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polc1410
Posting king Joined: 10 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 147 |
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Topic: Boots Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 5:25pm |
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 |
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 5:49pm |
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.....
Edited by Sam.Spoons - 01 Mar 20 at 5:50pm |
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
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polc1410
Posting king Joined: 10 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 147 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 6:20pm |
You mean people pay full price? |
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 6:24pm |
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 |
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davidyacht
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 6:54pm |
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
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Happily living in the past
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zeon
Far too distracted from work Joined: 20 Aug 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 316 |
Post Options Quote Reply 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 .
Edited by zeon - 02 Mar 20 at 2:26pm |
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iGRF
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6496 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 2:41pm |
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.
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E.J.
Posting king Joined: 19 Feb 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 184 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 3:15pm |
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. |
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Gordon 1430
Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Jun 17 Location: Lee on Solent Online Status: Offline Posts: 310 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 5:49pm |
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.
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Gordon
Phantom 1430 |
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Post Options Quote Reply 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.
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