Deck shoes, moccasins and loafers: what's the difference?
A deck shoe is a boat shoe: low, with a moccasin stitch and a lace around the collar. A moccasin wraps the foot in one unbroken line, without a strap. A loafer is a slip-on with a cleaner, more structured upper, sometimes with a penny strap. Choose the deck shoe for relaxed days, the moccasin for ease, the loafer when it needs to look sharper.
A slow Saturday. Coffee at the corner, a walk along the water, lunch that turns into the afternoon. Shoes you step into without thinking, that look right at the table and feel right on the walk home. Three kinds of shoe promise exactly that: the deck shoe, the moccasin and the loafer. From across the room they look alike. On your feet they are not.
Here is what makes each one what it is, how it fits, and which one belongs with your chinos, your denim or your suit.
What is the difference between a deck shoe, a moccasin and a loafer?
The deck shoe carries its history on the outside; the moccasin wraps the foot in one line; the loafer is the cleaner, more structured slip-on.
| Type | What defines it | Our model | Wear it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck shoe | The moccasin stitch, a low profile, a lace | DS 03, in full-grain leather or suede | Chinos, linen, rolled denim |
| Moccasin | An unbroken line, no penny strap | MC 01, in suede or full-grain leather | A trouser or denim |
| Loafer | A clean, structured upper; sometimes a penny front | LS 01, LS 03, LS 05 | A suit, sharp trousers, or jeans |
What is a deck shoe?
A deck shoe, or boat shoe, carries its history on the outside: the moccasin stitch, the low profile, the shape that came off the water. Our DS 03 keeps that line and sets it on our own sole.
In full-grain leather from an LWG Gold tannery in Portugal it marks, then settles. Inside sit a full leather lining and a memory foam insole. Wear it with chinos, linen or rolled denim. It is the most relaxed of the three, and the one that looks best a little lived in. Prefer it softer and darker? The DS 03 also comes in black suede.
What is a moccasin?
A shoe you simply step into. A moccasin keeps one unbroken line around the foot, so the foot sets the form rather than any hardware. Our MC 01 has no penny strap, a full leather lining and a rubber outsole with a deeper tread. It works with a trouser and it works with denim.
In full-grain leather it marks first, then settles; in suede it is soft from the first wear. The MC 01 has a relaxed, comfortable fit, and it is built on a slightly longer last, so there is more room in the shoe. Between sizes or with slim feet, take one size down. The deeper tread makes it the one for days with more walking than sitting.
The foot sets the form, not the hardware.
What makes a loafer a loafer?
A cleaner, more structured upper that holds the foot without laces. That is why loafers for men can go further up the dress code than a deck shoe or a moccasin.
Ours come in three characters. The LS 01 is a loafer on top and a sneaker underneath: dinner, the office and the walk in between. The LS 03 keeps the upper clean and the sole thin, with a full leather lining; it is the one for a suit. The LS 05 is a penny loafer on a rubber sneaker sole, which is why it dresses a suit down and pulls a pair of jeans up. The LS 01 stands on our own sole, with enough give to walk all day; the LS 03 and LS 05 have a full leather lining that softens and settles to your foot. How to wear each of them is in how to wear loafers.
Which one fits how?
Loafers sit closest, moccasins most relaxed. Our loafers sit close to the foot and soften after a few wears; the LS 05 runs narrower than the others, so take one size up. The MC 01 is relaxed. For every model, see how ETQ shoes fit.
Whichever you choose, wear socks, even no-shows. There is less friction, and a leather lining lasts longer that way.
Which one should you choose?
The one that matches your week. Mostly relaxed, near the water or in the city at the weekend: the deck shoe. Mostly comfort, with a trouser or denim: the moccasin. A week that runs from meetings to dinners: a loafer. And nothing stops you from owning two.
Then choose the colour. Darker tones, like chocolate or black, feel right in the evening and with a suit; lighter tones, like sand and taupe, feel warmer and easier in daylight.
They all live in our dressed footwear: the smarter end of the range, made to read smart and wear easily. And for what to wear them with, from chinos to linen, read which shoes with chinos, jeans or linen.
Frequently asked questions
Is a deck shoe the same as a boat shoe?
Yes. Our DS 03 is a deck shoe, with the moccasin stitch and low profile of a boat shoe, on our own sole.
What is the difference between a moccasin and a loafer?
A moccasin keeps one unbroken line around the foot without a strap. A loafer has a cleaner, more structured upper, sometimes with a penny front.
How does the MC 01 fit?
Relaxed. Take your usual size, or one size down if you are between sizes or have slim feet.
What do I wear with deck shoes?
Chinos, linen or rolled denim.
Which of the three is the dressiest?
The loafer, especially the LS 03, with its clean upper, thin sole and full leather lining.
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