The rough seas, a slippery deck and a struggle for sure footing almost cost Paul Sperry his life; and began his long and ambitious quest for a solution. One day in 1935, after watching his dog dart effortlessly across the ice on a cold Connecticut day, he was inspired to carve grooves – like those on his dog's paws – into the bottom of a rubber sole. In that moment of inspiration, the world's first boat shoe was born, the original American brand of boat shoe. Sperry’s, or Top-Siders, were the first boat shoes introduced into the boating and footwear markets. The cutting of grooves in the sole of the Top-Sider was an implementation of a process of splitting or “siping” a shoe sole. This process was instrumental in maximizing the traction of the Authentic Original Sperry Top-Sider boat shoe.
The brand began with three styles now part of prep iconography. Beginning with their Top-Sider Collection, they’ve built on this legacy with shoes that transcend boundaries and span generations and genders —all with a shared commitment to quality, reliability and comfort. The ethos lives on in three essential collections: the BIONIC Collection, which merges their love for the ocean with their commitment to sustainability; the Gold Cup Collection, which captures their premium craftsmanship; and the Cloud Collection, taking Sperry’s cornerstone icons to new heights.
For over eighty years, Sperry has built a legacy of effortless, heritage products. Whether for men, women, kids, or babies, Sperry’s selection of hand-crafted footwear includes their iconic Sperry boat shoes, sandals, loafers, flats, slippers, espadrilles, boots, sneakers, and oxfords. Available in an inspired range of colours, styles, and materials. If you have an adventurous spirit, and insatiable curiosity for exploration; embrace classic, adventure-ready style with Sperry.
This brand carries must-have apparel, footwear, and accessories to help you achieve head-to-toe, seaworthy style. Uncover the unexpected, explore the unknown, and look the part while doing it with Sperry’s style. Their designs are made for active, adventurous people who identify with the beauty and mystery of the sea. Whether you're browsing hot new arrivals or coveted best sellers, Sperry's items encompass an underlying intrepid spirit. Complete your look with shoes that can take you from the shoreline to the city. Whatever you choose, you'll be ready for adventure with Sperry.
Today the Sperry brand is owned by Wolverine World Wide and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. In 2009 Sperry opened its first five retail stores with locations in Tampa, Orlando, and Boca Raton, Florida, Kansas City, Missouri and Dallas, Texas. In November 2010, the brand opened stores in Burlington, Massachusetts, Houston, Texas, Durham, North Carolina and Westchester, New York. By the end of 2015 Sperry had opened 68 specialty and outlet stores in malls across the United States.
Sperry carries everything from sandals to tough winter boots - it's a perfect collection to shop for the cold months and vacation getaways. From the world's first boat shoe to today's contemporary styles that remain true to our heritage, Sperry exists for those drawn to the sun, surf and soul of the ocean. Shop Sperry today, and get a pair of your own.
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