Maintaining traction on Gill Edge neoprene boots?

Posted by EvanMcD3@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 7 comments

Someone at Gill said that you can walk in the street wearing the Gill Edge neoprene boots that have this sole and it won't ruin the traction: https://postimg.cc/hfrgFk4K

If you've got a pair, is that true?

(I've seen photos online of these boots with a siped sole but mine look like the image I posted.)

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EvanMcD3@reddit (OP)

Thanks everyone for your answers, even the snarky ones. I've learned from experience not to wear sailing shoes off the boat, but I've not had neoprene soles before and even though someone at Gill said it would be okay to walk on sidewalks with them, I wondered. I figured I'd get straight answers here and I'm glad I asked.

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wrongwayup@reddit

Hey man - so for the record these aren't neoprene soles, they're rubber soles with neoprene rubber. You'd be fine to walk through the boat park in them but I wouldn't wear them for more than just launching if I could avoid it - they'll wear quicker and pick up dirt and stones and crap while you do. In fact if I had a place to store regular shoes (or flip flops) on board I'd wear those right up until I couldn't anymore.

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Cole_Slawter@reddit

It will not ruin the traction, but it WILL wear down the sole. The reason rubber soled shoes are so grippy is that the soles are soft. Softer materials wear out quicker. I learned that with my Sperrys. Now I just keep them on the boat.

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another-smith@reddit

I can't speak for gil but I have some nava performance boots with a near identical sole and it's very soft rubber, walking across the stoney car park to my dinghy has already taken the edge off the ridges had them about 2 months I sail atleast once a week

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