Conflicting advice on Dubarrys

[Achillesheel]

Just back from the Boat Show, where we spent a helluva lot to keep SWMBO warm while on the boat - new Gill jacket, a fleece, and some Dubarry Ultima's.

The chap who sold the boots sounded very knowledgable; he said you shouldn't treat them with anything, as this would clog up the pores and destroy the breathability of the leather, and destroy the waterproofability. He said simply to wash them with fresh water and put them away at the end of the season dry, and wrapped up to keep the air off them.

The labels on the boots recommends a range of cleaning and treatment products, to clean, "prepare for proofing and conditioning", restore the leather's original appearance and offering water repellancy, etc.

Is this simply Dubarry trying to make more money?

Who is right?

SWMBO would like to go and try paddling in them in the bath.

 

[Blue Fox]

If I don't treat my Dubarry's with that recommended stuff regularly, they will start to leak! Never noticed a reduced breathability.
Chris

 

[Quandary]

boots

I have the Shamrock ones which benefit from a bit of 'conditioner' on the leather feet about once a year, the wifes are the even pricier Ultima which look a bit like suede and get no treatment, both about 10 years old and good as new but we dont wear them unless it is a day that you need oilies. They were good in the snow though. Even in a Scottish summer Crocs are better.

 

[Doghousekeeper]

I treat mine in line with Dubarry recs - now 4 years old, still waterproof, extremely comfortable, and going strong. Wouldn't be without them - like to look after them

 

[Richard10002]

I treat mine in line with Dubarry recs - now 4 years old, still waterproof, extremely comfortable, and going strong. Wouldn't be without them - like to look after them

I wouldnt want a pair of wellies that needed any kind of treatment other than a wash every now and then. I'm not organised enough to do it, so I just want to put them on when I need them, and they work.

 

[stephenh]

I regret to say that I have done nothing to my now 10 yr old Shamrocks ( the all leather ones) except wash the mud off occasionly...

They get 2 - 3 months wear a year and are the best buy I have ever made.

Should my conscience prick me, can someone give me the name of the stuff you are supposed to put on them ?

 

[BelleSerene]

The chap who sold the boots sounded very knowledgable; he said you shouldn't treat them with anything

Strange, that, as Dubarry sell a spray product [http://www.sailingclothingstore.co.uk/Marine_Footwear/Footwear_Accessories/pr26119_sc514.aspx] which brings your salty boots back closer to the look they had when you bought them. Clean them well with fresh water first, though. And I wouldn't assume that you need to use this.

If you're one of the brigade who wears Dubarry boots as a fashion item, it might be more important to you. And if you wear them with shorts, well...

 

[Achillesheel]

Thanks to all for your replies. It sounds as though it doesn't matter too much either way.

Di (SWMBO) always feels the cold when we sail, in any weather, and especially her feet, so the boots were a belated Christmas present, bought for practicality and certainly not as a fashion item, and I will disown her if she wears them with shorts....

 

[dmmbruce]

Dubarry????

This is wonderful. I was forced to go and look up what these things are.

Are they really just leather 'wellingtons' at nearly £200.

My first thought was that they are the sailing equivalent of 'Hunter Wellies'. But the sort of people who fell for those would not be likely to go sailing. Boat people have too much sense!

Please enlighten me, why are they so wonderful. They don't look much in the picture.

Mike

 

[Achillesheel]

Wellies keep you dry, but don't keep your feet warm. Dubarrys are breathable - Di says Dubarrys are the foot equivalent of a breathable goretex jacket, compared with a plastic mac.

 

[dmmbruce]

Wellies keep you dry, but don't keep your feet warm. Dubarrys are breathable - Di says Dubarrys are the foot equivalent of a breathable goretex jacket, compared with a plastic mac.

Oh!

Ok thanks.

Mike

 

[AIDY]

on my second pair first lasted 10 years with no treatment and worn every weekend even in the summer ! just bought some ultima's last year and don't intend to put any treatment on them !

 

[sailorman]

Just back from the Boat Show, where we spent a helluva lot to keep SWMBO warm while on the boat - new Gill jacket, a fleece, and some Dubarry Ultima's.

The chap who sold the boots sounded very knowledgable; he said you shouldn't treat them with anything, as this would clog up the pores and destroy the breathability of the leather, and destroy the waterproofability. He said simply to wash them with fresh water and put them away at the end of the season dry, and wrapped up to keep the air off them.

The labels on the boots recommends a range of cleaning and treatment products, to clean, "prepare for proofing and conditioning", restore the leather's original appearance and offering water repellancy, etc.

Is this simply Dubarry trying to make more money?

Who is right?

SWMBO would like to go and try paddling in them in the bath.

Contact Matthew at Dubarry repairs dept

mmcnally@dubarry.ie

for the definitive answer

 

[Achillesheel]

Thank you, i'll put any response on here.

 

[Boat44]

I treat them with complete disregard. They are still great after 9 years. Worth every penny.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Wellies keep you dry, but don't keep your feet warm. Dubarrys are breathable - Di says Dubarrys are the foot equivalent of a breathable goretex jacket, compared with a plastic mac.

ABSOLUTELY. SWBO lives in hers when cold and wet on the boat, cos her tiny size 3 feet get cold easily, (don't i know it this winter in a N facing bedroom). DB's were the only ones doing a size 3 when we started big boat sailing together after cruising dinghies.

I like the wide top option on their boots, not having matchstick calves.
Never could get any sailing wellies or boots to fit me unless turned down 'navvy' style or shorties, and they always got overtopped using the tender.
Then Dubarry's did the wide top- Bliss.

And they resole/repair them too, not too dear either, and quick turnaround- SWMBO had hers done this autumn, back in about 10 days tops, good as new.

 

[robertj]

i too was looking for some ultima boots but felt they are rather over priced compared with similar makes.
Are they worth the money or a bit like the 'Kings Clothes @ syndrom?

 

[Jamesuk]

They were good in the snow though. Even in a Scottish summer Crocs are better.

Dubarry's good in the snow, did you not have your skis to hand looking at the sole were they really that good? I mean 9/10 cars had problems in the snow because there tyres were not gripping, I feel the same about Dubarry marine boots if tested.

Interesting!

 

[Quandary]

Dubarry's good in the snow, did you not have your skis to hand looking at the sole were they really that good? I mean 9/10 cars had problems in the snow because there tyres were not gripping, I feel the same about Dubarry marine boots if tested.

Interesting!

Have to clarify this, when the snow fell nice and fluffy the walking boats were the job, after a day or two every path and most roads around here was a smooth sheet of compressed ice and very slippery indeed (we have 3 neighbours with fractures) Ventured out to the garage in my Musto deck shoes (another factory shop bargain) and was able to stand, so when we eventually headed for the shops we wore the Dubarrys, excellent on smooth ice. When more snow fell, reverted to the walking boots.
BTW our sailing club in Ireland had a member in the clothing industry who was able to fufil a big order once every year at less than half the retail price. The major advantage of Dubarry over others is their after care, they look after their customers.