Dubarry Ultima Boots - Soles Coming Off

[skipster]

I'm wondering how many people have experienced this. One week into a trip to the Azores in a Contessa 32, the sole of my Dubarry boot abruptly detached itself. No warning at all. Boots were unusable so I had a further 8 days sailing (2 handed, close hauled) in deck shoes. I figured I was unlucky. Then exactly the same thing happened to my sailing mate on his trip home. So that's two sets of top-of-the-range Dubarry sailing boots that shed their soles in a matter of weeks.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Humidity and heath?

 

[skipster]

Humidity and heath?

Yes good question. In the atlantic on the way from the UK to the azores in June. So no more than 20 degrees C and not humid.

 

[Koeketiene]

Same thing happened to me. Boots were 8 years old.
Dubarry Ultima: never again.

 

[Dunx]

Mine are 10 years old and the soles went hard making them slippery on deck. I’ve had them re-soled by Dubarry. At least they offer that service, whilst not cheap , it means I didn’t have to throw them away..

 

[skipster]

Mine are 10 years old and the soles went hard making them slippery on deck. I’ve had them re-soled by Dubarry. At least they offer that service, whilst not cheap , it means I didn’t have to throw them away..

Do you know whether your soles are stitched on? If so they are the original (and apparently better) version. Dubarry made a design change and our newer-style boot soles are just glued. And from what I can gather they cannot be professionally repaired. Does anyone know any better? Would appreciate the advice.

 

[Dunx]

Mine were glued on from what I could see. I went to the boot repair company with mine. Dubarry Repairs

 

[FWB]

See #9
Should I buy Dubarry boots?

 

[andyc352]

Exactly the same thing happened to my Dubarry boots. The soles suddenly delaminated. I naively thought they were guaranteed for life and had Irish friends take them to the factory for repair. They were told that the factory could only repair older stitched on soles and could do nothing with mine. My friends took them to a local cobbler and had new soles fitted for €65. I’ve not had them back yet so not sure how good they’ll now be (and doubt the new soles will be non-marking) but at least they should still be useable as wellies. Will never buy another pair of Dubarry boots.

 

[Stemar]

For anyone wondering if Orca Bay boots are a suitable replacement, I got some to replace my disintegrating Dubarrys. I had almost completely dry feet after a very bouncy and splashy RtI the other week. Very happy with them though, obviously, I can't say anything about their longevity.

 

[michael_w]

I've gone through two pairs of Dubarrys. Now wear Zihk, to be recommended.

 

[Praxinoscope]

My first Dubarry boots bought about 25 years ago were great, properly made, comfortable and lasted for about 12 years when they developed a leak on a long cruise, couldn't get a pair of Dubarry in our next port of call so bought Henri Lloyd instead, which were fine for another 10 years, SWMBO bought me a new pair of Dubarry for Christmas 4 years ago, they are 'rubbish' in comparison to my old pair, welded soles rather than stitched, not as good at gripping on a wet deck, and not made to anywhere near the quality of what they were 29 years ago.
As they were a present, I haven't voiced my real feelings about them, and am wearing them, but would never contemplate another pair of Dubarry.

 

[skipster]

Wow... I've just found that trustpilot have removed my review. Will try and figure out why. But here it is...