22 pairs of deck shoes

Gear test
Deck shoes on test
the pbo test team
News editor Laura
Hodgetts enjoys
crewing and has RYA qualifications in
dinghy sailing, powerboating and
windsurfing. Liked best: Zhik ZKGs
Deputy editor Ben
Meakins co-owns
Polly, an Impala 28,
moored on the River
Hamble. Liked best: Musto
Dynamic Pro
Editor David Pugh and
his two siblings jointly
own Red Dragon, a
Contessa 26 that they
keep moored in Poole Harbour.
Liked best: Musto-Clark Orson
Drift Shoes
22
pairs of
deck shoes
A PBO test team put their best feet forward to test both
traditional and trainer-styled deck shoes to see how they
performed on a wet deck. Laura Hodgetts reports
T
he variety of
deck shoe styles
has increased
dramatically in recent
years, with choice
now ranging from traditional
leather moccasins to sporty
trainer styles, canvas loafers
and rubber air-vented shoes.
Shoes that promise to mimic the barefoot feel are on the rise.
Technological advances have
enabled shoe manufacturers to claim greater breathability, grip, water drainage, comfort and lightness than ever before.
While the traditional deck shoes
tend to favour a razor-cut (siped)
sole to prevent aquaplaning, many of the new trainer styles
encompass this plus waterdispersing channels to free water
trapped underneath. Breathable
mesh is becoming a common
feature as it both airs the shoe and provides water drainage.
PBO group test
We took to the waters of Weymouth
Bay to test 22 pairs of deck shoes
from a dozen brands to see how
they performed on a slippery, wet
foredeck while sailing. Prices
ranged from just under £50 to £150.
LEFT The ‘slippery
slope’ test living
up to its name
BELOW The board
was jacked up
with water added
92
Production editor
Marco Rossi is also an
ardent beachcomber.
Liked best: Crocs
Men’s Beach Line Boat Chukka
Art editor Kevin Slater is an outdoors
enthusiast and loves
rambling. Liked best:
Gill Auckland 3 Eye Deck Boot
Editor’s PA Roz Jones owns a small
motorboat with her
partner David, kept at
Poole’s North Haven Yacht Club.
Liked best: Chathams Breaker
Aqua Tech G2 (Velcro)
Skipper Carl
Bryan-Brown is a
professional sailor
who works for Quality
Time Training, based at Portland
Marina. Liked best: Dubarry
Lahinch sports shoe for men
During our one-day test, we
assessed initial comfort and
performance to see which shoes we
might invest in for the forthcoming
sailing season. While we tried to
make this test as comparative as
possible, individual testers had
different shoe preferences and fit.
According to some shoe
manufacturers, softer soles make
for an initially better grip but wear
out more quickly: time will tell.
the shoes. In the interest of avoiding
injury and to trial the shoes further,
we decided to go sailing.
How we tested them
Out on the water
We began by attempting a fairly
hazardous shoreside test using
the historic ‘slippery slope’ made
by PBO’s Dick Everitt. Our testers
took turns trying to stand and walk
about on the jacked-up slope,
using a graded scale protractor to
measure the angle before the
shoes/testers’ grip began to let go.
Water from a running hose added
to the slipperiness.
We tested four pairs in this way
and they all performed well, but
the method was too risky unless
testers held on to colleagues –
which negated the challenge for
PBO boat tester David
Harding is a keen sailor
who races regularly
with Parkstone Yacht
Club. Liked best: Dubarry Lahinch
sports shoe for men
Sailing a 9m (30ft) yacht from
Portland Marina, kindly provided
by Quality Time Training and
Weymouth Charters, we tested the
shoes on various surfaces while
sailing on a close reach with the
boat heeling. Using a bucket on a
line for easy refill, we wet the
forehatch, non-slip decking and
shiny edges of the foredeck to see
how the shoes gripped when
walking forwards, backwards and
side to side. Our testers then stood
on top of a deck eye and kicked a
cleat to assess how the shoes
protected the testers’ feet.
Practical Boat Owner 587 June 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk
Crocs Women’s Beach Crocs Men’s Beach
Line Boat Shoe
Line Boat Chukka
Contact: www.crocs.co.uk
£45
These rubber
boat shoes are
so light, they
float! The
buoyant Crocs
Women’s Beach Line Boat Shoes have
strategicallyplaced siped
(thinly sliced)
rubber pods on
the outsole for improved grip, fully moulded
Croslite material for lightweight cushioning and
decorative laces. They’re available in three
colours; we opted for melon/white size 7.
TEST FINDINGS: A fun look that divided
opinion in the PBO office, with some people
loving the summery styling and others disliking
the ‘Minnie Mouse’ look. Roz found that these shoes provided a better grip on the wet
forehatch and shiny edging of the foredeck than the more expensive Dubarry Capri
Moccasins, because the Crocs’ soft soles
folded around the decking.
VERDICT: Definitely a summer shoe. Roz said:
‘They’re comfy, grip well and are easy to dry
once wet. They would wipe clean easily: there
are lots of advantages to these shoes, even if
they’re a bit “Marmite”. I think they would look
lovely with shorts in the summer.’
Sharx regatta shoes
Contact: www.yachtboot.com
£45
Designed to be
extra-light and
strong, these
Sharx regatta
shoes have an
adjustable Velcro
strap, non-slip
and non-marking
soles with arch
support for
comfort. There is a removable,
washable anti-microbacterial insole to eliminate foot odour.
TEST FINDINGS: Roz tested these in a
size 7 and found them to be lightweight and comfortable. The Sharx regatta shoes
performed well on the forehatch grip test,
prompting Roz to say: ‘They’re much better
than I thought they’d be.’ The Sharx ‘slipped on the shiny side bits’ of the foredeck but were quite impressive on the non-slip decking.
Roz found that standing on the deck eye and the stub test was ‘quite painful’ owing to
the soft rubber.
VERDICT: Useful watersports shoes, which
gripped most surfaces well. Not as protective as some of the other shoes on test, but these
Sharx regatta shoes are quick-drying, light and comfortable.
Contact: www.crocs.co.uk
£60
These chukkas
have nylon and
synthetic leather
uppers with a
soft microfibre
collar and mesh
liner, an EVA
(ethyl vinyl
acetate
cushioning
material) and
Croslite (foam
resin) footbed, plus siped rubber outsole areas.
TEST FINDINGS: David Harding tested these
in a navy size 9 and was impressed by the
boots’ lightness: They showed good grip on the non-slip decking and ‘great’ grip on the wet
acrylic forehatch. However, they slipped on the
shiny foredeck edges owing to the soles being
harder than the trainer styles, which mould
around the surface. David said: ‘The more
pressure you put on them, the better they grip.’
These chukkas proved to be ‘very protective’ in
the sole and stub tests.
VERDICT: Comfortable and multifunctional.
Quite small sizing. David liked the supportive
boot style, but felt they were outperformed by
the Henri Lloyd and Helly Hansen shoes tested. Quayside
Women’s Clipper
Contact: www.quayside-uk.com
£60
These shoes
utilise a classic
moccasin
construction of breathable
leather with a
padded tongue
for extra comfort.
They also have a
leather lace with
a breaking strain
of 30kg, a non-
marking, slip-resistant sole, and a fullycushioned footbed.
TEST FINDINGS: I tested these in a size 5
in navy/chestnut and found the soft leather to be immediately comfortable. The grip was fine in all directions on the wet forehatch
but slipped on the wet non-slip decking. Going sideways was ok. They were
outperformed by the Zhiks, but the Quayside
Clippers’ grip felt more secure than the Gill
Baltimores. The soles demonstrated
reasonable protection from the deck eye,
although the stub test was painful due to the soft leather.
VERDICT: Very comfortable, smart shoes,
although not as protective as the Zhik ZKGs. The shoelaces unravel unless they are double-knotted. These were among the
cheapest deck shoes tested, yet they looked
great and felt like a quality shoe. True to size.
Practical Boat Owner 587 June 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk
Quayside Men’s
Sydney
Contact: www.quayside-uk.com
£60
Quayside’s most
popular men’s
deck shoe, with Nubuck oil-
finished leather
uppers. The sole
unit is designed
for ‘excellent
grip’ and
guaranteed not
to mark your
deck. The laces
go right around the foot for a better fit.
TEST FINDINGS: We tested these in ‘walnut’,
in ‘snug’ size 8. Skipper Carl found these shoes
to have ‘a pretty good grip on the forehatch.’
The pliable sole moulded around the deck
eye and was ‘not uncomfortable’. The toe
protection was also good due to the lip of the sole. The arch of the sole was handy for
gripping to the shiny deck edge, but Carl said: ‘They’re slightly more slippery than the Dubarry
Lahinch sports shoes on the shiny bits. The
Lahinch felt more supportive, with a sense of
rolling and cushioning the ankle.’
David Harding liked the soft soles and
comfortable style: ‘A good all rounder’.
VERDICT: A ‘good hybrid’ between traditional
deck shoe and sporty trainer styles. David H
said: ‘They’re not as suited to getting wet as
some of the trainer styles. I prefer these to the
Dubarry Regattas.’ Carl says: ‘I’d buy them.’
Henri Lloyd Deck Grip
Profile II
Contact: www.henrilloyd.com
£75
Lightweight, nonabsorbing, quick
drying and
breathable,
these deck
trainers feature a
lightweight and
cushioned
midsole. The
ghillie speed-
lacing system
and waterdispersing outsole are designed to grip well in the most demanding of conditions.
TEST FINDINGS: Kevin and Ben both
tested a size 11 pair. Kevin found that they were
‘Pretty grippy if you have weight on, otherwise
you slip off. Amazingly sticky on the acrylic
hatch fore and aft. Really, really good on the
shiny side bits.’
Ben was impressed during the stub test and
said: ‘They feel like steel toe caps. The grip is
awesome. They’re a bit small for me, but offer
good support around the ankles.’
VERDICT: Lightweight trainer-style shoes with
good grip and foot support. Quite snug sizing. Impressive performance, but the look of the
shoe was not to everyone’s taste.
93
➜
Gear test
Deck shoes on test
Zhik ZKGs
Contact: www.zhik.com
£79
Sneaker-styled,
amphibious
shoes, made
for water sports,
with a high-grip
rubber sole,
quick-drying,
breathable,
perforated
neoprene for
drainage and
flexibility,
antibacterial features and a Nubuck upper.
TEST FINDINGS: I tested these in a grey,
women’s size 5 and loved the fun, stylish look.
The laces are just for show: the shoes pull on
and off like wetsuit boots and feel rubbery and
elasticated. They provided good comfort and
grip in all directions on the PBO slippery slope
at 45° dry, 40° wet. They kept my feet warm on
a chilly day. On the yacht, they felt secure and
comfortable on the wet forehatch. Their thick,
pliable soles bent around the deck eye, and
the stub test was also fine. The shoe’s
perforated neoprene allows the water straight
through but dried quickly. The ZKGs slipped
slightly on the foredeck’s wet shiny edges but
gripped well on the non-slip decking.
VERDICT: Confidence-inspiring shoes for wet
situations. Snug sizing. They feel a bit
restrictive for everyday use, which is a shame,
but they look so good you might wear them
ashore anyway. My favourite shoes tested.
Zhik ZK boatshoes
Contact: www.zhik.com
£79
An amphibious
shoe with a
high-grip
rubber ZK sole,
made from
breathable
perforated
neoprene for
great drainage,
airflow and
flexibility, plus
an antibacterial
inner. ZKs are available in a range of colours.
TEST FINDINGS: Kevin and Ben tested these
in black, size 11 with bright red soles. The
shoes gripped well on the wet forehatch in all directions. They were also ‘very good’ on the non-slip decking, with the neoprene
sole squeaking. The testers found their feet
moved around within the shoe because of the
soft upper. The ZKs provided ‘great
protection’ during the stub test. The soft,
cushioned sole was ‘painful’ on the deck eye.
VERDICT: The ‘very comfortable’ Zhik ZKs
excelled in the grip tests on a variety of wet
surfaces. The rubber rim provided great toe protection, but our testers felt their feet had a bit too much free movement inside the
super-soft shoes. The look divided opinion.
94
Musto Ladies
Dynamic Lite shoes
Contact: www.musto.com
£80
Clarks’ and
Musto’s
inshore racing
trainer is
designed for a lightweight
feel and
increased
forefoot
flexibility. The
shoes have
EVA strobel
insoles, anti-odour treated air mesh and
aquaDX drainage system for breathability and
quick-drying, plus a siped and microsiped
tread pattern on the non-marking rubber
outsole for traction. To maximise deck feel,
there’s no footbed or midsole.
TEST FINDINGS: Large sizing. Roz loved the
shoes’ look but found the high ankle area
‘rigid and unforgiving. It’s a shame, the rest of
the shoe is really comfortable.’ However, back
in the office, our colleague Jane Smith found
them ‘really comfortable’. On the yacht, they gripped well in all directions on all the
surfaces tested. Sole and toe tests were ‘fine’.
VERDICT: A top-performing deck trainer with
great grip and an attractive, lightweight design,
but Roz found the ankle area uncomfortable.
Gill Women’s
Baltimore two-eye
deck shoe
Contact: www.gillmarine.com/gb
£85
A hand-sewn
true moccasin
construction
using premium
Nubuck and
water-resistant
leather. The
shoes have a
360° rawhide
leather lace,
non-corrosive
eyelets, an EVA
heel insert for cushioned impact protection
and a razor-cut sole to prevent aquaplaning.
TEST FINDINGS: I tested these in navy, size
5. The leather is incredibly soft. The fit is
narrower and longer than the Clipper. The
laces unravel unless double-knotted. The
shoes performed ok fore and aft on the wet
forehatch, but felt very skiddy sideways. They
performed better on the non-slip decking. The
pliable sole gripped well on the shiny deck
edges and bent around the deck eye, which
wasn’t too uncomfortable. The stub test was
fine due to the longer length.
VERDICT: Comfortable, classy shoes. The
grip felt less secure than their Quayside
counterparts and the Zhik ZKGs.
Henri Lloyd
Octogrip Mono
Contact: www.henrilloyd.com
Chathams Breaker
Aqua Tech G2 (Velcro)
£85
Lightweight
‘highperformance
deck sandals’,
designed to
maximise the grip and
sensation of the
deck. Features
include a
fast-drying
open mesh
upper, a TPU ‘Exo’ skeleton and toe guard,
and a slip-resistant, water-dispersing outsole.
TEST FINDINGS: David Harding tested the
‘large-sized 8’ and said: ‘They feel even lighter
than the Croc Chukka. It would be very easy
to get used to these, they’re very comfortable.’
The Octogrips were ‘easier to get on’ than the Helly Hansen Hydropower 4 but had
‘extraordinarily long laces.’ The Octogrips
performed ‘superbly’ on the wet forehatch
glass and shiny deck edging: ‘They stick like
limpets, even better than the Helly Hansens,
which were good.’ The soft soles moulded
around the deck. There’s a toe guard for stub
protection and an extended grip area.
VERDICT: ‘Extremely light, supportive
footwear with great grip’. David H thought the Dubarry Lahinch had the edge, though.
Sperry Top-Sider
Women’s Authentic
Original 2-Eye shoes
Contact: www.sperrytopsider.co.uk
£85
The Authentic
Original boat
shoe adds
modern comfort
to a classic style.
Features include
a genuine
hand-sewn
Tru-Moc
construction;
stain- and water- resistant leather;
a 360° lacing system with rustproof eyelets; a shock-absorbing EVA heel cup for added
comfort, and a non-marking, rubber outsole with razor-cut wave-siping for wet and dry traction.
TEST FINDINGS: Roz tested these in navy,
size 7 and found they gripped well on the
non-slip decking, shiny foredeck edges and wet forehatch, in all directions. She said: ‘The
soles are very flexible, I feel quite secure.’ The
soles were ‘fine’ for standing on the deck eye,
but the soft leather did not provide much toe
protection from kicking the cleat!
VERDICT: Good grip and a comfortable feel.
Not as secure as the trainer styles tested.
Practical Boat Owner 587 June 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk
Contact: www.chatham.co.uk
£89
These are
designed for a
‘barefoot’ feel:
lightweight and
flexible, with
‘ultra-grip’, a three-layer
mesh for ‘super-
fast drying’ and
airflow; an EVA
compound in
the midsole
and ‘undulating design cups’ for support. The Mist Aqua Go G2 version has laces.
TEST FINDINGS: These men’s shoes
looked great on Roz in size 6 but were not so attractive in size 12 on Kevin, with
excessively long Velcro tabs. Roz found them ‘lightweight and airy but not cold’, with ‘great’ grip on the wet forehatch – they made a good squeak! Toe protection was found to be ‘excellent’, but they were
deemed ‘uncomfortable’ in the sole test. Kevin thought the Zhik ZK’s outperformed
them on wet decking. He said: ‘They’re better on the forehatch than on the non-slip decking.’
VERDICT: Roz was a huge fan, saying
‘I’m really impressed with these, they’re so comfy.’ However, Kevin felt the Zhik ZKs
generally performed better.
Musto Dynamic Pro
Contact: www.musto.com
£90
The Dynamic
Pro feature a rubber sole
with a siped
and microsiped
tread pattern
for maximum
grip and
traction,
GRIP
aquaDX water
draining
system and
anti-odour- treated mesh. Designed for
inshore racing, here is no footbed or midsole,
in order to maximise the feel of the deck, while
an EVA strobel insole adds comfort.
TEST FINDINGS: Ben tested these in bright
yellow, size 11. Affectionately dubbed the ‘Bee shoes’, these gripped superbly in all
directions on every surface tested. The soft
soles mould around the deck shape. Even on
the wet shiny edges, Ben said: ‘They’re like
limpets, not budging.’ The anti-odour,
quick-drying mesh works well, but the wind
whistled through them. The stub toe test ‘hurt’,
as did the deck eye test, due to the soft soles.
VERDICT: The best grip on test: superb feel of
the deck, comfort and anti-odour capabilities.
Better for warmer weather; the soft material is
not so protective against deck hardware.
Helly Hansen
Hydropower 4
Contact: www.hellyhansen.com
Dubarry Lahinch
sports shoe for men
£90
The new, improved Hydropower 4 deck shoes feature an open-mesh construction for airflow and flexibility, while ‘engineered
structural overlays’ are designed to protect
the feet from deck hardware and rocks. The
shoes have an internal, moulded EVA
removable midsole with a quick-dry
antibacterial surface. The outsole has a
‘multi-directional grip system’ with a siping
traction pattern to disperse any water trapped
underneath. Other features include a TPU
(thermoplastic urethane) frame for stability.
TEST
FINDINGS:
Both the men’s
size 9 and
women’s size 5
we tested were
very small
sizing, making
the shoes hard
to get on and
off, particularly
with wet, cold
feet. We had to remove the lace toggle on the very short laces in order to open the shoe up wide enough to remove. The
Hydropower 4s have a smart, sporty style. I found that the shoe’s grip on the forehatch
was very good in all directions, apart from one sudden skid.
The shoes performed better on the
forehatch than on the non-slip deck surface.
They were a bit slippery on the shiny deck
edges. The deck eye sole test was bearable,
while the stub test really hurt – due to the
small sizing. The shoes felt very breathable
and dried quickly.
Marco also found the shoes to be ‘very
good’ at gripping to the wet forehatch acrylic,
slightly less so on the non-slip decking and
shiny edges. Marco liked the mesh design
and said: They’re excellent, breathable in a
nice way.’ He thought there was ‘good toe and sole protection.’ David Harding also
tested out the men’s version and found the
shoes very comfortable: ‘Very light, very
flexible, with a cushioned sole.’
VERDICT: Notably good grip on the wet
acrylic forehatch. David H felt these shoes
outperformed the Croc chukka but did not
quite match the grip of the Octogrip Mono on
the non-slip decking and shiny deck edges.
They are a slight struggle to get on, but once
on they’re comfortable shoes that dry quickly
and have a nice light design.
Practical Boat Owner 587 June 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk
Contact: www.dubarry.ie
£95
A low-profile,
lightweight
performance
sailing shoe,
with breathable
mesh for water
drainage and a
textured PU
overlay. The SUPPORT
toe and heel
parts use a
D-Chassis
system: a moulded rubber frame
minimises heel pronation (the foot rolling
inwards). There’s also bungee lacing; a
tongue pouch; non-slip, non-marking durable
rubber outsole and a removable EVA footbed.
TEST FINDINGS: Testers Carl and David H
liked the D-Chassis system. Carl said: ‘It feels
weird at first but gives you confidence about
standing at angles.’ David said the ‘foot hug’
added a ‘sense of security.’ Carl added: ‘I
wouldn’t normally go for a trainer style. They
feel good, very comfy.’ The breathable mesh
was ‘quite chilly’ on a cold day. Good grip on
all surfaces. ‘Great’ sole and toe protection.
VERDICT: The D-Chassis was impressive:
David H said: ‘You feel well supported. They
feel even nicer than the Helly Hansens.’
Gill Auckland 3 Eye
Deck Boot
Contact: www.gillmarine.com/gb
£95
A great-
looking
deck boot, with
waterresistant
leather, a
360° full
leather
lace and
corrosion-resistant eyelets; non-marking and
non-slip outsole with deep multi-directional
water dispersal channels to combat
aquaplaning; an 80% contact surface for grip;
and internal EVA heel inserts for impact
protection. Full tubular, true moccasin
construction with hand-sewn finishing.
TEST FINDINGS: Kevin tested these in size
11. They gripped well in all directions on the
slippery slope at 45° dry, 35° wet. Kevin said:
‘They’re comfortable. The boot’s up to the
ankle, but still has flexibility.’ On the yacht
forehatch, there was ‘good grip fore and aft’
but slippage sideways. They slipped on the
non-slip decking and shiny deck edges and
there was ‘a bit of ankle chafing’. The tread
provided good stub test protection. ‘Thin but
tough soles’ were ‘fine’ on the deck eye.
VERDICT: Mixed results in the grip test,
but the testers liked the stylish design.
95
➜
Deck shoes on test
Dubarry Capri
Women’s Moccasins
Contact: www.dubarry.ie
£100
Made from ‘the
highest quality
water-resistant
Nubuck and
leathers’, these
classic slip-on
deck shoes
feature a soft
sock pad; a
concealed EVA heel piece for shock
absorbency; new heritage Dubarry trim;
purpose-designed cup soles for traction and lateral stability; a non-slip, non-marking
outsole; and supple soft leather uppers with butted seam hand-stitching sealed for
water resistance.
TEST FINDINGS: Roz tested these in navy,
size 7.5 and found the grip ‘pretty good’ on
the wet forehatch and non-slip decking, but
slippery on the shiny deck edges due to the
rigid sole. The shoes offered good sole and
stub test protection. Roz said: ‘They’re
comfortable shoes, you can feel the quality.’
VERDICT: The slip-on style cannot rival the
trainer models for foot support, but the Capri
offers quality comfort and a reasonable grip.
Musto-Clark Orson
Drift shoes
Contact: www.musto.com
£100
These smart
but sporty deck
shoes feature
premium, salt
water-resistant
leather;
rust-resistant
eyelets; ROCK
rubber soles
with a siped
and microsiped
tread pattern
for traction and aquaDX Technology for water
drainage. The EVA insole has a sheepskin
lining and there’s an EVA/ROCK midsole.
TEST FINDINGS: David P and David H tested
the size 9 in dark grey and loved the comfy
sheepskin lining and Clarks Atsu massage
footbed. David P felt their grip outperformed
the Dubarry Regattas on the wet forehatch, in
all directions: ‘They’re not drifting at all.’ The
grip wasn’t so good on the non-slip decking,
but felt secure on the shiny foredeck edges; the
‘quite flexible’ soles bent around the surface.
The sole test was ‘uncomfortable’, and the
stub test ‘painless’. David H found these shoes
easy to put on, supportive and comfortable.
VERDICT: A good hybrid between smart deck
shoes and the trainer styles. David H said:
‘These feel much more secure than normal
deck shoes. I like the textured insole.’
96
Dubarry Regatta
men’s shoe
Contact: www.dubarry.ie
PBO verdict
£115
These are
made
from a
water-
resistant
DryFast -
DrySoft
Nubuck
leather
and fabric.
The bi-colour cup sole provides traction,
lateral stability and durability, while a modern construction is claimed to improve
flexibility and reduce overall weight by 15%.
The full-length leather footbed is removable.
Seven colours are available.
TEST FINDINGS: David tested these in ‘old
rum’, size 9 and liked the ‘comfortable’ soft
leather. The grip was ‘pretty good’ in all
directions on the wet forehatch. The thick soles
gripped ‘moderately well’ on the moulded
non-slip but gave up on the wet glassfibre. The
stub test was good. On the deck eye, David
‘could stand on one leg, if I could balance.’
VERDICT: Solidly capable, performed well
on most wet surfaces. They didn’t match the
deck trainers’ performance but look smarter.
Sperry Top-Sider
Men’s Gold Cup
Authentic Original
2-Eye Boat Shoe
Contact: www.sperrytopsider.co.uk
£150
These are made
with a hand-
sewn ‘Tru-Moc
construction’
(made from a
single piece of
leather) in stain-
and waterresistant
leather. There’s
a 360° lacing
system with
rustproof eyelets; a shock-absorbing EVA heel cup; and a non-marking rubber outsole
with razor-cut wave-siping for traction.
TEST FINDINGS: The sample pair came in
dark tan, UK size 12. Ben found the grip to be
‘really good. Locked on’ during the hatch test.
However, they were ‘slippy on the non-slip
decking’. Ben said: ‘They’re not too bad, but
they suddenly go.’ When walking sideways on
the wet decking, the Sperrys were ‘as good as
the Musto Dynamic Pro.’ However, possibly
due to the large sizing, ‘you can turn your foot
over quite easily.’ The soft leather made for a
‘quite painful’ toe stub test.
VERDICT: Very comfortable shoes, but not as
supportive as some of the other styles on test.
S
ailing shoe selection will no doubt
reflect your activity levels and
whether you intend to invest in several
pairs or just one that needs to be
multi-purpose. The most expensive
shoes on test – the Sperry ‘Gold Cups’
- were no doubt extremely comfortable,
but could not match the active foot
support of the sporty trainer styles.
Traditional leather moccasins offer
better protection from splashes but the
breathable mesh designs let the water in
before drying more quickly.
All the shoes gripped better when the
tester committed to the step on wet
surfaces with their full weight. Another
common finding was that once the shoes
slipped, there was no return for that foot.
Historically, trainer styles soon start to
smell if worn in wet situations without
socks: however, Ben’s been wearing the
Musto Dynamic Pro on a long-term test for
several months, and the anti-odour
treated mesh is still going strong! These
shoes were awarded ‘PBO’s grip’ as they
‘stuck like limpets’ to all the surfaces
tested. Time will tell if the soft, pliable
soles wear out quickly– purchasers might
do well to keep these shoes on board and
sacrifice other cheaper footwear to wear
ashore.
Our Best Buy award went to the Musto/
Clark Orson Drift, which combined
comfort and a smart style with a top
performance. Our ‘Best Budget Buy’ went
to the Quayside Men’s Sydney for being a
good all rounder at a fraction of the price.
The Zhik ZKGs showed the best grip out
of the women’s contenders, but the
leather moccasins felt nicer ashore.
Overall, we were impressed with the
trainer styles for supporting the feet of
active sailors and for exceptional grip.
While the classic moccasin is still going
strong, it has competition from hybrid
styles, which may offer greater support
and grip and then transport the wearer
fashionably ashore.
We’ve ranked the shoes by recommended
retail price, but many are available cheaper
online – at the time of going to press some
were on sale on their own websites.
Practical Boat Owner 587 June 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk