Shoes
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Shoes |
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Sailing Shoes, Boots, and Socks Once upon a time, we covered our feet in leather moccasins, canvas 'boat shoes', or some kind of heavy stiff waterproof boot. It took a while, but we have figured out that if we can get the 'shoe' part right for our boat - grip, flex, protection, drain fast, fit - we can use the same 'shoe' with a variety of liners depending upon conditions. So our modern shoes are good, really good, compared to the old stuff. The trick now is what you wear between the foot and the shoe. Wear the shoe barefoot in warm conditions. Wear a light liner in coolish conditions. Wool still works, one of the new synthetic liners is a good choice. Wear a heavy sock in cold water, warm air. It could be wool, or it could be a neoprene wetsuit sock. When it gets nasty, wear waterproof socks (Jim's favorites are Seal Skins.) And when its time to get out the ice chisel, then put heavy socks (wool!) under those waterproof socks. And about 'padding' that some dinghy sailors think they need on the top of the shoe; they might have missed an equipment change in the past couple decades, we now use padded hiking straps, putting the padding where needed instead of carrying it around on our feet - and straps are much cheaper to replace!
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SPERRY SON-R
They seem to be aiming these shoes at the canoe/kayak market more than sailing, but this new shoe may be not only their best small-boat sailing shoe, but one of the very best on the market. They feature a stretch, beathable upper made in the 'cuff' style without a separate tongue, that slips on and fits snug, with either a strap/buckle (the ones I have - the plastic snap buckle is on the side so you don't feel it when the feet are under a hiking strap) or a bungee-laced front to snug up the fit so the shoes don't slip off. The shoes also drain very quickly and easily, so they never feel waterlogged or heavy. What separates these water shoes from others is the sole and matching insole. The areas where the foot puts more pressure on the sole is actually thicker, meaning that there is both more padding, and greater pressure on the ground or cockpit at these points. While it all provides an advertising way to separate this shoe from others in the market, what it does in the boat came as a surprise. These shoes got a couple long weekends of single-handed dinghy sailing, a light air regatta and a few days of medium/heavy air training and club racing. My immediate first reaction was complete surprise, because I had never thought about it; these shoes pivot easier on the bottom of the cockpit in light-air tacks and jibes than anything I have ever worn. Because of the pressure-point Son-R concept, these soles don't drag or catch when pivoting in a turn. One other surprise, again because what we think of as 'sailing shoes' doesn't address it - the back of the heels of these shoes are padded, the sole material wraps up the back of the shoe, making it easier and more comfortable to brace a heel against the side of the cockpit in light air. The sides of the foot - and toes - are well-protected from cockpit bumps and bruises by the sole wraping up on the sides. And the fit is good, sizing is standard without surprises; I wear an 11 in most brands, and 11 works here fine, when worn with socks (see sidebar left). If you plan on wearing these barefoot or with a light liner sock, then go down 1/2 size from your normal one. I am actually using a 10, I prefer a really snug fit, and wear these for sailing only, not for walking around. In the past decade I have worn a lot of different shoes of the new 'watersport' breed, searching for the right dinghy shoe. Major brands include Bass, a previous favorite, Merrell, sole too sticky on the cockpit bottom but wonderful walking around on slippery rocks on shore, and Teva, one of which has become my preferred coaching (driving a motorboat) shoe. I have already gone through all the major 'sailing' shoes, the padded things ranging from stiff boots to simple padded wetsuit booties. This new Sperry was an instant winner with me and will be in my dinghy sailing kit for a long time. UPDATE late 2012; after one year of use, these are still favorites - in a dinghy cockpit, under a hiking strap. The pressure-point technology that makes these great inside a cockpit also reduces contact area on a deck, so they end up a bit too 'slippery' for larger boats or trapezeing. Also, go with your true size, my attempt to go a size smaller to stay more snug on a bare foot has not quite worked out, after some use these shoes do what shoes do that are exposed to lots of water, they curl up/tighten up/get stiff when they are dry, making them much harder go get on. Also, get the version of this shoe with the lacing, not the strap as pictured. The strap turns out to be just too much of a hassle to adjust, conventional lacing is much simpler. Suitability: Dinghies: 5 Stars Price range: $90 Sperry, Top-Sider, SON-R are all trademarks of Sperry Top-Sider
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SPERRY,
long famous for their Top-Sider leather moccasin-style boat shoes, has moved
more aggressively into the watersports shoe category with their new SON-R
line ("See with your feet"). Styled a bit like the many water shoes
from many companies in the past few years that have dominated the discount/outlet
market, Sperry spent time on the sole and how a foot works, and appears to
have a winner.