Do You Wear Boat Shoes with Socks?

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The iconic boat shoes are perfect for wearing on the boat or the dock. Is this a major fashion faux pas? Do you wear boat shoes with socks?

Boat shoes are traditionally worn without socks. If you wear them with visible socks, you look like an inexperienced or out-of-touch boater. However, if you want to wear socks with boat shoes, you can wear no-show socks.

No-show or low-ankle socks are cut extra low, so they are not visible outside of the shoes. Like any fashion choice, wear whatever you feel comfortable with. If you think you can pull off wearing visible socks with boat shoes, go ahead. Just know that this is considered a fashion faux pas.

In this article, we’ll look at the following tips for wearing socks with boat shoes:

  1. Match Long Pants with Black Socks
  2. Choose Shorter Pants
  3. Wear Striped Socks with Your Boat Shoes
  4. Wear No-Show Socks with Capris or Shorts
  5. Match Your Sock’s Color with Your Outfit

Read on to learn more about wearing boat shoes with socks and how you can pull it off.

Also, take a look at our favorite boat shoe, the Sperry Authentic Original Boat Shoe. These Sperry boat shoes are the best of this iconic style.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

If you want to wear socks with boat shoes, the best no-show socks are the Jormatt Genuine Men’s No Show Socks. These socks are comfortable, breathable, durable, and have a back grip that keeps them from falling.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

Boat Shoes with Socks

What are boat shoes? Boat shoes are low-cut shoes, often hand-sewn and moccasin-like in design, with top laces and rubber soles that are non-skid. The laces may run in and out of the sides of the shoes as well.

The shoe material could either be leather or canvas, as they are intended to repel water. They are considered as slip-on footwear. 

So, can you wear socks with boat shoes? As a general rule, you don’t wear any socks with boat shoes. If you do want to wear socks, they should be a no-show or low-ankle socks.

Initially, boat shoes are designed for use on boats, so wearing socks was not needed because the socks can get wet and could make one uncomfortable.

However, people have various fashion styles, and in the majority of countries, each individual can wear whatever he wants. The important thing is to be comfortable.

If you plan to wear socks with boat shoes, you may want to wear no-show socks as they are thinner and quickly dry.

Naturally, if you insist on wearing traditional socks because you’re not going near the water anyway, then feel free to do so. Express yourself in your outfit. Be ingenious as much as possible but consider your safety and comfort first when selecting your cloth ensemble. 

Benefit of Wearing Socks with Boat Shoes

1. Reduces the Possibility of Having Bad Feet Odor

On the other hand, some health experts recommend that you wear socks with your boat shoes because of some health concerns, such as forming blisters and damp feet that can lead to bad feet odor.

2. Fungal and Bacterial Infection

Not wearing socks will increase your risk of developing fungal and bacterial infections because sweat remains pooled in your feet. Microorganisms thrive in damp and warm areas.

3. Blister

If you wear socks, the sock could protect your feet from forming blisters and absorb sweat so you can quickly change into a new pair whenever necessary.

4. Comfort

The socks could also provide comfort, as they are softer to your feet. They could provide a soft pad to protect your feet when walking or running as well.

Nevertheless, there are specific pointers that you may want to refer to when deciding on colors and outfit pairs.

Tips for Wearing Socks with Boat Shoes

1. Match Long Pants with Black Socks

You can wear black dress socks with your boat shoes when you would be wearing black pants. Dress socks are lighter than the standard socks. A light top and a coat or blazer would be perfect for colder weather or casual wear.

You may want to wear a thicker coat during winter and transparent boots over your boat shoes. Take note, though, that boat shoes are not for winter wear. 

2. Choose Shorter Pants

Shorter pants are ideal for boat shoes with no-show socks, as they give a particular class and flair. Shorts are superb as well for that confident, sassy look. If you are wearing jeans, you can roll it up a little bit to skim the top of your boat shoes and show off your footwear style.

3. Wear Striped Socks with Your Boat Shoes

If you’re going to an evening with friends or to a casual party during summer, wearing ordinary striped socks with your boat shoes can add a dynamic and carefree mix into your outfit. You can match these with jeans and a sleeveless pastel-colored top. The striped color of your socks should match any of the colors of your attire.

So when wearing boat shoes and socks, we recommend no-show socks; however, you can wear striped socks if you want to show some flair.

4. Wear No-Show Socks with Capris or Shorts

You will indeed feel comfortable with the no-show socks or loafer liners and your boat shoes. Pair these with khaki or dark-colored shorts and an ecru top, and you’re ready for your summer fun.

You could also wear rolled off-pants to show off your boat shoes. You can vary the color of your outfit, but ensure that the color complements each other.

So in regards to the question, “Do you wear socks with boat shoes?” The answer is generally no unless you wear no-show socks.

5. Match Your Sock’s Color with Your Outfit

You can choose any sock color that matches your outfit. The complementary colors that you can combine are: yellow and green, blue and red, pale blue and pink, blue and orange, yellow and brown, dirty white and brown, tan and maroon, turquoise and cobalt blue, pink and fuchsia, light blue and black, white and black, and grey and pink.

do you wear socks with boat shoes

Choose sock colors and attires that match the shade of your boat shoes. Remember that your boat shoes are for casual wear, just like your sneakers. You can also match the boat shoes with polo-shirts, t-shirts, button-down shirts, sleeveless blouses, khaki shorts, denim, jeans, and other casual attire.

Now that we know the answer to the question, “do you wear boat shoes with socks?” or “is wearing sock with boat shoes a good idea?” Let’s proceed to some tips for choosing boat shoes.

Tips for Choosing Boat Shoes

When choosing your boat shoes, consider the points below.

1. Select a Color That You Can Pair with Any Outfit Color

Choose a boat shoe color that you can pair with any outfit color. The most recommended boat shoe colors are dark brown, black, and dark blue. You can pair these colors with light-colored outfits, light-colored pants, shorts, and dark-colored shirts or blouses.

Naturally, if you think you can carry with flair bright colored-boat shoes, feel free to pick them and create your style.

2. Choose the Leather Material

You can easily match leather boat shoes with semi-formal attire and casual outfits. While the boat shoes with canvas material can be superb for everyday events, it may be challenging to match semi-formal attires.

3. Opt for Quality Brands

Boat shoes from quality brands may be more expensive, but you can be sure that your footwear would last longer. These quality boat shoes reduce your risk of developing blisters or chafing as well.

4. Look for the Perfect Fit

Pick a pair of boat shoes that should fit you perfectly. This means that you should choose a snugger size because the shoes would stretch and become looser as you wear them.

The size could be a bit smaller than your correct size. If you plan to wear the shoe sockless, ensure that the heel is not too loose, as you can get blisters if they’re too loose or too tight.

Take a look at our favorite boat shoe, the Sperry Authentic Original Boat Shoe. These Sperry boat shoes are the best of this iconic style.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

The Crocs Men’s Santa Cruz Boat Shoe is another very comfortable pair of boat shoes.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

What are the best socks to wear with boat shoes? The best no-show socks for boat shoes are the Jormatt Genuine Men’s No Show Socks. These socks are comfortable, breathable, durable, and have a back grip that keeps them from falling.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

5. Learn How to Break In Your Boat Shoes

First, visually inspect your boat shoes for any factory defect before finally purchasing them. If you have bought them online, you have to do the same. If there are any defects, return the product immediately and have them change it.

Your first step in breaking in your shoes is to use them around the house for a few hours for a few days. Afterward, you can wear them for your short errands.

Observe how your feet respond to the ‘feel’ of the shoes. If you develop blisters, apply a Band-Aid and keep on wearing it for your errands until it starts to conform to the size of your feet.

You could also wet the shoes and wear them until they get dry; this way, you’re allowing the leather or canvas to stretch and adjust to the shape of your feet.

6. Use Your Boat Shoes for Warmer Climates

You should wear your boat shoes for warmer climates and not during winter or cold seasons. You can wear them when going on outings, for a walk on the beach or the park, informal parties, summer getaways, everyday adventures, and other events during summer or warmer climates.

You need to use warm clothing during winter, and the boat shoes cannot protect your feet from the cold. It’s also not good fashion sense to wear boat shoes with heavy winter coats. So, remember to put aside your boat shoes in your closet during winter and let them hibernate for a while. 

If you do want to wear boat shoes in colder weather, wear boat shoes and socks. The socks will add extra warmth and prevent you from getting sick. Boat shoes with visible socks are a fashion faux pas, but in the winter, wear them to stay warm.

7. Create Style with Your Shoe Laces

You can also tie your shoelaces in creative ways to present your style. You can let the laces go around the shoes and then tie them in a butterfly knot at the front or the back. Use your imagination to create a preppy look that goes with your outfit. 

8. Prevent Feet Odor by Washing Feet Properly

Your feet could stink without proper care, so you have to wash them thoroughly before wearing your boat shoes. You could also use foot powder to prevent moisture and foul odor. There are trusted brands that you can count on. 

You may wear no-show socks to wear with boat shoes to help protect your feet from blisters and keep them comfortable.

Advantages of Wearing Boat Shoes

1. They Provide Good Traction

The soles are rubberized with a herringbone pattern so that they can provide traction even on slippery surfaces. Hence, it is excellent footwear while on a fishing expedition or in any activity as the boat shoes can reduce your slipping risk. 

socks with boat shoes

2. Comfortable to Use

Boat shoes are also comfortable to use during informal events, as they can act as sneakers or slip-ons. You can easily slip them on and off. They tend to conform to the shape of your feet as you continue to wear them.

3. Boat Shoes Are Compatible with Most Outfits

You can wear boat shoes with almost any outfit. You can even wear leather boat shoes to formal events if you pair them with suitable attire. They may not be recommended as winter wear, but you can wear them during winter when you’re inside the house or in areas where you don’t need to warm your feet.

4. Boat Shoes Heel Cup Is Shock Absorbing

This boat shoe characteristic prevents feet and knee injury when walking as the impact is absorbed by the heel cup. Thus, your risk of injury is reduced significantly.

5. They Are Easy to Clean and Maintain

You can clean them yourself without any difficulty using shoe polish and a brush. You don’t need special detergents or storage boxes for them. If you wear boat shoes with socks, the boat shoes will be easier to clean as the socks add a layer of protection.

How to Care for Your Boat Shoes?

  1. Polish your shoes regularly with water-based shoe polish. Avoid those containing alcohol or other leather-harmful substances.
  2. Clean the shoes of dust, grime, and other debris by gently brushing them away.
  3. Store your shoes away from the sun and rain. Please place it in an area that is at room temperature (20 to 25°C).
  4. You may want to spray some deodorizer before you store them to prevent odor formation. You could also use foot powder when storing your shoes to avoid foul odor. 
  5. If they are so worn out and soggy, you have to replace them as you may suffer feet injuries. This could be from three to five years, depending on how often you use your boat shoes.

Conclusion – Do You Wear Socks with Boat Shoes?

Do you wear boat shoes with socks? Traditionally, boat shoes are worn without socks. If you do wear socks, it should be the no-show socks, which are cut extra low, so they are not visible outside of the shoes. 

In this article, we looked at the following tips for wearing socks with boat shoes:

  1. Match Long Pants with Black Socks
  2. Choose Shorter Pants
  3. Wear Striped Socks with Your Boat Shoes
  4. Wear No-Show Socks with Capris or Shorts
  5. Match Your Sock’s Color with Your Outfit

You can also wear ordinary, visible socks with your boat shoes if that is most comfortable for you. It is your personal choice. You can wear whatever attire you are comfortable in. If you can pull it off, then go ahead and do it. 

Related reading:

Which Boat Shoes Are the Best? [5 Top Picks]

Which Boat Shoes Are the Best?

What Shoes to Wear on a Yacht?

Best Shoes for Dinghy Sailing – Our Top 8 Picks