. would be interested in seeing it cut in half.
Would you consider doing a cut down/review of the Indie Ridge motorcycle boots? I've been wearing them for forest service contract (aviation maintenance), and they have been amazing. I'd love to see the guts if them
There are plenty of other US companies, in addition to Russell, making high quality moccasin construction shoes and boots: Rancourt, Gokey and Quoddy come to mind immediately.
I bought two pairs during the Payless days and it seemed like they cut down on their costs by making a narrow shoe. I have a normal width foot but could hardly get my foot into them and my foot was hanging off the side of the shoe.
I feel like the canvas upper would be a better material for a beck shoe than the leather. The main thing I don't like about Sperry deck shoes is I just don't find them comfortable, they are too narrow for my liking.
Are there any shoes where' you don't tie the laces but instead tighten them with a stick, like a tourniquet? Sort of a less complicated boa system kinda, could imagine that with a boot or other sorta old fashioned looking shoe.
Get a Rose Anvil Leather Ring in unique leathers here - bit.ly/4feCd9C
Rose Anvil Knot Bracelet here - bit.ly/4hgAtOV
Can you do Chippewa Super DNA boots please?
Sperry also sells a “made in Maine” version of this shoe. It is a hand made horween leather shoe. It has a high quality vibram sole and it is beautiful shoe. I’ve had that model for nearly 8 years and it improves in fit and appearance every time I wear them. Love your channel.
Im not a wearer or buyer of these shoes. But in defense of these, they were made to wear on wooden boats. They dont get wear on the soles when worn on deck. People that have wood decks on boats don't want you wearing shoes on deck for that reason. They arent designed to be worn on surfaces that wear heavy.
Sorry, but this is not a fair review of the sperry top sider. The one you bought there is some special version that that’s different from the regular top sider. A regular one has actual laces, no weird elastic bands, and a leather insole. Additionally, if you actually bend the outsole you’ll see it opens up into 1/4” deep slits. So it won’t “wear out in a 100 steps”. Try to drag that outsole across a smooth tile floor vs some other rubber sole boot/shoe. The sperry will stick in place.
I’m just salty because I love my pair of original ones i’ve had for nearly ten years and hate to see them misrepresented…
He literally gave thema positive review...
I have a pair of regular leather Top Siders and a pair like the ones on the video, but out of canvas. The ones with the elastic band are more of a style over function thing, while the ones you can tie down are functional yet preppy boat shoes
The pair he has here is still sold by the company, so it's not completely unfair. You can't expect RoseAnvil to only review the top of the line shoe from every brand, because that is also misrepresenting the company. Also, it was a mostly positive review if you watch the whole thing.
@@Escapism7133 I would expect him to review the shoe that the brand is most well known for and that is what he normally does. I wouldn't expect him to review the Goldcup, which is their actual top of the line shoe, because most people don't get them. He's not a fan of Sperry so I assume he just got whatever looked right in his mind and didn't do too much research to find the right shoe. I was looking to get my first pair not long ago and it took some time to find the actual classic Topsider. There are very slight differences between a lot of there shoes and the descriptions or naming convention isn't great. So that's understandable, though I think he should have put more effort in than that, especially seeing how he couldn't be bothered to flex the sole to see how deep the "wave siping" actually is. This just seemed like a rushed review compared to what he usually does. I don't see a need for you to make excuses for him when you have no idea what his actual reasoning is. I'm not looking for a positive review, I'm looking for an in depth and correct review.
@@bigbreno7 Fair enough. But again, this is still a shoe sold by Sperry - a very popular model I suspect. Just because it isn't the shoe you wanted him to review, doesn't mean it isn't a "correct review" as you put it. But to your point, maybe the various Sperry models shouldn't have been so glossed over, making the review more clear on which model he was showcasing here.
I love sperrys, they serve the same purpose to me as crocs to other people, but they are so much better
I work on boats and Sperry has been my go-to for years now. I spend about 3 or 4 hours on board (and in the engine room) most days and about 3 days a week I am in a boat-yard so these environments are hard on a pair of shoes and mine have held up remarkably well. The only issue I find is that after a few years, the sole seems to "harden" and traction on wooden or linoleum floors is limited, but these aren't surfaces they were designed for.
I recently reconditioned mine & they look great, the leather bounced back with a little TLC & elbow grease, but yeah, the soles are hard as rocks. Actually kinda dangerous in wet conditions, so useless for their intended application. Is there ANYTHING that can be done or do I just toss 'em?
@@Dylboztime too let them walk the plank
Finally a Sperry’s topside boat shoe . I know you have done some other sperry items but this is the iconic shoe sperries has been known for in fact I have been wearying them since I was very young , nothing could hold a candle to them for fishing, boating, beach , and going out on the town. Topsiders are always my go to for just lounging around as well. Thank you for the video
Glad to see someone who knows about the gem that is Colter Wall!
I met Mr. ROGERS when I was a lil boy. Dam good dude. Went to his church. It was an honor.
Sperry, Sebago and Eastland were heavy gotos in my childhood, now it's Rancourt. Easymoc and Oakstreet Bootmakers are the other brands producing an American moccasin.
I've got three pairs of Rancourts (two pairs of boots and one pair of shoes), but no boat shoes/mocs, as they aren't really a thing in Australia.
Ive got a spinal disability and these slip ons are stylish and easy for me to get on and off
I have a Sperry Gold Cup pair and they're really nice.
You bought the cross lace version instead of the actual original boat shoe with the 360 lacing. That mistake is on you and not them. The tread looks shallow at first glance, but if you actually bend the sole, you can tell it's much deeper and lasts the life of the sole.
Sperry's have bee my daily wear (except for winter) shoes for 3 years now and they hold up great
Which one do you recommend,I apologize for mr rose being a dufus
How'd I guess based on the snarky tone of your reply, you'd be the type of person who would wear these....
Yeah. I have a couple pair, and they both have true laces and the soles have much deeper slices. It's funny how granular and particular he can be until it's a shoe he intended to dislike.
@@danschneider9921 ehhh, that's kind of a logical fallacy... orange man wears a Rolex, so all of Rolex wearers must be suspect? But do agree it was a bit snide.
Yeah, this video is pretty sloppy.
Now that you hve done the basic sperry boatshoe I might suggest you do the upgraded Gold Cup versions and compare price points. Those would be the middle priced gold cup authentic and then the highest price “hand-made in Maine” gold cups. Am interested in seeing what they look like inside which might help determining if the extra price is worth it!
Rancourt, Quoddy, and others out of Maine still make true moccasin shoes and boots. Men and women sewing the shoe around the last by hand. The Horween Chromexcel in my Rancourt Read boat shoe is 3.3mm.
Rancourt makes great shoes and boots.
Well, traditionally we tied them. Maybe you got a trendy item. There were actually a lot of interesting ways to tie them so the bow would lay horizontal, or use them as slip ons with barrel knots. The last pair of Sperry’s I got were unwearable because they were so narrow.
Rings and bracelets? Brother, you need to make guitar straps! Pretty sure your other products are 90% of the way there already.
yes!
both the rings and bracelets are terrible design and obtrusive. yikes
Love this channel. I like to learn about brands and their actual uses. It helps me with cosigning but also getting the most wear out of purchases. I bought a pair of “ugg” style Stella McCartney boots at a Barney’s warehouse sale. They were overpriced originally since they are faux. All the “leather” wore off. Instead of throwing them away I decided to find genuine leather and fur to add to the boot. So channels like yours show me what is what. Never again will I buy designer “Uggs” I need genuine leathers and furs. Though my faux boots have the crepe soles.
Wow, I haven’t thought about Sperry’s in years. I was a preppy at Syracuse University, and I always wore Topsiders, even if there was like 10 ft of snow on the ground.
Once Moctober is over, I’d love if you guys could cut Redwing’s flagship boot- Supersole 2.0
Dude, I love Colter Wall.
Bought my first pair of Top-Siders in 1973, wore them until the mid ‘80’s. I’ve owned a pair every year since. The pair I have on at this moment are just over a year old. I have 3 pair now
topsiders used to have tie-able leather laces & if you were cool enough you'd have fancy little nautical knots tied on the ends of 'em. they were all the rage in the late 70s-early-80s for any preppy worth their salt. back then, there wasn't any foam or lining for that matter. just that rubber sole stitched onto the leather, where you could look into your shoe & see the stitched construction & eventually with wear, the shiny imprint of your foot (those in the know never wore 'em with socks -- they're friggin' boat shoes, you cretins!) i think my last pair was purchased in the early 2000s -- still the same ol' shoe. not terribly comfortable but always give that solid preppy profile -- i always like mine with argyle socks. nice to see they're still around, even though you can't tie 'em. thanks for this one, it really made me smile.
😻😻😻😻😻 5/5
You can tie them still, he got the cross lace version which is more designed for slipping on and off, hence the lack of laces and the addition of the elastic band.
I bought some Clark's outlet version of this. They are moccasins with a city sole. The 360 for is real. The first time I laced them up the leather lace snapped. So i got a local cobbler to replace them and that first lacing does tuck in the ankle. Since then i wear them a lot, versatile anywhere you don't need socks. Mocs rock.
Still get these issued at the US Naval Academy!
Very glad to see something casual like this one. Would also love to see something similar like the LL Bean Boucher Moc shown. Thanks!
As always a great video! Sperry have been my daily wear shoe for over 10 years, I normally keep a box fresh pair ready to go after I have completely worn through my current pair which i would normally refer too as old friends due to how they would fit so snuggly. However in recent years I noticed a drop in quality, the shoes seemed the same out of the box but after a week or two of wearing they lost their shape and became ‘boatish’. They slopped around on my feet and therefore never took shape well enough to become old friends. I discovered that the ‘gold cup’ variation were like the old standard but much more expensive, also a bit hit and miss some pairs were good some not. I decided to look for a new shoe and took the plunge on a squeaky pair of crown Northampton’s. I don’t really know how all this lines up with who owned them, and I hope that the shoes in your video mean I can get back to my old friends and box fresh tradition. Thanks Rose Anvil! Love your vids!!!❤
I normally wear cowboy boots but when I want a casual look in shorts, sperry has been my go to since 2015. All of them have lasted since I bought them and I think they are super underrated as a casual shoe that elevates your outfit.
I’ve be been wearing topsiders since I was a kid in the 90’s. My dad has been wearing them since the 70’s when he was in high school. Growing up in CT you’d see someone wearing a pair on any given day (it’s a staple, more-so for men in New England, but plenty of women wear them too).
Like most shoes, I’d say the durability has gone down slightly - mainly with the material they use for the footbed lining-the outsoles still last a long time. The pair I had in the mid-2000’s had a nice thick pad of leather that fully lined the shoe. They were also only $60-$65 full retail at the time. The 2 pairs I had in college/just after had cheaper a footbed lining, the pair I have now and the one before them have the same thin layer of leather on top of a blue foam pad. Thankfully they still retain the unlined area for the ball of your feet and toes.
I’ll always have a pair, if you get the ones that have normal laces and a leather footbed you’ll enjoy them for years to come. One of the most versatile shoes with a timeless style.
Not gonna lie, Sperrys will go a very long time with absolutely no care. I have had a pair go for years as daily drivers. They have always shocked me how much damage they can take before they actually fall apart.
Good stuff -
Like to see a review on Boat Shoes/Docksiders using Horween's waterproofed leather,
...privately labeled Chromexcel.
Had a great pair of Rockports long ago with Horween leather
..but no clue obviously as to its actually inner constuction.
I feel like there is real potential for that bloodcore leather and future partnerships. Some Bloodcore solovair boots honestly sounds amazing!
I have a pair of Sperry's that I've had for about 20 years. I actually even paid to have them resoled, almost as much as a new pair would cost simple because after 20 years of wear the leather is perfectly worn in and supple.
I've owned several brands of boat shoes and (without cutting them apart) believe they were all a genuine moccasin construction as claimed. The construction gives you a different feel under foot where you get lots of ground feel, especially in the forefoot, and lots of flexibility.
That helps your grip on slippery surfaces.
The thickest and best quality leather uppers I've tried are the Orca Bay shoes which have a surprisingly good oiled leather upper for the price that these shoes typically cost.
I'd love to see you include Minnetonka Camp Mocs in your Moctober evals. Well made, super tough mocs that don't cost an arm and a leg.
My shoe of choice for twenty years, both regular and Gold Cup. The shoe reviewed here is not the "true" original boat shoe, still available, but $10.00 more. I ordered a pair of these once by mistake and the fit and finish was inferior to the standard pair, so I returned them. You should get a pair of the "true" boat shoe for comparison My last few pair of the regular shoe have failed when the thread stitching the sole to the upper seemed to rot and failed, while the rest of the shoe is still serviceable. but I still can't find a shoe I like better.
Rancourt still makes everything by hand and does real moccasin construction.
I'm wearing a pair right now. The Read Boat Shoe in Natural Chromexcel.
@@wompa70 i have the same color, except i replaced the boat sole with one of their red camp soles. Just a little more comfort.
Been wearing topsiders mocs sailing since the mid 1960s. Still wear them today. On deck, for me, it’s Sperry, deck boots or bare feet.
The siping is kind of a big deal because it is what made the shoe a great boat shoe because it wouldn't slip on wet surfaces. You can clearly see the siping on the cross section cut, but you can also see it by bending the shoe at the ball of foot area and those razor cut siping slits will open up. Its the same technology that you can have done to your tires for your car. It gives you a lot more grip on wet or icy surfaces. The sad thing is Sperry uses this sole on just a couple of their shoes, and others they have an outsole pattern that looks the same as the siped shoes, but no actual siping.
The 360 degree lacing is supposed to offer a custom fit around the foot so the shoes don't slip off. It adjusts at the top lacing. It should all be connected like a regular moccasin.
My father wore those all his life, except when at work where redwings were essential.
Was SO excited to get my Top Siders back in 1982, when I was 8 years old....cool as hell!
So true story- High School Senior week in Ocean City Maryland circa 2015- I was very drunk on a beach at 2am (don't ask) and my buddies and I found two matching Sperry shoes floating in the ocean. Fished them out of the water, and I still have them and wear them regularly to this day in 2024. I mink oil them every few months and they still look great.
The craziest part of this story though is when I came back to my senior-week hotel room, shoes in hand, another buddy who was on the beach around 10PM looked at my new shoes and was like "where the hell did you get those" Long story short, he saw some other drunk guy make a fool of himself and some high school girls knocked him over, and threw his shoes into the ocean- only for me to come along and find them washing back up on the beach hours later. They've been known as my "sea loafers" ever since.
I’ve owned quite a few sperry’s throughout the years. Honestly I didn’t even notice changes from parent company to parent company. Btw that outsole essentially has those grooves cut into it. If you fold the outsole over you’ll be able to see how deep those grooves go. They open up when you step and flex the shoe.
I've been wearing these for over 40 years. They haven't changed much at all. They last for years and the more beat up they get the better they are.
Rancourt makes a similar product, it would be cool to see one of their made in Maine camp mocs cut in half. I snagged a vintage Eastland branded pair from a thrift store a few years back, and they have become one of my favorite shoes.
I love top siders, kick em on and off super easy, dress up or down, I’ve been wearing the pair I have now for about 3 years and the only reason I think I’ll replace them is because they are starting to loose they’re shape a bit. Next pair I’ll just buy an extra set of shoe trees I guess. The soles have help up crazy well.
Good to know what's on the inside. I've worn Sperry's for years and always been happy with them. The quality has been consistently good. I have always liked Clark's as well. Seems like you have to watch closely. Clark's are overall good, however, I've seen exceptions along the way.
I got a pair Sperry A/O boat shoes in college. They’re still going strong almost five years later. They break in very well and become slipper like. Practically barefoot shoes with how simple they are.
Even with not looking deeper on the outsole and getting the lower quality version with disconnected lacing, this was still pretty impressive from Sperry
I was so scared going into this. I love Sperrys and they feel so high quality to me. Luckily, this video confirms my experience!
Crazy world we live in. Yesterday I looked up RoseAnvil Sperry and was disappointed when I didn’t see a video on the original boat shoes. Popped up on my fyp and thought I was stupid for not seeing it yesterday. Posted 5 hrs ago 😅. Keep up the great content tho.
I owned these shoes a few years back and found the soles became hard and brittle after 2 or 3 years, cracked, and started falling apart. They had no grip on most surfaces (I did not wear them on boats). The uppers were great with thick soft leather, but overall I was very disappointed.
I found a pair of sperrys in a marshalls store without knowing anything about the brand, I just saw em and realized by lookimg at them they were good shoes.. they cost me 26 dlls and then i looked for them online to realize theyre 100 dlls shoes.. super comfy , exelent good looking learher, and very breathable.
Pretty happy with the few pairs of Top Siders I’ve had over the years. They’re great for spring and fall weather otherwise they are too hot for summer and too cold for winter. They look great and are somewhat timeless, but you have to know when it is appropriate to wear them. I personally wear them all the time at the house because they are quick to tie and work in about any purpose I can think of otherwise I’m going for boots. Nice shoes to go out in the evenings and they feel good as well. Excellent with a pair of jeans.
I bought a pair back in like 2008/2009. One difference I see from these is that mine had a leather insole. I remember because my dog tore it out and chewed it up.
Please get ahold of their Gold Cup version. It is much truer to the original at a much higher price. What you have seems to be their Tier 2 version sold at outlets and big box shoe stores. If you liked this shoe, you will be blown away by the Gold Cup
Please review a pair of Sperry Gold Cups (their “luxury” line) have a few pairs, happy with the quality
The fact that I dressed up as Mr Roger’s for Halloween last night for a party and I had blue sperry’s on(similar to his) and you guys drop this video about sperry’s and have Mr Roger’s as your thumbnail is just absolutely crazy to me! Mind blown
In high school, the go-to for all the preppy kids was the Mako two-eye or the Billfish. Had a pair myself. Very comfortable and wore them barefoot for so long they started smelling like doritos. That was around 2005, so not sure what may have changed in the past 20 years.
As much as I have never wanted to be associated with the average wearer of these shoes, I owned a pair a long time ago. I will say that with no socks, or very thin socks they are really comfortable, especially after breaking in and getting a nice custom foot impression. Would love to own another pair, but the price is a little high, then again, they will last a lot longer than any similar priced
you should review the gold cup ones and compare. also these aren’t the classic ones, u can actually lace the classic ones
These had been my go-to moccasins for years, changed recently, now looking to go back. Thanks for the review.
Maybe a series on loafers would be interesting. This certainly made the shoes more attractive to me but I had always been worried about the quality.
Growing up on the East Coast I have been wearing Sperrys since I was a little boy. I can tell that it had been traded for companies because some of their shoes keep messing with my achilles tendon decades later.
I HATED boat shoes when I was growing up but I've recently gotten into them. I live in Mexico so they make sense for me most of the year. They're a classic design/construction and you can kind of dress them up a bit. Plus you can (and should😉) wear them without socks...
When I was in high school Eastland Lace-up Moccasins were really popular not sure if they are still in business. I do remember having a pair of Sperry also
I wore sperry's in the 1980's and the 360 lace on those did go around as on a pair I got a lace caught ripped the leather and I had to replace it, it was a real pain getting through the holes.
A great review. I love my Sperrys. Since I discovered your channel, the shoe I’ve been hoping to see is the Made in Maine Sperry Gold Cups. A little pricey but would love to see if they’re worth the extra expense and if there’s a difference.
I've owned a few, though I'm not familiar with whatever non-tying version you have there. I've not seen those available. I've had the uppers wear out on me and sides bust out before the sole had wear to consider that. They do seem to make a wide range of quality levels and since most of them look similar, it can be hard to tell what is what.
Can you do more videos about new balances? Im really interested to see models like 997, 2002, 515, 500/373
In the actual lace up version when you tie them you can actually tighten the heel.
what ever happens Sebago "dockside's"? I think sperry makes a "gold cup" version made in use possibly
I always liked Sebagos more. Better and thicker leather.
As someone with TERRIBLY flat feet, these are some of the most painful shoes I’ve ever tried on. The upward diagonal from the heel up into the rest of the sole dug right into my non-existent arch, making it feel like I was walking with a giant horizontal metal bar in the middle of my foot! It is interesting to see that, with the cut in half, that’s the only spot that doesn’t have any foam, which is exactly how it felt to me. No disrespect to those who like them, but they weren’t made for someone with my f’ed up feet
I wanted a nice pair of traditional moccasin deck shoes this summer and found the Sebago Docksides to be the preferred choice over anything by Sperry. Pretty much the same construction and materials as these, but at a better price.
Mr. Rogers wore Keds Champions, not Sperrys
According to the children’s museum of Pittsburgh, which has his shoes on display, he wore Sperrys Topsiders as well as Converse Skidgrip.
Yeah, well , neither did Kennedy in the picture he put up but I think he was going for "images are for representative purposes only" 😜
@@gweran108 It's possible that he also wore them too but I'd guess the Most iconic sneakers (blue with white plimsoll) were the keds
Now this is what I think of when I think of Dad's shoes. My dad has several shoes that look like this. I think even my grandfather had shoes that looks like these.
Cole Wall is a country singer from Saskatchewan Canada his dad was the premiere (governor) of Saskatchewan. Very cool shirt sir.
i just found out about a timberland true moc toe, with calf lining, stitched to a veg tan midsole, made in Portugal. it was very heavy but seemed indestructible, wouldn't mind see it cut to asses value .
Keep saying Russell Moccasins are the "Last true American handmade Moc," meanwhile Gokey is just sitting in the back waiting for a little recognition
Still hoping you guys cover the brand Canada Snow...they look real nice but not sure about the insides.
I have Sperry Gold cups which is their top line top-sider. The leather is beautiful on them with a leather insole as well. Extremely comfortable. I had Sperry shoes for decades and they have always been quite good.
Happy to see they have gone back to real moccasin construction, I stopped buying Sperry's around 2019 they started selling some fake moccasins with a fiberboard insole under a full foam insole. Ymmv but I'd be weary of Topsiders with full insoles instead of the half insoles. Or buy rancourt
Not Sperry related, but next time you do sneakers, can you review Hoka? I looked and didn't see them on the any playlists.
Sperrys are solid. I’ve had a pair for like 10 years. Do they have a boot/high top version of this, that is as good quality wise? I love the simple look of a moc toe, but I hate the white soles that most of them have. The Russells look sick, but way out of my price range.
Great breakdown as always. Big 👍 to the Colter Wall shirt. Kate McCannon is the best murder ballad of the modern times.
With all the collabs, any chance of a balls to the wall docM/solovair collab? Like a max quality boot that looks like a doc?
been wearing Thursday handsewn loafer (boat shoe loafer hybrid). pretty satisfied, not super comfortable but wide last and feels durable, breaking in like one of their boots. would be interested in seeing it cut in half.
If a shoe isn't comfortable, it fails.
The gold cup model sperrys are actually good
Would you consider doing a cut down/review of the Indie Ridge motorcycle boots? I've been wearing them for forest service contract (aviation maintenance), and they have been amazing. I'd love to see the guts if them
Best review om the sperry
Can you review the new Vessi Tidal?
There are plenty of other US companies, in addition to Russell, making high quality moccasin construction shoes and boots: Rancourt, Gokey and Quoddy come to mind immediately.
I bought two pairs during the Payless days and it seemed like they cut down on their costs by making a narrow shoe. I have a normal width foot but could hardly get my foot into them and my foot was hanging off the side of the shoe.
Can you do a video on the reebok classics
I feel like the canvas upper would be a better material for a beck shoe than the leather. The main thing I don't like about Sperry deck shoes is I just don't find them comfortable, they are too narrow for my liking.
Is the original, longer-wearing sole available for repairs and/or upgrades?
Are there any shoes where' you don't tie the laces but instead tighten them with a stick, like a tourniquet? Sort of a less complicated boa system kinda, could imagine that with a boot or other sorta old fashioned looking shoe.
Can you please do a video on temu boots? Cowboy - Moctoe etc could be a fun series
i love True Moc Stitching ❤