Santa brought us our wish this year!

As sailors and outdoor enthusiasts we tend to be quite demanding when it comes to footwear. Where we are in the West of Ireland, the terrain is rugged and the weather extreme (as in wet).  And when it comes to boats that are constantly moving we need something that will grip the deck well.

Daria needed a boot strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of country life, high enough to shove the dinghy off from the rocky shore into the tide, warm enough to protect against cold waters and changeable conditions, and nimble enough to permit free movement in boating circumstances. Alex wears deck shoes everywhere and had been looking for a shoe that had a bit more support than the ones he has had for years.

We both found likely candidates on Chatham Marine’s website. Daria had been eying these boots for some time and dropping hints around special occasions. Well, Santa finally delivered.  There they were – in that rich red brown colour, with a finish of the highest quality. Alex also found what looked like the perfect shoe. His too arrived quickly and looked to be just what he had hoped for.

Normally we do not buy things like shoes, forget about boots, online. Daria has rather substantial calf muscles, and she finds boots difficult to fit under the best of circumstances. Alex has always had difficulty finding a comfortable fit, and trying before buying had always seemed the better option. As we both really liked the look of what was on offer, we gave Chatham Marine a chance, sending along a note about our concerns. When Daria pulled the boots on they fit like a glove.  Amazing! They fit perfectly and comfortably, with no trouble zipping them up. The same went for Alex’s shoes. Having other pairs of boat shoes, he has found the new ones to be more comfortable than any he has worn to date.

The Melcombe country walking boot is 100% waterproof with a cleated, slip-resistant, sticky rubber gripping sole.  The waterproof lining is made from a unique breathable bamboo material.  The boots are high – really high – and zippered over a full flap so they won’t leak as you get in and out of your dinghy or walk across soggy terrain. They are made with premium high quality leather, with styling to match the quality, and feature added foam padding to make walking those mountainous islands off the coast as comfortable as can be.

Daria has given her Melcombe boots the test of hiking across the land and through the tide to reach our boat, and she couldn’t be more pleased. It’s clear these boots are made to take anything that’s thrown at them. The heel may prove more difficult on board so she may just have to get a companion pair of Cruz II sailing boots and Alcyone deck shoes in grey ultra-soft washable nubuck leather to cover every sailing occasion! Chatham makes a variety of styles that might fit any need a boater may envision.

The Kayak G2 deck shoe is a canoe side seam lace up shoe in high quality pull-up leather. Double layer EVA perforated sock, leather all round lace and razor cut, sticky rubber sole for better grip in wet conditions. This shoe is part of the Enduro G2 range and carries a 2 year guarantee.

Having worn his shoes for several days, Alex found the foot support unsurpassed. The grip on a slippery, wet boat deck was certainly as advertised. Next on his wish list are the Chargot waterproof country boots for hiking and shooting, and the Cruz II sailing boots for his next sailing adventure.

Chatham, long known among weekend sailing enthusiasts, has taken the marine market by storm. No sooner had they launched an amazing new line of crew wear that they beat out stiff competition to win one of the most coveted awards a manufacturer could win – the Design Award for Marine Equipment (DAME) in the Crew and Clothing Accessories category.  They had designed and engineered the first British sail cloth deck shoes for the European market.

Most of Chatham’s shoes are guaranteed for two years from the date of purchase. We can see why.  They are of a quality that is certain to last. If you sign up to receive their newsletter, you’ll also get a 10% discount on your first purchase and special offers from time to time that add even more value.

We will wear our shoes and boots in comfort and pride.  And we will be sure to recommend them to all our friends, especially those who sail to extreme and remote regions where you just can’t afford not to have the very best equipment. Many thanks, Chatham Marine, for manufacturing such a quality product.

Website http://www.chatham-marine.co.uk/ 
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