Leather sailing boots

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robertj

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I'm looking for a pair of sailing boots but the choice and price varies so much. I'm not sure if I wish to pay over £200 for the top ones but if they're worth it I'll bite the bullet somewhat.
I've only ever worn a mix of rubber short boots, deck shoes and crocs onboard therefore who else could I ask for recommendations, experience etc. but from the forumites.
If you could comment on tall over short, make, comfort, durability, price, slipperiness etc etc. I would be forever in ones debt. Also anyone who has had expensive boots then changed to the cheaper ones (or vice versa) please comment.
 
Quayside, durable, comfortable and still going well after several years. Now starting to loose the razor cut grip as I wear them ashore also.
( You should be ashamed for admitting to wearing Crocs.......... ok if you want to have feet looking like Tweety Pie. )
 
Splash out on Dubarry; comfortable, warm and waterproof (at least mine are). Wouldn't hesitate to replace with same.

The quality remains long after the price has been forgotten. Although it may need a bit of hypnotherapy to forget the price.
 
My quaysiders lost their grip after about 7 years of light use. I wore them on holiday and felt very unsafe as they slipped on the teak deck and the non slip GRP areas. My sailing shoes (Dubarry) did not but they are much younger but worn more, including to and from the boat. Looking for new boots now.
 
Go to a good outlet or a boat show and try them all on . I found that the fit varies wildly, Dubarry's, that my partner loves, were very uncomfortable (shoes and boots) for me. eventually settled on some Musto boots. Must confess that the quality is not to Dubarry standard but the are comfortable!
 
Dubarry boots don't fit me - my feet are too wide/tall. Went for Quayside and they are veryty comfortable - I would never go back to Wellie style.
 
I have Leather / Goretex Dubarrys and love them. Only two seasons so can't comment on durability but they still look and grip like new.

I would second others comments though re fit though as it's really important to understand that different styles are cut slightly differently. I spent an unusual 20 minutes with someone on a stand at SIBS 2-3 years ago with them explaining the different styles and foot shapes that would fit best.

Leather also stretches a little of course ( as do shoes) The advice I was given was that you should be able to feel the boots on you but to not worry about some bits being a little tighter than others as they will stretch. Don't make the mistake of buying boots with loads of extra room inside just to get over one slightly tighter spot as the ywill be forever too loose. Try to compare the feeling with when you last bought good leather shoes - i.e. the first day or two they will be too tight and restrictive but will wear in by the 3rd or 4th wear - same with sailing boots.

As for long / short - personal preference but I have an issue with extra long ones if they then end up rubbing against my calf. The top won't really stretch so make sure it's going to be comfortable for you in whatever weird position you may end up sitting.
 
freespiritdavid said:
Quayside, durable, comfortable and still going well after several years. Now starting to loose the razor cut grip as I wear them ashore also.
( You should be ashamed for admitting to wearing Crocs.......... ok if you want to have feet looking like Tweety Pie. )
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Lol
 
bedouin said:
Dubarry boots don't fit me - my feet are too wide/tall. Went for Quayside and they are veryty comfortable - I would never go back to Wellie style.
Click to expand...

One point is that you shouldn't assume all styles made by a brand are the same. I tried on a pair of dubarrys that were too narrow for me. The salesman suggested 2 other pairs of dubarry. One was a little too wide, the other I bought.

SO try on multiple different styles as well as brands
 
I bought a pair of Dubarry's about 8 years ago. They only get occasional use when the weather is really bad (wheelhouse you see) but they are absolutely superb. When I bought them there was only one style but they did make them in different widths and calf widths. I have a very high arch, and couldn't fit the normal DB's but the slacker fit means they are super comfortable. Around the same time I bought a pair of DB slip on deck shoes, that are my all the time casual shoe, and the soles are still gripping on deck really well, when I wear them to the boat. Slip on's not recommended for deck shoes, as they are also "slip off's" and I nearly lost one over the side a few years back.
 
freespiritdavid said:
Quayside, durable, comfortable and still going well after several years. Now starting to loose the razor cut grip as I wear them ashore also.
( You should be ashamed for admitting to wearing Crocs.......... ok if you want to have feet looking like Tweety Pie. )
Click to expand...

Nothing to be ashamed of -Crocs are eminently suitable in this part of the world and you'd look a right prat wearing boots ashore in hot sunshine.
 
Agree with all who say try them on first. I bought a pair of Dubarrys 10 years ago and they are as comfy as slippers on the boat. In summer I wear them without socks. In winter a thin pair of woolly socks is enough. I love them.
I never wear them ashore, except for short trips around the marina. I was in Dartmouth last December and was amazed by the number of people walking round town in Dubs. Far more money than sense. If you can afford to buy a new pair every 2 or 3 years then walk round town with them, but you can get excellent shore going boots/shoes a lot cheaper than sailing boots.
 
I am one who goes for function and price rather than fashion. My wife bought me a pair of Dubarys. They are warm and comfortable. I don't know how well they would respond to being permanently wet. One of the bonuses for me is that the style I have are very easy to get on and off and they are lasting well but I don't abuse them unduly.
 
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