It’s time for me to get a new pair of camp mocs. My Sperry camp mocs (see above) are dying. The footbed is starting to disintegrate. I’d get another pair, but Sperry no longer offers this style so I’m stepping up my camp moc game this time around. I had narrowed my options down to the Quoddy Canoe Moc or Rancourt Gilman Camp Moc. I ended up going with Quoddy and here is why.
When it comes to looks Quoddy and Rancourt camp mocs are very similar. I did notice a handful of differences. The most notable to me is the soles. Rancourt use brown soles whereas Quoddy uses black. I prefer the brown, but this could be because my Sperry’s have brown soles and I’ve grown accustomed to it. Another difference is the spacing of the eyelets. The second set of eyelets on the Quoddy camp mocs are spaced a little further apart than the Rancourt. In terms of overall shape the Quoddy mocs appear to have a more rounded toe box than Rancourt and a lower profile (might be better for my feet). In this category Quoddy scores points for the toe box shape while Rancourt gets points for the brown soles. I will call it a tie.
Now let’s take a look at the price. Rancourt camp mocs are $268. Quoddy are $249. Quoddy also offers 20% off your first purchase. Rancourt does offer a great deal every year where they crowd source pairs for right around $160. The downside is that you need to know your size in advance and the wait time is 2-3 months. Here Quoddy gets the edge for first time purchasers and Rancourt gets the win for repeat customers.
Next up is availability. This was probably the biggest factor for why I chose Quoddy. I thought that Rancourt would have camp mocs in stock and ready to ship. I really liked the Carolina Brown Rancourt. I probably would have bit, but on closer inspection it says that they will be ready in 10-12 weeks. Quoddy on the other hand had them ready to go now. Another point for Quoddy.
I picked Quoddy because I could get them now and it didn’t hurt that they were a little cheaper ($230 delivered). I went with the brown as I thought they’d be more versatile than the red sole (which I love) of the whiskey colored pair. Even though I like the whiskey color a little better. I hope that sharing my painstakingly neurotic decision making process will be helpful to anyone that is in the same boat. I am wafting to take delivery of my new mocs so I can’t offer a review just yet, but know that it’s coming.
Both are overpriced.
All the made in USA camp mocs that I have looked at are priced very similarly even outside of these 2 brands. You may not see the value in having a pair of camp mocs this nice which is understandable, but I don’t think anyone is price gouging here.
I’ve been looking into Quoddy myself recently, and I’m leaning towards their Bluchers. Eagerly awaiting your review of the mocs!
Thanks for the writeup- great information. Did you at any time look at Oak Street Bootmakers? I’ve had an eye on several of their wares and was curious if you had looked at them.
Thanks, Eric! Somehow Oak Street completely slipped my mind. I have since looked and I think they look great. I have been thinking about their Penny Moc lately.
Jerrod and readers,
I have a query. I live in Miami and wear boat shoes every single day of the year. To date the only ones I really love are Sperry Gold Cup AOs. They look fine but are extremely comfortable, primarily because they are lined. I have tried Oakstreet and other top makers but keep running into the issue that the thread used in upper rubs my foot and pinky toe badly if the boat shoes are unlined. And because it is rubbing on polyester thread, you can’t break it in like leather. Further, unlined seems to be the norm for classic makers. Does anyone have a recommendation for a traditional-looking lined boat shoe?
Quoddy, they offer both unlined and lined versions for their made to order boat and camp shoes. Careful with width, especially lined, Quoddy runs narrow. If your toe is rubbing could be part of the issue with any shoe brand. E and EE does not get much wider than standard width, but makes a big difference and can be just enough