Boat Shoes Hit the Streets

Available from 27th February at 10 am (CET)

Like every Asphalte preorder from now on, The Boat Shoes are available for just 6 days. If you think you might miss it, sign up here to get notified when it kicks off. We'll even hook you up with early access, an hour before the official release so you’ll be first in line for delivery.

Ever think about how folks have been sailing around for over 6,000 years? That's a whole lot of time spent discovering new places, inventing stuff, and, well, taking a tumble or two on deck.

Turns out, adventures on the the high seas weren't just about finding new lands and dodging pirates. It was also about a bunch of epic wipeouts.

Imagine if we had footage of every slip and slide since the dawn of time. It'd probably give Christopher Nolan a run for his money for the longest montage ever put together.

But then, some chap named Paul Alling Sperry said, "Enough is enough."

From a Close Call to a Bright Idea

Paul was just an ordinary guy from New Haven, Connecticut who happened to love the sea. However, he was no landlubber following a spell in the Navy.

Returning home, he became an avid sailor. After a near miss in 1935 that nearly cost him his life he got cracking on creating the first-ever non-slip boat shoe. One inspired by his faithful cocker spaniel, no less.

Seeing that his pooch was running hither and thither without the slightest loss of grip, he decided to copy Mother Nature by reproducing the sculpture of his pads.

And just like that, the boat shoe we all know and love was born. A non-slip deck shoe in cotton canvas, then perfected in leather called the Sperry Top-Sider. And since the results were so good, he even filed a patent for it.

Boat Shoes for Every Joe

The Top-Sider was a smash hit, adopted by the US Navy for its sailor’s uniform from 1939. Fast forward, and Sperry's creation wasn't just for sailors anymore. It became everyone's go-to shoe, thanks to its slick design and grip.

Press releases on the Sperry brand site.

Here at Asphalte, we wanted to breathe a new life into this classic.

Firstly because you asked us to do so.
Then, we're all about giving classics a twist, and the boat shoe was long overdue one in our minds.
And lastly, let's face it, not all of us have a sailboat parked out back. But we all deserve to have this iconic style by the front door.

Peek at Our Take

If you're still reading, thanks! You've earned yourself a first look before we launch the preorder next Tuesday.

We're keeping it real with 100% leather, classic moccasin vibes, and that essential 360° lace-up. But we're also upping the game with a rugged sole that's ready for anything – think of it as boat shoes with a bit of edge.

Then we put the whole thing on a stunning lug sole. Let's not kid ourselves here, it's the detail that makes the difference. It's a bit like putting tractor tyres on your Golf. It's not very academic, but we find it magical. When we said we were taking the boat shoe off-road, we weren't joking.

And because we're all about choices, we've got three colours that'll make you want to take them for a spin, on land or at sea.

Ready to Jump Aboard?

Mark your calendars: next Tuesday at 10 am, it's go time for preorders. First come, first served, folks.

At 119€, you won't want to miss out. Sign up for an alert to get first dibs.

Need to know anything else? Drop it in the comments below or check our international Instagram page for the answer. Possibly.

The ASPHALTE Crew

Available from 27th February at 10 am (CET)

Like every Asphalte preorder from now on, The Boat Shoes are available for just 6 days. If you think you might miss it, sign up here to get notified when it kicks off. We'll even hook you up with early access, an hour before the official release so you’ll be first in line for delivery.