Dubarry Boots slippy sole update (2024)

Last year I asked on here if anyone had had a problem with slippy Dubarry boots, I found that it was not an uncommon problem, the soles go hard and they become surprisingly slippy on deck (the sole looked almost new)

I'd had these boots for less than 3 years from memory when this happened but may-be they had been stored for years before being bought ?

Dubarry suggested I roughen the sole with sandpaper but this did not help much. Disappointed with them I took them to a small local shoe repair shop and explained the problem and that they must be waterproof when done, She buffed the bottom and bonded a new heel and sole on to the boots.

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They look good but I haven't tried them yet as I only collected them today but they can't be any worse than they were.
Hope this helps anyone with the same problem.
Pete

Danbury said:

Have you checked if that black sole will mark the deck ?

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Saw your post and just tried them, The sole is brown in colour and not rubber (I think) it does not seem to mark. I have tried it in a scrap piece of white upvc and a piece of ply wood in the garage.

They were no use for sailing as they were.
Pete

I had the same problem with my Dubarrys. Great grip when deck wet but treacherous when dry.

Returned them to Dubarry. They were returned to me with new soles and heels and the uppers restitched. All of this for about £40. A very good service not often seen these days.

alan17 said:

I had the same problem with my Dubarrys. Great grip when deck wet but treacherous when dry.

Returned them to Dubarry. They were returned to me with new soles and heels and the uppers restitched. All of this for about £40. A very good service not often seen these days.

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I think the later boots have a sole that is bonded on now and they don't replace them anymore. Their only suggestion was to roughen the sole up. This was after not replying to my first 2 Emails.

My Ultimas stay on board and are reserved forvwetbwork. They have a tendency to,be slippy in the dry, but as they are reserved for conditions where it is usually damp under foot it does not seem a major problem.
My deckies are another issue. I have used Dubarry for 18'years and every pair has suffered the slippy problem.
This year I needed to replace my two pairs of deckies and tried Sebago (? clove hitch) and made to measure from Conker up the road in Totnes.

So far both have been very comfortable as well as properly grippy.
I shall see how things go over the season.

On a tangential point my rubber Gills used for shore work in the dinghy are pretty rubbish.

I was quoted £75 by local chandlery to send Dubarrys back for resole. Decided I prefer to consider it as £75 discount on another make.

Intend to wear them out but not on boat. Put them on to clean out bottom of Jaccuzi and ended up with one wet foot and sock. If leak in in the uppers glad I did not waste £75 to resole a leaky pair of boots.

Friend phoned me when he was at the discount musto? shop at Ashford as they had Henry Lloyd boots at £40. I took a chance and told him to buy a pair in my size. Comfortable, soles grip, waterproof and good fit. Should have asked him for 2 pairs and another for wife!!

Cantata said:

Same problem with a much-liked pair of Quaysides. Maybe the answer is indeed to break my rule of never wearing them off the boat - maybe if I do some walking on concrete etc that will roughen the soles.

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I love my Quayside Biscay boots. had them 3 seasons now. No problems. Very comfortable and warm. Can't see why I would pay double the price for Dubs.

Giblets said:

I've my Dubarry's for six or more years and they have been used on all types of boats from yachts through RIBs to workboats. Never had a problem with them slipping in either the wet or dry. Also have to say that they are very comfortable indeed.

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me too, mine are 10 years old, need to be resoled soon but really compfy..

pandos said:

me too, mine are 10 years old, need to be resoled soon but really compfy..

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My boots pictured in first post cost £25 to re sole and heel at a small local shoe repairer.

pete said:

My boots pictured in first post cost £25 to re sole and heel at a small local shoe repairer.

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Sounds like good value, but would be concerned that those soles will mark on a painted deck, when I get around to it I might take a sole to the boat before it is attached and test that.

Thanks

Tony