Sperry has teamed up with New York-based brand and retailer Colbo on its latest shoe.
For this tie-up, the duo deconstructed Sperry’s Authentic Original boat shoe and rebuilt it into a soft, flexible silhouette. They style is made of premium materials and produced in muted earth tones for a shoe made for the summer.
More specifically, the silhouette features distressing techniques and carefully pre-washed materials for a timeworn patina. The result is a shoe available in two rich, buttery leather colorways: Distressed Taupe and Weathered Sahara. Plus, leather outsoles are inspired by Sperry’s archival designs of the ‘70s and ‘80s, while a collapsible heel can be styled up or down for any occasion.
And the attention to detail extends itself onto the shoes’ packaging. Each pair is wrapped in thick butcher paper and comes with a jute dust bag inside a co-branded shoe box.
Tal Silberstein, co-founder and designer of Colbo, said in a statement that he has been wearing the same pair of Sperry Authentic Original boat shoes for years.
“Down to the wash, wear, and suppleness, I mimicked the elements of my own boat shoes to create something that felt comfortable right off the bat but elevated enough to wear out,” Silberstein said.
The Sperry x Colbo Authentic Original boat shoes.
Courtesy of Sperry
“Reflecting on 90 years of craftsmanship, innovation was always at the root of Sperry’s success,” Jonathan Frankel, president of Sperry, added. “Colbo’s unprecedented approach to men’s and womenswear offers a fresh interpretation of style, making this crossover a true embodiment of what Paul Sperry envisioned for the brand when he founded it in 1935.”
The Sperry x Colbo Authentic Original boat shoes, which retail for $225, are now available exclusively via Colbo (online and in-store). A general release on Sperry.com will follow on July 14. And a second, limited edition collab style will be announced in fall 2025.
This is the latest collaboration for the 90-year-old footwear brand. In June, Sperry released its latest collection with Todd Snyder, which featured new versions of the CVO sneaker and the Authentic Original boat shoe.
Other recent collaborations from Sperry include shoes with Aritzia, J.Crew, Colour Plus Companie and Beams Plus.