I will review Sperry Top-Sider Mens Gold Cup Series Boat Shoes by comparing them to the Original Sperry Top-Siders.

The originals, once they are broken in and have been washed or soaked once, become a second skin that you forget about, and they can keep  you as cool as a pair of flip-flops due to the rough grain of the leather inside. However, walking in the originals for any distance is very tiring because there is little or no impact absorption in the original sole.

That is why I bought the Gold Cups, I wanted approximately the same look except be able to stand and walk for hours without getting aching tired feet and without feeling every twig and pebble on the street.

In this respect, the Gold Cups are indeed better, comparable in fact to wearing sneakers and socks in terms of comfort. And for this reason they are worth the extra money.

But there are some aspects of the originals that I prefer over the Gold Cups. Originals terminate lower on the instep so more of the foot is exposed, and they are of course more shallow and somehow look smaller. They have a timeless cool look about them, whether worn with shorts or jeans.

The Gold Cup look very similar, but the walking sole and longer upper do make them look a bit more conservative when you see them side by side with originals. Not so bad as to make them an old mans shoe like certain other Sperrys, but they are clearly not quite as cool looking as the originals.

One of the advantages of the Gold Cups is also their disadvantage. The beautiful soft hide interior with the memory foam underneath can stick to damp feet. And feet will get damp on their own if you are walking around on a hot day. On a boat of course there is a good chance that the ocean or the lake will soak the shoes at some point, with a similar effect. In originals, the insole is the rough side of the hide and less prone to sticking to the sole of your foot.

This review is a little premature because I have not yet washed my Gold Cups. Top-Siders are worn without socks and feet are, well, feet. So owners of Top-Siders wash their shoes, or they should anyway. Originals come out like new after a cold soapy bath and rinse, and dry in an hour in front of a cool room fan. No harm done, and then all you smell inside is new leather. I will suspect that the Gold Cups with their memory foam and their deerskin insides may not dry quite as fast after a wash, but then as I say, I do not know yet. Perhaps I will update this review after I give them their first wash.

Lastly, Gold Cups come in different widths so if you are, for example, a 9.5 wide, you do not need to compromise and buy a 10 medium. You can get a proper fitting shoe.