Dubarry’s sailing footwear is enjoyed and trusted by sailors worldwide.
Dubarry's reputation for designing and producing great kit continues to set the benchmark for performance, style and quality. But even when you are on top there’s always room for improvement, to go one step further… which is why Dubarry created Crosshaven, its best ever high-performance sailing boot.
After extensive consultation with the crew of the Irish boat Green Dragon following their gruelling experiences during the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/9, the Dubarry design team set to work. The Green Dragon crew had adapted their Dubarry Shamrock boots to incorporate a gaiter to prevent wash-back and to provide extra protection and comfort. With this idea as the starting point, Dubarry’s design team set to work – and Crosshaven was born.
Crosshaven’s most striking feature is its integral gaiter. It is made from a lightweight high-abrasion water-repellent fabric with an adjustable draw-cord collar that secures foul-weather gear and prevents wash-back. It also houses a drainage mesh for optimal water release and features high-visibility bands.To ensure extra warmth and waterproofness Crosshaven is thermally insulated, using a 350g GORE-TEX Duratherm membrane combined with a thermally lined insole, which provides the boot with full insulation.
Below: The Dubarry Regatta
Reinforced toe and heel parts utilise Dubarry’s unique D-Chassis System. This two-part foot support system is inspired by Formula 1 racing technology and uses a moulded RPU frame that minimises heel pronation by adding extra support, protection and control. The heel clip acts as a stabiliser providing support and protection against impact, plus it is uniquely designed to neutralise pronation through the heel strike. The wings of the heel clip extend under the foot – as you load the wing the wall of the clip presses against the foot, neutralising pronation. The toe guard provides structure and support, protecting the foot from impact and abrasion, while the EVA-moulded footbed acts as suspension absorbing impact on heel strike and helping the foot to control its motion.
Dubarry have also incorporated an ExtraFit feature designed to cater for users with a muscular calf – in addition to offering an extra-wide fitting. Crosshaven includes finger pulls for easy foot entry. With the inner leg constructed from Dubarry’s DryFast-DrySoft leathers and Cordura, plus their award-winning NonSlip-Non- Marking durable outsole, this a very special sailing boot.
Dubarry’s yachting footwear is enjoyed and trusted by sailors everywhere. Even in benign sailing conditions sturdy footwear is a must. Ticking all the technical boxes, the original Shamrock boot from Dubarry made a massive splash when it was launched – the first ever GORE-TEX lined, waterproof, fully breathable yachting boot developed anywhere in the world. The options in the market at that time were essentially rubber boots, which were certainly effective at keeping out water, but the benefits of breathable leather combined with GORE-TEX presented a welcome alternative to cold feet in winter and sweaty feet in warmer weather. Looking good was an added bonus!
Dubarry’s illustrious family of high-performance sailing boots has grown over the years to include Ultima, the aforementioned Shamrock, Newport… and now Crosshaven, already considered essential kit on many boats. Both Telefónica and Abu Dhabi Racing benefited from Crosshaven’s unique performance during the 2011/12 VOR. There is also a wide range of leather deck shoes plus a more active aqua-sport collection for when quickfooted and secure movement on-deck is required.
In early 2000 the Dubarry collection extended across into the Country Lifestyle category when the ‘country cousin’ version of the Shamrock boot, Galway, was presented at equestrian and hunting events. The essential performance characteristics demanded by sailors were easily adapted for this sector and today Dubarry boots are as iconic at Badminton, Burghley, Cheltenham, Chelsea Flower Show and Glastonbury as they are at regattas worldwide.
Over 75 years ago, in 1937, a co-operative was formed to provide work in a small town called Ballinasloe, in the heart of Galway on Ireland’s glorious west coast. Taking its name from a famous French courtesan, Madame du Barry, the company’s formative years were defined through the making of fine-quality shoes, during which time the co-operative was fortunate to be able to draw on a local population of hardworking craftsmen and women.
Dubarry’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most respected and successful companies was born out of the original workforce’s deep-rooted pride, and its ambition to deliver footwear of the very highest quality.
Over the years Dubarry have expanded their international sourcing network, working closely with carefully selected contract partners who share the company’s high standards and desire to work with the best of components, raw materials and unique designs. Dubarry are now recognised around the world, and wherever the company goes they like to feel that they take a little bit of Ireland with them. Because when something’s good, it’s worth sharing.
Where will you go in yours?
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