Sebago shoes - experience, information and opinions

[MrPetrov]

Hello!

I was wondering whether anyone has any experience and/or reasoned opinion on Sebago shoes.
From their website it appears that they make durable, practical and well priced shoes (not very elegant, but for outdoor activity I guess they beat the ones produced by sports brands).

As far as construction goes it seems - with exception of cemented construction - there are a two main types
1) Stitch Out Construction;
Example - Sebago Salem
http://img.wolverineworldwide.com/is...peg&bgc=f3f3eb

2) Sebago Welt Construction;
Example - Sebago Classic
http://img.wolverineworldwide.com/is...peg&bgc=f3f3eb

So...
My questions are:
a) Are theese construction methods any good - are the soles realy stitched or is the stitching purely decorative?
b) Are the shoes themselves worth buying - are they comfortable, durable and suitable for outdoor activity?
c) Perhaps there are better alternatives at that price range (less than $200)?

 

[apropos]

Completely OT, but...

Sebago Docksides boat shoes beat Sperry Topsiders about the head in terms of durability/construction, but are initially quite stiff to wear. The Sperry shoes are more comfortable to wear, but wear out much faster. You pick your poison, I guess.

FWIW, Sebago Docksides are not made in the USA anymore.

 

[VelvetGreen]

I have a pair of Docksides which got me through a sailing season off Sardinia and a fair amount of fishing. It's true, you have to wear them in. But I wouldn't want any other shoe on a boat, and I have had no durability problems whatsoever.