Start of the racing season is nearly here and I'm looking at replacing my tired wet boots. I'm currently working the fore deck on a 9m farr, so looking for something grippy that can get wet occasionally. Any thoughts?
Anyone tried a Burke d-mesh ? http://www.burkemarine.com.au/product.php?prod_id=135
Can't go too wrong for $20??
Dunlop Volleys. The more expensive ones with a rubber sole, not the crap ones sold by Target, Big W etc.
Yup, Dunlop Volleys, the ones with the razor cut sole, just lots of little slits, stick like sh1t to a blanket.
I got a brand new pair of Sperry Topsiders in Vinnies for $14. Right size, great colour and save over $150.
I'm in the market for some new boat shoes. Yes I use Dunlop Volleys but looking for something that is better suited to getting wet (such as walking into the water on the ramp for launching the rescue boat). Does anyone know whether the Dmesh at Burke's has a non marking sole. Many skippers will throw you overboard if your caught wearing black soles.
Thanks for all the volly supporters. Good point "have fun" I think the dmesh sole is a clear. PVC sole when u look at the pics. No one in Geraldton stocks them so I can't have a good look
Best boat shoe around = bare feet. Good grip on just about anything, can be immersed in salt water, dries quickly, non-odour (most of the time), very cheep, will last a life time (in most cases with normal use).
Now let's sit back and wait for all the comments about stubbing toes etc.
Most of the big racing charter boats in the Whitsunday's insist that all remove shoes before coming aboard.....I have the same policy about my yacht....!
I use sailing shoes, bare feet, and a pair of surf booties similar to these. They are surprisingly comfortable and aren't sweaty, hot or cold. I've misplaced them but will buy again for surfing and for sailing if I can't find them. Like bare feet but handles the toe-stubbing problem. I haven't actually yet checked whether they mark or not (but if they do I haven't noticed ).
Well I am just going to come out and say it, I use cheap Croc replicas. I do wear rubber boots in winter though. I think you need something over your toes, belting your toes on deck fittings is painful. I also have 5 pairs of leather sailing shoes I bought from the op shop that I paid from $2 to $5 for,
I obviously have access to better op shops than Boatin. The sailing shoes are too good to get wet and I wear them as casuals.
Google Fila Skeletoes....
I have a pair of these, and wore them for three months around Europe, on the boat almost every time I go out and occasionally to dinner. Comfy, breathable and very grippy.
Mine were $50.
Geez, been out of it way too long, always thought Sperry's were the go, when did Volley's take over?
About 40 years ago when the smart people learnt that you don't need to spend a bucket load of money. The other good thing about Volley's is that you could/can buy them anywhere. To give you an idea of how good they really are, back in the day when there used to be such a thing as a Milko nearly everyone of those Milko's wore Volley's.
I went boating once, had a pair of "boat shoes" they were crap, luckily bought along some $10 shoes from kmart, worked great
The Dunlop volleys are hard to beat, although the inbuilt theft repellant alluded to above can be an issue at close quarters. I've never slipped in my various pairs but I have slipped in bare feet. A lot of roofies use them. I havent tried the new shoes such as the Vibram Five Finger glove type shoes although reports seem positive (other than price). The water sports models have razor cut type soles for good grip but would be ok for boat ramps and possibly rocks.
Regards
Geoff
Tried to get a pair the other day
DUNLOPE DO NOT MAKE THEM ANYMORE!!!!
They have changed the tread pattern and roofies do not use them as they are useless.
So, if your local shoe shop has any can someone get me a pair of 11s' please!
No No SirJman,
Same name but different rubber and tread pattern!!!!
As I said "roofies do not use them as they are useless."
To anyone contemplating buying the current iteration of the Dunlop Volley ............. you will be very disappointed.
Read it and weep.
bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=8826
OK, more research, apparently you still can buy the good Volley shoe, but ONLY at Payless/Spendless shoe shops and they are called the Volley Classic whereas every other Volley is a Volley International, the way to tell then apart is the the good Volley has a brown gum style sole and has higher welting. For further education read the comments here at Whirlpool net. ......... http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1730731
the last post was back in 2011, but Payless have them on their website with free postage to anywhere.
Burke D-Mesh are awesome and are so cheap. They don't offer much toe protection though, if you kick a cleat or something on the deck it frikkin hurts. My Burke ones fell to bits a few weeks back and I've bought a pair of those Gla-Gla aqua shoes to give them a try, i'll sail with them tomorrow and let you know how they go.
I had a pair of the Gla-Gla's for last season and found them quite comfortable, until one day I was going for the rail after a tack, just clipped the heel on the stauntion base or something and felt it go sailing over the side :( Now I've only got a right footed Gla Gla...
That'd be upsetting Jethrow. I'm now pretty happy with the Gla Gla's after a first sail. There was plenty of water on the deck and they still gripped good so yep, i can recommend them.