Sperry’s Best Shoe Actually Has Nothing to Do With Boats

If you haven’t been keeping tabs on the ebb and flow of footwear trends, the humble boat shoe has swung back into the conversation. And while Sperry’s iconic top-siders will forever be a part of any discourse involving the favorite shoe of the Seven Seas, there’s more to the iconic brand than non-slip deck shoes. For our money, there’s an unsung hero in Sperry’s lineup: the Racquet Oxford.

I’ve been rocking the Racquets for a few months, ever since the Massachusetts footwear label reissued them following an archive find in their vault from the 1960s—when they were originally marketed for “the man with a slick foredeck and a lethal backhand.” While my life with a three-year-old couldn’t be further from the yacht and country club, I appreciate the shoe’s simple, strong construction and lack of ornamentation, which has helped them become my go-to summer sneakers. It’s the same logic to why I love U.S. Rubber Co.’s low-tops, which feel sibling to the Racquets.

Those aren’t the only reasons the Sperry Racquets muscled out the rest of my shoe rotation. One of the key qualities of a beater summer sneaker is how well it avoids scuffs and slips—and the shoe’s vulcanized rubber outsole grips onto every surface imaginable, and safeguards the shoe like a rubber guard on a bumper car. Naturally, the sole has tiny slits in it to help with traction (a trademarked technology dubbed “Wave-Siping”), and a quick wipe with a damp paper towel every so often keeps them looking box-fresh.

The Racquet Oxfords can serve pretty much any fit.

A leather and suede upper means these things can get it.

In terms of the upper, the quality is impressive. A full-grain leather and suede upper means they’re that much more durable and won’t be as cold as canvas in the cooler months, but the breathable textile lining is soft against your feet, as is the padded insole—and you get all of this for well under $100, in four color options: black, blue, green, and white.

As for how I wear them: Despite their potential for sockless wear, I opt for socks. With unmatched versatility, at least compared with the rest of my shoe collection, I can wear these with a khaki-colored suit, a pair of five-year-old jeans and a T-shirt, ripstop camo cargos, or a good-boy outfit with baggy chinos and a fresh-pressed OCBD.

Sure, the Racquet Oxford might not have the storied legacy of other Sperry’s creations, but to me it represents the brand at its contemporary best, offering well-priced footwear that suits a range of lifestyles while honoring its classic roots. Plus, with no disrespect to the boat shoe, this is one style you’ll never have to worry about missing the boat on.