These vans are made for the water. The upper is canvas and the sole is Vans classic rubber waffle one. Head down to the marina with these sailor shoes and you'll be taken seriously. Wear them to your next boat crew job interview and you will be sailing the seven seas in no time. We aren't exactly sure what makes a boat shoe good for boating, but we do know boat shoes are what you wear on boats. They are also want you should wear while listening to Jimmy Buffet and playing shuffle board on the deck of the Queen Mary, so if you do either of those you need these shoes. If you can't schedule in those activities get the shoes anyway and we will all assume you are working towards your dreams on the water.