black t shirt|
Boat shoes, commonly referred to as topsides or the deck shoes are specially designed for wear while in the boat. They are either made of canvas or leather with a sipping pattern on the sole. This allows them to have a secure grip on the wet or soggy deck. This further allows it to be able to repel water from the feet. The modern boat shoes were initially invented by Paul Sperry in 1935. This he was able to come up with after discovering that despite him having a rough time walking on snow and ice, his dog was able to walk with ease. This small invention has seen Paul and his partner Sebago become the world’s largest manufacturers of deck shoes.
The shoes are mainly worn by fishermen and sailors. However, with the current fashion trend, it has them become a very fashionable with men. Some still are manufactured using the older designs; white non marking soles and as for others, they are black. The shoes are very comfortable especially when worn over the summer season. They are however very expensive to purchase. This does call for proper maintenance to make them last longer over a prolonged period of time. For proper maintenance, the following has to be done:
• After use, they should be cleaned using a fine and clean cloth together with a solution of soap. Detergents and acids should never at all come in contact with the leather. The shoes should only be wiped mildly to prevent rubbing the leather too hard hence destroying it.
• Once wiped, they should be let to dry. This is done by sprinkling water on them rather than soaking them. Rinsing is done to get rid of the soap. To dry them, first fill them with paper to prevent them from losing their shape. Stuffing of papers helps to retain their current shape.
• When dry, use a conditioner on them to maintain the dark color. Even if the leather is light, it ends up getting much darker. Also, the conditioner makes the leather more water resistant and supple. The conditioner should be applied before being put on and also when going sailing.
• As for the shoe polish, the right paste should be applied. Make sure that the shoe polish being used is the right one for that type of shoe. High quality shoe polish/paste helps preserve the shoe’s leather and also, emphasize on its color.
Proper care of boat shoes makes shoes to last longer and continue looking as good as new. Also, by following these care guidelines, you end up feeling comfortable in the shoe being worn. There is no need to question about the shoe’s quality; having being in the market for such a long time, and adopted in many fields, it is truly the best. Boat shoes can be purchased from all leading shoes stores as well as through the online stores. The topsides, as they have come to be known, are dual purpose. You can wear them when going sailing, in the house, at the office or in other day to day activities.
write by Jocelyn