With the new sailing season fast approaching, anyone about to take to the water will be starting to think about their kit. Where are those thermals they invested in last year? Will their oilskins last another season? And how are they going to keep their feet warm and dry, whilst being able to nimbly negotiate their way around a boat. For an answer to the last question, look no further!

Having spent last season (five months of it living on board our sailing yacht Exeat) in an unsatisfactory variety of trainers, flip-flops and bare feet, I decided that this year I would splash out and get some proper nautical footwear. Not only would this be more comfortable for the occasional downpours at sea, but it would also be an advantage to wear waterproof boots for when we dinghied ashore and I didn’t fancy wading in bare feet through cold Atlantic water to drag the tender in.

Luckily, living in Cowes, there is no shortage of shops and chandleries selling sailing boots – and I tried them all! But, spoiler alert, in the end, I had to cross the Solent to buy the boots of my dreams. Read on to find out what I made of some of the most popular sailing boots for women.

Musto

This was my first port of call, mainly because it was the first shop we came to on Cowes High Street, but also because their sailing gear is well-made, smart and just expensive enough to feel like it will live up to its promise. I tried their Gore-Tex Race Boot (£325 for sizes 4-11) which are made from a combination of black leather and ballistic nylon to provide “unrivalled durability…complete waterproof protection and continuous climate control”. I really liked the look of these boots but unfortunately I was between sizes and for some odd reason Musto only do one half-size, a 7.5. The size 5 was just a little too snug, hence I found it incredibly challenging to slip the boots off – something one may need to do in a hurry. So these sadly weren’t for me, but if they happen to fit you, go for it, they look like a great sailing boot.

Helly Hansen

Next stop was the HH shop in Cowes, which is well stocked with great sailing gear – but not sailing boots! They sell a good range of trainers/deck shoes designed for wearing whilst sailing, but they were decidedly lacking in ladies’ boot options. The only choice here was a basic pair of rubber boots – sweet in their own way, but not what I was looking for; whilst they would certainly be waterproof when wading to shore, they’re not terribly flexible nor are they warm. On the plus side, they’re a pocket-friendly choice at just £57.

GUL Fastnet boots

Across the High Street, Shipmates sell the GUL Fastnet deck boot for £180-200, also available online from Shipmates and GUL (see link). It’s a smart-looking boot in tan leather and navy blue mesh panels. It’s also pretty comfortable and feels like they would be a warm option (this may be down to the “Aquatherm waterproof membrane technology to keep feet dry and warm whilst wicking away perspiration”). My only gripe was that the heel of the boot lifts as you walk – apparently this is a deliberate design so that the boots can be easily pulled off, should you need to do so quickly (ie: if you end up in the water rather than sailing on it!). I didn’t like this aspect, but I can see the benefit of it, and it is a well-priced mid-range boot. 

Dubarry

Widely considered the Rolls Royce of sailing boots, I had to try these out. And….I was underwhelmed. Yes, they’re smart and comfortable. But are they really worth the £329 price tag? Possibly the best thing about the Dubarry range of sailing boots is the choice of sizes and colourways: they’re available in brown leather, black leather, and a dashing navy and brown colourway from sizes 35-48 (European sizing) so you’re bound to find a pair that fits. As well as being made in Ireland from high quality, waterproof leather, their boots have a solid non-slip sole which feels sturdy and safe. I personally found them tight on my calves (which admittedly are on the muscular side) so I wasn’t won over on the comfort factor, but they looked great and felt like the real deal. If budget isn’t an issue, these could be a good investment. 

Orca Bay

The lovely guy who runs Pascall Atkey in Cowes suggested an alternative to the Dubarry boots – a brand I’d not heard of before, Orca Bay. Their leather and oiled nubuck Storm Boot retails for around £200 in unisex sizes 37-47. This was the most comfortable boot I had tried on to date: it fitted well, felt warm (apparently it’s triple-layered) and the non-slip rubber soles had a decent grip. These would probably have been my ultimate choice if I wanted a mid-range pair of well-made, good-looking, comfortable sailing boots. 

However, with a birthday approaching, my budget was a little more generous than it might otherwise have been, so I was tempted into crossing the Solent to try on a pair of Le Chameau sailing boots at a chandlery in Port Solent.

Le Chameau

At £280 these weren’t the most expensive boots I tried on but they were without doubt the best all-rounder. The soft, supple leather was a dream to slip into, and the boots easily came off when I gave the gentlest of tugs (they also easily accommodated my calves, with a more forgiving profile than other styles). Made from a waterproof and salt-resistant grain and nubuck leather, they’re a good-looking boot that is as at home walking around town as it is on board. The 4-layer inner membrane is made from recycled ocean plastic and felt supremely comfortable. I was smitten, and knew instantly these were the boots for me. I have yet to wear them sailing, but I can’t wait to put them through their paces. I feel confident they’ll live up to my expectations of being waterproof, warm and quick-drying.  

Like Cinderella finding the matching slipper to her missing shoe, it’s such a relief to find boots that fit perfectly. There are lots of choices out there, at all different price points, but my one recommendation would be to go and try them all on as every brand has its own unique pros and cons, and you can’t rely on your shoe size being the same as your boot size!