Sperry
Boat shoe brand built on Paul Sperry's 1935 non-slip sole. The Authentic Original is the flagship.
Status: Avoid
- Founded
- 1935
- Website
- sperry.com
- HQ
- USA
- Manufacturing
- USA,Various
- Ownership type
- Brand licensing (ABG-style)
- Parent
- Authentic Brands Group
- Acquired
- 2024
- Status since
- 2026-10-30
Ownership
Wolverine World Wide sold Sperry to Authentic Brands Group for about $70M in January 2024. Aldo Group runs North American wholesale, e-commerce, stores, design and production.
Why Avoid
Sperry's site leads with "Invented by Paul Sperry in 1935" and a "Handcrafted in Maine" line. The Made in Maine 2-Eye was listed at $157.98 against $395 with fewer than five in stock. The brand is now held by a licensing company, with production run by a partner.
Reversibility
What would change our verdict
Origin stated on every product page, including the standard Authentic Original.
Sister brands under Authentic Brands Group
Read the full investigation
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