Dress up. Dress down. It all goes!

The Floafer

The classic "boat" shoe.

It's not about the shoes, it's what you do in them.

Michael Jordan said it best. "It's not about the shoes, it's what you do in them." But sometimes, it really is about the shoe. It's imperative to have a solid shoe in a dangerous work environment, for example. A steel-toe boot is your best friend on a construction job site.

So when you talk about boat-style shoes, this is the definition of form-meets-function. (Kyle always says it's more about form and less about function. What I say is that function is probably more important - but when it meets form - bam!)

The boat shoe is both. The major reason for the boat shoe is for grip and traction. Some would say the most important part of boat shoe is its exceptional grip and traction on wet and slippery surfaces. The unique tread pattern and rubber composition of the soles provide stability, reducing the risk of accidents while maneuvering on the deck. They are quite literally designed with specific features to enhance comfort and performance... on a boat!

Aside from grip and traction. boat shoes also have several more characteristics. They feature non-marking soles, durable materials, comfort to transition easily from the water to the land, and the ability to drain and dry out quickly.

Featured: Sperry Authentic Original™ Nubuck Boat Shoe.

What I think works: Classic. Just classic. No owning a boat required to have a great pair of boat shoes. They just go with everything.

What I think might be a challenge: The only draw back to not having a pair of boat shoes is not having a pair of boat shoes. No, but seriously, the challenge here is finding the right environment to wear them.

The Mule

Mule is a style of shoe that has no back or constraint around the foot's heel. History lesson. Mules are said to have roots all the way back to Ancient Rome, but were not popularly worn until sixteenth-century Europe. There, mules were bedroom slippers and not worn in public.

A huge benefit to mules is that people with feet problems could easily slip into mules comfortably because of the backless feature. If you are dealing with Achilles tendonitis or another type of pain in the back of your heel, the mules will not make it worse. This is because no back will rub or irritate the tendon while you are walking.

If you're wondering whether they're trendy, mules do offer a fashionable edge and are often seen in the trendier category. Depending on the overall look, they can add a touch of chic to any outfit, especially with variations like heeled mules or those with decorative elements.

Nike's version of the mule shoe is stylish and adaptable! The backing is removable so they can be worn without a heel constraint. Pop the backing back and hit the road. Either way, these are doable. From the website: Enjoy a calm, comfortable experience—no matter where your day off takes you. Made with soft yet responsive foam, these lightweight mules are easy to style and easy to pack. While the water-friendly design makes them ideal for the beach or pool, the minimalist look is elevated enough to wear around in the city. Plus, a removable heel strap adjusts for the perfect fit. Time to slide in and check out.

Featured: Nike Calm Men's Mules

What I think works: Comfort and style go well here. The pool, day drinking, a trip to the grocery store, an outing for lunch... the list goes on.

What I think might be a challenge: Mules need the right type of place. They're pretty casual. No parties or weddings, although these days it does seem that anything goes. I just tend to shy away from this type of shoe anywhere I wouldn't wear shorts. Don't get me wrong, I would wear these with shorts all day long. I just wouldn't put these with anything where I'm not comfortable wearing shorts.

Good shoes take you good places.

I think I'm becoming more of a shoe snob. Look, this is coming from a guy who LITERALLY wears out his shoes. I think I probably hold some sort of world record for having shoes the longest. My last pair of zip-up ankle boots stayed with me for nearly 10 years. I think the previous pair before those hit the decade+ mark, a pair of standard loafer shoes. God, I love those things.

We did end up finally purchasing a pair of horsebit loafers recently. I tend to think more of where the shoes and I have been together and way less about them needing to be replaced. In fact, I think I tend to hold onto them even more because of all the things we went through together. Silly, I know. But it's the absolute truth. The other part of the coin is that the new shoes and I will walk miles and miles together, too. And who knows what adventure awaits us. I'm ready... let's go!

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