Sperry Top-Sider

I’ve been wearing Sperry Top-​Siders long before it became cool to own «boat shoes», and I still love the look and comfort of this casual footwear. I grew up outside of Washington DC and spent a lot of time on board boats and around swimming pools, the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. As a result I learned to appreciate a good pair of casual shoes that gave you non-​skid footing and allowed you to move from the boat to the docks to a neighborhood pub without stopping to change shoes. If they got wet it was no big deal. Top Siders were my shoes of choice as they slipped on like moccasins and looked good with a pair of shorts or jeans.
Every couple of years the leather laces would break, or the stitching would eventually blow out, and it would be time to search for a new pair of Top Siders. Since I’ve lived around water nearly all of my life I’ve stayed with this reliable brand of shoes for many years.
Fast forward to today, and once again it was time to go in search of a new pair of Top Siders. I know that you can find the shoes in major retailers, sporting goods stores, and discount shoe warehouse places, but I happened to be wandering through International Plaza and spotted an official Sperry Top-​Sider store inside the mall.
The clerk let me look through the classic styles, and also showed me some new versions that have padded insoles. after a bit of head-​scratching, I finally decided on a new pair, and left the shop with my new «friends» happily tucked under my arm.
In this day of sneakers priced well over $ 100, I’ll gladly take my $ 75 Top Siders and run them into the ground.