07/12/2021
Without topsiders, entry on board is prohibited: the history of the appearance of shoes
To see the difference between topsiders and ordinary moccasins, it is worth turning to history and understanding how and why yacht shoes appeared. The main problem of sailors was and remains a slippery deck covered with a thin layer of water, which turns a hard surface into a dangerous skating rink. Initially, sailors wore leather boots that left their feet dry, but rubbed their feet hard. Perhaps that is why the wooden alternative to a healthy leg has spread so widely among pirates – it is better not to feel the leg at all than, climbing into the cabin, rubbing the limbs rubbed and corroded by sweat.
History of origin
So it would be to this day, if not for the American yachtsman Paul Sperry. Walking his dog through the snowy Connecticut, he noticed that his dog absolutely does not slide, moving on the ice. Although the Floor itself, being in ordinary shoes, was constantly teetering on the verge of falling. Being an experienced and savvy sailor, he adopted this fact and carefully looked at the pads on the pet's paws: it turned out that the entire surface of the pads was cut with small cracks. The solution to the problem of all sailors from the beginning of the appearance of a smooth deck has been found. Paul armed himself with a sharpened blade and began to apply shallow cuts to flat-soled shoes. The tests were carried out on the yacht of the Floor itself. Assistant Captain Leon Burkowski was chosen as a test subject. After pouring a bucket of water on the deck, he jumped into a puddle with a running start and ... to no small surprise remained on his feet.
Now the appearance of topsiders on the deck of a yacht or boat has become not only a safety norm, but also a rule of good form. Let's consider what classic yacht shoes consist of.
In addition to the unique tread pattern, which allows you not to slip on the deck and not go to feed sharks, the soles of topsiders have another feature. The rubber from which it is made does not stain the deck! As a rule, shoes are not removed on the ship, and if you are wearing ordinary shoes, they can leave a lot of oblong marks that are very difficult to wash. And every captain treats his ship as a favorite offspring, so if you come on board in casual shoes, it can cause at least a disapproving look from the captain, or even a request to leave your land boots on shore.
Base
The base of the topsiders is made of genuine leather, soft enough not to rub your feet. Never, even under the threat of the death penalty, should you wear topsiders with socks. Firstly, it looks quite comical (yes, just like sandals with socks!), but the main thing is that in socks the grip of the foot with the shoes is lost, and with an awkward movement your highly technical shoes will go to Poseidon.
Lacing
A lace passed along the entire surface of the shoe is not a decorative element. It creates an additional fixation on the leg. The lace is made of leather, which has raw edges, due to which the laces are not untied.
Modern yacht shoes have changed a lot. No one cuts out the pattern of the sole with a blade anymore, and the upper material is often made of modern synthetic materials. Often you can even meet topsiders made in the form of sneakers. The main thing has remained unchanged – this is a unique sole that will help you stay on your feet even in the strongest storm.
