sailing boots

[thaxter]

Have read many past posts about the dangers of wellies for sailing. Just wondered about the general feeling regarding the increasingly popular leather/gortex sailing boot like the 'dubarry' or the 'musto'. Thinking they might be the answer to my permenantly cold feet but would like to read your words of wisdom before I part with my £150

 

[sailorman]

i have the dubarrys & their still very good after a number seasons.
only comment being small "leg hole" a little snug around the leg.
these were bought direct from Sean Grey web-site with a good discount +
x change rate was favourable @ the time.
( bought 2 x boots & almost got a pair of £100 shoes free) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
the Mustos might be better?.

 

[brianhumber]

What is all this about £100 sailing boots. Wish I had your spare cash!. I bought some cheapo plastic farmers boots for £6 10 years ago. Great grip and with thermal socks no cold feet. Slip on and off easily as well.

 

[webcraft]

Xactly

All boll**s

If us poor people needed this crap we'd never sail.


- Nick

 

[Robin]

Hear hear! The voice of commonsense at last. It is the same with wet weather gear too IMO. I cannot fathom why someone would spend such huge amounts on designer gear that costs as much as a dinghy or an outboard, even a new sail. Our boots are French Aigle (marine ones!) wth good non-slip and <£20 per pair. If needed supplemented with Oswald Bailey thermal socks, bought on sale of course...

 

[paulrossall]

I agree. Don't need expensive boot, just good thermal socks and a welly that is not too tight. Best to buy a welly at least one size up on shoe size so you can fit the socks. I wear one thin pair and then a thick pair as well. Most important that footwear is not tight fit. IMHO. Paul

 

[pandroid]

Well, of course, we had it tough...

Do you all come from Yorkshire or what? Trying to outdo each other with how cheapskate you can be. Remind me not to be around when you take the things off.

The Dubarry's are great for real sailors (i.e Those who go out when there's a blow on), but they're not so indispensible that I would swap my 3 layer system for them. The modern mid-layers are the best thing since sliced bread, and it means you only need the top layer when it gets really nasty. It also stops all that fussing around (Now what SHALL I wear today....)

Keep the cheap wellies for when you go over the side into the mud.

 

[Modulation]

Just been given a pair of Dubarry shoes as a Christmas pres - the most comfortable bit of footwear I've ever worn.

 

[StellaGirl]

Wouldn't be parted from my Dubarrys now if you paid me......after wearing just a couple of times.
As for my offshore sailing gear I think its one of the best things I have ever bought, I got my offshore smock and trousers in a sale too so didnt pay top wack.
However, they will last forever because any problems you send them back to manufacturer and them fix them for nowt....

 

[Robin]

Be a dreadful shame to get them wet then! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Robin]

Re: Well, of course, we had it tough...

Well if you have one of those Swedey things you need a gale to get them going I suppose, but I hadn't realised they were such cold wet boats to sail! We have only managed 6,000mls in our latest in 3 years and only one gale so far but then we didn't even need wellies for that one. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[webcraft]

Re: Well, of course, we had it tough...

You've got to put on your sailin shoes
Put on your sailing shoes
Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin' shoes

(Little Feat)

 

[catmandoo]

Saw a sheep hill farmer near Dumfries with wooden soles and hobnails leather uppers hand crafted by local cobbler . All weather swore by them . Waterproof < non slip !!!!!

 

[paulrossall]

How often do you need fancy boots?

As I sail on the East Coast I probably do not get as much wet weather as say someone in Scotland. I recon I only need wet weather gear and boots 7 to 10 days a year. If money were no object then I might buy these fancy boots but if you are fairly hardy a bit of discomfort does not really matter that much...it makes arriving so much more enjoyable. I have not seen any fishermen wearing these fancy boots, indeed they seem to wear wellies as well.
Some blokes are much more in touch with their femanine tendancies than others, are these the ones that wear fancy boots? Paul

 

[Ships_Cat]

All the fishermen around this part of the world wear thick socks and boots. I suspect that they are more interested in comfort and dryness than in the label and know what they are doing.

Like some others we just buy a good but cheap brand of sailing boots. But for occasions when I feel the need to impress, and I didn't feel this was an occasion to do so, I do have a lovely pair of boots specially hand made at great cost for me by the world's greatest bootmaker. You can see me wearing them in my "Shrek 2" cameo role as Puss 'n Boots /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

John

 

[William_H]

Had to have a dig. I only wear the boots I was born in. I certainly wouldn't be a sailor I f I lived in the shadow of the North Pole. will

 

[steveh]

Dubarry are the best bit of kit on board closely followed by Musto oilies. Living on the boat at present and boots get used all the time. Oilies not so often but appreciate them when realy needed. Mind you I do have a rather wet boat. Boots also keep feet very warm when needed without getting sweaty and wet as with rubber boots.

 

[AIDY]

Dubarry Boots = Warm / Dry Feet = Happy Bunny (well sailor)

I'm also a fan of the new Henri Lloyd boots now. Usual H/L quality slightly cheaper than Dubarry. Bit more cushion in the boot

 

[Cactus]

Bought my dad a pair of dubarry's about ten years ago (I worked in the chandlery at the time.. wink wink discount..). Then I took them last year round Britain & Ireland. They are really fantastic - I had the shorter ones and if they did fill with water, just empty out and put them back on, and they'll dry straight out. Also broke the sole on them, sent them to Dubarry and they repaired the damage and more for free.

Also, they really stick like glue to a wet deck - you'd break your ankles before they slipped.

 

[martinb]

I have recently bought a pair of Musto boots, after much deliberation about spending £150 on boots! I sail all year round and believe that the boots are one of the best investments I have ever made. I used to suffer from cold feet, even with extra socks- which then leads to wet feet from sweating - which = cold feet. The Musto's are so comfortable and warm that you forget you are wearing them, highly recommended! I am also about to buy my wife a pair of the HL TP boots, as soon as I can find a size 6.

Martin