Sebago boat shoes, the immortal footwear loved by all

More than eighty years of life for a cult piece of the fashion world. An accessory that made history and marked an official development point in the creation of men's fashion: we are talking about boat shoes, a real must among sailors of the time and which became the official footwear of the US Navy (in 1939, to be precise) within just a few years of their creation. An invention of the American Paul Sperry, who was inspired by observing with interest his dog walking confidently on a sheet of ice. Sebago is one of the brands that, today, most carries on the tradition of boat shoes: after its first production in 1948, a few years later it reached very high numbers with the production of two thousand shoes per day. Today Sebago is a benchmark in the footwear industry and its boat shoe is, you could say, an institution.

Sebago and its men's boat shoe

Crafted to be the perfect nautical shoe, boat shoes by Sebago are durable shoes made from a single piece of unlined, hand-sewn leather with the finest craftsmanship. They have a leather insole and a leather lacing system; the striated rubber sole is non-slip to ensure a stable grip in all-weather conditions. It is no coincidence that the model bears the name 'Portland', to convey the innate affection for this city, one of the largest seaports in New England and home to the famous Yatching Club of the same name.

• The model. Regular, classic lines, no straying from the rules: craftsmanship and respect for tradition rule the day on the Sebago moccasin, embellished by the lace that closes over the instep and embraces the entire circumference. For those who want to be daring, yes to the Portland fringes: the model that Sebago offers in camel beige and military green, with fringes and bohemian inserts.
• The materials. Leather is the cornerstone of Sebago's boat shoes; in shiny or suede, no other fabric is superior. The upper and lining are 100% leather and the sole is 100% rubber to ensure a stable walk even in the most unfavourable conditions. The raw materials chosen by Sebago not only respect the traditional aesthetics of boat shoes, but also aim to combine beauty with comfort and high product quality, and thanks to this shrewdness, Sebago is absolutely among the most popular shoes in the luxury sector.

• The colours. Military green, cognac brown, white, beige, navy blue, black. The colours respect tradition and Sebago offers its boat shoes in the most classic shades. More unusual are the two-tone editions, such as models in blue and white, red and blue, brown and white up to the white, red and yellow triad.

Tradition revisited: the most original Sebago models

We call it a boat shoe because of its history, because of the function for which it was born; but boat shoes are, today, the choice for those who want to express style even in the most informal everyday situations. Boat shoes are synonymous with refinement, elegance and a bond with tradition. Sebago, in fact, proposes among its best-loved models, reinterpretations and colours that echo the very origin of the shoe, but it does not fail to produce more eccentric models, capable of combining the desire to embody the principles of the past and represent contemporaneity. Let's take a look at the most unusual proposals among the Sebago novelties.

• The perfect mix. Represented by a reinterpreted idea of the trainer, the Monterey model is the one that best conveys the mix of styles desired by Sebago, showing itself as a light shoe not only materially but also in its concept, which is clean and minimal; features an innovative Sobel + cemented construction that makes the shoe flexible and durable, with the contrasting coloured Eva sole offering exceptional grip on all surfaces.

• The moccasin, a timeless must-have. Made of soft, durable suede and hand-sewn with the finest craftsmanship, the smooth moccasin is one of the most romantic pieces in the collection by Sebago. With decorative laces on the sides, it is embellished with decorative tassels, leather lining and a moulded rubber heel. What's its name? "Medford", a small out-of-town in Maine (USA), a historical place divided in half by the majestic Piscataquis River.

• All the formality you need. Made of brushed leather to last and hand-stitched with the finest craftsmanship, the Classic Dan model shoe is a tribute to the passion of Sebago's founders.

Sebago boat shoes, a story over 50

Founded in 1946, the Sebago company launched its boat shoe in 1970 and created the "boat moccasin". A model freely inspired by the geography and traditions of New England: its sea, its lakes, its lifestyle. The focus? The place where the US elite go on holiday. The shoe immediately becomes the excellence: from the choice of leathers to the processing of the product, the rigour of craftsmanship can tell the character and mood of those who choose it. It was in the 1980s that this model made its debut in Italian fashion, becoming the protagonist of the "paninari" who dictated the rules of the style of the moment from the main northern cities, pioneers of what became, with time, streetwear, urban, metropolitan. Fifty years have passed, but the beloved shoe has remained true to itself: nothing has changed in her, same craftsmanship, same quality, a recognisable elegance. The name of the company itself tells a story that is definitely linked to the shoe that made it famous: the name Sebago was inspired by the lake with the same name, which means 'elongated basin of water', a particularly popular place and an important destination for water sports.

The brand was born in Westbrook, Maine. Daniel J. Wellehan, owner of five shoe shops in the area, decided to found his own factory. From the partnership with two local shoe industrialists, Sebago-Moc was born.

Where to buy Sebago boat shoes

If you've decided to buy a Sebago shoe, you can find what you're looking for on our site: In fact, Pier Abbigliamento offers a wide assortment of Sebago footwear. In addition to the official website, you can find the best offers related to the 'marine' brand here; visit our store and stay up-to-date on Sebago discounts and promotions.