Boat Shoes vs. Camp Mocs

“Boat shoes” have been trendy this year.  On the fashion runways this season, all kinds of styles of shoes have been lumped together and called “boat shoes” - such as by British Vogue – including Camp Mocs, Driving Mocs, Blucher Mocs with their 4 eyelet tie, and the Timberland 3-eye with a lug sole moccasin type shoe that my father wore in the 80s.

But if you are shopping for shoes, “Boat Shoes” should refer to a specific type of shoe.  And if you just ask for a Boat Shoe and actually get it, one might be missing out on something better suited.

One example.  Two newer readers have recently asked me about how Boat Shoes compare to Camp Mocs,  so I thought I would compare the two across some common use cases.  

First, they do have many similarities, of course.  They both have moccasin construction.  They are made of leather uppers and rubber soles. They are both casual shoes.  They are both equally good for women and men.

But there are difference, highlighted by different uses.

Boat Shoes, 3 Eyelet.  All photos by/of Muffy Aldrich.

Camp Mocs with White Sole, 1 Eyelet

For On a Boat

If you really want shoes for a boat, most of my friends opt for various sneaker hybrids with more secure lacing.  A sneaker is a safer fit; you are also less likely to lose a shoe at sea, a not inconsiderable inconvenience.  

However, between the two,  Boat Shoes are more still more secure than Camp Mocs.  They simply have more eyelets, with two or three, compared to Camp Mocs’ one.

As well, Boat Shoes always have a non-marking sole, while Camp Mocs may or may not.  While white soles are often the sign of non-marking, it should be noted that Dubarry offers sailing boots that have a dark sole but they claim they are indeed non-marking on boat decks despite the color.   And on any of these styles look for the razor cut soles for traction.

Winner: Boat Shoes

Boat Shoes are sometimes used on boats. But sailing sneakers and sailing boots are more often used.  Newport to Bermuda start.

For Dressing Up

For men, both Boat Shoes and Camp Mocs can work a bit dressed up when paired with a more formal pair of khakis, navy blazer, and tie ensemble (for example, at a summer wedding) and can look rather snappy.  Camp Mocs, however, do a somewhat better job in this department.  They can look a bit more polished, especially if they are polished, and they also tend to shape the foot in a flattering way.  

Camp Mocs have more of the good of a loafer without the bad of a loafer.   

Winner: Camp Mocs

For Around Town

Both shoes excel at Around Town wear. 

In theory, Boat Shoes have to be tied and Camp Mocs are a slip-on shoe, but Boat Shoes are often never untied, so that’s a wash.

Both look particularly good sockless.

But both can also look good with the right socks (Wool Ragg socks and the occasional old-fashioned, plain Aran colored wool “athletic” sock) and both look terrible with the wrong socks (dress socks and most dark socks).  So both can and are worn year round.  

Camp Mocs can perhaps take sock wearing a bit better.

Winner: Tie

Saw these Sperry Topsider Original Boat Shoes, 2 Eyelet, in Newport while we were waiting for our Black Pearl chowder to take back to the boat.

Camp Mocs for Women, Jamestown RI, at the End of Year Boatyard Party

My Camp Mocs for Women

My Camp Mocs for Women

Conclusion

Just as with the category of Fisherman Sweaters, Boat Shoes when used as a broad category is rather unsatisfying and leads to confusion for people just learning about such items.  It also leads the way to generic off-shored knock-offs as one-season disposable fashion items sold at a high profit, which is probably the goal of most of today’s magazines anyway.  

Instead, in our house, we have great examples of each, handmade in New England, which have served us well through hard wear over many, many seasons.  

I Took This in the Late 1980s, Heading Out to Isle of Springs in Boothbay Harbor, Maine
The Hybrid; Camp Mocs with a Boat Shoe Sole, Worn with the "Old School Wool Athletic" Sock.

I took this shot of Dubarry Sailing Boots in Long Island Sound 

Our Sperry 3 Eyelet Boat Shoes

And Sometimes There are No Shoes at All - Took this in Narragansett Bay

In my old Topsiders for Women