Sperry 4.299438 5 Average Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars.

After a slippery boat deck nearly sent him overboard, lifelong sailor and inventor Paul Sperry created the first pair of Sperry Top-Sider boat shoes in 1935. Determined to find a solution for better traction, Paul carved small grooves into the bottom of his rubber-soled shoes, called “siping.” His idea for the prototype was actually modeled after his dog’s paws, which had evolved to navigate slick, wet terrain. Today, Sperry boots and shoes combine siped rubber soles for outstanding traction with advanced technical fabrics to keep out the watery elements. Over the years, Sperry boat shoes have even become the official footwear of the U.S. Sailing Team, the Shimano Fishing Tour and the U.S. Naval Academy.