Until January 2024, the Sperry brand was owned by Wolverine World Wide and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

[1] While sailing on the Long Island Sound, inventor and sailor Paul A. Sperry slipped on the deck of his boat and fell overboard.

He was able to pull himself back on board, but the experience drove him to develop a non-slip shoe for boating.

Examining its paws, he noticed traction-enhancing grooves, which he sought to mimic by cutting a pattern of them into a natural rubber sole utilizing a process known as siping.

[9] In May 2023, Wolverine World Wide announced the search for "strategic alternatives" for the Sperry brand, as part of a broader move to focus on growth sectors.

Through their America's Cup partnership, Sperry announced that they would collaborate with athletes to create custom footwear to wear during the competition.