Every era has its share of pioneers and mavericks, but there are only a select few who manage to personally define an entire lifestyle through their work. Paul Sperry is one such individual. He invented the non-slip sole that was the foundation for the boat shoe. The company he founded in his own name, Sperry Top-Sider, expanded the horizons of sailing, perfecting the art of preppy fashion at the same time. Over the last 80 years, Sperry has grown from the simplest of ideas to one of the world’s most understated footwear brands. Time to take a step back as we look at the origins of this quirky company.
“Vacation life should consist mainly of strolling from a secluded cottage, to a pure, white beach overlooking crystal, green waters where sleek yachts and sleeker windsurfers, take turns criss-crossing the bay. It does, however, place certain demands on your shoes. Because you’ll need shoes that are as comfortable with a sandwich in a beachside bar as they are with a let in a wharfside café. Sperry’s heritage was born in places like this…”
