What Size Sailing Boots?

[Dab]

I seem to sail about equal time in the summer and the winter. It always involves some sort of charter and so far I have always used the charter waterproofs and boots. These are usually a the lower end of the range. The waterproofs are usually OK, as I have plenty of other outdoor clothes to put on underneath but the boots can be a pain. I’ve had a few pairs with leaking seams, and there is not much you can do after you have set out for the weekend or week, and they are not good in the cold weather. On a trip to Weymouth in February this year the temperature was hovering about 5 degrees, and even with a thin pair of undersocks and some thick walking socks in boots large enough to allow them work properly my feet were still freezing – even down below trying to get 40 winks with some cabin heating on!

So I have decided my first purchase will be some insulated boots, probably at the boat show. The question is what size shall I go for, which is related to how warm they will be. If the insulation is good enough on cold winter days to be warm enough with average socks, then I can get a pair that will fit well in both summer and winter. If I need to boost the insulation with thick socks in the winter the bigger size then flops about a bit on my feet with summer socks on.

What does the panel think? Will I still need thick socks in the winter, and if so, does it really matter if they are then a bit too big in summer, after all I will only be wearing them on the boat, so they are not going to give me blisters walking up mountains.

The ones I have my eye on the Musto HPX all leather, any view on those? I think that last year they had a goretex lining and now this year have a no-name lining. Is goretex better than proprietary brands, because I think that Dubarry are one of the few left with a goretex lining and they are 239 pounds?

Regards

Dab

 

[Quandary]

Goretex or some other breathable lining, who knows? Goretex is the established brand but I am sure others have caught up. I am a bit sceptical about some breathable clothing claims but have less experience with boots. My boots are 10 year old Dubarry Shamrocks, the cheaper ones with the Cordura sides and I find them dry and if anything too warm, they are a snug fit so when I do wear socks in them they are thin ones. However I tend to wear shoes or even crocs most of the time and only use the boots in the worst conditions.
Dubarry boots are often discounted and it is worth looking around discount chandleries, mine were half price which I understand was the retailer mark up at the time, they are made in Galway by some affable Irishmen, not China and the company has an unequalled reputation for after care, something that is variable with some other companies. Dubarry will stretch uppers, resole and repair.
If warm dry feet and extended life are important to you go for Dubarry.

 

[widgeon]

I bought a pair of Dubarrys large enough to take thick socks, but never needed them regardless of the air or water temperature.

I learned the lesson with my latest Gill pair and have the right size with normal socks so they don't slop around.

 

[Quandary]

Dubarry Price!!!!!!

Shamrocks £220, Ultima £240 ???? I can see why you are looking at alternatives, but if my experience is anything to go by they will outlast most competitors. I expect my Shamrocks to outlast me, perhaps I should ask to be buried in them. I threw out a pair of Dubarry deck shoes recently which had been on and off my wet or sweaty feet since the early nineties.

 

[lustyd]

has an unequalled reputation for after care, something that is variable with some other companies. Dubarry will stretch uppers, resole and repair.
If warm dry feet and extended life are important to you go for Dubarry.

An instructor friend of mine said exactly the opposite of this and has switched to Musto as a result. Apparently the Dubarry ones he had leaked and they refused to help out. I currently have neither so any experiences from other forumites who have used the aftersales or either would be helpful.

 

[Simondjuk]

I have a pair of Musto HPXs, the Mrs has a pair of Dubarry Ultimas. We both have warm dry feet even in minus temperatures with just a medium thickness pair of socks on. Both pairs of boots have probably been worn for around 10,000 miles and whilst both still functional, the Mustos are definitely looking more battered than the Dubarrys. The fact that I tend to be the one who crawls around on deck scuffing up the toes of my boots may have led to that difference though.

I'd buy either with confidence and consider them reasonable value for the comfort and durability they provide.

 

[Quandary]

Mailspeed (much denigrated here recently, but I think they are OK) are offering £30 off Musto Hpx boots in todays offer, so about 70% of equivalent Dubs.

 

[Halo]

My advice is invest in some Dubarrys. Get them half a size bigger than your normal shoe size and wear thin socks - in my expereince plenty warm enough even overnight on the North Sea in winter.
Works for me and a very demanding SWMBO sufering with poor circulation !

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I went to a shop in Falmouth that stocked several different makes. Dubarrys felt much more comfortable so I bought them. Depending on the shape of your feet you may prefer different ones.

My suggestion is to get proper breathable walking socks. Even in the snow my feet are not cold in the boots as they do not get damp.

It looks trendy, but if you wear goretex or other breathable boots without socks the oils in your skin eventually block the breathabilty and you might as well be wearing wellies.

 

[oldbilbo]

Dubarry are one of the few left with a goretex lining and they are 239 pounds?

Crivvens! You could get a boat for that....!

Apart from the essential mudskippng wellies, I have two pairs of 'breathable' seaboots - one set from a Hellish Handsome outlet shop at less than halfticket ( last year's swing ticket, I guess ) and another from that famous emporium the Beaulieu Boat Jumble costing £10 at end of day. Both are a full size larger than my normal footwear size, which makes them far less of a struggle to get on and off at times when speed is of the essence.

I tend to keep the Cordura-sided Dubarrys for smart venues like marinas and garden parties.... The other pair respond best to being hosed down.

 

[Dab]

Thank for the comments so far. Pretty much unanimous on sizing and sock thinckness, and a majority vote for Dubarry. I'm not doubting their quality but they are certainly the most expensive.

Any thoughts on other makes - Henri Lloyd, Gill, Chatham etc. The new Henri Lloyd Ocean King with the extra coating over the foot looks interesting?

 

[rjandhl]

Be careful if you are considering Dubarry boots on the basis that they offer a resole service as they told us some time ago that they cannot resole the current style of boots / shoes. I think that they can resole if the style has a sewn on sole, this tends to be on the older styles, but even then they will only do it if they have the stocks of the sole unit.

 

[Aeolus]

Henri LLoyd

I've got the Henri Lloyd Ocean Extreme boots - very comfortable and warm. When, after 5 years, the stitching on the back got rubbed and a bit frayed, I sent them for repair and was sent a replacement new pair. Great product, fantastic service.