Dubarry Boots
Irish-made Dubarry boots have been gaining a lot of traction at all levels of performance sailing since being introduced to the United States market in 1999. They’re comfortable, long lasting, and perfect for tough offshore sailing conditions. The designers at Dubarry understand that not all sailors need boots capable of handling the Southern Ocean or North Atlantic. So they recently introduced the Annapolis boot. This mid-calf design is lighter and less bulky than other Dubarry offshore boots.Sean Horrigan, one of the amateur sailors on the Swan 45 Plenty, tested a pair of Annapolis boots offshore and inshore during a busy June in Newport, R.I. Here’s what he had to say:”Since I got the boots, I’ve sailed to Bermuda and back, raced J/24s around the cans, and done Wednesday night racing on a Shields. With each use the boots feel more and more comfortable, like a good pair of sandals. The Gore-Tex lining and the supportive sole help make the boots livable, and the slip-resistant rubber soles grip relentlessly to everything from nonskid to teak.”The mid-calf height helps the boot breathe, but it keeps out most deck wash and spray. They’re not designed for harsh winter or hot summer sailing, but they’re a good, light, in-between boot for those days when the breeze is up, traction is key, and warmth is an issue.””Although they’re on the pricey end of the spectrum, the boots have proven their worth to me so far. I recommend the Annapolis Dubarry boots to sailors who have a hole in their gear inventory and value comfortable, durable boots.”The Dubarry Annapolis boots retail for $285.
