Sailing boots to last a couple of seasons.

[Bosun Higgs]

First pair of sailing wellies I bought were French and they lasted 18 years, but I would never pretend that they were either warm or particularly comfortable. Replaced a couple of years ago by the cheapest I could find in Force 4, and these have happily survived all the winter racing we do. So for me the real question is "are the Dubarries £200 comfortable and warm?" because £20 will get you something thats waterproof and lasts.

 

[Adonnante]

Is it possible to wear out wellies?

I'm amazed at others success to use wellies for year after year. The recent pair lasted two years at best and this is typical of my rubber boot history; could there be something wrong with my feet!

Peter.

 

[Phideaux]

I was also looking for some breathable boots and considered Dubarrys and Quayside. Gave Quayside a miss when my DS instructor complained how hers were always wet and was saving up for some Dubarrys. I looked around a bit and was interested in the Helli Welley http://shop.hellyhansen.com/GB/item/10482/?partner=6085&t_type=src&t_type=cat

Bought them from the USA for about £80 inc delivery. Very comfortable and b...dy good grip.

 

[Fire99]

I use the generic high sailing wellies that you get from your average chandler. £30 quids worth or so and obviously they are great when wading out to get into the dinghy and perfect for Brightlingsea mud which is err very muddy!

However, they do get a bit clammy and also they feel a bit cumbersome when walking around my modest decks.

I'd love a nice pair of leather ones like Dubarry but at £200 they just seem that bit too expensive.

I see one thumbs-up for Quayside. Any more? I have to be honest, I do like comfy feet!

 

[mcframe]

Dont recall who said it but the quote was something like, " shoes and beds, buy the best you can afford, because if you're not in one, you're in the other"

I heard that as "Never skimp on anything that goes between you and the ground - shoes, tyres, beds & sofas" I guess that could also apply to, err, women and ObBoat seacocks & anchor chain ;->

 

[robp]

I use cheap wellies from the ag merchant

Noras are deisgned to grip on wet concrete

they are unlined - so they dry in no time - lots of socks

when its dry and cold I wear those fabric walking boots

mind you I don't have a trampoline and never have to leave the cockpit other than for anchoring

It always makes me laugh when I someone wearing Dubarrys

especially for use in the snow

more money than sense

but what do I know

Dylan

Hi Dylan - not sure when you say "especially for use in the snow" you mean that leather boots shouldn't be?

My wife bought me some for Christmas about three years ago and they have been absolutely great - both on the boat of course but also for standing interminably on touch lines in the winter! Never had cold or wet feet in whatever weather.
However my son borrowed them during the snowy weather and the bl**dy things have shrunk! (And no, he or I didn't dry them on the radiator)!

I'm currently cleaning and conditioning regularly and hoping to re-stretch them but they're just not the same. Dubarry owners beware.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

Another YES vote for the Quaysiders. Got a size bigger than normal to allow for easy taking off and wear with ski socks when cold or ordinary socks when warm. Very comfy, warm and good grip for under £100. Three of us bought same model all happy with them.

 

[Ray Dunne]

Boots

Is it ok to wade into water with Dubarrys or Quaysiders...As in launching the dinghy etc?

 

[crewman]

Is it ok to wade into water with Dubarrys or Quaysiders...As in launching the dinghy etc?

I've never tried in mine (marina based), but should not be a problem. If on mud getting them clean might be a challenge as for any similar boot. I found the standard PVC welly tends to split where the profile changes, presumably due to stress concentrations, hence my conversion to expensive leather. You could always have a cheap pair of wellies for dinghy launching duties.

 

[Theshipscat]

I've never tried in mine (marina based), but should not be a problem. If on mud getting them clean might be a challenge as for any similar boot. I found the standard PVC welly tends to split where the profile changes, presumably due to stress concentrations, hence my conversion to expensive leather. You could always have a cheap pair of wellies for dinghy launching duties.

Don't know about Quaysiders. Durbarry Ultima yes but beware they're not very high up the calf. Fasnet, don't even attempt it, if you can keep them dry they're are lovely boot once water gets between the outer and inner, they're rubbish.

 

[Keen_Ed]

My Dubarrys are 10 years old now. I had to have the gore-tex lining replaced last year, which Dubarry did for £35. Set for another 10 years now.

 

[nmeyrick]

I think whether or not it is worth getting fancy boots depends on how, and importantly when you sail. Having sailed raced several winter seasons in the Solent and Mersey with £20 rubber boots I thought that you'd need to be mad to spend £200 on fancy leather ones. But one February day in the Mersey when we had to chip ice off the deck I spent the whole race unable to feel my toes inspite of all the socks, and finally took the plunge with a pair of Dubarries.

The following week was a revelation, and instantly my only regret was that I had suffered so many races without them. Five seasons on and they are still as good as new, and I would consider them one of the best investments I have made.

Whether they make sense for you or are simply an expensive fashion statement only you can tell, but for me they are worth every penny.

Incidentally I do have a friend who bought Quayside leather boots and they leaked within a season so would be a little wary of these, but that could just have been a bad experience

 

[Richard Shead]

I have a decent

Hi Dylan - not sure when you say "especially for use in the snow" you mean that leather boots shouldn't be?

My wife bought me some for Christmas about three years ago and they have been absolutely great - both on the boat of course but also for standing interminably on touch lines in the winter! Never had cold or wet feet in whatever weather.
However my son borrowed them during the snowy weather and the bl**dy things have shrunk! (And no, he or I didn't dry them on the radiator)!

I'm currently cleaning and conditioning regularly and hoping to re-stretch them but they're just not the same. Dubarry owners beware.

Set of HL Shadow Boots, you are right they are useless in the snow, look equally stupid on the slopes, never set foot on a boat in them but look great on the tow path in Richmond...

Joking aside they are incredibly light, breath nicely (well they don't sweat) and will be stepping on a boat very soon.