Deck Shoe Soles

[bobgarrett]

Up until a few years ago I would find deck shoes would last years, but not now. In the last few years I have found the soles go hard - and so slippery - within less than a year.
I have tried softening them by washing, sanding etc but to no avail.
Is it just me or have others found the same problem? Are they using different materials now? Is any brand good for longer?

 

[VO5]

I have noticed the same phenomenon.
I attribute it to the pressures of fashion.
This is because many people who are not sailors, do not own a boat, have never sailed and have not the slightest intention or interest in these three
get caught up in the fashion trap.
They end up looking like sailors D) and extend the result into posing.
The manufacturers...who cynically percieve demand for shorts, polo shirts, sun hats, sunglassers, waterproof watches, windproof lighters and leather topped laced deck shoes...get into the act...producing vast quantities of lookalike goods for the consumption of the posers.
The real sailors, like you and me, have to suffer the consequences of this commercially driven and fashion fuelled demand for lookalike goods.
That is why the soles of the deck shoes you have are not suitable for deck work.
I myself am happy to pay the premium and only buy Dubarry deck shoes to wear afloat, as they have proper deck gripping soles.
For casual wear ashore the lookalikes are good enough.
Funninly enough, I have observed in marinas, the quantity of people who turn up looking the part, but on closer inspection are only visiting, to have a beer or a meal at marinaside restaurants and bars, and to become contaminated with their percieved glamour of yachts, yachting and bling.

 

[Quandary]

Deckshoes used to last for ever, I still have a pair of Sebago Docksides bought when I had our second boat, but I would not wear them on board now because the grip has long gone. Even Dubarry do not seem to bother with a proper footbed any more, just a moccasin with a flat sole stitched to it. At one time, you had to take your long lasting deckies for a long walk on concrete at the start of the season to get the hard skin of the rubber and bring some grip back. I prefer the softer rubber used these days as it seems to maintain good grip for longer even if they do only last a season or two.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

On reflection...

I have noticed the same phenomenon.
I attribute it to the pressures of fashion.
This is because many people who are not sailors, do not own a boat, have never sailed and have not the slightest intention or interest in these three
get caught up in the fashion trap.
They end up looking like sailors D) and extend the result into posing.
The manufacturers...who cynically percieve demand for shorts, polo shirts, sun hats, sunglassers, waterproof watches, windproof lighters and leather topped laced deck shoes...get into the act...producing vast quantities of lookalike goods for the consumption of the posers.
The real sailors, like you and me, have to suffer the consequences of this commercially driven and fashion fuelled demand for lookalike goods.
That is why the soles of the deck shoes you have are not suitable for deck work.
I myself am happy to pay the premium and only buy Dubarry deck shoes to wear afloat, as they have proper deck gripping soles.
For casual wear ashore the lookalikes are good enough.
Funninly enough, I have observed in marinas, the quantity of people who turn up looking the part, but on closer inspection are only visiting, to have a beer or a meal at marinaside restaurants and bars, and to become contaminated with their percieved glamour of yachts, yachting and bling.

Even Dubarry's harden after 4/5 years- SWMBO's seaboots did, but they replaced the soles- my DB deckshoes need resoling for 2nd time, after only 3 years or so- it's modern rubber- synthetics?

Spotting is easy; The sailors are the scruffy looking ones with the cheap menu deal and the discount, end of line, last seasons clothing and deckies

The mobo people are better dressed,and more up menu, but constantly surfing their i-phones for the nearest cheap fuel

The 'glamour surfers' alwayus look immaculate, and with no boat, can afford the gourmet menu!

I like the use of 'contaminated' though

It's the 'bling' bit that confuses me-
most boaty SWMBOS take a few beads and trinkets with them;

Perhaps a single pearl string,necklace, brooch or whatever, + Channel No5, to remind them that that they are not just a useful galley slave/electro-mechanian/diesel fitter/deckhand/ relief helm in dowdy lumpen oilies and fleeces, but a glamourous/ desirable woman under all those layers.

If only he'd not spend all his time fiddling with the boat instead of her, or yarning in the pub/cockpit with the other blokes.

There are the Cape-ers, with one or two earrings, the yoof sailors/racers, with their wooden worry bead necklaces of course, and pink trizers wear keps with cap badges, but bling?

 

[Salty John]

I find that there are two types of rubber used for the soles of deck shoes. I've always worn Sperry Topsiders and the bright white soled version gave excellent grip. There is also a light brownish coloured, harder rubber sole version that wears better but quickly acquires a hard glaze with no grip whatsoever.
So, in F1 parlance, don't go for the hard tyre, go for the option.

 

[Modulation]

Up until a few years ago I would find deck shoes would last years, but not now. In the last few years I have found the soles go hard - and so slippery - within less than a year.
I have tried softening them by washing, sanding etc but to no avail.
Is it just me or have others found the same problem? Are they using different materials now? Is any brand good for longer?

I've had my Dubarry shoes for 8 years and though the uppers look their age, the soles are as good as new. Excellent grip even nthough they've worn down wt the heels. I HAVE discarded some othe shoes because of the hardening problem - they were lethal!

 

[Poignard]

Time was when those who could afford deck-shoes had ones with rope soles. Lesser mortals managed perfectly well with plimsolls.

 

[VO5]

Even Dubarry's harden after 4/5 years- SWMBO's seaboots did, but they replaced the soles- my DB deckshoes need resoling for 2nd time, after only 3 years or so- it's modern rubber- synthetics?

Spotting is easy; The sailors are the scruffy looking ones with the cheap menu deal and the discount, end of line, last seasons clothing and deckies

The mobo people are better dressed,and more up menu, but constantly surfing their i-phones for the nearest cheap fuel

The 'glamour surfers' alwayus look immaculate, and with no boat, can afford the gourmet menu!

I like the use of 'contaminated' though

It's the 'bling' bit that confuses me-
most boaty SWMBOS take a few beads and trinkets with them;

Perhaps a single pearl string,necklace, brooch or whatever, + Channel No5, to remind them that that they are not just a useful galley slave/electro-mechanian/diesel fitter/deckhand/ relief helm in dowdy lumpen oilies and fleeces, but a glamourous/ desirable woman under all those layers.

If only he'd not spend all his time fiddling with the boat instead of her, or yarning in the pub/cockpit with the other blokes.

There are the Cape-ers, with one or two earrings, the yoof sailors/racers, with their wooden worry bead necklaces of course, and pink trizers wear keps with cap badges, but bling?

Bling = Rolex.
I nearly got killed for mine in London.
Never again.
Now steel waterproof pilot's wriswatch.

 

[VO5]

I have just had a look in the bottom of my wardrobe.
I have two pairs of Dubarrys, one white one blue. both are still in their boxes, unworn. They have been there for 8 years. The crenellated rubber soles are perfect.
I also have another blue pair in there, 20 years old, soles worn a bit but otherwise pliable and perfect.

 

[ianat182]

I find that the' razor- cut ' soled deck shoes both wear best and grip the deck better than the ribbed ones, and particularly if going ashore when they don't pick up grit to transfer to the deck on your return.
Mind you there are some stupid prices for them out there too.

ianat182

 

[prv]

Lesser mortals managed perfectly well with plimsolls.

My sailing shoes are essentially blue plimsoles.

Pete

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Ah, I remember...

My sailing shoes are essentially blue plimsoles.

Pete

I didn't know they still made those ones-were they Gill, or Musto?
Got a few pairs cheap from Spindrift Marine and wore them for years-razorcut soles too IMR. The canvas used to rot/smell tho', and even quicker if you got them muddy regularly-we were on a Emsworth mooring, so guess what

 

[sailorman]

Deckshoes used to last for ever, I still have a pair of Sebago Docksides bought when I had our second boat, but I would not wear them on board now because the grip has long gone. Even Dubarry do not seem to bother with a proper footbed any more, just a moccasin with a flat sole stitched to it. At one time, you had to take your long lasting deckies for a long walk on concrete at the start of the season to get the hard skin of the rubber and bring some grip back. I prefer the softer rubber used these days as it seems to maintain good grip for longer even if they do only last a season or two.

you can get Sebago & Dubarries re-soled.
i have a pr of Sebago that ate 20 yrs old & have been re-soled once ( £30 ).
i keep them for best as they are still smart for shore side special occasions

 

[wazza]

I have a pair of Henri Lloyd Deck Grip Profile's they are brilliant if you want to feel like you are ice-skating down the side decks, which as it happens are teak! A couple of years old BUT come home for nice warm storage during the winters... c*@p.. should use my Air Nikes really, but wanna be boaty

 

[Burnham Bob]

i've gone over to dunlop green flash. known as tennis shoes in my day. nice grippy sole, won't leave scuff marks on the grp or teak and cheap enough to be replaceable - about £15 from sports direct.

i'm also old enough to remember when the rest of us had plimsoles the posh kids had dunlop green flash - before they were made in china as they are now - so i'm not worried about lack of prestige!

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Ah, black plimsolls

i've gone over to dunlop green flash. known as tennis shoes in my day. nice grippy sole, won't leave scuff marks on the grp or teak and cheap enough to be replaceable - about £15 from sports direct.

i'm also old enough to remember when the rest of us had plimsoles the posh kids had dunlop green flash - before they were made in china as they are now - so i'm not worried about lack of prestige!

with the rubber strap instead of laces- do they still make them, and in size 10?

 

[yellowspinnaker]

Can't help but agree with the OP. I have found that Quaysiders - my favourite for a while now - tend to self destruct around the edges at the same time the soles go slippy.

Green flash sounds a very good solution.

 

[wklein]

Possible reason

I believe that the rubber goes hard and shiny when it comes into contact with oil based products, i had a little oil spill in my dinghy and after a week of the residue on my quaysider deck shoes they had gone as described.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I'm still using my Clarks 'active air' soled shoes.
They still grip after 3 years and are not clumpy or clumsey, have a really open sole pattern so don't collect grit and dirt easily, they go through a rinse cycle in the machine, polish up like new, and the Goretex is still doing its job.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212694&highlight=clarks

Another good reason for having a sound pair of shoes that are not clumpy is that it tends to protect my knees.
If I wear flat deck shoes ( i have some Dubarry Clippers) I usually end up with aching knees after a weekends sail. Something to do with the arch support or flatness of them I guess??
I think you can get 'active air' soled trainers too??

 

[Goldie]

you can get Sebago & Dubarries re-soled.
i have a pr of Sebago that ate 20 yrs old & have been re-soled once ( £30 ).
i keep them for best as they are still smart for shore side special occasions

My Dubarry deck shoes were like ice skates after 3 years. I contacted Dubarry hoping to get them re-soled, Dubarry said take them back to the retailer, the retailer contacted Dubarry, who instructed the retailer to make a full refund. Shame really, exceptionally comfortable shoes that I'd have paid to have re-soled!

SWMBO's Dubarry boots have gone the same way now...

Marine Superstore at Port Solent often have 'big name' end of line/surplus stock deck shoes on sale.. Mine were about 75% off RRP .