Herring Shoes Journal

We have given the deck shoe a splash of colour for spring/summer 2024 to treat our female customers to a thoroughly joyful addition to our women’s footwear collection.

Commonly seen in brown or navy calf for the sailor-inspired men’s versions, we have gone to town with multiple colourways and a choice of textures for the Cordelia. We’re sure Paul Sperry would have approved!

The deck shoe was invented by American Sperry in 1935 when he cut thin slits into the rubber soles of his shoes after noticing his dog’s ability to run easily over ice without slipping.

Known as boat shoes in the US, the deck shoe is so much more than a nautical must-have. It became a slip-on casual footwear favourite for both men and women from the 1970s onwards, especially in coastal areas of Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Argentina and China.

You will definitely see a few pairs being worn in the water sports and sailing heartland of the South Hams in Devon where Herring has its headquarters!

The Cordelia has all the classic details of a deck shoe with a suede, nubuck or pony upper sporting a 360° lacing system and a light-weight rubber sole. The upgrade though is in the choice of colours!

Our moc-croc version comes in a stunning green or pink suede alongside an untextured lilac. Or you can raise your game further with super soft nubuck leather in a vibrant yellow or more traditional navy with teal laces. Lastly, our Pony style is cream with brown markings.

These shoes are made by a multi-generational family-run factory in Portugal, the home of the best deck-shoe makers. This is a beautiful shoe that will see you right through spring and summer…even if you don’t have a boat!