Yachts & Yachting – April 2018

W

ith footwear

products

increasingly

optimised for

different elements

ofthesport,sailorscannowchoose

different boots for serious offshore

work to round the cans big boat racing

from–attheotherendofthescale–

ultra-flexible high grip products for

very high performance dinghies like

Moths. Before buying new footwear

therefore consider your role and your

boat, as well as the type of racing you’re

doing–ifyou’reonthebowyouwill

have different needs to the driver.

WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR BOOTS

We’reoftenguiltyofwaitinguntilboots

are no longer waterproof before replacing

them. However, that’s a misguided

approach that leads to using kit that’s

well past its best when racing. Grip

declines with both time and as the sole

becomes worn, while newer products

also offer improved support and

protection. Henri Lloyd’s Deckgrip Pro

trainerhasbeenaverypopularproduct

since it was first launched in 2004, but

has been progressively upgraded; the

latest versions reflect improvements in

materials technology and benefit from

better tread, low water retention, fast

drying uppers and a cushioned mid sole.

Beforegettingimmersedinthe

technical minutiae of detail it’s also

important to remember the basics.

Agoodfitisaprerequisiteforasure

footing – if your foot can move around

within the shoe or boot, or if it’s tight

andrestrictingmovement,itwillstop

you being able to perform at your

best. Different manufacturers have

therefore developed various ways of

ensuring their products fit as wide a

range of people as possible. For instance,

Lizard’s Spin Boot has a hook and loop

strap designed to take some volume

outoftheankleareaandtherefore

fit a greater range of foot shapes.

The amount and variety of specialised

gear on offer can be bewildering, but

don’t be fazed by this. Choose products

that are best suited to the activities you

spend the greatest amount of time doing,

andinwhichyouwanttogetthebest

race results. You will then have great

footwear for that purpose that’s also

likely to be useable for other types of

sailing. And don’t discount budget priced

options for occasional use with other

activities if your main footwear isn’t

suitable, or to avoid unnecessary wear

and tear on expensive specialist items. If

you’repartofacampaignthat’sspending

tens of thousands of pound to compete

Above

Good technical

footwear is

essential for

comfort and

confidence

when racing

13

NEXT MONTH

Trailers and

transport

On sale

13 April IMAGES: C/O GILL; C/O HENRI LLOYD/MARK LLOYD/LLOYD IMAGES

RUPERT HOLMES investigates the broad range of specialist sailing

footwear that is available for keelboat and dinghy racing

FOOTWEAR

78 Yachts & Yachting April 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk