Dinghy gear: gloves and boots

Jordan Spencer continues his advice on picking the right gear.

This month in our ongoing series on gear, we take a look at gloves and boots. These two items are vital components for your sailing performance, simply because they are your main contact points with the boat. If you think about it, your hands and feet are doing all the work, so anything you put on them has to be good, otherwise you could reduce your performance.

Gloves are critical! There are multiple reasons why you would want a good set of gloves. Unfortunately, I learnt one of them the hard way. In my youth I used to think it was tough to sail without gloves. Now the back of my hands are covered in skin cancers. Wearing gloves would have prevented them. So for that reason alone, you should always wear gloves. Their primary purpose of course is to protect, predominantly against rope wear, but also anything that can catch your hand.

Gloves have improved significantly in the last 20 years. No more do you have to wet them to get them on. Now with new synthetic materials, they last longer, they are shaped with a curve in them to suit the curve of your hand and allow easier grip on sheets and halyards and the reinforcing patches are harder wearing. There is still however a lot to choose from. First off, try to avoid raised seams or hard stitching inside the gloves, these will cause wear and blisters. Fingerless gloves suit those with fiddly roles; fingered gloves suit those in trimming roles. Make sure there are strong wear patches for the fingers, at the thumb and across the palm to around the back of the hand. Also check that the strap doesn’t trigger your starting watch when you move your hand.

Of course there are also lightweight latex gloves. Some love these. I find they move around on my hands too much, but I love using them under my normal sailing gloves on really heavy load boats. Double gloving has got me through some very tough regattas. Whatever your preference, gloves should be comfortable, fit well and protect. Just consider your usage and grab the pair that suits.

Again with boots, there are a few decisions to be made, and again, they have improved significantly in recent years. When buying boots, the key questions are what temperature water are you sailing in and what role are you using them for.

Big mid-calf boots with thick soles are great for hiking on hard-leaning dinghies in the middle of winter, but are terrible for trapezing in, in the middle of summer. I hate getting hot feet and am always on the wire, so I tend to go with low-cut lightweight boots. I also make sure the sole is not too thick, so they don’t compromise flexibility and agility, but thick enough so I won’t be crippled if I kick the vennie as I run through a tack. The heavier boots are suited to boats with a lot of obstacles on the cockpit floor and cold weather.

When buying, check the obvious points, the glue join for the sole and any reinforcing, check the closures – the Velcro and the zips. Give them a good flex as you do it. Make sure you get the right size, pick a style suited to your needs and enjoy.

Gill

The newly released skiff boot features a lightweight, slip-on design with an internal split toe. The thin sole allows you to ‘feel’ the boat, giving you flexibility on your toes and providing the best contact with the deck.

RRP $89.

The Trapeze boots have excellent flex and grip and feature a quality zip with a neoprene gusset to reduce water ingress. The reinforced heel, toes and bridge area are for increased support.

RRP: $79

The Aqua Tech shoe is low profile and flexible with a non-marking natural rubber sole for excellent grip. The panel across the topside of the toes is made from
a high quality abrasion resistant fabric and there is an adjustable strap for maximum support.

RRP: $55

Championship gloves are designed to provide high levels of grip in the palm and also in the seamless wrap-around finger reinforcement. This glove has excellent abrasion-resistance and features stretch fabric on the back of the hand and an inside wrist closure to prevent the accidental pressing of watch buttons.

RRP: $39.

The Pro Glove is the top-of-the-range with short and long finger options. They have patented, pre-curved fingers with a seamless construction and are said to be significantly more durable than conventional glove materials, using Proton-Ultra fabric in the wrap around palm and finger panels to prevent rope burn. As with other gloves in the range, the wrist closure is designed not to interfere when a watch is worn.

RRP: $69.

Grip gloves are flexible, lightweight and give unrestricted movement and feel. The Grip concept is simple; work them hard, wear them out, replace with a new pair.

RRP: $12.

Deckhand gloves feature pre-shaped construction to fit your natural hand shape and stretch fabric on the back of the hand. Seamless wraparound Amara reinforcement on the fingers ensures good protection with excellent grip.

RRP: $28 (short),

$29 (long).

Zhik

Zhik has just released the new Boot 260 and Boot 460. The 460 is the new 4mm Neoprene high cut boot with an improved custom sole and side lace system. The 260 is the new 2mm boot which has a thin sole to ensure that the sailor can feel the boat better. This boot is extremely lightweight and has increased durability with the new custom sole. Both boots feature a wide gusset for easier entry and a 50mm supportive ankle strap. They utilise Zhik’s patented ZhikGrip technology which provides excellent connection between the Zhik boot and the Zhik strap to reduce fatigue in the foot and ankle.

RRP $99.

The Zhik Super Grip gloves are designed to reduce fatigue in the hand. They use fine wrinkle latex for comfort and the new rubber coating gives a durable finish while maintaining a lightweight feel for high sensitivity and dexterity.

RRP 12.50

SLAM

SLAM's Booties were designed by leading skiff sailors. Incorporating the latest in rock climbing footwear technology, the rubber sole compound has been formulated to give excellent grip on just about any wet surface.
The High Cut is ideal for using with hiking straps.

RRP $69.

The Ankle Cut comes with adjustable toggle.

RRP $59.

SLAM Performance Gloves are 100% leather, waterproof, breathable and thermoregulating. They have an adjustable Velcro tab with safety catch and the leather is carried across the topside of the glove giving extra protection for those sailors who need a wrap.

RRP $49