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
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