TimberlandMen's Classic Two-Eye Boat Shoe

These shoes were ordered to replace a very old pair of Timberland deck shoes that I wore out over many summers of abuse. Love the new ones. Let's hope they survive as long as the last pair. So far they are comfortable and fit well.

I really enjoy having a nice, comfortable pair of boat shoes to slip on with shorts, or with jeans and no socks. I got my first pair of Timberland boat shoes about 20 years ago. They have actually lasted all this time, through heavy use, sun, rain, heat, etc. They are noticeably worn though due to age, and my wife has been bugging me to get a decent looking pair. I've tried on other brands, but always felt the Timberlands fit the best.In 20 years the shoes held up fine. They breath well and never started to smell. The only thing that broke was one of the laces broke probably due to being 20 year old rawhide that just dried out, and that was just an ince or so on the lace end, and a coupel of years back the insole heel insert came up, which I fixed in minutes with glue. The sole, while worn, has lasted all these years with not so much as a crack or split, but naturally there's some tread wear!So I ordered these. They are similar in color to the ones I have now, and look close to the advertised photo. Obviously every piece of leather can vary a bit.They are all leather, and the rawhide ties are strung through the entire shoe through eyelets along the sides passing around the heel, and tying in the front. The soles are a "gum"; the sole is sort of a tan, which I prefer over the boat shoes that have a white or dark brown sole.I wanted to mention fit, as the hardest thing about buying a shoe on-line has to be the comfort and sizing. The old pair I have are a size 10, which is my normal shoe size. I rarely wear a 10 ½, and on occasion get a 9 ½ in a sneaker. I assume the times I've needed a 10 ½ it has been a poorly sized shoe.The old ones (again, a 10) fit me fine in the front and a bit snug in the heel when I first got them, from what I recall. They broke in within a week or so of wearing, meaning they fit my foot well, stayed on, didn't slip, but the heel became a little more pliable so I could slip them on with a finger tugging gently on the heel.I ordered a 9, 9 ½, and 10 in the new ones, taking advantage of Amazon's free returns on shoes. The size 9 fit on my foot and wasn't uncomfortable, but just felt really snug, like it was probably too small. The 10 fit well, but the heel felt just a tad too big and I assumed it would break in and might slip some down the road. So I went with the 9 ½. It fit well, slightly snug, and the heel stays in place nicely so I am hoping they are going to break in just like my old ones. Don't get me wrong. They are comfy right from the start and no break-in period is necessary. I just know from the style of shoe and them being soft leather they will naturally give a little as time goes on. So, if you have typically wear a normal width shoe, I would go with your usual shoe size, or maybe a ½ size down.The insole on the new pair is thicker than my old ones, which were just two pieces of leather glued in place to cover the sole of your foot. They had air holes along the instep. The new ones are one piece, have two layers, one which has form and the other which is a material-type cushion. They are not overly soft, just right. The insole does not appear to be intended for removal, but I imagine you could pry it out if you want to replace it.As far as value, price aside for a second - they lasted 20 years! If these last only a few years, its a great deal. Now, as far as price, Amazon's price for these varies a bit, but in general almost always beats other places I have seen these advertised.I am not sure if I will get the same wear out of these as the original pair, and they are now made in China, in case that matters to you. These appear to be of the same high quality as my old ones. So I am hoping these will last a long, long time.Again, my old ones lasted over 20 years, and really I am not throwing them out (sorry, honey!)

I'm a shoe nut and more specifically, boat shoes. No kidding, I currently have at least 7 pairs. I tend to like the traditional, leather lined shoes since they're much better when going sock-less. However, most companies are getting away from that because it's more expensive to make - surprise, surprise. That being said, I'm comparing these to Sperry AO's and Sebago Portsides - pretty much the standards in traditional boat shoes. These are stiffer more like the Sebagos and have less cushioning in the heel, like Sebagos. Sperry AO's have no break in period, these will take a day or tow of wear. However, like Sebago's, these feel like they will last longer than the Sperry's - the leather is thicker and the sole's aren't as soft. These are a true moc design and don't have the seam on the inside like cheaper shoes (Sperry Leewards, etc...). The color I got is on the redish side of brown and I knew that and am fine with it. They look really good. Unlike Sperry AO's or Sebago Portside's, these soles are glued and don't have the stitching on the bottoms. This is nice because that stitching will let water in eventually - not an issue with these. Overall, I am happy and these should definitely be considered in the same conversation as AO's and Portsides. They're clearly well made and look good. It seems outside of the US, the Dom Republic tends to make the best boat shoes.

Bought these the other day, put them in a bucket of water for a few hours and then wore them wet to break them in both yesterday and today. They are just about broken in and are quite comfortable now, if a bit damp still. I bought Timberland because of past good experience with their boat shoes and because they have a flat sole. We have loads of grassburs and fire ants where I live (central Texas) and it's danged hot in the summer. I spend lots of time outside. Sandals are cool but at the expense of getting stabbed by the grassburs and stung by fire ants. Boots or sneakers with heavy socks work against both of them but at the expense of really overheating during the day and getting the grassburs stuck in the sole treads and socks if wearing sneakers. Slip on rubber agricultural boots are danged hot and have deep treads which collect the grassburs.Going into the house after being outside runs the risk of depositing a grassbur into the carpet. That is a definite barefoot ouch. Tying and untying shoes as many times as I go in an out is a non-starter. Slip on is the only option for me and since the agricultural boots are too hot, I had to find another solution.These boat shoes solve the majority of the problem. They slip on an off so I can remove them upon entering the house. The flat soles enable me to scrape off any grassburs quickly before going into the house, and being fully enclosed leather gives me a second or two to stomp the fire ants off the shoes when they are doing their best to sting me. Finally they don't contribute to the overheating in the hot weather.