Lizard SPIN Boot in action!

As you probably saw, my last sailing trip was not cancelled and I finally got the chance to test the Lizard SPIN Boot. As promised, I will let you know what I found out.

Operational conditions

• On board Bavaria 42, Gib Sea 372, Restaurants & Bars
• Sunshine to light rain
• Air temperature at 12° – 15° Celsius
• Water temperature at 16° Celsius
• Wind up to 7 Beaufort

The story

I was wearing the Lizard SPIN Boot for most of the time of my 7-day trip. The overall result is very good. My feet were never cold neither sweaty and – aside from once (I’ll explain below) – never been wet either. I was wearing knee-high stockings made of cotton with it. Putting on / taking of the boots is very easy. Strapping and unstrapping is a little more work compared to a rubber boot but worth it considering how it wraps around your feet. So changing into normal shoes e.g. for Dinner or at the Marina Pub would be very easy. It is completely unnecessary though. In fact, the boots were so comfortable, because light-weight and well fitted, that I only took them off before going to sleep. It has advantages over other boots as its shaft is very flexible and the trouser-legs can be wrapped tight as well and will stay in place.

The boot in general provides good grip and stability. However, one evening – it was drizzling – I slipped while making a step onto the GRP gangway and fell into the harbor. No… alcohol was not involved but I might have been a little to fast and made a rather large step. I am blaming it on me for now. I assumed a better grip though – I guess.

After I climbed out of the harbor, I expected to be soaking wet. I was not!!! I was wearing the Lizard SPIN Boots, Gill OS2 trousers and Gill Waterproof Race jacket as the outer layer. I dipped into the water almost to my shoulders but only the shinbones and the lower part of the foot were wet – AMAZING. I don’t think the boot let any water in. The water must have made its way between trousers and shaft, ending up down in the boot. Good the boot has a removable food-bed. I placed it and the boots in front of the fan heater (at moderate temperature and fair distance) and everything dried completely within two hours.

There are only two details to nag about. If you have thin feet and legs – like me – you might find the strap at your elongated flake to long. When I tie it up properly, only about 1,5 cm of the hook-and-loop tape actually connects whilst the rest overlaps. Secondly, the clamp securing the inner layer of the boot will let go a little when strung tight.

I did not receive any maintenance instructions with the boot and could not find any in the internet either. I rinsed the boots with clear water after usage and asked Lizard for how to take care of such a great product.

Summary

• + Waterproof
• + Keeps your feet warm without sweating
• + Very comfortable and lightweight
• + Easy to put on / take-off
• + Dries in a timeline manner when wet
• – A little to wide for thin feet and legs

Other articles dealing with the Lizard SPIN Boot:

• New Arrival: Lizard SPIN Boots