Sperry Striper II Retro
Verdict from 100+ user reviews
7 reasons to buy
- Most reviewers highly commended the Sperry Striper II Retro for its superb level of comfort.
- The pair is very budget-friendly.
- The Sperry Striper II Retro has received a five-star rating from a majority of its customers.
- Heaps of buyers like the sneaker’s old-school style.
- Some delighted shoppers have bought the sneaker in more than one colorway.
- One wearer describes the Sperry Striper II Retro as the perfect summer sneaker.
- The retro sneaker paired well both with a pair of jeans and shorts, one wearer has noted.
2 reasons not to buy
- Quite a few customers have requested Sperry for additional colorways.
- At least one online shopper has complained that the colors shown online were much brighter than the actual.
Bottom line
Best price from 30 shops
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us.
Overview of this review
Size and fit
The Sperry Top-Sider Striper II Retro is offered in men’s sizes. While Sperry did not make these shoes available in women’s sizing, women buyers can still get their hands on these. They just have to subtract one and a half sizes from their usual size to get the equivalent sizing in men’s. The sneaker’s low-top construction gives the ankles a freer range of motion.
Sperry Striper II Retro Style
The Sperry Striper II Retro is made for summertime. Its clean, laidback look matches well with a wide variety of casual clothing. Walk leisurely under the bright, sunny days with this sneaker. Men can easily pair up this sneaker with chinos, relaxed and slim-fit shorts, light denim pants, button-downs, polo shirts, and rolled-up long-sleeved shirts. On the other hand, women can dress the Sperry pair up with comfortable bright-colored shorts or short skirts for that laidback summer fashion.
The Sperry Striper II Retro is offered in four classic-looking colorways, such as light grey, navy, white, and red.
Notable Features
The Sperry Top-Sider Striper II Retro has a durable, breathable canvas upper, fastened by a traditional lace-up style with fabric laces and rust-proof eyelets. Applied with the classic Molded Wave-Siping, its lightweight and flexible non-marking outsole delivers a sure-footed grip on both wet and dry surfaces.
Sperry Striper II Retro History
One night in the Sirocco boat, everyone was asleep but Paul Sperry, who slipped off the wet deck and plunged into the sea. Luckily, he managed to grab hold of some rigging and pulled himself back up. The incident gave him an idea to make a boat shoe that didn’t slip on wet surfaces. Once back on land, Sperry worked tirelessly on his design throughout the winter of 1935.
After countless experiments on the rubber soles, Sperry still couldn’t get the grip he wanted. Needing to clear his mind, Sperry stepped out into the snow and brought along his cocker spaniel, named Prince. Sperry was watching Prince running swiftly over the sheets of the ice when another idea struck him. When Prince came back, he checked the dog’s paws, found out what he wanted, and dashed to his workshop.
With a penknife, he painstakingly carved thin lines into a thin rubber sole. He mimicked the grooves on his dog’s paws. It dramatically improved grip on wet surfaces. He soon came up with a zig-zag herringbone cut pattern. When he finally glued the hand-cut rubber sole to the base of an old shoe, his first boat shoe prototype was done.
Not long, Sperry produced the world’s first boat shoe in 1935, the Canvas Circular Vamp Oxford (CVO). It was an instant roaring success. Throughout the decades, various Sperry sneakers appeared, all of which carry the brand's signature clean, preppy style and the famous outsole that has the legendary dog grooves in it.
Now going back to their archives, the brand brought back one of their classics, which elegantly endured the test of time: the Sperry Striper II Retro. Looking simply timeless, the Sperry Striper II Retro carries on Sperry’s legacy as being a topnotch, classic footwear brand.
Additional Info
- The sneaker has a removable cushioned footbed, which molds to the contours of the foot, giving it a custom and comfortable fit.
- A protective heel and toe bumper are added for a more retro look.
Popularity
