For some reason that I can't explain, even to myself, these have outlasted even my old made in the good old US of A Jack Purcell. They are knackered to be certain but this evening, when we drive to our favourite chippie, I'll be wearing these together with my (also largely knackered) Scottish-made Bean cardigan. So, I'd buy them again. They'd go well, for the younger man, with a board shirt (see seperate thread) and cuffed chinos or jeans. Sockless of course.
I like them but my last pair didn't last very long. I must have worn them a lot because I am light on my feet. Same goes with my Sebago Docksiders. I got a good pair of boat shoes in a Debenhams sale that look good and have lasted longer.
Last edited by RobbieB (2021-10-07 08:39:57)
Bass come in and out on Boat Shoes/Mocs. But the last set about five years ago, I snapped up all the variants of in the sale and are still going strong. I spent about £100 but got something daft like five pairs in black, blue, tan. They did the white sole ones then the robust black sole ones, so two of the white sole and three of the black. All still going well. This was all before the comedy platform crepe soles that surely none of us touch.
The only Sperry Topsiders I still wear are the "Gold Cup" models. The normal ones are qualitatively unacceptable.
Leave it. There are better altermatives that are substantially less expensive. The LL Bean version for example.
"Leave it. There are better altermatives that are substantially less expensive. The LL Bean version for example."
I am aware that there are better alternatives. Rancourt or Quoddy, for example, which I have been wearing for years, are qualitatively light years away. Not cheaper, however. I wouldn't recommend LL Bean these days. The quality has deteriorated significantly.
Bean were always a puzzle to me. I'm wearing one of their cardigans as I type. Had it for years and I'm always slipping into it whenever I feel a bit chilly. The jeans and a few other things were okay, too. But their shirts! And I used to love poring over the catalogue. Is my memory failing me - you might not know this, Skipper - but didn't they try opening up in England? Funny, but I'm not sure I've ever seen anything of theirs in our vintage/charity shops even though US 'names' crop up frequently: J.Crew, Gap, Lands End etc. Never seen Bean.
I’m not aware of LL Bean opening up in the UK, if they did it wouldn’t be much to get excited about these days.
Lands End had a couple of seconds shops, one at Hatfileld and one at Taplow which is gone. They used to have the odd thing which was okay. But it wasn’t long before they went the same way as LL Beano.
I've been wearing the LL Bean boat shoe for years. I wear them hard from May 15 to Sept. 30. They get wet and everything. I generally get two years out of a pair, which works out to 57 cents per day or something.
What goes are the heels. They get to a point where standing is difficult. That's when I get another pair.
Last edited by Patrick (2021-10-09 06:10:32)
I’ve owned various pairs of boat shoes over the years. My first were Sperry Topsiders bought around 40 years ago, tan colour with a waxed feel to them. They were well made back then. Lasted for years and took a right battering, even paddled in the sea on various occasions with them on. I also own a suede pair of Sebago Docksides, more at home in a pub garden during the summer, than on a boat and another pair of Sperry, these are classic dark brown but with a thicker sole. Both pairs bought at the Ivy shop Richmond, the tan ones were bought at the Ivy Shop Windsor.
BTW how do you change your user name to a different one ?
I think you simply register any name you choose, then wait for the e-mail from the site.
Very nice to hear from you.
He means you can't change the name but you can register as another poster.
My mistake. Apologies.
You almost said the same thing but I thought I'd clarify.