I always thought you’d pry my classic Dubarry seaboots from my cold, wet hands, but that’s before I tried Zhik’s Seaboot 700. And while it may not be entirely fair to compare the two, since they are birds of quite a different feather, there are a couple of reasons why Zhik’s new boots are now my go-to—and it’s not just because they impressed the judges at METS enough to win the DAME Design Award Personal Equipment category.
One, they are super lightweight at just over a pound each. As I was dashing around last weekend in 25-28 knots of spicy breeze during a race on the Chesapeake Bay, it seemed like I was wearing sneakers rather than boots, making me feel much more agile, quick, and secure on deck.
Zhik collaborated with Michelin, the tire experts, to create a sole design and rubber material that’s “inspired by technologies in motor racing and wet weather…providing outstanding grip and maneuverability across different deck types, whether dry or awash.”
Two, they fit like a glove, and unlike other boots I’ve worn, the footbed is excellent. When you’re shifting quickly on deck this footbed is not only comfy, it provides extra support to your ankles and knees during all that lateral movement. Zhik says the “specially formulated cushioned and supportive mid-sole ensures the boots remain secure and stable on your foot yet are very flexible, enabling easy kneeling and rapid movement around the boat. The midsole offers excellent thermal insulation from cold decks and icy waves, and a Ortholite inner sole adds extra cushioning and arch support.” All I can say is I’d be happy wearing them all day long and then some.
Unlike other boots, you can’t kick them off easily. The inner lining, using the eVent “eVprotective breathable membrane” is snugged around the ankle and calf once you cinch it up with an easy-to-use lacing system and then zip the outer waterproof gaiter closed. Zhik notes that the “elastic hem at the top of the boots also prevents water flushing in from above, which is useful when working on deck in shorts.”
At first, I balked at this, coming from the school of “you’ve gotta be able to kick off your boots in the worst case overboard scenario.” But I wore these boots during the pool test for my U.S. Sailing International Offshore Certification, and rather than weighing me down or feeling like I should get rid of them, they were buoyant and easy to swim around in. Added bonus—the inner shell, which feels like neoprene, kept my feet nice and warm, even while submerged in the pool. A friend of mine who wore these did say that in hot weather, that inner shell got a little too warm for him. But since a big reason I pull on seaboots is to keep my feet warm and dry, I’m OK with that. At $450, these aren’t cheap, but solid seaboots are key to any coastal or offshore kit, and these take the concept to a different level. Zhik.com.
