What boots?

[armchairsailor]

Hi,

First post and all that: go easy on me please!

I was wondering what the forum thought about these different sailing boots that are out there – you seem to be able to spend a huge amount of money on the things, and I’d be grateful to hear what people think of the plethora of breathable boots out there at the mo.

I spend my life in wellies anyway, so am completely sold on the idea of something that’s breathable, so I’m discounting the £30-ish boots in favour of something that will last a long time and be comfortable for day sailing/ racing in.

In short, are the Dubs worth it, or are the other slightly cheaper marques just as good? Everyone at the club I occasionally frequent seems to wear Dubarrys and frankly, I am no fan of being one of the pink rugby shirted hooray henry brigade and just want something that’s solid, works well and doesn’t make me look like a plonker (I am resigned to looking like one if they really are worth the £200!).

Opinions please!!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Never done a comparative test, but my leather Dubarries are pretty damn good. Worth what I paid, which was along way south of £200

 

[admiralbenbow]

Probably c7000 + Miles in my Dubarry's so far and always comfortable and reasonably dry. I have the full leather / Goretex ones which seem the most durable. Friends have had the fabric ones which dont seem to last quite as well, but it depends on the sailing you do.

The leather ones should last ages if you look after them. Just dont wear without socks or you will have to cut them off!

 

[Woodlouse]

The Musto HPX oceans have kept my feet dry even when up to my neck in water. It depends on how hairy your sailing is really. Dubarrys and the others will be perfectly adequate for most sailors, but a pair of boots with inbuilt gaters will make a world of difference if you find yourself standing in water thats higher than your boot tops.

 

[Skysail]

Dubarry works for me; SWMBO loves hers to bits!

It took a while to find a pair that fitted properly, but worth persevering.

 

[carise]

Dubarry goretex leather everytime!! Absolutely worth every penny!

 

[armchairsailor]

Wow, that was quick. My sailing's intermittent and fairly sane, altohugh I'm hoping to get a bit more adventurous with a some racing on the Forth up to Xmas and then getting on properly next year (one the blinkin' house is finished). Typically I've managed to stay fairly dry, but you just never really know.

 

[admiralbenbow]

Dubarry's dont have gaters but I just use the velcro tabs on the bottom of my trousers to pull the fabric tight around the boots. Never had a problem even when the rest of me has been drenched.

 

[sailorman]

Welcome Cumfy Chair

I have Dubarrys which are fine apart from there tight on my left foot

i have looked @ the Henri lloyds @ about £145 they look ok & are a better fit( especially the left one )

 

[Gin]

Never done a comparative test, but my leather Dubarries are pretty damn good. Worth what I paid, which was along way south of £200

My two teenagers have Dubarrys-Shamrock and Ultima- size 5 and 7 and they find them comfortable. On the strength of that I bought a pair of Shamrocks for myself but they didn't suit me at all- I found them a too snug fit for the stated size, both in footbed length and calf diameter, and the sole was too hard for my crabbby old feet; also all three of us had to exercise care when getting into and out of the dinghy as they are really short in the leg.

I now have a pair of Musto HPX boots with a gaiter, the calf size is better and would suit a larger leg than mine too, the sole is much more comfortable and the fit is more as I would expect for my shoe size- I haven't tested the effectiveness of the gaiter but even this boot whilst taller than the Dubarry is much lower than the normal 'rubber' welly and therefore care also needs to be exercised when using the dinghy

 

[crewman]

Boots

I have Quayside boots from Compass Watersports. Always warm and dry feet. Good grip on wet decks even when doing the foredeck tapdance. Had them about 2 years now, show little sign of wear. Cost then about £100. One of the cdrew has bought them too recently also happy.

 

[bedouin]

I think breathable sailing boots are great. When I was looking for some I tried the Dubarrys but none of them would fit (I have a wide foot) so I bought one of the cheaper models (I think they are Quayside), about £60 IIRC (a few years ago).

They are worth every penny - my feet stay warm all day/night rather than freezing as they used to in the old wellies

 

[AIDY]

I'm on my second pair of Dub's first ones lasted 10years. and many sea miles... I've been trying different pairs on from musto / HL / Gill etc recently .... and come back to the Dubs. Only thing I can say about them is try various pairs on cause they are hand made and the sizes are different dependant who made them.

 

[Roberto]

I have a leather pair for sailing but also bought the cheapest rubber/plastic boots I could find: when you have to walk in the mud, or pressure clean the boat once it is lifted out, or paint antifouling, etc they are worth every penny

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I have a pair of the lightweight Musto HPX GoreTex and thay have been excellent for 5 years now. When new I found the bottoms needed a very light abrasive rubbed over them to give a better grip.
I would buy a pair a fraction too big if you sail in the winter so you can wear really good quality socks inside.
My son wears a pair of Dubarry Fastnet boots, also GoreTex, and he really like them as well.

 

[alan17]

Boots

Cant speak about others as I have never tried them but my Dubs are excellent plus I Recently sent them back for resoling after about 8 yrs. Came back like new for about £45

The other makers may be just as good but they certainly could not be better.

 

[emsworthy]

Got a pair of Henri Lloyd Shadow boots new this season. Felt like a pair of slippers straight out ot the box, grip like stink even on a soaking wet deck and have some fancy technology that draws energy off your feet when they're hot and gives it back to you when they're cold. Seems to work so far!

http://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2436

 

[bilbobaggins]

I spend my life in wellies anyway

You're not Welsh, by any chance?

 

[Boat44]

Dubarries everytime. Cost a mint but one of those purchases in life where you wonder why you didn't buy them sooner.

Had mine for 8/9 years, seen a few miles and still going very strong.

 

[armchairsailor]

You're not Welsh, by any chance?

No, I just deal with SWMBO's horses, so spend my time in **** and mud. However, I cut my teeth sailing on the Menai Straits, and me 'ma lives there... Such friendly people towards the English - the home fires were always burning!