Hey Dude vs Olukai [Which Boat Shoe Is More Worthy?]

All-day comfort and versatility are what you need in a pair of casual boat shoes. Thankfully both Hey Dude and Olukai come with all that benefits.

Despite this similarity, they provide distinctive benefits, which I learned after wearing them for the last 5 months.

While Olukai offers better durability and a versatile design, Hey Dude shoes provide more comfort.

Then which boat shoe will be better for you?

Let’s find it out through this in-depth comparison!

Comparison Table of Hey Dude and Olukai Shoes

Before jumping right into the detailed comparison of Hey Dude and Olukai shoes, let’s take a look at their key differences from the table below.

How Do Hey Dude and Olukai Shoes Compare?

As we can see in the comparison table, just like their history, Hey Dude and Olukai shoes vary in material, design, size, and support they provide.

So let’s know in detail how Hey Dude and Olukai shoes compare in their features:

1. Quality of Upper Material

Both Hey Dude and Olukai shoes offer shoes with good quality materials but use different types of them.

Most Hey Dude boat shoes feature a leather or fabric upper with cotton lining. Conversely, Olukai uses stretchy mesh and other synthetic materials for the upper that comes with a suede backstay.

I would say the leather Hey Dudes are slightly better in quality. But the upper fabric seems thinner and of cheaper quality. 

Meanwhile, Olukai Shoes will take the lead when it comes to the overall construction. And the best thing is that you will get a 1-year warranty on all Olukai shoes as a confirmation of their quality construction.

2. Style and Design

Hey Dude boat shoes feature a round toe and lace-up closure design, 

Which is much simpler than the no-tie lace design of Olukai boat shoes.

Olukai boat shoes are so versatile that I have worn them both for my vacation dinners and formal meetings. 

Besides, the signature collapsible heel design of Olukai makes them even more versatile.

By folding the heel cap, you can easily turn your Olukai sneakers into slip-on clogs. And this flexible design offers extra benefits when working on the decks. 

3. Comfort and Support

In my experience, Hey Dude shoes were more comfortable than Olukai boat shoes and had better arch support.

Hey Dude shoes’ fabric and cotton upper is extremely breathable, even in the summer. 

And the memory foam cushioned insole with leather lining provides the utmost comfort. I could wear these comfy shoes all day long without getting any discomfort or pain. 

Meanwhile, Olukai boat shoes are decently cushioned with gel inserts, but the mesh upper is not as breathable as the Hey Dudes. I was left with sweaty feet within a few hours when I skipped socks with them. 

So, Olukai won’t be the best choice if you want shoes to wear sockless in the scorching heat.

4. Longevity

Olukai shoes are made with stronger construction and durable material. I’ve been using these flexible boat shoes as casual wear for the last 5 months. And surprisingly, they are still holding up well.

Meanwhile, the upper fabric of Hey Dude wears out very quickly. 

As Hey Dude shoes aren’t waterproof, the color also fades out if they get wet, leaving behind a dull look.

That’s why Olukai is my personal pick when looking for a durable pair of casual sneakers.

5. Fit and Sizing

Both Hey Dude and Olukai boat shoes fit true to size, and you can go with your regular sneaker size for them both.

But the thing is that, unlike Olukai, Hey Dude only offers full sizes. So if you wear half sizes, it is recommended to go with the next full size. For example, if you are the US size 9.5, go with the size 10.

However, even after going with my regular size for Hey Dudes, the shoes fit a bit roomy due to the wide toe. 

Yet this might not be a matter of concern as you can easily adjust your fit thanks to the lacing design of Hey Dudes.

Meanwhile, the stretchy tongue and closed-toe design of Olukai provide a comfy fit right out of the box.

6. Price Variation

Hey Dude boat shoes are quite cheaper compared to Olukai shoes. Because, Hey Dude boat shoes come at an extremely affordable price range of $44.95 to $79.95. Meanwhile, Olukai offers boat shoes at a high price of $120, which is more than double the price of Hey Dudes. 

This higher price of Olukai is tolerable, considering the quality, design, and versatility you get from them.

But I think Hey Dudes offers more value, as you can get extremely comfy boat shoes at such incredibly low prices.

7. Outsole Traction

Both Olukai and Hey Dude boat shoes offer good outsole grip as they are meant to wear on slippery deck grounds.

However, the outsole of Olukai shoes provides a better grip than the Hey Dude shoes. Because when I wore both shoes on the deck, Olukai shoes didn’t slip at all. 

Unfortunately, this was not the same for my Hey Dude pair. And I think they are more suitable for everyday use in dry weather.

Pros and Cons of Hey Dude and Olukai Boat Shoes

Now you know all the feature differences between Olukai and Hey Dude shoes. But you should know all their advantages and disadvantages for a more informed decision.

So, let’s find out all the pros and cons of Hey Dude and Olukai shoes:

Hey Dude

Olukai

Verdict

Both Olukai and Hey Dude shoes have a lot to offer. However, it’s kinda tough to pick one as I like both of the boat shoes for different reasons.

I like the durability, versatility, and modern style of Olukai boat shoes. You can easily wear these shoes for going out with friends or while sail racing. The grippy outsole will make sure to put your feet right in place.

As the price of Olukai is a bit of an issue, if your budget allows, I’ll recommend you go with these durable shoes.

On the other hand, I love the comfort and roomy fit that Hey Dude shoes offer. You can pair these classy shoes with both your casual shorts and semi-casual outfits.

The best thing is that you can easily clean Hey Dude shoes even in the washer, thanks to its machine-washable materials.

However, considering the low price, the quality and arch support that Hey Dudes offers are definitely worth the money.

So, if you are in search of comfy casual sneakers at an affordable price, Hey Dude is the one for you.

FAQs

Are Hey Dudes comfortable to walk in all day?

Yes, Hey Dude shoes are comfortable to walk in all day. Because they are extremely lightweight and breathable shoes with good arch support. Also, the foam inserts and wide toe-box of Hey Dude shoes ensure you always get a stress-free ride.

Are OluKai shoes meant to be worn without socks?

Olukai shoes are designed to skip socks altogether. The breathable mesh upper and collapsible heel design allows your feet to feel the breeze. But as the material used here doesn’t have moisture-wicking ability, your feet may get sweaty after long hours of use.