Boots
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13548
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 2:11pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Boots
Posted By: polc1410
Subject: Boots
Date Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 5:25pm
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There seems to be a big trend in split toe boots.
As an average sailor, sailing hiking boats (never hang off a wire, certainly never fly) - am I missing anything by not having them? I'm a drysuit guy most of the year... Need to replace my current boot before I can see the drysuit sock through the bottom. Anyone got recommended brands (I'm fabric sock drysuit). I'm also tight! Certainly don't need a 2020 design... Think I'm Gul All Purpose 5mm currently. Child (oppies) probably also needing new boots in 6 months since they have a bad habit of growing! He is in Gul CZ Windwards which were a gift |
Replies:
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 5:49pm
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As you've probably realised split toe boots won't work with socks under so no good with a drysuit. I've had a couple of pairs, mostly for windsurfing, and they are more secure, you feet don't slide down into the toe end but not much advantage in a hiking dinghy IMO. I didn't find them particularly comfortable though, especially with sand in them. My fave dinghy boots are Gul Code Zero but its hard to advise 'cos I'm tight too so use them until the soles are paper thin or the uppers disintegrate then buy what's on offer.....
------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: polc1410
Date Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 6:20pm
You mean people pay full price? |
Posted By: ColPrice2002
Date Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 6:24pm
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Best advice I can offer is to either replace what you have (like for like) or to try the boots per your dry suit/socks.
I have a high instep, so I'm currently using boots 2 sizes larger than my foot size to be able to put them on! Colin |
Posted By: davidyacht
Date Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 6:54pm
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You also need to consider what you have to walk on when you get ashore ... our Boatpark and concrete ramp do for any lightweight soles ... Gill Aeros for me, best balance of hiking support and shore duties ------------- Happily living in the past |
Posted By: zeon
Date Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 2:23pm
My last couple of pairs have been Gill hiking boots and love them but I cannot get the fit right on the new version. I was very tempted by the Zhik 270 boots but was put off by the fact they are about twice the price of the Gill ones. Luckily while going round the dinghy show I noticed Force 4 had some heavily discounted old stock Zhik 260 which got the cost down to the same as the Gill boots. I will let you know how I get on with them .
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Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 2:41pm
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I use splitties most of the time, only exception down the lake when its god awful muddy, can't stand the mud sliming up between the toes, it's a being a bit of a nutter thing. Other than that they are the next best thing to bare feet which has always been the Holy grail of watersport for me, don't like boots at all and wont use them if bindings are part of the equation. Best brand was always Oneil but I imagine there are other mainly windsurfing brands around these days, I gather Dee Caldwell (ex well known windsurfer) was up at the show with his brand, can't imagine they would be crap he was an Oneil guy for many years. The trouble with good grippy boots, the better they are the less time they last, so there's always this compromise with getting the rubber grippy enough to do what you want yet wear resistant enough to last at least a season. But since y'all are tight fisted dinghy sailors who only like to buy cheap, I fear generally you get what you're prepared to pay for or are conned by brand marketing like those robbers at Zhik who in my mind are the worse on the market at it.
------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: E.J.
Date Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 3:15pm
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Dee Caldwell was there, we spoke a length about grip, he has a new (to UK) brand called solite which is made using different materials than the usual stuff that dislikes rough surfaces.
They seemed very tough but only aimed at trapeze boats with thin but mega grippy material on the bottom, a split toe and very little protection on the front of the boot for hiking. ------------- |
Posted By: Gordon 1430
Date Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 5:49pm
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Be careful with replacing like for like without checking. I bought a replacement same boot only to find the brand had switched country of origin(both far east) and the size was much smaller and narrower and they didn't make a bigger size. ------------- Gordon Phantom 1430 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 6:00pm
| I've had two pairs of Zhik boots which have been unbelievably, painfully, narrow. Since then I have discovered the answer is neoprene socks and cheap as chips beach shoes. |
Posted By: zeon
Date Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 6:32pm
Must say I didn’t find this when I tried them on and I was looking out for this as that’s the problem I had with the new Gill boots . On the other hand , I had to size up from size 8 to size 9. And after checking online I notice a lot of the Zhik retailers recommend you do have to size up . |
Posted By: H2
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 7:01am
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I think boots are a very personal choice. For years I went for the standard "dinghy boots" which if we are honest is a wetsuit sock with some kind of sole stuck on the bottom and maybe a zip or laces. Then a friend convinced me to buy a set of Magic Marine Frixon boots which were like £100+ and I would never go back to the cheap boots. There is a huge difference and you get what you pay for like most things. I also like running but would never buy a cheap set of trainers from M&S and run a half marathon in them and then expect my body to be ok afterwards. So why buy cheap boots for sailing?!? ------------- H2 #115 (sold) H2 145 OK 2082 |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 7:09am
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I had a pair of Magic marine frixon boots, didn't think they were worth the difference, had all makes, now when they wear out or totally resist desmelling, I buy Decathlon, incidentally smell caused me to get rid of the Magic marine boots.
Totally agree regarding running. ------------- Robert |
Posted By: H2
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 8:53am
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You must have stinky feet! My boots normally last a couple of years and wear out before they smell :-) ------------- H2 #115 (sold) H2 145 OK 2082 |
Posted By: Gordon 1430
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 12:24pm
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Try taking them out your kit bag to dry off. it might stop the smell! It might also be the water in the lake you sail on causing the issue. currently have typhoon boots which fit my feet really well but just catch my achilleas when sailing with out socks. ------------- Gordon Phantom 1430 |
Posted By: fleaberto
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 12:44pm
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I use some RipCurl Split toe boots (Internal split. Important so ropes don'r catch in between your toes) and use some Mystic Split toe socks when it's cold. They've been great on my trapeze boats but not so much for hiking. The Rooster split toes have been good too, but don't expect them to last long on a stony/rocky beach. For my hiking boats I'm still on a pair of Magic Marine boots from about 8yrs ago. Really comfortable, good hiking protection and only now starting to show wear enough to warrant replacement. I have some Zhik and agree that you need to go up at least one shoe size - and maybe more if you plan on using thick neoprene socks. Whilst I find the boots fairly good, I do find the lacing arrangement a proper faff. I've also got a pair of those Adidas trapeze shoes and they're remarkably good (Got them new from ebay for £15!) The hiking boot version looks a bit odd, but if the trapeze shoe is anything to go by I might well grab the boot version this year for warmer weather sailing. ------------- Lightning368 'All the Gear' (409), Lightning368 'Sprite' (101), Laser (big number) 'Yellow Jack', RS Vareo (432)'The Golden Rays' |
Posted By: Fatboi
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 1:38pm
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Best boots I have worn for hiking boats are the Adidas hiking boots. They don't give you warmth, so fine for summer, but need a neoprene sock for winter. Great support, comfy, fantastic grip and tough, so last longer than any others I have had. https://thesailingoutlet.com/products/adipower_hiking" rel="nofollow - https://thesailingoutlet.com/products/adipower_hiking
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Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 2:26pm
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My boots never smell after sailing on seawater. When I started sailing on a lake again a couple of years ago the started smelling again if I didn't rinse them in clean water soon after sailing and then dry them out. Leaving them damp is the worst thing to do, especially after soaking them in lake water. I bought a couple of pairs of 1.5mm neoprene, dry seamed, cycling socks a few years ago. I don't need them often as a drysuit wearer for most of the winter but they make a significant difference when I do and are thin enough to go under my normal boots. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 2:29pm
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A bit like sails, roll them up wet from lake water, they rot, saltwater they don't, salt being a preservative I guess, maybe bacteria have a harder time in saline. ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 2:34pm
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T'was my conclusion yes..... ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 3:02pm
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H2's milk and honey lifestyle would preclude his feet from smelling, my bread and dripping lifestyle, enough said. ------------- Robert |
Posted By: Noah
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 3:26pm
I'm about 5 years into a pair of bog standard Gul hiking boots, even though, as a 'ball driver I only perch  . My boots go in the washing machine along with everything bar my BA and spray top. Cool wash, minimal detergent, extra rinsing, max spin. I have no probs with kit deteriorating from this treatment. Gloves really pong even from salt water if not washed. Boots on top of the boiler to dry. Everything else just hung up in fresh air.------------- Nick D-Zero 316 |
Posted By: polc1410
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 4:33pm
They do. But... Dried out salt crystals are not great... Like sandpaper |
Posted By: polc1410
Date Posted: 03 Mar 20 at 4:35pm
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Guys thanks for all the feedback.
Still undecided what I need. But sounds like not split toes for my use. Seen a few things posted I've not seen before. In order to satisfy stereotype - I will stay cheap ;) |
Posted By: H2
Date Posted: 04 Mar 20 at 4:27am
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I was thinking about this at the gym last night - there is some weird culture in dinghy sailing that places pride in not spending cash on things. I cannot think of another sport that people do "seriously" (i.e. most weekends) where anyone would even blink if you said you spent £100 on shoes for the sport. In fact, I think in most sports if you said you went for the cheapest people would think you were very weird. Social insight over and out. ------------- H2 #115 (sold) H2 145 OK 2082 |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 04 Mar 20 at 7:14am
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H2, well assessed, due to age situation in sailing today, perhaps the build it yourself, repair it yourself generation are proud of their ability to make and mend, I am one of that group, if I didn't repair my own bike it stayed in the shed. ------------- Robert |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 04 Mar 20 at 9:47am
You just have to look around at the number of dinghy sailors that wear socks in their sandals. ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: fleaberto
Date Posted: 04 Mar 20 at 1:07pm
Cheers for that. Just found some and ordered a pair via EBay for £25 brand-new & free delivery. I think they've been discontinued so are a massive bargain at the moment  ------------- Lightning368 'All the Gear' (409), Lightning368 'Sprite' (101), Laser (big number) 'Yellow Jack', RS Vareo (432)'The Golden Rays' |
Posted By: polc1410
Date Posted: 04 Mar 20 at 6:46pm
Well someone did say there are more dinghy sailors from up north... And Shots and Yorkshire folk are proud of their penny pinching!! But actually, in the case of boots, it's perhaps that I don't consider feel "that" important to my sailing. Maybe I should. But I haven't. If I was running a marathon then £80+ shoes seem a good plan... But other than shorts and tea shirt that might be all I need. Yes I can spend £300 on a Garmin watch if I want to, but my phone could do that for me or a £10 stopwatch would be OK unless I'm trying to beat a record... If I can buy boots for £25 or £100 are the £100 four time better? actually it sounds like they might not last so long, maybe they need to be 6 times better! I own a £500+ dry suit, a £80+ buoyancy aid, because they had specific features I could justify paying for. |