Sperry Men’s Billfish 3-Eye Boat Shoe

Fits small, but very comfortable for general use and very hardy. First of all, I have owned several of this Billfish model over the years, as well as several other Sperry boat shoes. I use them primarily for walking, lots of walking, at the Jersey shore, in Florida and in winter in Canada. Hiking on pavement, sand, gravel trails, you name it. I weigh over 300 pounds and am hard on shoes. I read reviews from other people here and want to makes sure that readers recognize that it is the Billfish 3-Eye Boat Shoe that I am reviewing here, not the ultralight version, not the classic boat shoe with minimal sole and leather laces.1) The Fit. I have experimented over the years with different sizes. I have three closets full of shoes, and they are reliably size 11D. Except for the Sperrys. They come small. This is not only my experience, this reflects the experience of many friends who have them. On the other hand the leather uppers stretch with use. For example, I bought from Amazon size “11.5 M”. The sizing information provided by Amazon was confusing, but I think this size marking printed on the tongue corresponded to 11.5D. It fits like a glove. Literally. I have to keep my toenails trimmed if I expect to wear them, and they need a little bit of stretching for my toes, but they will be fine. They are exactly the same size as my last pair, suitable for bare feet. If I have any sock beyond a bare thin one the shoes are uncomfortable – they might get better with time, but right now they are for bare feet only.So I decided to order another size. Amazon did not have a selection in stock, so I found another site that sold me a pair that was listed as “11.5E”, but “11.5W” is what is printed on the tongue (W means Wide in Sperry speak). They are more comfortable, and will be the ones I will go to when I wear socks. I was tempted to order the 12 D model, thinking that the 12 size in that width might have the width of the 11.5W, but I am glad I did not.My advice would be to get three different sizes in under the Amazon “try them on” program. That is assuming that they have the size variations you want. They do stretch, but they should not be painful when you first wear them.2) The Design. I settled on the Billfish 3-Eye because I wanted something more versatile than the classic boat shoe. I like the cushioned sole – when I switch to a classic boat shoe with a quarter inch rubber sole I really miss the pleasant feeling of these. I like the ventilation on the sides, as my feet get hot ( I even like the ventilation in the winter). I like the padded tongue – some shoes can hurt me on the top of the foot after extended walking. The laces seem indestructible – not like the leather laces on the classic boat shoes that look great but are always untying or breaking. As far as “arch support” goes, my feet are fairly flat, and I don’t find shoes that give arch support so comfortable. I do a lot of walking in them and they are comfortable for me. Probably the support they give is minimal, but beyond the nonexistent support of the classic Sperry boat shoe.3) Quality. The shoes I bought through Amazon are made in the Dominican Republic, the ones I bought elsewhere are made in Vietnam. The construction is the same, although the Dominican ones have a very slight color variation in portions of the leather – only can see it close up in good light. These shoes have the “glued on” soles, not the sewn on soles of the classic boat shoe. Some reviewers have said that the soles separated from the uppers early on. I have had shoes that have done that, but never with any of the Sperry Billfish I have owned and used over the years. In fact they have held up extremely well – by held up, I mean I have worn them until the material in the heel area has worn away, exposing the foot bed, and then eventually that wearing through and exposing my heel to the payment. I walk a lot and am hard on shoes. Sometimes if I am lazy I will knock down the backs and wear them as slippers to go out and get the mail – easy to slip on, uncomfortable, but the shoes survive without a sign of distress.So in conclusion, make sure this is the model you want, choose the right size for you, and you will not be disappointed. If it falls apart unexpectedly (something that has never happened to me with the Billfish) complain often and hard, even if it is beyond any return period. That is the only way companies can learn if something they are using or doing has to be improved.

Not 2E Wide as described, but good quality as always from Sperry. Measured with tool (link below) and only D width at best which is not typical for a “Wide” shoe which should be 2E. The webpage (see attached screenshot) says it is a 2E … not the case. Measurement: used stretching device inside shoe to get fitment … removed and measured the results. Stretching device came in contact with inside side of shoe. Length was size 8, but width was D.Stretching device used:https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Wooden-Shoes-Stretcher-Women/dp/B018L4EBKQ/ref=asc_df_B018L4EBKQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167148382709&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13017230420335835464&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019546&hvtargid=pla-311464289509&psc=1

Great deal on a Great pair of Sperry Boat Shoes. I was looking to buy a pair of this particular style Sperry boat shoes, but put off doing so, until I saw this GREAT DEAL on Amazon, and bought them.I’m very glad that I bought them!thank you Amazon….!