Finally broke down and bought a new pair of these. I've been wearing one brand or another of deck shoes since junior high school (Docksides, Sperry Top-Siders, or L.L. Bean). My last pair was a saddle tan color that I've had for a good 16+ years, and they were just shot to the point where not even saddle soap would get them looking reasonably clean, the heels and toes had worn down to the point that they were very thin, and they looked like hell. Okay, they weren't so bad that I had to tape the toes to the soles with duct tape, but they weren't too far away. I basically live in deck shoes or camp mocs all weekend, since I'm really not a sneaker person. These came in a wide width, so I ordered a 6 and they fit fine.

But deck shoes aren't really something you can wear to the office except perhaps on a summer Friday. Sperry now has expanded their line from the traditional deck shoe to other casual styles more suitable for the office. I'm not sure how quickly the other styles wear out, but the Sperrys that I grew up with wear like iron, have decent arch support, and cushy insoles. Figured I'd try another style more suitable for Spring and Summer in the office, when I actually have been known to occasionally wear a skirt. So, I bought these ballet mocs. These don't come in a wide width, so to compensate, I sized up a full size to a 7. Good move on my part. The soles on these and on the deck shoes are the same length, and I have the same 1/4"-3/8" of toe room in both. They still seem a bit narrow, but they're a fairly soft pebble grain leather instead of the stiff oil tanned leather like the deck shoes. They'll stretch out a bit with wear. Admittedly, the style isn't for everyone, but it's definately a "Froggie" shoe. I seldom wear heels unless they're attached to a cowboy boot.

Now I just need to go through my closet and toss out all the old shoes that are beyond repair. I'm really not Imelda Marcos class in terms of the size of my shoe collection. It's just that I never seem to bother to throw them out, long after they are shot, so they accumulate, even though I no longer wear them, which I freely admit is ridiculous. Time for the big tosser-oo.