These are hands down our favorite boat shoes
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Boat shoes are one of the best looks out there for guys. Whether paired with chinos and an oxford for a day at the office or shorts and a T-shirt for a day in the park, boat shoes are a quintessential spring and summer look that belong in every guy's wardrobe.
Since 2013, Jack Erwin has focused on creating simple dress shoes for guys. While the brand started out specializing in dress shoes like oxfords and brogues, it has since branched out to include boat shoes and a few other more casual styles as well.
A pair of Jack Erwin's Cooper Boat Shoes costs $125. The development of the company into new shoe styles stems from the same energy that drove the company to be founded:
"We built Jack Erwin because we couldn't find the shoe we wanted — so really we are the best representation of our customer," cofounders Ariel Nelson and Lane Gerson told Business Insider. "We focus on what we would want from a brand and go with it. If people like what we're doing, they will come back. So far we've been happy with the results of this approach." After trying out their boat shoes for a while, so have we.
After extensive wear, the Insider Picks team can now comfortably recommend them as one of the best pairs on the market. Read on for what each tester had to say about them:
Breton Fischetti, senior director, commerce:
It's really hard to differentiate between boat shoes, but these managed to be one of the more interesting pairs I've come across. The most immediate thing that strikes me about these is their shape. They are designed in a way that gives them the silhouette of a dress shoes, which I have come to love, as it makes the whole shoe feel a lot more grown up, and a lot less like a frat bro shoe.
The sole is thick and sturdy; it gives me the impression that it won't wear out quickly, so it may have a chance of lasting longer than one summer, like my usual pair. The other element that stood out was the construction around the heel; it looks like it will hold its shape rather than get smashed down with repeated use.
At $125, these are about $30 more expensive than what I normally spend, but I'd feel comfortable going with this pair just because it's a way for me to keep wearing boat shoes as an adult.
Tyler Lauletta, commerce reporter:
I was a bit nervous when I tried on my Jack Erwins since they felt pretty snug at first. But after about two days worth of walking in them, they broke in nicely and are a great addition to my summer attire. I went with slate as my color and am really into it so far; it's neutral enough to go with basically any look while still standing out as "not your traditional" boat shoe.
They're also great because they look good enough to wear to work while being comfortable enough to want to wear them even if I'm just around the house. There's not much more I ask of my shoes than that.
Jack Erwin
Jeff Dunn, commerce reporter, tech:
I don't think it's too controversial to say these look great. While it's not a unique style, it's the casual-but-not-sloppy thing I'm happy to wear in the office or out and about.
There are cheaper alternatives, but for what it's worth, I didn't feel like I was getting shortchanged either — the finish is smooth to the touch, the design is clean, and the construction feels sturdy. They do take a bit to break in and make fully comfortable, but they're boat shoes, so that's not the most unexpected thing. After that feeling out period, they're solid.
Brandt Ranj, associate commerce editor:
I don’t often wear boat shoes, but the Jack Erwin pair I’ve been wearing have entered my regular rotation for both work and play. They fit in with the business-causal attire — think button-down shirts and slacks — I wear for work, but also pair well with my collection of T-shirts and jeans. The fit is very comfortable and the shoes are padded enough that they’re comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, even when walking on rougher terrain.
It’s nice to have a shoe that can play multiple roles, especially since I really like wearing them.
Jack Erwin's Cooper Boat Shoe retails for $125 and is available in three colors, navy blue, caramel brown, and slate gray.
This article was originally published on 7/13/2016 and has been updated.