Buyers Guides
Purchasing Technical Sailing Clothing can be a daunting prospect. With so many brands and product designs, together with changes in technology, it can be confusing and hard to keep up! We provide a selection of detailed and updated buying guides to cover each of the main areas of sailingwear.
Meeting Individual Requirements
We cover everything from sailing jackets and marine footwear to those all important Lifejackets. We explain the choice of fabrics available, the pros and cons of all the varying designs and recommend to you the best products on the market. Our expert assistance should help you to find the perfect garments to meet your requirements.
Sailing Boots
In the modern sailing industry there is a bewildering choice of sailing boot available. Due to the ever increasing range of fabrics available to sailors of all abilities, marine footwear manufacturers such as Sebago and Dubarry are constantly pushing the boundaries of quality, design and price. Before purchasing a pair of sailing boots, it's important to bear in mind the intended use as your footwear can make a huge difference to comfort and sailing performance.
Waterproof Rubber Footwear
The first choice you have to make is between non-rubber boots and breathable boots.
Rubber boots are reasonably priced between £25 and £45 and offer the basic requirements for keeping you feet dry and stable. This type of marine footwear is generally made of 100% rubber with a polyester lining. Additional features may comprise razor cut soles to keep you upright on slippery decks, as well as heel and toe reinforcements for added safety. Gill has developed a fantastic range of perfect entry level boots worn by many of the world's top professional sailors.
Gore-tex Marine Boots
The main disadvantage of rubber is that it doesn't provide any warmth or breathability. Breathable leather or Cordura (high tech nylon) boots use fabrics such as Gore-tex which allow your feet to wick away moisture, ensuring comfort in even the most extreme conditions.
Fabric Lining & Insulating Midsoles
One added bonus of this seaworthy footwear is the fabric lining and thicker midsoles which improve warmth greatly. A fine example of a popular Gore-tex boot is the Dubarry Ultima as it offers additional features, such as a top stretch panel for wider calves and a leather in-sock.
Although the price difference between the two styles is daunting, breathable gore-tex sailing boots are a sound investment for any sailor who requires maximum comfort at sea.
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